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WESTERN UNION II ANN IB AL, MO., DECEMBER 19, 1850. nee of these constitutional oblation V boili my respect for tlio legislature, and my tenia of propriety, will retrain ma Iruin any attempt to control or influence your pro ceedings! with you U the power, tliu honor, and the responsibility of the legislation of .1 .... i ,.r IT..:. me nouniry. t no juvci uuiviii v, n sui ted State i. a limited government; It is confined to the exercise of powers express- Ix N...HI..I in1 uiifli titlipr a miiv ha tie coisary for cirrying these powers into ti- tect, and It is at uil limes an espeviai uu; ' to guard against any infringement on the Just rights of tlie States. Over the objects and simjcct which belong to Congress, is leirislalive authority is supreme, lut here that authority ceases, and every citizen who trulv loves the Constitution and desires the COniinUancS Ol us uiiuui;c uiiuns uiusaiuga will resolutely and (irmly rodst any inter ference with those domestic affairs which the Constitution clearly and unequivocally left to tlie exclusive authority of the Status, nd every such citizen will uiso cease u-e- te irritation among the scvernl members of the Union and nil reproach and crimina tion leading to uiii'iuto one section ol' the country from anotho.-. The beauty of our system ol government consists, ana Us imfety and durability must consist, in avoid ing mutual collisions mid encroachments in t'.io regular, separate action of all, while eiKW is revolving on its own distinct orbit I he Constitution Iku made it the duty o Ihe rresnlunt t L.0 that the laws lie faith- lully executed. In n government like our wueiouii laws me pnsscil by a majority tho UVpieseiiialives of the neonle. a these Representatives are chosen lor ahorl iierioils that unv iniurious or olinx ious law can he very noon lepuulol, it i.tot imeiy inut any greul numbers slioul; lie found ready lo resist the execution J tin laws; but it must bu borne in miml tint the country is extensive, that there may be lo cal interests or prejudice reuderingn iaw odious in one purt which is not so m an other, and that the thoimhlles and incon siderate, misled by their passions or their imaginations may tic induced madly tc resist any iuv nun tney disapprove. Mucii per sons Kiiould bear in mind that withoit law there can be no real practical libertj; thai when law i trampled under foot tirnnny rules, and whelhei it appears in the lorm . ol u military despotism, or of pona'ar vii lence, the law is the only sure prolectiou of the weak and tho only efficient restraint upon the strong, when iinparlinlly nnd faithfully administered. None are hunealii ils proteclion and none abuve its control. 1 ou pcntlemcn, and the country mav bi assured that, to the best of my ability and lo the best of 1 lie power vested in inc. I . shall at all times nnd in ull places, take enru that tho laws ho Initlifully execute. In tho discharge of this duty solemnly im wwud upon me by the Constitution nnd my oath of ollice,l shall shiinkjiom no responsi bility nnd Nlinll endeavor To liieci events us they may arise, w ith firmnesn well as pru dence aud discretion. The appointing power h one of the most delicate with which the l' .ucutivo is in vested; I regard il as a sarrc.l trust to be ex ercised with the sole view of advancing the prosperity and happiness cf the people. It shall ho my effort torlevate the stand ard ofollicial employment, by selecting, for places of importance, individuals lilted for tho post to which they arc assigned, by their known integrity, talents and virtue. In so extensive a country, with so great a population, and where few persons appoint ed to offices can be known to the appoint ing power, mistakes will, sometimes, una voidably happen, and unfortunate appoint ments be made, notwithstanding tho ut most cure. Iu such cases tlie power of re moral may he propel ly exercised, and neg lect of duty or malfeasance in ollica will uo more be tolerated in individuals appointed by myself, ihnu in those appointed by oth ers. I am happy in being able to say that no unfavorable change in our fort-igu relations has taken place since the message at the opening of the last session of Congress. We are ui peace with hII nations, and we enjoy, in nn eminent degree, the blessings of that peace, iu a prosperous and growing commerce, and in all forms of radical, ua ti.mal intercourse. Tho unexampled giowlh of the country, the present amount of ils population, ami its ample means for self protection assure for it the respect of all nations; while Ms trusted that its character for justice, and a regard for tlie rights of otherStutes will cause that rcs;ecl to be readily and cheerfully puid. A convention wa negotiated between the U. Stale and Ureal Britain in April last, for fa cilitating and protecting the construction of a ahip