Newspaper Page Text
PrM ■ \ .■.uii . « I 1
Wc ia> s»itio every thing («diy lo make room
for the Mvaiagc of Mr. Vw» Boron to Congra**.
TUB HiCW.
T he following in ilia romI(«f yesterday's race, i
•I twini; a limit***! on all hand* t * have born the |
Imrdmt contest* 1 «•*•! wo-t no creating rat a (hat
•v*r teak fUarauft fht t/i K.iyoU« oottfro, Tlio i
tnrkqnie m*Hy. Tlirv« milv U a iti ( Parse s7tlU
H wlitt ti w •? a a -toKI to liiocccom) horn* id
the ra*«.
las boat 2d 3*l 4th ,
Caps RowVi f e.r<ftb, 2 3 11
J Marrunn’s Sally Van Mvke, 4 12 2
Hammond ft la* veil's Uwmw, I 2 3
Hampioo** Milwsukw. A A 4 r’Wool
fl I*illlV -. Noii'ii lone, 3 4 d*s.
Tuna Ut hiMi fitn Ha —‘2ml f.m 3a—3*l Cm Ja— i
‘thCmfe
entries l«r today are a« Allows—Pur** #lftOO,
cf which ftt.i lu ib** *-v>nd 4*eM berse-—4 mile
heat* T lk* follow i-t** it abo ifu* result:
J, H A dim-’ r h Big John 2 dr.
VC Kanqoon* r n!h;irl«:to firtio I 1
i Afmtiwwfs £4* *Kt*« 3 *2
0 Kottr'i 9 g C‘l*ml mpp rr. 4 3
Tuna-* Ut hc*i Bm. It ; ♦•( li*H *m. la.
M I'iSS A'U E
rfio.n mu
PKNIDEKr OK THE UNITED STATES,
TO TDK TWO (1 DIME I Os Cil* U It l.i»a #
•ff /At eimincneemrnt of the MrcwJ hessian of
lf\> • rufsntif fifth Congress.
/Vlfow-Ciris viff if the Semite
an 4 /louse of Hejn eirntativei:
We have reason lo renew the expre.saion of
our devout g*a ilude to the iii'cr of ail qool for
lim benign pmlecliuii. Our country presents, on
rv ry nlr v tUo avid uiccs of ilut comiyuid furor,
under whose mapicoa it ha- gradually ri*en from
a four (re bit and Uepeiid-uit Golonics to it pro*-
p r«»u* and p.»weif„| Confederacy Wo air
Massed wilh domes ic iranq.i iy, and all the ele
ment* of national pro»q»«:ri(y. 'i’he pestilence
which, invading, (nr a li ».«i, some (lou*i-hnig por
tions »»f lint Union, interrupted the .eneral pre*
xal-nce of uou-ud health, ii.it hippily bacn (mu
led in otloiil, an I smut.-1 in Ha final c ir-*rr.-
The industry and prudence of our i lli/.oiii are
gi.idually clievmg ilicm (root the pecuniary cm
b«rr iismanU under which portions of them have
lahoiod; judicious leg*-|a(i"ii, and iJn* natural A
hoainlteaa reaotirrra of tho i*,mirilry,*havo al! ird*J*l
wiart a. l l ti.iicly ni*l lo jnivau* uiiterpriw*; and the
nrhri'y alwuva rhavu’li nalir of our |iuuplu ba»
nlrraiy.in t gieal degiec, letumed iu u-na| und
pr diuMe c’.immeV.
Th« r.*> hiidoii u| onr i idol inn li ih not
mniorialiy changad ainn* the U>l aiinual uioaa.ige'
of my (<ifdffi'i*nr, We rtuiiain ui peace with
. alt n iiimiM ; and mifdoiu o i my pail, cunaiiiiciil
with the po -iu v ilion of our rignta no I tin* iiuiioi
ol tha c •unify, ahull lu* apaivd lo inaiuinin a p»i
tiiM.ii ■» consonant l«» our inaittniioiH. Wo
h«vc falildully aua'aincd the l polit y willi
who!a the Um oil *S,jUm. nndci lint guni inr.c ol
llieir fir-i IVenidiirtt. look their eland in the
fiinily «d iiatinn*—-thal of icguliting lUoir in
lerctiurrj with »»lln r Koivna by l!»e approved
|»rineipb*a of private lit. ; a-king and uovurding
¥ ju tl riglita and tupial pnviKgca ; ini luring am
pisiiot* in ail canea ; advancing (Ucir
own, and diaruaeing tho preirn-iona tij oiliura,.
with candor, tillecin*'-a, and ninci-riiy*, appoaiing
at all WHUfi to le.KMn, but never yioidmg to
force, not oking lo acipiire any thing lor tltuni*
•e*lve« hv Uh eiercite.
A rigid adherence to fda policy Inn left thii
O weruHicnl with fanvly a cinni upon lUjua
lice, fir injuruH .iriaing troni acts cum mltc.i by
it* authority. 'J'ae movi impoung and perplex
ing of tliovc of the Uuiia l b him upon loroign
Uovernmenu, f*» a{;iti <m*hm up m ourc.iiize.ua,
were di-po»cd of by my piedecr-aor. lildcpen*
demiy ol* the lumeliia conferred upon our ci i
sona by r»-t*on»t lo the inarcjiuilo c nn:n a ui* y j
mo ui my ndh >o- of *v deli t li* y lu«l been wrong
fully livened, a gr«>al a r»icc wuaalvo rondend
to lim « *unl.y by the aatijfaelory adjustment ol
v) mmy ancient and imuttng miljecu of con
taiiiiou ; and i roiled- no ordinary credit on hik
vuccetfslul adni.lustration of pnhbc uHTiira, dial
this gra.it object w i* ae.c*>ntpli»lied, without com
promising, on any oc* a*iou, cither the honor, o>
Ilia peace ol the nation*
With E iro/ean po vers ho now subject* of
difli :ultv have arisen: and those winch wore un
der di*cu«<imi. uldiough not tennm iie«l, do not '
present a more un!av.liable aspect l >r the future
preservation of that good undemlanding, which
it has ever b.u ii our desire in cultivate.
Os pend ng *{iKvs ion*, the must impoetmtas
that which c\nu .vi h the Uovcinmmt of (J.eal
Britain, in reaped to our iMtthcasicrn bound try.
Il is with unfeigned regret, ibal die people of the
United 8 ales inu-t I *ok hack up m the abo i c
eilbiu nude by ilie E vocul.ao. |.»r n p*Ti*»d ol
more tlio! bulla century, lo aulormine, ivlml no
naii ui ahnald nutlVr long lo rom nn in dispute,
(he'rue lion which di'idea iia po-sessin.ia from I
th •»s oi oilier powera. i’no nature of the mi*l
tlant.nitiou Ue hardoraof the United S' ales, an I
of ihe neighboring iciritofy, was for a *ca»uii
auc.h, that (hi* perhaps avis not mdiapenaabie to
a fnilalut pci fit ina u*o of tho dunes ut the Ked
ertl iiovcr'nmeol. Ti ne has, Uowev r. changed
(hi- Mtale o( things; and lias brought about a
condition of aifstrs, in vvoich the turn inloreata
of b»ih csiuiitriej imperatively mp.ire tlul thi
qa«Mii m should Ik* pul at rear. It it not to be
disgui-cddhit with fu I confidence, oboa c\pic»s
a*d in lUo ilc.irc ol tho ilu i*h (idvcruouMit lo !
Irrminil« il, we »rc apjKkrrnily a< far troiu it* !
