Newspaper Page Text
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" . -- I
3 I a I a i 0 v ' a n ibis t r m r-a in in id .. I i . it , i n a -si's
tsfc3 V! ,'V1 ' Jl. J ' i ir II- :". I I . LI J I I I 1 1 lAii
Lj
o. clemf.xs,
Editor and Fiinllslicr.
President's Message.
Tm!fOTO!, uoccmbcr 2.
Fellow-Citizens of the Setiatt and of the
.) of lltpremdalivtt;
I congratulate you and our common
country, upon the fuvontble auspices
under which you meet for your first ses
sion. Our country is at peace with all the
world. Tho rotation which for a time
threatened to disturb the fraternal rela
tions which, has made ua one people is
fast subsiding, and a year of general
prosperity and health has crowned the
nation with unusual blessings. None
can look back to the dangers which are
passed, or forwar1 (o the bright pros
pects before us, without feoluifj a thrill
! gratification, at thosame time that wo
must Do impressed with a grateful senso
of our profound obligation to a Benefi
cent Providence, whose paternal care is
o manifest in the happiness of this high
ly favored land.
Since the close of the last Conjress,
"certain Cubans and other foreigners.
sident in the United States, ivho were
w.h.hu nniu,a, U VCIC
more or less concerned in the previous
4nvnsihn nf PnK-i iiiut..wl ..P k..: .1:-
Buraed by its failure, have ng.iin ab
ked the hospitality of this country by
isaking it the scene of another military
SpeJiliuli iigniimt the nesaious of her
Catholic M lipstv in whir'), il
countenanced, uided and joined byciti- ' corwi,IuroJ affording any ground of ex- j to ee the "ne 'forbearance on the part
tens of the United States, On receiv- ! Ppctafion tll:'t the Government of tho U- of other nations, whose forms of gov
ing injalligence that such designs were Ilite'1 stc will hereafter feel itself un- if rnmcnt are diircrcnt from our own.
entertained, I lost no lime in issuing d(r anv "ligation of duty to intercede j 1 he dueP- jutcrett which wefeel in the
fueh instructions to the proper officers for lie lilji;rit'o;i or pardon of such per- 8Prea(l of liberal principles, and the es
of the United States as seemed to be ! 60ns- ns aro "V1' otrenders against the j tublishmeirt of free government, and the
called for by the occasion, by the proc- 'Iiiws of n;l,inns and the laws of the Uni- j ympathy with which we vitness every
Ui;., .; ...I.: .u l ' ., ; ted States. These laws mnsl Iia struiflo airiinst onnressi.in. f.irhi.l fli
""""""i " fyy vi nuiuii 4 uerewitu :
submitted. 1 also warned t!w, ,!.,. 1
on to hope that these measures had suf-
noud to prevent anv such artemn)? i)ii
nope, nowever, proved to he delusive.
Verv enrlv on the mornino- of dm .1.1
August, a steamer called the. Pampero
denarted fr.m Nra lrl,.n. ,.,..).