canal between Ihe Atluntie and Pacific o eaena, and for other purpoaea. Thia inatru menl ha einos been rulified by Ihe commoting partial. The exchaDge of ratification haa been effected, and protleuiolion thereof haa been du ly made. In addition lo Ihe atipuUiii.na contain ed in Ihii oouvei tion, two other objects remain to tie aowmpiiauuii ueiwnen Hie nontrading powera. Firit the deiinatiun and eatabliali- menl nr a Tree port al each end nf the canal. Second an agreement fixing the distance from the ehore within which belligerent maritime op- eralion (hall not be carried on. On these point there ia litlle doubt thst the Iwo powers will oome lo an understanding. The company of citisens of the Unitud Slides which has so esptsd from the Stale of Nictregua Ihe privilege or constructing ship csnal between tho two o essns, through the territory of that Slate, have made mma prosre in their preliminary ar rangement. The treaty between the United Slate and G'real Britain, of Ihe 10th nf April lest, above referred to, being now in operation. t Is to be hoped thst the gutrsutse which il of f rs will be aufflcient lo seoura the completion of Ihe work, with ell practicable expedition. It I obvious thst ibis result would be Indefinitely poalpone' if toy other than Deseaful for the purpese of harmonising conflicting el, imt i territory in that nuarlar. hanlt K dpted. It will, oonsfoueDtlv. ha m .nj.... osuse eny further negotistions, on the rrt of . l. : n.,..kn..i Im .i.:. . . . line uu.iiwuniim tun porpnie, lo c se oon- au'.'iri si to iriiig mem lo e speedy and sue Cettfut elote. Some unavoidable drlty hee eo- rtirrsii, anting frum lb distance nl the tilth cully ol Intercourse between Una government ud that of Nio.rsgus, but at intelligence hat been received of the appointment ol an Envy Extraordinary and Minuter runipoientiary ol lie Government lo reside at Wsshinglon, whose arrival any soon be expaorrd, it is hoped tint no further difficulties will bi experienced iu the prompt transaction of busiitas bet ten the guv ariimanti. Citizen of the United italet hive undertaken Hie connection ol the tvo ocosnt ly means ol a roilroad across the Isllnut of iehuatitepcc, un der grants of the Merloan government lo a cil izuli of tliat Ilepubli It i understood that survey of the cut! ft the ooiniuuiiioution is iu nreuaralioti. and V'to li evert reason 10 ex- Dcellhul it will bproseculed with characler- peut iitio energy eietcislly when that guverument . .. . I.. .....I. .11... ...ill. nail Have COI1B0" u iuu uuuiaiiuiiv wm. the ooverniuev'of the U. State a may be lie ceasary to imrt a feeling of aecurity lo Ihoas who may eirrk their property in I lie enter prise. NeiPtiMioii are pending for the eccvin bliahinenl l'1' object, and Ihe hops ia confi dently ensriaineu mal wnen me government ni) predecessor in Ilia annu il message, end a ranilic, propoaiiinns lor w hich are now tiring of Mexir shell become duly aenaible of Ihe 1 the reneoii which he preaentud in favor ol the oontldered, and on which a apeciid report iny adviinla whioh that country cannot fail to do Imeatura etill exitt in full force, I beg leave lo'be uxpected eirly in your present session. rive f'n weak, aud learne that the U.losll your attention to them, end to repeat tho Siuteadeairea mat the right ol (eveleignty ol reoomtnendationa there Uisde by lain. Max0 'n 'he lathmua ahull remain unimpaired I The uncarlaiiity shioli exi-ls in regard loihe Ihe ip'llutiona referred to w ill be agreed lo with validity nf Land Titlt in Culilorms, ia a aub ala,ly. jt-ct which deinuud your early consideration, the lait advice from Mexico, il would ap i Largo bodies of lands in that Stale are elainiKd r Ural ilia government entertains atrong ou rli ins lo some ol the slipiilationa which the rlira ennnrrnud iu the prnji-et of a railroad levin nei.'i aanry lorlhuir protection and aecurity. ' Kurther conaiiieralioii, il is to be iinped, or eome ! inodilicatinn of terms, may yt n coneile the ilif It-reiiotte respecting tlie two goveriiini'lits in thia reaped, r rifoh iiiatriicliona have recently been Kivrn to Hie Miiimter of tlie Lulled St.itea in Mexico, who ia proaeciiting the subject with 1 pr unptiiudn and ability. 