•Jj i.im.-oi a. wo wore at ilia uoio of -iitui.lj ill.*
treaty at (.eacoiiu 1783. The (ole to.uit al loii£ I
or ••t atioi.a, nu t a |irr|ilettuj{ ailntr.t- |
Hou. appa.ra lo lie a
• r mrroiional Into mu.t ho a.lopte.l, Iro n tin
imp xtlnliiy ol eeeetuinin j the Hue one aocorJing I
lo t.ie ilurcnpiioii co.HainoJ ill that treaty.— 1
William oo,iiciJiii{ in ihia opimoa, which i> nut \
thouflu to lie well lotio loj, my predocoMor gave
the Mrun,«al p.o.f of ths r.inie.l do.ire of the
C.mwl Staler la lot aiu.ile ..aUnlaeturilv .an
dirpate, try the auh.lilutioa ui a
can..njitoii.il liar, if llie eon*eiit of the Suies
inirrcale.l la llie q loaiiuu c.iuU ho ohlaiiie.l j
To this piop-M'.ion, no aiuwtfr ha* us
fO‘ been received. Toe attention of the Uni- )
tab (iovernnieiit his, h *wevor,been urgently in- {
viir l ui me aoitject, and it* reply cannot, 1 am :
confident, be m iosi longer delaycu. The general \
f«Uu>»ns nclwceu Ureal Butain and th« L*. States
are dill* nio»t hie dty chit act rr, and iam well {
m* i«i).*d o. (he aitiuara dr.-poni ioi of that Govern
■ir.it to maintain them upon thrir preacnifoot ng.
Thi« diapidiion b*v aU), 1 am persuaded,become
Bine grn/rat wilh the people ol England limn at
any previous period, Il la acarcciy nece s.ny to
My lo you. how cot dull y it U raciprncsted by the
Oatrrnmciit and |«*i|4c of the IJuiled BtaU*i.
Tli** convicii*M« which must Ut common to all, of
ihn injurious coii*equencoK that result from keep- ,
aag ujien ibu irritating qaci>u<m, and the certain
ly that ita fi i.»l icitteiueni cannot be much lunger
ciofrrrr I, will, 1 trust, lo.» 1 to :i.i only and
facto.y adjnstm m*. Al your last sci-ion, 1 laid |
belt re y* hi the ruccnt coni rnkuicatMiia helwoco
the two Government a, and Unworn tuu G nern
m«nt and (hat u! th# Stale of M ime, in whose
solicitude, coucet ding a -uiijeet m wnich alio has
ao deep an interest, every |n>rtion of the Union
participates.
The Icclinga (traduced by a temporary iuterruji
lian of lb»ae hum mums reiaiioiie l»elwceii
Krance dc (he I. #. which are duo as well (o (lit*
Ha 4 eciMiis ot formcrpiiKOi as to a correct npprej
ciauoii of eusling MUi*resii*,liiV« been happily euc
ca»d»d by a tundi.ii di-ptwm »n ou both side* to
cuilivaty an active friendship in (heir tuiaiejuter
course. The NpiiiMti undoubtedly currwu and •
•Uadtly enter tamed by n*, that the coinmercnl
vtlatioiii at prMent exiting between the two
OHlikimw, arc misM'eptililo of great and reci(*rocal
ly bene filial im|U»v«*menla U ntwiyu-ly gaining,
ground in Krancw, uwd I am aaauroil of iho dia
wmlimi of that Government in liv *r the acrom-
ofaich an übjoet. I'his dtajm-nion
ahati he mkH in • p *,**r vp»»‘t un our pari. The
lew tad eompaiativcly unimportant <|ue«tb>n«
remain lo Ini adjna*#d Iwlwwu ua, can I
ha** m» dottbt. (w aeuled with enure mi isfactam
and wlUnnil did*, nil)
Seierwet*|lbi •>» #od |fo»! 'died *!**«*, Mn»U 1
narru n( 4 rid «wi( * Ht hi &i* he nMH'ff rb**
teliad. Otfr Miirietrr recenlly oceicdt c-d to that «>(
\ Court, han been receive*! with a fnukwo * ,,l i jol
* cordiality, and wilh evidence# of reapeci for In# hi
country, which leave ua no r 0111 io doubt the , w
j preecrvanori in (ulurc of Uio*e aiuical»le and h- ir
j tieral retaiiona which have eo lung and ao uiiintrr- «
| rupu-dly evisieii between two couiitrica. On the ,<n
jiew kubjerta under d ecuveion between u c , on w
I early andjutl decision is coi»fi‘lenlly anticipated. jU
A corrcapoii'leuce h.ia been onioned with the a
{(•ovcininenl of Auotna, tor the eetahbshfiieni *»l
, diplomatic inlations, in conbawiiiy wiMi (be wi»h- ( a
. ol Congreas, an indidtied bf vs appropiialbni j u
act ol (be mohik ol 1537, eu«l errangunieiil* h
j made for tho purp.ua, which wilt ha duly cu ricil , n
j into clFit 1. j s
With Atiatrie end Prua4n,end with ihc 8(ale«
j for the Oennfii empire, now componii.g with the • il
latter the CiwnmeKMd league, our political r* U- 1 f>
lioiw oie of the mo**, friendly theracicr, whilst | n
] *ur commercial intarcouiae i« gradually extend .»i
| mg, with >nmetii t<) ail who arc engaged in K. 1 a
Civil war yet rage* in Hpain, producing intense r
, suffering lo iiaowu (oaple, iiid lu other nation* . h
inconvenience and regret. Our cilxciu who 1 11
have < laiint upon lliet country will Iks piejadiccft j f
tor « litno by the condition of lie Treasury, the j f
inevitelde coneeqiicnre of long continue*! aud ji
internal warn. The instalment oilhe . 1
m»crc*r elthedcbt due under the con vent 1 on with 'I
' Im Quern of Hpain l»a* not been (iflid; end miui- j (
j !ar l.iJuree may lie expected to hap{>eii, until a j a
j i>oriien ot the reaourcre of her kingdom can I*** j 1
I devoted lo the disiiiiguiehincnl of it* foreign debt, j
Having received ratisfaclorv evidence that d'»*
* crioinieling tonngo dntica weio charged upon the !
vrsides of the United 3(atc* in the poll* of Por | (
lugal, a priKtamation wax issued on the Hlh day j I
of October iuel, in compliance wi’h tho act ol j t
May 2b, 1832, declaring that fact; and the du 11
lira on foreign lun.ige which were levied upon <
Portuguese vcsaol* in the United Klatve, pre- 1«
vioualy to ihepaevage of that ac , urn according- 1 1
1 ly revived. j *
The uct of Jxdy 4, IHJfi, suspending (he dis- j (
1 r rim in ring duilc* upon the produce of Portugal r
imported into lliiacdun'ry in Pmiug.icee vc*s»*l<. (1
w.i* (>.l .»c 1 upon the application ol that (intern- J 1
me.n, through it* leprscnluiivo hnrr, under tho j v
belief llial no Mmil.tr *h*Ciimmili*»n existed in , I
Per.ngil to the ,pnjudice <d'tho United fc>ialcs. jl
I I regret in slate that Milch duties nro now exacted 1 1
!in that coiintiy, upo:i the cargoes of Amcrictm •
j vcnscia ; and ;»s tlie nc ref* rred lo vest* no di .- j *
j rr:i min the E K'CUtrve, it i.r for Congrc*’* to 1
do ermine upon the f.xpcJicney of fu*l itr r
I ition on t|)o auhjerl. Aguinsi lltvyp dU;rit;, 4 na- *:
: ib’hs, nfl cimg the vctf.l) of tins county and
heir cargos.:, remonstrance was made,
■mil n> liic was given lo the Foriliguciie Govcin- '
* ui lit, Unit mile** ih. y should he discoinimiod, 1
tliu adopti.m of comiiervatling iim a.sure« on tin 1
pul of (ho I‘intcd tiiatce would become nrccasa- 1
ry ; buttlrr reply of il» »i (loverrimsnl, receivul.it
the I), par m nt ol Bmie tb.rongh ou 1 Torgo d* J
1 Alfiirciv at lii-bon, in (he month of September t
Uml, a Ifni ded nog on lid lo hope for the ahamlon- •
•neul of m-y«iei(i, ho little iu harmony with the
l.c.ilinent nil *\vn lo UlO vcascU of Porttigal and i
their i argoeis in the poitM ol itiia country, and ho I
contrary t*» tho oxj»ecuiions wo had 11 right to 1
entertain. 1
With Hull md, Sweden, Denmark, N iples.ami j
Uolgimn, a friendly mu rmursc lias been uiiinler- i
rnptedly in iliilained.