might be in (linger of beine inveigled in- i:lblllty among the nations of the earth, i "ie, strong arm pi a foreign power is pro
to this scheme, of its unlawful nature, i" u,,lloavos us to enforce, strictly and I V0Ke 1 10 atnio the public sentiment and
and oF the netm l ns w,n. in..... i,i sieriiiy, me neuiralilv acts nassed ,v rKJcss l"e "P1"1 ireeuom in any
innnr. P..r w,.mo iim il,r, ..... IC-jncress, and to follow, us far nmnwl.o country. ' The-governments of Gre
' - .i.w. u . t. . I-n i
having on board 400 armed men, with c,,P'llty- .Money was advanced by in
evident intention to make war ui)on the d,vl:'" lls probably in considerable a
authorities of Cuba. This .expedition ,nouts. purchase Cuban lionds, 'as
Was set on foot in palpable violation of ! l,'ev ,1ave b,'en called issued by Lopez
tira'taw. ufll.ti UuUoJ SUtcf.; Uluttd.-i j ulJ- doubil.;!.s. at a very lare-e dis
was a Spaniard, and several of the chii'f -co,lnt' a,v-1 for wl"ch the public lands
uflSoers, and some others engaged in it, ! n"'1 t,,e puhlic property of Cuba, of what
were foreigners. The persons compo- ' evcr klnt1' and tnu fiscal resources of the
sing it, however, were mostlv citizens people and the government of that Island,
of Uie United States. Before "the cxpe- lrora whatever source to be derived,
dition sat out, and probably before ti I wor p'eJgml as well as the good faith
was organized, a slight insurrectionary ? tne government expected" to be estab
Tnovement, whicn appears to have been ' l'sll;, A11 tllis means of payment, it is
oon suppressed, had taken place in the j evident, were only to bo obtained by a
eastern quarter of Cuba. impor-I Proces9 of bloodshed, war and re vol u-
tance of this movement was unfortunate- j tlon- None wl11 t,eny tl,ar those who
ly so much exagerated in. the accounts eton foot military expeditions against
published in this country, that these ad- j forelg States, by jneans like these, are
venturers seem to have been led to be- far more culpable than the ignorant and
lievethat the Creole population of the I tho necessitous, whom they induce to go
Island, not only desired to throw off the forth a thfi ostensible parties in the pro
authority of the mo'hor country, but had ,cee""S- Ttie?e originators of the inva
tesolved upon that step,, and had begun I M?n Cuba se,"n to ll,ive determined
a well concerted enterprise for effecting I vlth coolness an d system upon an un
it. The persons engaged in tho expedi- dertaking which should disgrace their
tionwere generally young and ill in- .country, . violate its laws, and put to haz
formed. The steamef on which they anl tlle lives of ill-inlormed and deluded
embarked left New Orleans stealthily,
and without a clearance. After touch
ing at Key West, she proceeded to the
coast of Cuba, and iu (he night between
the 11th and 1 2th of August, landed the
persons on board at Playtas, within about
twenty leagues of Havana. The main
body of, the invaders proceeded to and
'took possession of an inland village, six
league distant, leaving the others to fol
low, in charge of the baggage, as soon as
the means of transportation could be ob
tained. The latter having taken up
their line of march to connect themselves
with the main boily, and having proceed
ed about four luagues into the country,
were attacked on the morning of the Kith
bv body of Span
iah troops, and a
d, alter which they
of disembarkation,
bloody conflict ensuci
retreated to the place
where about fitly of them ontaiue'l boats
and re-embark
ed thereiu Tliey were ;
,t..,i m!m. iti Tf.'f.' i
TtiiKLU among 1110
howevea. interco
car shore, by a Spanish sien.ner cruis-
ing on inn enoi, i-aiiiiirL-u tuia i .wur.i ii
.- . 1 . ....
, .... - . , ........ .1 .,.i :. i
Havana, aivj alter heing examined wrore
a military court, were
enlenceil to M
psblicly executed, and Ihe sentence was
S,riedyinto eflc.it on the Itilb of August,
a : : :..e l..;.... ..f u l,t h I
VD receiving iiiioriiw .......
On receiving
occurred, Commaro
liter A. Parker wOS in- ! """ l" winiorjf or jurisuieuon 01 ineoitj;n t-iig-ige 111, ut njspLici 11. a nag 01
J to lluvapa in thej'mtBd States, begin tu set on fwol, orjthe Uuitcd Slates wherever it might ftp-
.fam frigate Saraiak, and enuuire into
the charges against those executed, the
.circumstances undo, which they were ; carried on trom thence against the 1 er
taken, and whatevei referred-to their jri,0,y of dominion of any foreign Prince
trial and sentence. W5 0f tie in. or StaU-, or of any colony, district or
structiuns from the Dehrtmunt 0f State PeoPle wlth whom United States are
and of hU Utters to tl,t Denrtmnt, I at peace every person so loflendiug shall
are herewith submitted. According to
tbeTecora or ine ranmoni tle j,r,
1 1-
il.a nri.