1 Although Hie logolialioiia with Portugal Inn the paviiieiil ol the claim ol oilizeiia of the U. ' Slutua against that government, have not yet re aulted iu a form d treaty, yet a proposition made by the Government of Portugal for a fund ad justment and payment of thuae claims ha re cently been accepted un the part of the United Stute. Il gives ma pleasure to say that Mr. Clay, to whom negotiations on the part of the U. States have been entrusted, diaoharged the du lioa of hia appointment w ith ability anil discre tion, scting always with the inalructions of the government. It is expected that a regular convention will be immediately negotiated lor carrying (he agree ment between the two governments into ell'ecl. The commissioner appointed under un act of Congreaa for carrying into effaet Ihe Conven tion with liruzil, of ihe 27th January, 1849, has entered on the dulie impoacd upon him by that act. It is hoped, that llieaa duties may bs oompletud within the tune which II perscriliiiil. The document!, however, which tho Imperial (jovcrnmeiit, by the third Article uflhe Con vention, stipiilatea to furuiah lo the (Government of the United Slatet, have not yet been rrceiv ed. Aa it is auppoaed thut those documenta will be esaential lo the oorrect diapoai-.ion of the Lima .it mmi ! m.l.pnrv for the (Snverninniit ao extend the period limited lo ihe duration uf the cnminiaaioa. The turn etipulated by the fourth Article of the Convention Is b paid lo this Government tins been receivod. The collection, in )he porta cf the United States, of discriminating duties npnn the ves iels of Chili nnd their cargoea, has been unpen ded pursuant to the proviaione of the acl of Con greaa of the 24th of May 1828. Il ia lo be hoped, thai this inenaura will impart a fresh iinpulae In commerce betweeu the Iwo Government, which of late, nnd especially aince our acquiaition of California, haa, to tho mutual advantage of the parliea, been much augmented. Peruvian guanj ha become ao deairable an article to Ihe agricultural interest of the United States, that it ia the duty of Ihe Government lo employ ull the means properly in it power for Ihe purpoae of causing that article to be import ed into the country, at a reasonable price. Nothing will be omitted on my part lowardi ac complishing this desirable end. I am persna ded that, in removing any restraints on this traf flu, the Peruvinn Government will promote it, own beat intereals, while it will afford a proof ofa friendly diapoaition towards this country, which will ha duly oppreoiated. Tlie treaty be Iween Ihe United States and his Majesty Ihe King of the Ifiwaiisn I!anil, which ha re cently been mailt, public, will, il is believed, have a lirni liciul effect upon the relation of the two countries. The rotation between thoao pnrla nf the lalauila of St. Domingo, which were formerly coloniea of Spain and France, respectively, ore till in nu unsettled condition. The proximity of this Inland to Ihe United State, and the del icate tpiektiona involved in the existing conlro veraey there, rander it desirable thai il should be apeedily and permanently adjusted. The in lereat of humanity nn 1 of general commerce alao demands thia, and aa intimation ol Ihe asms aenlimenta, have been received from other Gov ernments, it ia hoped that aoina plan may soon be devised to effect the object iu a manner like ly lo give satisfaction. The Government of the U nited State will not fail, bv the exercise of all friendly olhoes, to do all in it power to put an end to the destructive war which has raged between Ihe different parte of the Ialand, and to secure lo them both the benefit of peace and commerce. I refer you In the Report of Ihe Secretary nf Ilia treasury, (or a detailed atetemenl ofthe I I nance. The total reoeipts into the Treasury for Hie Vflftr flnriififf tlie 30th of Juno latt, wora f -17.421.7-48 90. The total esnenditnrea durins Ihe same neri- ofl wars .wiJ.uzium j,e nublio debt haa been reduced aince Ihe laat annual report from Ihe Treasury Department, $4u'5,2"fj 89. Uy the 19th section oftbe act ofthe 2!)lh Jan uary, 1847, the proceeds of ih salea of the pub lic landa were pledged for the intrrmt and prin cipal of ilia public debt. The great amount of inose landa, auhaequently granted by Congreaa fjr military bounties, will, it is believed, very nearly supply the nublio denihiid for several years to oome, and but litlle relianne can. there for, be placed upon Hint hitherto fruitful source ol linverinnenl n venue. Jrom the permanent arnusl expenditures which have neceaaarily largely inoreaaed, a por tion of the pii'ili i debt, amounting to $8,075. 080 59 mini be protided for within Ihe next two fiacal year. It ia moat deeirahla, thst lbs accruing demands should bs met without resort ing to new Inana. In compliance with the sol of Congrss, pa, ted on the 23d of May, 1890, providing, among other tilings, for taking li e aeveiitti oeliaue, a superintendent waa appointed, and all oilier measures adopted which were deemed necessary, lo inaure Ilia prompt and faithful per formance of that duty. The appropriation al ready made, will, it i believed, be suflicmnt to defray Ihe whole expenses of the work, but further legislation may be neceasary in regard to the compensation cf aoine of the Marshals of Ihe lurriturie. It will uliao be proper to make proviaione by Uw, at an early dale, lor Ihe publication of audi abslruvtt of the return a the public inlereat may require. The unprecedented growth of our Territories' on the l'acilic, in wea'.tli and population, and