Wnh Iho Government of tho Ottommi Porte *
audits (b'pendcneiea on the coast of tho Medue- *
rnnumi, peace ami good will u t carefully eulnva- j
led, und have been fusloied by such good nlliecs 1
or the relmive disianco afni the condition ot
llro.se counliiea would permit. 1
Our commerce with Greece is carried on under c
the laws ol the two Government*, ro< rproeally j
beneficial to thi imv ignting interest* of both ; ami c
1 have reason lo lm>k forward to (he udojiiinn ol h
o.her uiiMtsure* which tvi I be mue extoosivcly f
md permanently iidvnnliigeeus.
(’opics of the truatiea concluded with the C*ov- li
ornnit'iit of .i iim und Musutl are tr.iiisiniltrd lor 1 a
ill** iiifor.iMli.ui of Gongri hs, die nit ilimiioiM lu- j a
/ing been received, and the (re.itieH m ade public, r
iu'.o (he cltitfC us the Inst annual session. Alreu. p
<ly Imve »vc reiuun (0 coiigrutulate ournolvea on b
the presprcl of coiinidernhle commercial benelit a
and wo have, be.ulu-, received from tin* Sultan ol 11
Muscat prompt evidence of In* desire to cultivate I It
the most friendly feelings, by liberal nets toward I a*
•ne of onr vessels, bestowed in a manner so «lrik* I
mg :u i • re.pmc on our purl n a-know I- w
odgCllienl. f
Our commerce wilh tho Islands of Cuba audit]
Potto Kico still luh.ns under heavy roslitclions, ! c
i die continuaiiro of which is 11 sul ject of regret. ; g
i’lio only filed of an adherence lo them will he 1 hi
to benefit tin* navigation of otlur countries, at 1 p
the expense both of the United Stales end Spain. |hi
The md pendent nations of tin* continent have 1 1*
ever since they emerged from tho colonial stile, lil
experienced severe trial* in their progros* to the I
permanent cst ihlishuiclit of liberal political w
iiistitutians. Their unset lied condition no only ! n
mien opts Uicir own advances to prosperity, but ! li
has of.en seriously injured tho other power# of j•«
the world. The chums of our c.li/.en* upon id
.Peru, Chili, Hraxit, the Argnniino Kepublic, the M
j Government fonned out of tho Kepublic of Co* p
luiiihia, ami Mexico, are still pending, although
many of thorn have Iksoii | resented for rxamiim- b
lion more lion twenty years. New Granada, .ic
VoncT.ucla. and Ecuador, have rocemly 1.-imcd u j U
convention fu the parposu of aacoitaming and \ I* l
a«ij*isting claims upon tho UepuMic of Oolomhia, p
from which it is ruruevily hoped our citi/eu* will, i it
ere long, receive fill I compensation for the inju- y
ties originally indicted upon them, und fur the !
tie ay in adimhng it. I P
An advuiKiigeouii Irea’y of commerce ha* been 1 »•
: concluded by the United S ates with tho Peru- ia
, Bolivian Confedcraiion, Wnich wants only the >i
istilica ion of that Government. Tho progress a
l of a *abse jneni neg itiiUiou for the sedlement of u
ctaiuis upon Peru, has been unfavorably olfcded d
l*j tho war between that Power ami Chili, and i•»
j the Argentine Kepublic; and the name event is v
| also likely lu produce delay* in the settlement of 1 •»
our demands on *.heso powers, ii
I 'Pho aggravating circumstance* connected p
o ith our claims upon Mexico, amt a variety ol ’ "
i events touclanjj Ihoiionor and in’rgrlty of omj «
Ijovcrjtrudlt, led my prc*lrce?s»or to make, al v
tho second session ol the last Congress, a ; n
special rccommmrniKlion .*f the sour*o t*> be u
! pursued to obtain s speedy Mini final sail*- K
, faction of the injuries complained of by ibis a
'Government und by our cilixctis. He recoin- a
mended s fma‘ demand of tedrwss, with a cun- 0
j1 in gent aulhaitty t*» the Executive to make repri* *i
| sat-, if that demand should bo made in tain.!*
Piein the proceeding* of Congress on that recoin- . ti
I memUti«m, it appeared, that the opinion of both I P
■blanche* of the l.rgi-lnuru coincided with (hat v
jf the Executive, (hat any mode of redress h
; known to the law ofn •tion* might justifiably be : n
( used. It was obvious, too, that Congress believ- o
led, with the Prestdent, that another dcmuui A
I shonM Ire mndo, in order to give undeniable and t<
*.ni .fictory ]*roof of onr desire to avoid ext re mi- *
, lie* with s iKughlmrmg power; but (hat there h
was an indisposition lo vest a discretion try an-
tharily in tho Execul veto take redrew, should c
it'unfortunately be either denied or unreasonably |
delayed by the .Mexican Government. Boston I*
as tho necessary documents were prep insd, alter . t
entering upon the duties of my olhoe, a special ' k
'uesoax** wasseut to Mexico, ro make a final do- a
, m ind of redrew, with (he documents required by , a
; the piovi»iuuH of oof tren'y. The demand was I
ittidc on the 2(ltii »»f July bat. The reply which J
bear* date the *2Vhh of the same month, contain* 1
a**uraoce* of a tie-ire, on tire part of the Govern- •
mem, to give a prompt atn) explicit answer re* t
(lecting each of (lie complaint*, but that the ex 1
ammainm ol il»om would nece*s.)riiy lie »(elil*e. c
rate ; lhl», in (luh cxaiuiustuiQ it would be gut- I
ded l y the principles of puWhc law and (he obli- 1
gallons of trestie* j that nothing should tm left ! *
( und me tint might lea 1 to (he must s, eedy and j I
j equtialile atijustineni of our demands ; and that c
.its deiernnnsdon in re-jo-et (o ««c!i caae, should I
llk eoinmunicoied to the Mexican Minister km. *
Since dial time an Envoy Eltraordincry and •
MuiG'Ci I* enipotentiary has bean cccrrdited to t
this Uifvttfinaitt b« (hat u( the Mexican Kepublic. v
Ho brought with nun a»*uranec-2 a *f a stnerre de n
*ira that Ih* pending ddfutenccs Uetwoen the two 11
(Jovennnsnis simuU he tenmnwicd m a wanner e
as isfselnry to loth. Its was iccctved sMk re r
ctprocal swmsn i«t atnl s hope was rnlsrumcd a
that his ntisvi-m would lead to 1 »p* «lv, saiisln! ' a
* tw?y ( twl d**‘l #f if! eiUutg
if comal-iii.l, A .wei-ic Ultctei In rtre c.irl'in
(1 llm jfccilic policy by which the United KUW 1
lave uliv>ty • lie’ll governed in (heir ifil/ri'iiarH
.villi loitrifin nations, k was nvy particular destic
rum the proximity ufAhe Mexican Kupublic. -nil i
ucll known occurrences on our frontier, to he to
itrumm'al in obviating all existing diffic lilies
with that Government, anil in requiring to liir in
n rcosrse iwtwncn llie two Hi'Jinh.lcv, that liliernl 1
ami friend y character by which tin y should al
ways be dirtiuguiallcd, I regret, therefore, tho
more deeply to have found in tho rcce.nl commu
nications ol that Guvernmenl »u little reason to ,
hope (hat any future etTorts of mine for the act
lo.nplishinenl of those desirable objects would ho
sucre-wlul.