i, me pris-
oners all annulled the oli,,cu charged
against tit in, of being host, invaders
the Island. At the time 0. the trial
and exemtion, the main body c the in
vaders vas still in the field, uiatu? WUr
upon the Spanish authorities an Span-
ish solmbls: alter tue lapse o iomel"uu """ v
days, tang .vercome by tho S,uiish have not followed the lead of oUietia
tToops.ihey oispersed on tho 2lt.Au- Honi they have taken the lead thm
gust. lopez, their leader, was selves, and have been fol owed by oth
tured sole dayi after, and execute n cr. This was admitted by one of the
.v,- ,.tsnt.i.,.nr! mnv nf liis.. most einuioiit of modern British States-
maining ollowos were killed, or dd ! men, who said in 1 arliament, whilst a
of huhgeior latgue, and Uie rest wo, Minister at the Crown, that it he wished
made prisners. t)f these, non appeiV for u guide In a svBtem of neutrality, he
to have bun trie or executed; soverahould take that laid down by America
i.mlm.wd iinnn unnlimi.'n the days ol Wabhlllgton aud tlie Seo
ul III"" , -..., -1
rest, aboil i0 in number, were1'!, that the actor Caress of
sent to 8pai. 01' vhe final disposition )Swd the sueceeil.ngyear by
r lot fni'iiik Inn r.l hers, anil I ie fiar iu i w j tn. . ..n,
Tf theni, weiuve mk.fliiul i.i'ormalum. - .ru ....c.v ui ..g.au,.
'Such li th ineJaMioly result i.yW,Uw " ! V"11 Prov!si
illegal and lli-fatcd expedition. These
thoughtless young men lme been induc-
cea, Dy laise and fraudulent representa
tions, to violate the laws of their coun
try, through rash and unfounded expec
tations of assisting to accomplish politi
cal revolutions in other States, and have
lost their lives in the undertaking. Too
severe a judgment can hardly bo passed
j luuigiiaiii sense ol tlie community
upon those who, being betU-r informed
than themselves, have vet led
ardor of youth and an ill-directed lovo of
political liberty. I he corrcsiiondenen
- x. i x, L UJTO Ui
1 between this Government and that of
, opain, relating to this transaction, is
j herewith communicated. Although these
!r.-U li-rs agiluAtrie laws tiave Lilv.&.
the protection of their country, yet the
I Government may, so far is consistent
with, its obligation to other countries, and
ltt fixe:! nurrVHrt in m iinuin
force the laws, entertain sympathies fori
-.-! uiiuiuMiiiiiig ramuics anu tnends, as
well as a feeling of compassion for them
selves. AccorJinilv. rm .r,....r .,irri
! I i - O J --- - j . . vsuia . . miuil M,,
Is on "P!iret'i none will be spar- ;Jllslice the blessings of self-government
O'l In l ! 1 1 n I 1. 1 f I
jtj.
.u fiuvuic mi; rciunse oi sucn ci
zens ot tho United States, engaged
niu uiiiciwiiii enterprise as are now in
confinement in Spain: but it
hoped that such interposition with the'j
onain: mil il m tn io
-....uu.vmui mai liuuinrv may noi oe
. ... . 7 - -
te(l lf we uire to maintain our rcspec-
the violation of those acts with condicn '
! punishment, But what gives a peculiar .
"".'"i"y io mis invasion ot uuba is,
tllat under the lead of Spanish subjects.