the consequent increase of their looial and oommer cial relation with the Atlantic Stale aeetn lo reuder it the duty of the Government to uae all it constitutional power to improve the mean of intercourse with them, I he importance ol open iug a line of communication the beat and moat expeditious of which the nature of Ihe country will ailn.it lietween tlie Valley of the Aluiit aippl ai.d Paotlic, wus liroiht iv your notice by under i-rai.lt said lo have been made by author ity of the Spaniah and Mexican IjoveriuiK nls. Many of Ihme have not been perfecl other have been revoked, nnd autim are beli"fcd lo be Iraudiileid; but until they shall have been judi- jeially invratigated lliey will continue to retard he aetlli int n1 alii, nnproveuielit ol the country. I, thertlora. reapectlully suggest, that provilon be Made by law for the appointment ol Cominis- aimiers lo examine all such claime, with e view lo their final adjiiatmenl. I al.o beg leave lo cull your attention lo the iiropriely of extending, ni an early dav, our aya- lem ol L.ali(J L.aw, with audi modllluallons aa may be nereaaary, over Ihe Stale uf California, and the Territoriea of Utah and New Mexico. The mineral lands of California; will, of course, form an exception to any general ayalem which may be adapted. Various method of disposing of them have been suggested, I wa at first in clined lo have Ihe ay stem of leaaing.as il seemed lo promiae the large. t revenue to Ihe Govern- ment, audio afford Hit be.t aecurity gainalforu W11 178 672 mile., the annual traneporla i . I..., i . . -1 1 . . . aunUAi;.. -..i ..... AM , . . . ...... .. . . . . monopolies; but lurlher reflection, and our ex penance in leaamg Ihe lead miliea, and aelling leads upon credit, have brought my mind to Ilia conclusion that there would be groat difficulty in collecting the rents. Tliu relation of debtor and creditor, between the citizens and Government, would be attended with many mischievous results. I therefore recommendlfml instead of retaining Ihe mineral lends under the permanent control cf the Gov ernment, that they be divided inlo small parcel, and old at inch time as will ensure tho best price, and guar J moat effectually egninst com binations of capitalists to obtain monopolies. the annexation oflexns, and the acquisition of California and New Mexico, have given in- nreasad importance lo our Indian lelalions. The various Iribe brought under our juriidiolion by theae enlargement of our boundaries, are call mated to embrace a population of 124,000. iexns and Mew .Mexico are surrounded bv powerful tribes of Indians, who ere a source of constant terror and annoyance lo Ihe inhabitant.: separating Into email predatory bands, and al ways mounted, they overrun the country, de vastating farms, destroying orops, and murder ing the inhabitants or carrying then, into captiv ity, the great roads leading into the country are infested by them; whereby traveling ia ren dered extremely dangeroua, and einiirration ia almost entirely suspended. The Mexioan fron tier, which by Ihe eleventh article ofthe treaty of Gaudalope Hidalgo, wa are bound lo protcol against the Indiana within our borders, is ex posed In their incursions i-quallv with our own. The military forces stationed in that country, ul though forming a large portion of the army, is represented aa entirely inadequate to our own protection and the fulfilment of our Treaty imp utations with Mexico. The principal deficien cy ia in cavalry. I recommended that Congreaa liould. at aa early a period as possiblo, provide lor li e raing ol one mounted men. or more reeunei.ts ol o For further iiggeetiiMi ou this subject, and others connected with our domestic interests, in reference lo our frontier 1 refer you to the Re ports oi uie ancrelary ol the Interior, end ol the Secretary cf War. 1 recommend alio, lo your favorable consid eralion, the suggest ions contained ill the last mentioned Report, and iu a letter of Ihe Cone- ral in Chief, relative, to ihe establishing of an Asylum lor tlie relief ol etealiiute disabled sol - diers. This subject appeale ao atrongly to your sympathy that it would be auperlliioiit in me lo sny any thing more than barely to express inv approbation of the proposed object. ine navy continues lo give protection to our ooinmerce and other National interests, in the different quarters of the globe, and with lha ex- caption of a single steamer on the Northern bakes, Ihe vessels in commiaaion aradiatribuled in aix different squat Irons. Ihe Report or this head or that Department will exhibit the services of these anuadrona, and of ihe several vessels employed in each, during the past year. II in a source ol gratification that while they have been oouataiitly prepared for any hoatile emergency, and have every where met with Ihe reaped and eourteay due, aa well to Ihe dignity, as to the peaceful diipoailion