Although the larger numlicr, and many of
them aggnvaiad rases ol personal wrongs have
hern now for years before the Mexican Govern
ment, and aome of the cruses of national com
plaint, and those of tho most offensive character, j
admitted of immediate, simple and satisfactory |
replies, it is only within a lew Java past that any i
specific communication in answer to our last do*
team), made live months ago has been received !
from the Mexican Minister. Ily the report ol the j
Secretary of Stale, herewith presenter), and tho
accompanying documents, it will lie seen, that for
not one ot our public complaints has satisfaction
been given or offered ; that but one of the cases
of personal wrong has been favorably considered;
and that but four cases of both descriptions, out
of all itiioao formerly presented, and earnestly
pressed, hat 0 as yet been decided upon by the
Mexican Government.
Kol perceiving in what manner any of the
power* given to the evecutivc alone could bo
farther usefully imployed in bringing this unfor
tunate controversy to a satisfactory termination
lire subject was by my predecessor referred to
Congress, as one calling for its interposition. In
accordance with the clearly understood wishes of
the legislature, another soil formal demand fur
satisfaction has been made upon the Mexican
Guvernmenl, with what success the documents
now communicated will show. On a careful and
deliberate exam imlioii of their contents, and con
sidering the spirit manir-ted by the Mexican Go
vernment, it hai become my painful duly to re
turn the subject, a* it now stand*, to Congress,
to whom n In-longs, to decide upon the time, lit*
mode, and (bn measure ol redress. V/oatevi r
may be your decision, it »b»M ho f.iithlully execu
ted, Confide:.’! that it will Ins chaatctoiiz d by that
iiiodi-rattuil and Justice which will, I trust, under
all circuill'flan.e*, govern tltv councils of our
CoUhlry
The balance in the Treasury on the first day of
January, 1837, was 45,008,Mil dollars. The
receipts during the present y ar from all sources,
including the amount of Treasury notes issued.arc
.-stimuli'll at $'J3 I'JO.tmi, constituting an aggre
gate id Sc!),-1118,5114. Os (his amount, about $33,-
d* I 3(1 1 will h ve been expended nl the cud of the
yeur on appropriations made by Congress} and
toe in.i.lt.e iimoni.ting'to thirty-four millions one
hundred and eighty-seven thousand one hundred
mil toi ty-three dollars,w ill lie ihcnoinimil balance
i i .he Treasury tut the first of January next, —
lint ol that ait in. only one million eighty live
ihutiMiml four bundled anti ninety-eight dollars is
cousidoted ns immediately available lor, and ap
plicable to, public purposes, Those portions of
a wi ich wit he lor some lime unavailable, con
sol chiefly of sums deposited with the Slates, an I
die f out the former deputies h.mks. The details
upon this subject will he found in the annual re.
port of the Secretary of (ho Treasury. Tho
amount ofTraasury notes, which it will he t.eecs
-aiy in issue during the year on account of those
funds la-in)' unavailable, w ill, it is supposed, not
exceed four and a half millions. It seemed pro
per, in tho condition of the country, to have tho
estimates on all subjects nmdo as low ns prncica
hle, without prejudice to any great public mmt
turos. The tioparlitieiila wore, therefore, desired
to prepare their estimates auoordlngly, and I am
happy to li-il that they have been able to gradu
ate them oi so economical a scale. In the great
and often unexpected fluctuations to which the
revenue is subjected, it is not impossible to.com
pute the receipts holnrohand with great certainly;
hut should they not differ essentially from present
iintieipaliuns, and should the appropriation not
miicli exceed the estimates, no tlillicully seems
likely to happen in defraying the current expen
ses with promptitude and fidelity.
Notwithstanding lint groat embarrassments,
which have recently occurred in commercial af
fairs, and the liberal indulgence which, in consc'
ipteneo of these embarrassments, has been extend
ed to both the merchants and the banks, it is
gratifying to he able to anticipate that the Trea
sury notes, which have been issued during the
present year, will he redeemed, and that the re
sources ot the Treasury, without any resort to
lo ins or increased taxes, will prove ample for
defraying all charges imposed on it during 1838.
Thu report of the Secretary i*f the Treasury
will alliml you a more minute exposition of all
matters connected with tho administration of the
finances during the ciimnt year ; a petiud which,
for the amount of public moneys disbursed and
deposited with the Stales, us well us the financial
difficulties encountered and overcome, has few
jiar.ticlls in our history..
Your attention was, at the last session invitud
to the necessity of additional legislative provis
ions in respect lo the collection, safe keeping, and
transfer of the public money. No law having
been (hen matured, and not understanding the
proceedings ut Uongrere as intended to Ist final,
it becomes my duly again to bring tho subject to
your notice.
On that occasion, three modes of'performing
this branch of the public service were presented
Sir consideration. These weic : the creation of
a .National Dank; tho revival, with modifica
tion-, of the deposito system established by the
act of the 53d ol June, 1830, permitting the
use of the public moneys by the hanks; and the
discontinuance of the use of such institutions
tor the purposes referred 10, with suitable pro
visions for their accomplishment through the
agency of public officers. Considering the opin
ions of both Houses of Congress on the two first
propositions as espressed m tho negative, in
which 1 entirely concur, it is unnecessary for me
again to itvur to them. In respect to the last,
you have had an opportunity since your adjourn*
mcnl, not only (oust still farther tho expedionay
of the measure, by the continued practical opera
tion of such parts of it us are now in force, hut
also lo diacovn—what should ever bo sought for I
and regarded with the utmost deference—the |
opinions and wishes or the people. Tho na- j
lional will is the. supreme law of the Republic, I
ait-1 sll subjects within tho. limits of his constitu- j
lional powers, should bo faithfully obeyed liy the
public servent. Since the measure in question
was suhm.t ed lo your conuderulion. most of you
have enjoyed the advantage of personal commu
nication with your constituents. For one State j
only has an election been held fur the Federal ;
Government; hut theeuily day at which it j
look place, deprives the measure under consider- I
■lion of much of the sup|H>rl it might otherwise j
have derived from the result. Local elections for )
State olllcers have, however, been hold in several (
of the 58ti.tr-, at which the expediency of the j
plan proposed by the Executive has been more or j
less dtscu—cd. You will, lam cnnlidenl, yield |
lo their tcsulls the respect duo lo every expres |
sioti of die public voice. Desiring, however, to j
arrive nl truth and a just ytew of the nul-jcil in I
all its hearing*, you will at the same lime teinem- 1
her, that questions of far deeper and mure imme
diate I’H-al interest,tbit) the fiscal plaits ol the Na- |
lional Treasury, were involved in those elections. ]
Above sll,we cannot ovei look the striking fact,that
their were at the lime iu those Steles more than
one hundred and sixty millions of hmk eapil.il,
of which large portions were subject to actual
lorfeilure—other large portions upheld only i
by spriest and limited legislative indulgeu- ,
ce» —and most of it, if not all, lo a greater or I
less rxte.it, dependent lor n continuance of its |
eorpoialo existence upon the will of the State 1
Legislatures lo Iw then chosen. Apprised of,
this etmiumsDce, you will judge, whether it is j
not most probable that tho | reoitar condition of
that vast interest in these respects, the extent to j
which it lias I ecu spread through all the ramifies- ,
lions of society, its direct connection with the
then pending elections, and the feelings it »j, ,
calculated lo niluse into ike cslivtt., ksvs raw.
cist cl a (si greater indue nor over the result, than
any w hich could p-wsthlv have I*oll produced hy ,
Conflict ot opinion in res pen in t question in the '
a Imlrrre ratmn of the tfouerj! (I neia: tern, more
•remote tisH U. foe* important in it- beirmg-01-m , ! ’ J
dial iiilerciit.