"ml vit1' th? ai'' Vf citizens of the' Uni-
ictl niaies, ll liau its oricrin m motives of
; iiiuu. luu ,v ill ,viii;iiivi 1UI
Jther legislation will be necessary to pre
i vent the perpetration of such offences iu
....... V m. I.i I n... -... I.... I . .
future. No individuals have a riurht to i
hazard the peace of the country, or vio- ,
late its laws, upon vague notions of idler'
ing or reforming governments in other
States. This principle is'not ouly rea j
onable in itself, and in accordance with
public law, but is engrafted into the
codes ot otlier nations as well as our
own. Rut while such are the sentiments
of this government, it ma' be added, that
every independent nation must be pre
sumed to he able to defend its posses
sions against tinauinorizeu lnuiviviuuais
lianded tegether to attack them. The j
' governmout of the United fltatcs, at all j
l1'"10 "ce its esttuSlishmrut, lias ab-
' slft'"ed, and has sought to restrain, the j
eitizens f the country from eniering in-1
to controversies between other powers,
olMirv all the duties of neutrali-
1 1 .v-
V- " ""r,y . r .ol ul" I.""
nntiii - in iae auimnisiraiianoi tYaswnjr-
.
tint GivMit luujl wm TVidPfi fVtr thlu I
-""Z. JJ- 'r.r "
i 1 : .11.. . i
r'l .1 . .
, '7 "
'f."-'1; "Jp?
whs declared, tliat if any person
April,
iings, it
shall,
... . .. : t-'.i I
' provide, or prejawe the rowins for any j
;""lltaTy fI'Ctilu.n or enterprise, lo be
j " ue" K'""y i a nigu misaemeanor,
I anu snail uc isiicu liui excecuiug iiireu
i .11 " i
thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not
exceeding three years. And this law
has been executed and enforced to the
full txteiii of the potior of tha Govern
ment, lroiu Uiai uay To this, la pro-
claiming and aUheniig to the uuutruJnJi
... , . . ,. ... I ... .
an., t . nv, 111
1818 was
an ucl of
stair.ia'ly
om. hp
llANNIBAx MQ DECEMBER
to tiiat time there had been no similar
law in England,' except soma highly pe
ncil statutes passed fn the reign of George
II., prohibiting English subjects enlist
ing in foreign service, th avowed ob
ject of which statute was, that foreign
armies raised for tho purpose of tostor
ing the hmise of Stuart to the throne,
should not be stronodithened hv nvrnii.
from England herself, o All must see
mai aniioullies may arise in carrying the '
country now having three or four thous.
....... i ,,uu e&ecuuon. in a
I J
8,1 of seacoast with on infinifn
! n"'ber of ports and harbors and small
inlets, from somo of whieh unlawful d .
pedilions may suddenly set fortli, with-
airainst the iKiaBin r r,.r..;n (,.
iigain:
Frienlv relations with till Kn( ttti ,t.i
- -
v y t wivwin.niBviT
mliance with nnn.. k..-I,.. k " ?
! nn with lis. Our .nlw-;;. w
"Z10 .ur opinions, or impose upon other
countries cur form of government h or
tifice or forco, but to teach by example,
and show by our success, moderation &,
I and the advantage of free in
I Let every nation chooso for. i
nstitutions
Iself, and
make und alter its political institutions to
1 suit its own condition and
" iwn eanniion anu nnnvi.mr.nnn
Bllt while we avow ami maintain tliis
-i'"-vj iuuici, weare anxious
.
e sno 1J ba indifferent to a case in which
!at !