and juat purpoae of lha Nation. The two brigantines accepted by Ihe Govern ment from a generous citixen of New York, ami placed under the oornmand of an officer of Ihe Navy, to proceed lo Ihe Arctio Seas, in queat of the Hritiah Commander, Sir John Franklin, and hia companiona, in compliance with Ihe aot of Congreaa sproved in Msy last, had when last hesrd from, penetrateJ into a high northern lat itude, but the successor the noble snd humane enterprise is yet uncertain. I ir.vile your attention to Ihe view of tlis pres ent naval establishment and ils reionroee, pre sented in the Report ofthe Secretary ofthe Na vy, and Ihe uggeslions therein made for it im provement, together with Ihe naval policy re commended fortheseourity of our Pacifio coasts and Ihe protection and extension of our oom meroe with Eastern Asia. Our facilities for s larger participation in the trade of Ihe East, by means of our renent settlements on the shores of ihe P&cifto. are loo obvious to be overlooked or disregarded. The question in relation In rank in the Army and Navy, and relative rank between offioors of the two rslstive brsnches ofthe isrvice, pre- ented to the Eieeutive by different resolution il ma llouae ol Kepreteutelivet, at the laat ea ion of Congresa, have been submitted to a board of o llicer in each branch of the service, and their report may be expected at an early day. l aio earnestly reoommend the enactment ol a law authorising oflioers or the Army end IN a vy to be retired from Ihe rvioe, when inooin petenl for it vigorous end active duliea, taking care lo make suitable proviaion for those who have laithlully served their country, and award ing distinctions, by retaining in command tboae who have been particularly conapicuou for gsllautry and good oonducl. While we eo knowledge the obligati n of the country to niHin'aia and honor ihoie who, to Ihe exclusion of other pursuits, have devoted themselves to it arduou service, thia obligation ahould not be permitted to interf re with the efficiency of Ihe ervke itself. I am gratified at being able lo alate, that the estimates lor IN aval expenditure for the eneu ing year, are less by more than one million than llwse of the preaent, excepting the appro iprulions which may become necessary for the construction of Ihe dock upon the coaal of the 1 here i an evident julneas in tlie auggea lions of the same report, that appropriations for Ihe N ival service proper should be separated from those for fixed and permanent objeot, auoh as thoae for building docks, navy yarda, and th e fixturea attached, and the extraordinary object under the eare of Ihe Department, which how ever important, are not eiaentially ntval. A revision of Ihe code for the government of the navy, aeems to require the immeiiate conaidera- tion nf Congreaa. Its syatem of crime and punishments had undergone no change for a half century, until Ihe last session; though ils defects hsve been often and ably pointed ou'; and the abolition ofthe particular kind nf corporeal pun iahment which then took place, without provi ding any subitilute, haa left the aervice in a alale of defectiveness which call for prnmr.1 correction. I, therefore, reoommend, that Ihe whole subject be revised without delay, and such a ayalem established for the enforcement of dis cipline as shall be al once humane and effectual. The accompanying report of the Post Mailer General preaenta a satiafaolnrv view ofthe ope rations and condition of that Department. At the close ofthe test fiioal year, the length of Ihe ialand mail routes in Ihe United States, not embracing Ihe aervice in Oregon, end Cala tion thereof, 46 541 ,42U miles, and the annual coat of auoh transportation, $2,724,426,58. The increase of Ihe annual transportation over that ofthe preceding year, was 3.997,354 miles, nnd the increase of aost was $J52,440, 49. The number of Post Offices on the Hirst day of July last, was 18,447, being and incresse of 1670 during the preceding year, Thegroas revenue of the Department for Iho fiscal year, ending June 30th 100, amounted lo re.. .," ru , ,. . t irww, Mini, vi n ijiivi.ui , v, iiu.o umi ,v Biinii E5Si5 Vfcf'r'JSrJif r.pr..en,th. Government beU .t.ch priation of the $200,000 for tho franked matter ol Ihe Departments, and excluding Ihe foreign postages collected for, and payable lo the British Government. The expenditures for the same period wsre .