I have found i»«* reason to change tr»y own ,T
opinion a* to tbflcijitidiviK'jf d nJopung din **>•" 1 *
i<in prmHueJ, lieing |«rfecll)f iitr*l thiil divs« 1,1
am! I In: ut-it her jtiihiiitjr nor eidicr in t‘»c wi
fl-cal slh.ira of the Govcrament, or in the pecu- | to
niary transaction- of iodixi.loaU and corpoia* [ *t
iions.-o long as a connexion exists between them, | o
which, like tho past, offers such strong induce- j p«
incuts lo make lln-uithe eulijccls ot political ngila- c
lion, indeed,l am more than ever convinced ol the c<
dangers to which the free ami unbiassed exercise . vi
ol political opinion—tho only sure Inundation la
and safeguard of republican government —xvould
lie exposed hy any fur.her increase of the already lb
overgrown influence of corporate authorities. 1 S
cannot, therefore, consistently with my views of In
duty, advise a renewal of a connexion which cir- di
cuinstsnccs have dissolved, n
The diacontiunance of the use of S:ale Banks in
i for fiscal purposes ought not lo he regarded as a tl
j measure of hostility toward those institutions. «
Banks, properly established and conducted, are ai
; highly useful lo the business ot the country, and U
| will doubtless continue to exist in the Stales, so di
long as they conform to their laws, and are found d<
to he safe and beneficial. How they should be U
created, what privileges they should enjoy, under n
what responsibilities they should act, and to what si
re-lricltous they should b ■ subject, are questions cl
which, as I observed on a previous occasion, he- n
long to the Stales to decide. Upon theft rights, si
or the exercise of them, the General Government ci
can have no motive lo encroach. Its duty lo- ti
wards them is well performed, when it retrains ct
from legislating for their special benefit, bacaqse
such legislation would violate the spirit of tho L
Constitution, and bo Unjust to other interests ; S
when it takes no steps to impair their usefulness, al
hut so manages its own affairs as to make it the p
interest of those institutions lo strenghten and 0
improve Crth condition for the security and wel- U
faro o( the community at large, They have no li
'.ght lo insist on o connexion with the Federal tl
Government, nor on the use ol the public money a
for their ow n benefit. J’ho object of the measure tl
under consideration, is lo avoid (or the future a S
compulsory connexion of this kind. It proposes o
to place the General Government, in regard to w
the essential points ol the collection, safe-keeping ri
and transfer oflhe public money, in a situation tl
which shall relieve it hum ah dependence on tho a
will of irresponsible individuals or corporations; b
to withdraw those moneys from the uses ol pri. a
rate trade, and confide them to agents cunstito- a
(tonally selected and controlled by law; lo trt)- s
■ stain from improper iiitcrfcrcii-c with the Indus i
try ot the people, and withhold inducements lo a
improvident dealings on the put of individuals ; i
to give stability lo the concents of the Treasury ; r
to .preserve the measures ol the Government Irom '
the unavoidable reproaches that How from such a <
. connexion, and tlte banks themselves from the I
injurious effects of a supposed paiticipalion in I
he political conflicts oflitc day, from which they !
will olhctwi.-e find il difficult lo escape. I
These pie my views upon this important sub- t
jecti formed alter careful reflection, and with no I
desire hut to arrive at what is mast likely lo pro- 1
mote the public micros’. They are now, as they 1
were before, submitted with unfeigned deference '
for the opinions of others, it was hardly to be I
Imped (hat changes so important, on a subject so I
interesting, could be made without producing a
serious diversity of opinion; hut so long as these
conflicting views are kept above the influence of
individual or local interests; so long as they pur
sue only the g ncrtil pt> iJ.and are discussed wi h
moderation and candor, such diversity is a bene
fit, not an injury. If a majority of Congress see
the public welfare in a different light; and mete
especially ill hey should be sal lofted that the mea
sure proposed would nut -ho acceptable to the
people; I shall look lo their wisdom lo substitute
such as may he more conductive lo the one, and
inure satisfactory in tlte other. In any evtntflhcy
may confidently rely on my hearty co-operation
to the fullest extent, which my views of the Con
stitution and my scnsu ol duty will permit.
It is obviously important to this branch of the
public service, and to the business and quiet of 1
tlte country, that the whole subject should in 1
some xVay he sell led and regulated by law; and, 1
if possible, al your present session. Besides tho 1
plans above referred to, lam not aware that any 1
one lias been suggested, except that of keeping
tlte public money in the Siam hanks in special 1
depasito. This plan is, to some extent, in accor
dance with the practice of the Government, and
with tho present arrangement of the Treasury
Department; which, except, perhaps, during the
operation of tho late deposilc act, has always been 1
allowed, oven during the existence of a National
Bank,to make a temporary use of the Stale banks, 1
in pailicnlar places,for the safe keeping of portions 1
of the revenue. This discretionary power might 1
lie continued, if Congress deem il desirable, what- 1
ever general -ystem may be adopted. So long as !
tho connection is voluntary, wo need perhaps an- *
tieipale few of those difficulties, and little ol that 1
dependence, on the banks, which must attend 1
every six') connection when compulsory in ils 1
nature, and when so arranged as to make the 1
hanks a fixed part ot the machinery of Govern- 1
merit. It is undoubtedly iu the power of Con- *
gross so lo regulate and guard it as lo prevent die s
public money from being applied to the use, or '
intermingled with the affairs of individuals,— *
Thus ananged, although it would not give to tho ‘
government that entire control over its own funds
which I desire to secure lo it l>y the plan I have 1
proposed, il would, it must he admitted, in a great :l
degree, accomplish one of the jccls which has 1
recommended that plan to my judgment—the 1
separation of the fiscal concerns of the Governs ) 1
meat trout those of individuals or corporations.— , r
With these observations, I recommend the whole r
matter to your dispassionate reflection; confident- 1
ly Imping that some conclusion may ha reached *
by your deliberations, which, on the one hand,
shall give safety and stability lo tlte fiscal opera- I
lions of the Government, and be consistent on the 1
other, with the genius of our institutions, and !
with the interests and wishes of the great mass of 1
our constituents. 3
It was »y hope that nothing would -occur to' 1
make necessary, cm this occasion, any allusion to
the late Nation,,l Bunk. There arc circumstau,
ees, however, connected with the present slate of |
its affairs that hear so directly on the character of
the Government and the welfare of the citizen, *
j that I should not feel myself excused in neglec
| ting lo notice them. The charter which tcrmina- '
I ted its ba king privileges on the fourth of March, f
i 1836, continued its corporate powers two years a
j mote, for the sale parjieso of closing its affairs,
with authority ‘-to use the corporate name,style f
and capacity, for the purpose of suits for a final
settlement and liquidation of the affairs and acts !
of the corporation, and for the sale and dispost- '
I lion ot their estate, real, personal and mixed, but t
j for no other purpose or iu any other manner what- '
| soever." Just before the banking privileges .
j ceased, its effects were transfeired by the bank lo .
j a new slate institution then recently incorporated,
j in trust, for lire discharge of its debts and the 1
{ settlement of its affairs. With this trus ee, by r
1 authority of Congress, an adjustment was subso- 1
( quently made of the large interest which the
j Government had iu the stock of the institution. 1
The manner in which a trust unex|>cctcdly ere 1
i ated upon the act granting the charter, and iu- f
i solving such great public interests, has been exc- *
\ cuted, would, under any circumstances, be a fit s
| subject of inquiry ; but much more docs it de- 1
serve your attention, when it embraces the re- *
I demplion of obligations to which the authority 1
| and credit of the United Stales have given value. I
; The two years allowed are now neatly al an end. <
.it is well understood that the trustee itas not re- t
deemed and cancelled the outstanding notes of t
| the hank, but has reissued, and is actually reissu- I
| mg. since the 3d of’ March, 1830, the notes which i
j have boon received by it to a vast amount, Ac- ;
j carding to its own ofllcial statement, so late as [
i the first of October last, nineteen months after j |
j the hanking privileges given try the charter had ! ,
j expired, it had under its control unexneolled notes 1 f
> of the isto Bank of the United States lo the I |
j amount of twenty-seven millions live hundred !
i arid sixty one thousand eight hundred and sixty '
i fix dollars, of which six millions one hundred 1
i and srvrnlv -live thousand eight hmidreil and i *
- sixty one dollars were in actual circulation, one 1
million four hundred and sidy-eight thousand 1
- six hundred suit twenty-seven dollars si Statu ; 4
hank agencies, and lbr»e millions two thousand j 1
1 three hundred xml ninety dollars in Ininiifu, ! !