I"'ain and France have issued orders to !
thuir ,,ilVil1 cuinmanJers on tlie West In-
ma siauon 10 prevent by torce, it neces- j been received from her Britanio fllajcs
sary, the lan linrr of adventurer frnmHv' r;.,;ai, . ll,.;lnr,t1..K.r Knt it
!'ally nation on the Island
of Cuba, with I
:"osllle inient. ineco
OV Ot a nicmor.'in-'
uum vi u euuvuniin on ine tHUiect. be'
.( .. .
tweeu tlie Charge de Affaires of Her
Britanic Majesty and the acting Secreta
ry of Slate, and a subsequent note of the
former to the Department of State, are
herewith submitted, together with a copy
of the note of the acting Secretary of
State to the Minister of the French Re
public, and the reply of the latter on the
same subject. The papers will acquaint
you with the grounds of this interposi
tion of the two leading commercial pow
of Europe, and with .the apprehensions
this Government qotild not fail to enter
tain, that such interposition, if carried
into effect, might lead to abuses to the
derogation of the maritime rights of the
United States.
The maratime rights uf the United
States ure on a firm, secure and well-de-linfed
basis; they stand on the ground of
national independence and public law,
and will be imiintained in all their just
extent. The principle which this Gov
ernment has heretofore solemnly announ
ced, it still adheres to, and wilfmaintain,
under all circumstances tmd at all haz
ards. That principle is, that in every
regularly documented merchant vessel
the crew who naviirate it, and those on
board it, will find their protection in the
flag that is over them. No American
ship can be allowed to be visited or
searched for the purpose of ascertain
ing tho character of individuals on board,
nor can there be allowed any watch, by
vessels of any foreign nation, over A-
mencan vessels, on the coast of the Uni
ted States or the seas adjacent thereto.
It will be seen ty the last communica
tion from the British Charge de Allaires
to the DVpnrtmeut of State, that he is au
thorized to assure thu Secretary of State
that every cure shall be taken th;t.
executing the preventative measures a- A
gainst which the Uriitod Slates itself has j in
declared, as not being entitled to thejti
protection of any government, do inter-j
jfcn'Tance shall take place with the law-lions of
jful commerce of any nation. In addition 1 this cot
... .1... . t. . .1 .Iv .t. t
. ,U"..I" T'" " J
nnvwun euiinimq, onicini lnrormawon
1, v . : j . i , . .
1H twen rpfMlvltrl I.f th. I l..rfrf fnnt.f p
Ll" " ' " ' V , .1 r? T
' -j -
eriiineut (Jul, in tho ordrrs given to the
r rench naval forow, they were express
ly lusirueieu, in any operations they
: ' . .
jienr.aud to commit w act of hostility tip-
vessel, or
pjrottictmu.' c " ,
Ministers Mid consuls of foreign na
tions arc the means and ugeuts of commu
nication between us and: those nations,
and it is of tlie utmost importance that
while residing in the country, they should
enjoy a perfect security, so long as they
itunruiiy uisunarge ineir respective du
tics, and are
iruiltv of no violation of nur :
laws. This is the admitted law of nn-
na.
tioM, uiid na country h;is a deepe; inter
est maintaining it than the United
Our commerce spreads over every sea
and visits every ubme; and our Alinis
ters and consuls are appointed to protect
that commerce, ns well as to guard the
peace of the coun'ry aud maintain the
honor of its Hag. But how can they
discharge those duties unless they be
themselves protected, and if they be pro
tected by the laws of tho country in
which they reside, then what is due tS
our own puMic functionaries residing
iu foreign nations, is exactly thtv meas
ure of what is duo to tho functionaries of
. i i
ofo'ti'.-r 1'ivernuients resi iing here.
. , ., P .
. t f ' WA f r(Ue
are sacred, or else war. would be utter -
mimiL . .ii
lio mini0 ,n Pece ambassadors, , pub-
friendly nt anJ "o"""'. charged with
of especial intercourse, are objects
in lflct and protection, each
rank and station.''h,j,clong'ng to his
In view of these i.
it is with deep mortifr?"1 principles,
I announce to vou. that.U1 nnd regret
citement growing out of th'tPg the ex-
at Havana, the office of hefeeions
Maicstv's Consul at New Orleiit"olio
assailed bv a mob. his property destffas
the Spanish flag, found in tho office, cil
ried ofFand torn to pieces, and he him'
self induced to flee for hi. personal safe-
no mm-
ty, which he reported to be in danger.
fil ..uvar.:,!.. s Wn nf th.