$5,212,953 83, leaving th bal ance of Revenue over expenditures, of 340,018 05. I am happy to find, that the fiscal condi tion of the Department, is euch In justify the Post Muster General, in recommending a reduo linn of our inland postage lo three centa the sin gle letter, when prepaid, or five cents when not prepaid. He also recommends, that the prepaid rales, shall be reduced, whenever the Revenue ofthe Department after the reduction, shall ex ceed its expenditures by more than five per ct. for two consecutive yeara; that the poalage up on the California, and thoae letters aent by our Ocean steamers, ahall be much reduced, and thai the ralea ol postage on newapapera, pamphlets, periodicals aud other printed matter, shall be modified, and some reduction thereon, made. Il cannot be doubted, thai the proposed reduo liou will, for the present, diminish the Reve nues ofthe Department. It is believed, thai tlie deficiency, alter the already accumulated sur plus is exhausted, may be almost fully met, by abolishing ihe privilege of sending free matter Uirough Ihe mails, or by paying out of ihe Treas ury to the Post Office, a sum equivalent lo Ihe poalage of which il is deprived by these pri i. w me ncir- i la- .:n :i ..... . i . vio uiuua, aim wu,, 11 nut entirely, io nearly, supply that deficiency, as to make any fur ther appropriation unnecessary. It may be found so inconsiderable as to form no obstacle lo Ihe reduction. I entertain no doubt of ihe authority of Congress lo mske appropriations for Issuing objects iu thai j class ol publio works, oslled by the general name of Internal Improvements. This authority I sun- pose to be derived chiefly from the power of 1 regulating commerce with loreiga nations, snd J among the Slates, and Ihe power of laying and collecting impoals. When commerce, is to be carried on, and imposts collected, there must bs porta and harbors, as well as wharves and cos lorn Houses, it snip laden Willi valuable oar- goes approach shore, or sail along Ihe coast, and j light houses are neoesaary al suitable points for the protection of life aud properly, other facili lie and aecuriliea for eommarce snd navigation era not leas important, end thoae olauaea uf the Conetitution, therefore, to whioh I have referred, have teceived, from the origin of the Govern ment, liberal and beneficial construction. Not only have light-houses, buoys, and beacons been established, and Hosting lights been maintained, btilharbors cleared and even breakwaters, for the safety uf shipping, and sea-walls lo protect bar bors from being filled up and rendered useless by lha action of Ihe ocean, have bean crested at very great expense. This construction uf the Constitution appears Ihe mure wsrrsuiable from the construction, thai, if these work, of such evident importance and utility, are not to be ac complished by Congress, they cannot be socom plished al all. By the adoption ofthe Con stitution, (he several Stales voluntarily parted with the power of collecting duties on imports within their own ports, and it is uot to be ox peoted they should raise money by internal taxa tion, direct or indirect, for the benefit of that oommeroe the revenues from whioh do not, either in whole or in part, go into their own trsssury; nor do I preceive eny difference be tween the power of Congress lo make eppro pri ious for objects of this kind nn the Ocean, and the power to make appropriations for simi lar objects on Lakes and Rivers, whenever they are large enough to bear on their waters an ex tensive traffic. The magnificent Miaaiaaippi and ita tributaries, and Ihe vast Lake of the North and lha North-west, appear lo me to fall within the exercise of the pot; er. at justly ami at elesrly as the Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. t is a miittke to regard expenditures judioious- ly made for these object e expenditures for j local purposes. Ins poaition or site of the work is tieoesisri ly local, but lis utility is general. A ship cs nsl around Ihe Falls of St. Msry, of less than s mile In length, though: local in Its uensnt, sa It would remove Ihe only obitruolion lo Ihe navi gation of more then e thousand mile, and affect ing (event stales, as wsll as our commercial relation with Canada. So, too, tho breakwater al the mouth ofthe Delaware, ia erected, uot for the exclusive benefit of the Stales bordering on the bay or the river of ttal name, but of the whole coaalwiae navigation ol the tinned states, and, to e considerable extent, also of foreign oommeroe. If e shin bs lost on e bar at the en trance of a Southern port, for wsnt ofsuffieient depth uf wster, il is very likely to be North ern ship; snd if e steamboat be sunk in eny pert or the Alissiailppl, on sccounl ol Us ehsnnel l.ot having been properly cleared of obatruc tiona, il may be a boat belonging lo either of eight or ten Slates 1 may ad J, as some what remarkable, thai among nil tlie thirty -one Male there is none thai is not, lo e greater or less ex tent, bound on Ihe ocean or Gulf of Mexico, or one ofthe great lake or some navigable stream. In fnltiilliiig our conalitutionsl duties, fellow citizen, on Ihi subject, e in carrying inlo ef fect all power conferred by the Constitution, we ahould consider ourselve a deliberatir.g end acting for one and the ame country, end bear ootistantl) in mind that our regard and our duly are