(bos sli wing that upwards of ten millions and x 1 I
a .3
all fi the no!*-- of lb* old hint were lltm »>td j
ept outstanding. The impropriety of this pro- i
edure is obvious : il being the duly of tbs irua- 1
•0 to cancel and not 10 put forth the notes id »r> 1
reitilulion, whose concerns it bad undertaken to .
vtnd up. If the trustee has a right to rei-ttO
liese notes now, 1 ca-i see no reason why
t may not continue lo do so after the expiration
if the two years. As no one could hove arilici
uiled a course so extraordinary, lire prohibitory
Jausc of the charier above quoted was not ac-
Nunpanicd by any penally or other special pro
rision fir enforcing it; nor have wo any general
aw for flic prevention of similar acts in future.
•But it is not in this view of lire subject alone
bel your interposition is required. The United
Stares, in settling with the trustees for their stock ,
save withdrawn their funds from their former
Jirect liability to the creditors oflhe old bank, yet
a 1 er of the institution continue to bcsenl foilh
mils name, and apparently upon the authority of
lire United Stales. Thu transactions connected
ni:h the employment of (ho bills oflhe old bank
are of vast extent; and should thay result unfor
tunately, the interests of individuals may be
deeply compromised. Without undertaking to
decide how far, or in what form, if any, the trus
tees could he made liable lor notes which contain
no obligation on its part; or lire old bank, for such
us ate put in circulation after the expiration of ils
charier, and without ils authority; or the Govern
ment for indemnity, in case of loss, the question
still prc.ses itself upon your consideration, wheth
er it ia consistent with duty and good 4ai;h on
the pait of the Got eminent, to witness this pro.
Deeding without a single effort to arrest it.
The report of the Commissioner of the General
Land Office, which will bo laid before you by the
Secretary of the Treasury, will show how the
sffaiti of that office have been conducted for the
past year. Tlte disposition of the public lands is
one of the most important trusts confided to
Congress. Tne practicability of retaining the
title and control of such extensive domains in
the General Oovcrnmin', and at the same time
admitting the Tetri lories embracing them into
the Federal Union as cocquals with tho original
Statcls was seriously doubled by many of
our wisest statesmen. All feared that they
wou’d become a source of discord, and many car
ried their apprehensions so far as to sec in them
tho seeds of a future dissolution ot the Confeder
acy. But happily our experience has already
been sufficient to quiet, in a degree, all such
apprehensions. The position, assumed—that the
admission of new (States into the Union on the
some fooling with-the original Slates, was incom
patible with a tight of soil in the United Slates,
and operated as a surrender thereof, notwithstand
ing the terms of the compacts by which their ad
mission was designed to be regulated—has been
wisely abandoned. Whether in tho new or the
old States, all now agree that the right of soil le
the public lands constitute a common property,to
be disposed offor the common benefit of all the
Slaies old and now. Acquiescence in this just
principle by the people oflhe new States has na
lurally promoted a disposition lo adopt the most
liberal policy in the sale of the public lands. A
policy should be limited lolhc mere object of tel
ling the lands for the greitest possible sum of
nt niey, without regard to higher considciations,
finds but few advocates. On the contrary, it is
generally conceded, that whilst the made of dis
position adopted hy the Government, should al
ways boa pmdent one, yet its leading object
ought to be the early settlement and cultivation of
the lands sold; and that it shuultl discountenance,
if it cannot prevent, the accumulation of largo
tracts iu the same bands, which must necessarily
retard the growth of the now Slates, or entail
upon them a dependent tenantry, and its atten
dant evils.
A question embracing such importan’ interests,
and so well calculated to enlist the feelings of
the people in evety quarter of the Union, haa
very naiurally given rise to numerous plans for
the improvement of the existing system. The
distinctive features of the policy that has hither
to prevailed, arc, to dispose of the public lands, al
moderate prices, thus enabling a grea er number
lo enter into competition for their purchase, and
accent; f slung a double object of promoting their
settlement by the purchasers, and at tho same
time increasing tlte [receipts of the Treasury ; Ic
sell for cash, thereby preventing the disturbing
influence of a large mass of private citizens in
debted to tho Government, which they have a
voice in controlling; to bring them into market
no faster than good lands are supposed to be
wanted for improvement, thereby preventing the
accumulation of large tracts in few hands; and
to apply the proceeds of tho sales lo the general
purposes of the Government, thus diminishing
the amount to he raised from the people of the
-States hy taxation, and giving caclt Stale its pots
tion of the benefits to bo derived from this coins
m m fund in a manner the most quiet, and at the
same time, perhaps, the inosi equitable, that can
be devised. These provisions, with occasional
enactments in behalf of special interests deemed
entitled to tho favor of the Government, have, in
their execution, ptoduccd results as beneficial
upon the whole as could reasonably be expected
in a matter so vast, so complicated, and so excis
ling. Upwards of 70 millions of acres have been
sold, the greater part of which is believed to have
been purchased for actual settlement. The popux
lation of tha Stales & Territories created nut of
the dotnainji tcreosa I belnc -n 1800 & 1)30 from
loss than sixty thousand to upwards of two mil*
lions three hundred thousand souls, constituting
at the latter period, about one fifth of tlte whole
people of the United Stales. Tho increase since
cannot be accurately known, but'.he whole may
now bo safely estimated alover ihrae and a half
millions ot souls; composing nine States, the
representatives of which constitute above one
lliirdof the Senate, and over one sixth of the
House of Representatives of the United Stales.
Thus has been formed a body of free ami inde
pendent landholders, with a rapidity unequalled
in the history of mankind ; and this great result
has been proJuceo without leaving any thing for
its future adjustment between the Government
ami its citizens. The system under whi.h so
much has been accomplished cannot be intrinsi
cally bad, and with occasional modifications, to
correct abuses and adapt it to changes of cirsum
stances, may, I think, bo safely trusted for the
future. There is, in the management of such
extensive interests, much virtue in stabili
ty ; and although great and obvious improve
ments should not be declined, changes should
never bo made without the fullest examination,
and tha clearest demonstration of their prac
tical utility. In the hUory of the past wc have
an assurance that this safe rule of action will not
be departed from in relation lo the public lands
nor is it believed that any necessity existe for in
Icrfctitig with the fundamental principles of the
system, or that tire public mind even in the new
Slates, is desirous of any radical alterations. On
the contrary, the general disposition appears to
be, lo make such modifications and additions on
ly as will the more effectually carry out the origi
nal policy of filling our new Slates and Tertilo
ries with an industrious and independent popula
tion.