. .:.v.. ... .... . .. ,
rnrinuriin rtir.u.iri r 1 1 rmrnjiv r . ina
U. residing at JNew Urleans, to en
cnire into the facts, and the extent of
the pecuniary loss sustained by the Con
sul, with the intention or laying them
before you, that you might make provis
ion for such indemnity to him as a just
regard iorlhe honor ot the nation, and
the respect which is due to a friendly
power, might, in your judgement, seem
to require, ihc correspondence ipon
this ubjeci between the Secretary of
aalv'a
stnin s,..i r:,i,iin m pli
lister Plenipotentiary; is herewith trans.
milieu.
l he occurence at Ev'cw Urleans has
led me to give my attention to the state
of our laws in rrgard to Foreign Am
bassadors, Ministers, and Consuls. I
think the legislation of the country is
deficient in not providing snftlciently,
cither for their protection, or the pun
ishment of these offences.. I, therefore,
recommend the subject to the consiera
tion of Congress.
Your attention is -again invited to the
question of reeinrorial trade between the
U. S. and Cunjifhi. nnd nthnr Rritwll iuu.
essions near onr frontier. Overtures
for a Conveutiou on this subject have
seems to be in many respects prefera-
ll e. that thn mntli.r uhnnll ho rncrllliil A.i
I. , - ' O
by reciprocal legislation. Documen's
are laid before you showing the terms
which the British Government is willing
to offer, and the measures which it may
adopt, if some arrangement upon this
subject shall not be made.
1' rom the accompanying copy of a
note from the British Legation at Wash
ington, and the reply of the Department
of State thereto, it will appear that her
Britnaio Majesty's Government is desir
ous that a part of the boundary line be
tween Oregon and the British Posses
sions should be authoritative marked out,
and that the intention was exprssed to
aply to Congress for an appropriation to
delray thecxpences thereof, on the part
of the United States. Your attention to
this subject is accordingly invited, and
a proper appropriation recommended.
A convention for the adjustment of
claims of citizens of the U. S. against
Portugal has been concluded, and the
ratifications have been exchanged. The
first instalment of tho amount td bo paid
by Portugal fell due the 30th of Sep
tember last, and has been paid. The
President of the French Rrepublic,
according to tlle provisions of the Con
vention, has been selected as arbiter in
the case of the General Armstrong, and
has signified that he accepts the trust,
and the high satisfaction ho feels in ac
ting as the common friend of two na
tions with .which France is united bv
sentiments of sincere and lasting ami-
ty- h
The Turkish Government has ex
pressed its thanks for the kind recep
tion given to the Sultan's Agent Amin
Bey, on the occasion of his recent visit been ought to ob,n,n no territorial ad
to the U. S. On tho 20th of Febuary I vintages peculiar to itself, and it would
last, a dispatch was addressed by the with tho greatest regret, that Mexi
Secretary of" State to Mr. Marsh, the ! co sholl'd oppose any obstacle to the ac-
American Minister at Constantinople,
inonlc
nstruoting him to ask of the Turkish
overmueiitpcitnission for the Hunga-
runs then imprisoned within the domin-
the but) lime Jorte, to removeto
country. On theSd of March last,
lUiae of &nigr pasted a
lution, requesting the President to au
thurized the enipluynient of a public
vessel, to convey to this country Louis
Kossuth and his associates iu oaufivity.,
The instruction, above referred to, were
complied will i, and the Turkish Govern
ment, bavins relent edGnv, Kossuth amU
his companions from prison on the 10th
of September last, lb y eojharkod .on
board of tha U. 8. steam frlgater Mm
sisaippi, which was selected to carry in
toelfect the rcaolution of Congress.V
Gov Kossuth If ft the Mississippi at Gib
ralter, for the purpose of making a visit
to England, and may shortly be expected
in New Y'ork. By communications to the
Department of State, he has expressed
his grateful acknowledgment, .for tho
mterpo
ntcrposition of this Government in b-
of himself and his associates
This
country has been
justly v regarded as a
me whom political e-
safe asylum for those
vents nave txued irommeir own Home
in Europa, and it is recommended to
Congress to consider in what manner
Gov. Kossnth mid his companions,
brought hither by its authority, shall be
received snd treated.