due, not to a particular pari only, but to Ihe whole. I, therefore, recommend that appropriation be made for completing auch work, as have been alreay begun, end for commencing such other aa may teem to the wiidom of Congreaa to be of publio aud general importance. The difficulties end delays incident lo the aet tlement of private claim by Congress, amount, in msny esses, to injustice. There is reason lo apprehend thai msny unfortunate credi or of the Government have thereby been unavoidably ruined. Congreaa has so much business of e publio character, that it it impoiiible it ahould give muoh attention lo mere private claim, snd Iheir accumulation is now so greet that many claimant deapair ol every being able to obtain a hesring, Il may well be doubted whether Congress, from Ihe nature of it organization, is Jroperly constituted to decide upon such case, t is impossible that each member should exam ine Ihe merits of every claim upon which he i compelled lo vote, end It is preposterous to ask e Judge lo decide a case which he lias never heard. Such decision may, end frequently must, do injustice, either to the claimant or to Ihe Government; and I perceive no better reme dy fortius growing evil than Ihe establishment of some tribunal lo adjudicate on auch claims. I beg leave, therefore, most respeetfully to recommend, that provision be made by law for the appointment of e Commission to settle all private claim against the United Stales; snd as an ex parte hearing must, in all contested casea, be very unaatisfactory, I alao recommend the appointment ofa Solicitor, whoae duty it shall Cummission, snd protect it sgsinst sll illegal, Iraudulent or unjust claims, which may be pre sented for their adjudication. litis Listnot, which ha neither voice nor vote in your deliberations, looks to you for pro lection and aid. 1 evmmend ell Us wants to your fovorabla consideration, withe full confi dence thai you will meet Ihem, not only with justice but with liberality. Il should be borne in mind, that, in this city, laid out by Wasu inoton. aud consecrated by hi name, is located Ihe Capitol of the Nation the emblem of our Union, and ihe eymbol of our greatneat. Here, alao, are tituated all the public buildings nec easary for Ihe use of the l.overnment, end all these are exempt from fixation. It ahould be Ihe pride vf Americans to render this place at tractive to the people of the whole Republic, mid convenient and safe fur the transaction of the publio bnsiness. The Government should, therefore, bear n liberal portion of the burthens of all ueeeisary and useful improvements, nnd a niithuig can contribute more lo the health. comfort und safety of the city, and the security of the publio buildings and records, than an abundunl supply nf pure witter, I respectfully reoommend that you make tuch provisions for obtaining the s.ime a, in your wiidom, you mav deem proper. The act pataed at your last leiiion, making certain proposition to Texas for settling Ihe disputed boundary between that Stale end New Mexico, was immediately on ils psassge, trans milled by express to the Governor of Texss, to be laid by him before tho General Assembly, for its agreement thereto. Ils receipt was duly acknowledged, but no official information has yet been received of Ihe action of the General Assembly thereon. It msy, however, be very soon expected, es, by the terms of Ihe proposi tions submitted, they were to hsve been eoted upon on or before the first day of Ihe preaent momn. And now, fellow -citizen, I cannot bring this communication to a close without inviting you 10 join me in humble snd devoted thsnks to the Great Ruler of nation for ihe multiplied bless ing whioh He ha graciously bestowed upon us. His hand, so often visible in our preser vation, has stsyed the pestilence, saved us from foreign wars snd domestio disturbanoss, snd scattered plenty through the land. Our liberties, religious snd civil, have bsen maintained. The fountains of knowledge have all been kept open, end mssns nf hsppinest widely aprtad and ganorally enjoyed, greater than have fallen to the lot of any other nation; and while deeply penetrated with gratitude for the past, let us hope thst lltia All-wiae Provi dence will eo guard our oounoils aa that they shall result in giving sstiafaction lo our consti tuents securing peace to the country, and ad ding new strength lothe united Government in which we live. MILLARD FILLMORE. Wasiiinoton, December 2, 1850. "piracy on the mississippi!!! Whorens, ihe steamboat isitor, Capt.G. J. KliVG, destination, Keokuk, and all intermediate ports, left St. Louis on the 11 th day of this month, exacting for each through ticket $8,00, and requiring payment in advance. To this some objected, know ing, as they did, the uncertainty (the liver being full of ice,) of her being able to reach the above port; they had not proceeded