Tlte modification most perseveringly pressed
upon Congress, which has occupied so much
of its 1 1 mu (or years past, and will probably do
so for a long lime lo come, if no! sooner satis
factorily adjusted, is a reduction in the cost of
such portions oflhe public lanus as are ascer
laiued lo be unsaleable al tho rate now esta
blished by law, and a graduation according
to their relative vaiuo, of the prices at wh ch
they may hereafter bo sold. It is worthy of
consideration whether justice may not be
done to every interest in this matter, and a
vexed question sot at rest, perhaps for ever,
by a reasonable compromise 0 f conflicting
opinions. Hitherto, alter being offered at
public sale, lands have been disposed of nt one
uniform price, whatever difference there
might be in their intrinsic v.-tltio. The lead
tug considerations urged in favor of the me*,
sure* referred to, uro, that in almost all the
land d stricls, and particularly in those in
which the lands have bum long surveyed and
exposed lo sale, lucre are still remaining nu.
more us tod large tracts of every gradation of
value, from the Government price downwards
that these lamia will nut Its piindmsed at (he
Government price, an long at belt, , c „„
conveniently obtained for the same an,aunt •
that there are largo tract* which even the in,.'
yrovemenl* of ihv ••Ijxeent land* will never
Wflfel pi.c* , Ai.ti that the ptesonl Bill- ) I
I form piico, combined with llicir irregular va- j i
1 fie, uperaics to prevent a desirable compact- 1
i non of settlement in the new Slates, and to j
lutarJtne lull dcvclopement of that wmo pu- i
I cy on which our land system is founded, to !
■t *0 injury not only of llio several States
where the lands he,hut of ttie United Slates
as a whole.
The remedy proposed has been a reduction
of prices according to tiie length of time the
lands have been in market, without reference
to any other circumstances. The certainty
that the cfllux of time would not always in
such cases, and perhaps not even generally,
furnish a true critcr.on of value ; and the pro
bability that persons residing in the vicinity,
as the period for the reduction of prices ap
proached, would postpone purchases they
would otherwise make, lor the purpose of
availing themselves of the lower price, with
oilier considerations of a similar character,
have hitherto been successfully urged to de
feat the graduation upon time.
May not all reasonable desires upon this
subject be satisfied without encountering any
of these objections-' All will concede the ab
stract principle, that the price of the public
lands should bo proportioned to their relative
value, so fur as that can be accomplished
without departing from the rue, heretofore
observed, requiring fixed prices in cases of
private "entries. The difficulty of the subject
seems to lie in the mode of ascertaining what
that value is. Would not the safest plan be
that which has been adopted by many of the
States as the basis of taxation—an actual va
luation of lands, and classification of them in
to different rales 1 Would it not be practi
cable and expedient to cause the relative va
lue of the public lands in the old districts,
which have been for a certain length of time
in market, to be appraised and classed into
two or more rates below the present minimum
price, by the officers now employed in this
. branch of the public service, or in any other
mode deemed preferable, and to make those
prices permanent if upon the coming in of the
r port they shall prove satisfactory to Con
gress? Cannot all the objects of graduation
be accomplished in this way, and the objec
tions which have hitherto been urged against
it avoided 1 It would seem to me that such a
, step, with a restriction of the sales to limited
quantities, and for actual improvement, would
he free from all just exception.
! By the full exposition of the value of the
. lands thus furnished and extensively promuU
i gated, nersons living at a distance would be
s informed of their true cond tion, and enabled
j to enter into competition’with those residing
i in the vicinity ; the pieans of acquiring an
i ndependent home would be brought within
i the reach of many who are unable to purchase
at pretent prices; the poi u’atiou of the new
1 Slates would bo made more compact, and
L large tracts would be sold which would others
' wise remain on hand; not only would the
1 land le brought within the moans of a larger
’ number of purchasers, hut many persons po*"
8 sessed of greater means would be content to
settle on a larger quantity ol the poorer lands
’ rather than emigrate further west i.u pursuit
I of a similar quantity of belter lands, iducha
measure would also seem to be more coß*is«
’ tent with the policy of the ex sling laws—fiat
s os converting the public domain'into culliva-
I ting farms owned by their occupants. That
. policy is not beat promoted by sending emi
gration up the almost interminable streams of
i the V esl,to occupy in groups lbs heatspots
f of land, loading immense wastes behind then ,
a and enlarging the frontier beyond the means
r of the Government to afi'urd it adequate pro
c lection ; but in encouraging it to occupy with
- reasonable denseness, the territory over winch
it it advances, and find its best defence in the
r compact front which it presents to the Indian
d tribes. Many of you will bring to the consid*
h erelion of the subject the advantages of local
ie knowledge and greater experience, and all
0 will be dosTous of making an early and final
1 opposition of every disturbing question in re*
gard to this important interest. If these sug*
a gestions shall in any degree contribute to the 1
!l acoompl aliment of so important a result, it
e will afford me sincere satisfaction.
® In some secitons of the country most of
i the public lands have been sold, and the re
-1 g sters and receivers have very little to do.
s It is a subject worthy of inquiry whether, in
many cases, two or more districts may not be
" consolidated, and the number of persons em
* ployed in this business considerably reduced.
, Indeed, the time will come when it will be
I the true policy of the General Government,
I as to some of the States, to transfer to them
, for a reasonable equivalent, all the refuse and
1 unsold lands, and to withdraw the machinery
1 of the federal land ofiieesal together. All who
take a comprehensive view of our federal sys
i tem, and believe Unit one of its greatest ex
! celiencies consists in interfering us little as
i possible with tiie internal concerns of the
f Sta'cs, look forward with great interest to this
i result.
A modification of the existing laws in re
! spec; to the prices of the public lands, might
: also have a favorable influence o thele.isl.i
--! tion of Congress, in relation to another branch
' of tho subject. Many who have not the abili
* to buy at present prices, settle on those lands
! with the hope of acquiring from their culliva
-1 tion the means of purchasing under pre-emp
-1 tion laws, Irom time to time passed by Con
gress. I'rom this encroachment on the rights
j of the United Slates, they excuse themselves
( under tiie plea of their own necessities; the
1 fact that they dispossess nobody, and only
t enter upon the waste domain; that they give,
, additional value to the public): lands in their,
vicinity, and their intention ultimately to pay '
, the Government price. So much weight has I
. from time to time been attached to those
. considerations, that Congress have passed
, laws giving actual settlers on the public lands
a right of pre-emption to the tracts occupied
• by them at the minimum price. These laws
have in all instances been retrospective in
• their operation; but in a few years after their
■ passage crowds of new settlers have been
- tound on the public lands, lor similar reasons,
1 and under like expectations, who have been
indulged with the same privilege. This
course of legislation tends to impair public
’ respect for the laws of the country. Either
( the laws to prevent intrusion upon the public
J lands should be executed, or, if that should bs
impracticable or inexpedient, they should be
modified or repealed. If the public lands are
. to be considered as open to be occupied
. by any, they should be by iaw, be thrown open
to all. That which is intended in all
] instances, to be legalized, sheuld ot once be
, made legal, that those who are disposed to
5 conlbrm to the laws may enjoy at least equal
. privileges with those who are not. But it is
f not believed to bo the disposition of Congress
. to open the public lands to occupancy without
. regular entries and payment of the Govern
ment price, as such a course mutt lend to:
, worse evils than the credit system, which if
fiwoa found necessary to abolish. It wouldj
i i aueni, therefore, to be the part of wisdom ams
, sound polico to remove, as far as practicable ;
, the causes winch produce intrusions upon the
, public lands, and then take effic.ent step* toi
t prevent them in future. Would any single,
} mi asuri; be so effective in removing all plausi
-3 hie grounds lor these intrusions as the grudua.
. Him ot price already suggested. A short
. j period ot industry and economy in any part
, | ot our country would enable thu poorest citizen
| to accumulate the moan* to buy him a home
I at Iho lower prices, and leave him without
. j upo.ogy for settling on lands not his own. If
I he did not, under stub e remittances, he
; wou.d enlist no sympathy in h.t favor; and tho
, laws would bo roadby executed ‘without doing
I violence to puplio opinion.