far, however, when all those who had refused lo pay on coming on board, were visited by the very gentlemanly Clerk, Mr. J. Dkm stbx, and invited lo cull nt the office and settle; io which they acceded, upon ihe offi cers agreeing to refund In proportion, to the distance they went. The boat proceeded on ward, and alter repeated stoppages and de lays, reached a point about (JO miles above t. Louis, known as Cap Au (Jri.i, putting on shore al the hour ol 3 o'clock at night, without ctrtmony or apology, about 250 pas sengers, a number ol whom were ladies I On being demanded to refund to those who had paid $8,00, they refunded $3,00; and upon some asking more, they refused to re fund at nil. The passengers foi Hannibal paid $0,00 and received only $1,00 in re tuin. The undersigned, passengers on the steamboat Visitor, would caution all, and especially the travelling public, to avoid this modern mode of swindling, practiced by tho officers ofthe said boat: Cap Au Gris, Dec. 13th, 1850. .1 T Miller, 11 Hammed; F Schneider, Ilan- nio.i!, C SdiiM'i.Irr, do. II Schneider, do. M loy;::i-., ilo.i T 11 Price, Thos, Ele vens, Chns. Allyu, A I) Wcjcr, Chos. Ad ams, N Miicht'll, Itnniilion, T J More, Jas O'Donald, M V Reed. Win Abbey, Girard Miller, M. Upton, banc Hall, J. F. Cough, IIC Price, M Ilrvant, G P Pollard, V Lagrass, Char. . black, Jas Ford, Wm H Rumey, S Brown, C A Hickman, J Mit-liell, C F Williams, Robt Allyn, J Davison, W N Sherman, Wm Cooper, N Hall, Jas McFarlaud, J 11 Hart.B F Reed. WESTERN UNION. O. CLEMENS, F.UITOR AND Pi nt.lSIIRR - HANNIBAL, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1850. Agents for the Western Union. Wm. N. Penn and W. B. Twymnn, of Paris, Mo. It. II. Buchanan and John A.Quarlcs, of Florida. Thomas E. Thompson, ol Palmyra. Wm. O. Young, of New London. J. L. Canterbury, of Mexico. Mr. Ulakfy, of Clinton. Ceorge Bourne, of Barry, III. The above named gentlemen are authorized to give rereipts lor money due the" Western Union " Office. Poit masters are requested lo allow us to add Ihem to the list. Notice. The Methodist Episcopal Church in Han nibal, will be dedicated to the worship of Almighty God, on Wednesday, the 25th of December. Rev. Dr. Akers is expected to preach on the occasion. Service to com mence at 1 1 o'clock A. M. Citizens gen erally are invited to attend. W. F. COWLES. Course of Lectures. The second Lecture will be delivered by Rev. Jos. L. Bonnet, in the 1st Presbyteri an Church, this evening. Subject the dig nity and benefit of practical Industry in our nge. The public generally arc invited to at tend. Mr. 11. has promised to say something in favor of our Hannibal Rail Road, and of the proposed Plank Roads to terminate in our city. HOGS. Since our last we have no particular change to note in the pork market. The market is brisk and active; the prices are $'2,7.r) to .$3,00, dividing on 175 'bs;and for superior lots, a small premium is occasional ly paid. Operations in beef ore closed for the present. Snia Plank Road. We understand the people of Tike county Illinois, opposite this place, propose to build a plunk rond over the bottom, and that pe titions are in circulation, to obtain a suita ble charter from the Illinois Legislature for that purpose. The road, of the kind intended, will cost a good deal, and the undertaking should be well sustained embracing the lower part of Adams, and the northern part of Tike, in our neighboring State; we understand there is no better section of country in the West. It is said to be equal in character, quality, &c, to the country around and back of this city. The road would add much to the trade and business of this city, and our citi zens should lend their aid, as no doubt they will. The Mall Route from Hannibal to St Joseph. Whet action lias the Post Office Depart ment taken to put this route under con tract? We may have overlooked any ac tion had upon it ; but do not remember to have heaid of any propositions for putting it in motion. This route wus not only intended to sup ply the people, on the direct route of iu calls and locations ; but was asked for and granted, as u great line, or ai terj of supply north and south of it, by the many shorter, routes which will fall into It. It is one of those great routes, which wilt be permanently useful throughout the year. It should be supplied, tri-weekly, by four hotse post coaches. At no time, during the running of the river mail, and genera' during the winter, also, could a less col veyance transport the mails on this roof.'- l ins win ne ine resuu, very soon ancr ll is put into operation. The roads over this route ore said to be good and the stream are bridged for a safe, convenient, aud quick transportation. A thanksgiving sermon was pieached last Thursday, by Rev. Mr. Lorance, and fin' other by Rev. Mr. Hennet, We will give, an epitome of each, next week. 1,, -1 1 i . i ,. t. .