( i A Urge pome iof our citizens have seated
h-mtelw. on the | uhlio lauds, without au
. * heettw passage j’ lhc last pr -enip
tmn law, and now ask thu enactment of H
other, to enable them to toiain the I,* jH
! occupied, upon pacmenlof the minimum(£
1 eminent price. They ask that which has b
i repeatedly granted before. It the future 2
’ be judged oi by tbe past, little harm can 1
done to tho interests of the Treasury by yj
ing to the.r request. Upon a critical examm I
tion, it re found that the lands sold at the p! Bp
he sales since the introduction of cash !.
incuts in 1 still, have produced, on an aven, fW
lire nett revenue of only six cents and * 1
more than the minimum Government n r j, \ vPI
There is no reason to suppose that future
will be more productive. The
therefore, has no adequate pecuniary im eri
to induce it to drive these people from a >‘|l
lands they occupy, lor the purpose of M ||’
them toothers.
Entertaining these views, I rccornnn,
tho passage of a pre-emption law for th, -M
benent, in connection with the prepare M
steps towaids the graduation oflhe price j cl
the public lands, and further and more effect
al provisions to prevent intrusions liereafi. Jm
Indulgence to those who have Bellied on the JIB'
lands with expectations that past legislatu I
would be made a rule for the future, and m u J
same time removing the most plausiblegrooa §
on which intrusions aie excu.-ed, and ados
mg more efficient means to prevent them heit IB
afier, appears to me the most judicious J, i
position which can be made ot this diffic *
subject. The limitations and restriction; Bv
guard against abuses in the execution
emplion law', will necessarily attract the cutjß
ful attention of Congress; but under notf 3
cumstances is it considered expedient Co i, J 9
thorize flouting claims in any shape, Tft|B
have been heretofore, and doubtless would IB
hereatier, most prolific sources ot fraud i> M
oppression, and instead of operating to coflfßKi:'
the favor of tbe Government on
settlers, are often used only to ministertu'
spirit of cupidity at the expense or them
meritorious of that class.
The accompanying report oflhe Secrcii;/'
ot War will br.ng to your view the stated
the Army, and ail the various subjects coni
ded to the superintendence of that officer,''
The principal part of the Army has bet
concentrated in Florida, with a view, and i
(be expectation, of bringing the war in tin
Territory to a speedy close. The neceni
of stripping the pos's on tbe maritime tiu
inland fioutiers of their entire garrisons, (i Fr
tl.e purpose of assembling in the field am
my of less than four thousand men, wos,
seem to indicate the necessity of increaeif
our regular forces ; and the superior efficie;
cy as well as greatly diminished expenses i*
that ues :ri, tion of troops, recomnunl tbj
measure as one oi economy as well as ofr/
ped oncy. I rut:rio the report for th; rcif
ore which have induced the Secretary ;
War to urge the rcorganiza’ion and enlarjg \~S
men! of the staff of the Army, and cftlie
dinance cot-fs, in which 1 fully concur
It is not, however, compatible with the it sj
term oflhe people to maintain, m timer IS
pe cc, a regular force adequate to the djlcnt . ,/j
of our extensive frontiers. In periods of dux . •
ger and alarm, we must rely principally upc;
a well organized militia ; anil some geniii
arrangement that will midertli s detc ipiw -
of force more efficient, has long been a eubjec y
of anxious solicitude. It was lecommendei ,
to the first Congre.-s by General VVashing, i:. i
ton, and has been since frequently_ brought If a®
your notice, and recently its importanc; i .
s’rongly urged by my immediate predeccsicr j
The provision in the Constitution that rent \ f
ers it necessary to adopt an uniform sysler
of organization Corthe mil itia throughout tte, , >
United Stales, presents an
staclu to an efficient arrungement by ttaS
clufsificntion heretofore proposed, and I i:.« •; *
vile your attention to the pan which will I;; if *
submitted by tho Secretary of War, lor tl- ,
organization of volunteer corps, and the it. *' ■
struclion of militia officers, as more simp »■<
and practiblo if not equally advantageous, i y
■ a general arrangement of the whole militm pc
tbe United Stales. r 1
A moderate increase oflhe corps, holiest;,
• military and topographical engmeu»,hastedw j
more than once recommended by my prei-JB ,
cossor; and rny conviction of the propriety,!^
to say necessity, of tho measure, in order®!
enable them to perform the various and impcffiTr, ,
tani duties imposed upon them, induces J
to repeat the recoiwnendation.
The Military A adetny continues to answer'
all the purposes of its establishment, udiMß
ouly furnishes well-educated officers lotfcJ ■■
Army, but serves to d ffusc throughout rfr - ,
mass of our citizens, individuals possessed tffp;
military knowledge, and tire scientfio tWw?
ments of civil and military engineering. Ms
present, the cadet is bound, With consent if
bis parents or guardians, to remain in eerw|-
five years from the period of his enlistmema
unless sooner discharged; thus exacting omal
one year’s service in the Army after In? c®
cation is completed. This does not appeife'
me sufficient. Government ought to cw
nnind for a longer period the services oflbos j
who are educated at the public expense;ns
I recommend that the lime of enl stiueiit k ’
extended to seven years, and the terms oflh ‘ '■.»
engagement strictly enforced.
The erection oi a national foundry forcanos S
to be common to the service of the Army d/' *£, ■
Navy of the Un.led States, has been herein,
fore recommended, and appears to be reqii
ed in order to place our ordatico on ancqn
tooling with that of other countries, and t
enable that branch of the service ta contr.
the prices of those articles, and graduate It
■ supplies to the wants of the Government,!
t well us to regulate llicir quality and cna
their uniformity. T"e same reasons indue
j me to recommend Iho erection ol a manufe
tory of gunpowder, to bo under the direclit
of the Ordnance office. The establish®?
of a manufactory of shall arms west ofb
Alleghany mountains, upon the plan prope ,j
ed by the Secretary of VVar, will contribuk
extend throughout that country the impit* j
ments which exist in establishinents of a?®*,
lar description in tbe Atlantic States,* '
tend to a much more ccnnmical distribution
the armament required in the western port"
of the Uniou, ,
The system of removing the Indians «
of the Mississippi, commenced by Mr. Jen<-
son in 1804, lias been steadily persevere;
by every succeeding President, and m's
considered the settled policy of the com? t
Unconnected at first with any well
system for their improvement, the induce®*
held out to tho Indians were confined w
greater abundance of game to he found i?
West; hut when the beneficial effects oft*, •
removal were made apparent, a more p*""', |
tropic and enlightened policy was adopteu, j
purchasing'heir lands east oflhe Miesiss? | .
Liberal prices were given, and provision* •% f ■
sorted in all the treaties with them tor i I
plication of the funds they roceivr l '".R
i change, to such purposes as were b t a.
‘ Inted to promotetheir prexent welfare,
I vance their future civilization. These |n jV . ,
: snres have been attended this fur with » j.
' happiest results. K- (
(Cmitliu/eil on tint My.j <
* fAul'll months after dale applination_
J. mode to tho i/onorahlo llie liderlor < o
limko coulily, when sluing lor ordinary pun ~W *
for leave to sell all the real and personal pro) • ,
yicnry Uilcy, laic of IturKe county, ilccca«‘"
WILLIAM UTLIiV.I A j„> J ‘
GREEN UTLEY, S •*L I
dee I Wl ... J| ,
IcavlitT Wni*te«i. Jm ,
. rilllETnuiees oflhe Rod Oak Aqodemy."'
J. -i miles boluw Maysville on the ' Vn,h
mad, wish to employ a grailsuwn of V
lion and espcrlunco in ’1 uut’liuic, k» la»o ■ I ■i'
•aid Ai-udsmy- Nuns noml apply , ~,4
bewvll lecmmnemltd fur liUuary ntiani" „.- 1 •
success in Icavbingi for such liberal wage? 1 y'-y
gui.runticd. An* l» w)| Ui(;() mV |
WM II f “
1 n*. i« «WD W.WII. W I