u It is earnestly to be hoped that tlie dif
ficulties 0 which have for a time been
pending between the Government of
Uie French llepubiic and that of the
Sandwich Islands, may be peaoubly and
durably adjusted, so us to secure the in
dependence of these Islands. Long be
fore the events wnicii nave ol kte un
parted so much importance to the posses,
'. . ,. .. 'iii,,tJ.A,i
sions of '.he lnuleit Mites on Iho I',vcifio,
we acknowledge the iu Wpei, lenoe of the
lUwtn omment. This Goyeja-
UNION.
11, 1851.
ment was first in taking this stap.nd
several of the leading powers of Europe
immediately followed. W wer influ
enced in this measure bv the existinor
and prospective importance of tlie It
lands, as a place of refueend refresh-
incnt for our vcescls eairaered in tho
whale fishery, and bv the consideration
that they lie in the course of the ereat
trade which must, in time, be carried on
between the Western coast of North
America and Eastern Asia. We were
also influenced by a desire that those Is-
ianas snouia not nut under the control
k 4 f. n, . ,
"7 eal should
i0 "V," r YT '
mer"iw'. , useful to the com-
wi aiwi
I - - -
these coot ,ay ,nat 1,10 Jnlportence or
Z ?n . havVtained in California
nd Oregon; an.rhe heretofore
dop ed in regard kth, Jtndi wffl be
teadily pursued.
It is gratifying, nt t. ,v l-
......
consider the oomtnern r . -
interests of na-
110ns, put also to all vi
gres. of knowledge anihV oPnf
religion, te .see a coram.;.. "
ol eivuiaaUuu iu Uue Uista. . -
It is to be deplored, that V, , ,
tranquility of the Mexical"''
should again be seriously disttQ? ,
since the peace between that ' i?-1"'
such comparative repose that th
'joyed
e Li. m ..
ost
might, with a degree of of confidil
v, ;,i.. 1 1 . e
luvorauie anucmauons lor thfl n
men luuuioui
These, however, have been thwart.
bv the recent outbreak in the ?!-,( ..
j - - - ......v. m
Taraauhpas, on the right bank of the Ri0
Uravo. Having recieved information that
persons from the United States had
taken part in the insurrestion, and ap
prehending that their example might be
followed by others, I caused orders to be
issued for the purpose of preventing any
hostile expeditions against Mexico, from
being set on foot in violation of the laws
01 uie united amies. 1 likewise issued
a proclamation upon the subject, a conv
p ...i.:.t. :. 1 :.u t .1 '
ml wiiiun ! iicrowiiii- uiiu ueoore you.
This appeared to be rendered imperative
genral duties of good neighborhoods
In my last annual message,! informed
Congress that citizens of the United
States had undertaken the connection of
the two oceans by means of a railroad a
cross the Isthmus of Tehu intepec, under
a grant of the Mexican Government, to
a citizen of that republic, and that this
enterprize wonld act with energy, when
ever Mexico should consent to such
stipulations with the Government of the
United States as should impart a Tceling I
of security to those who should invest
their property in the enterpizc.
A convention between the two Go
vernments for the accomplishment of
that end, has been ratified by this Go
vernment, and only awaits the decision
of the Congress and the ratification of
that Republic.
Some unexpected difficulties and de
lays have arisen in the ratification by
Mexico, but it is to be presumed that
their decision will be governed bv iust
views, as well of thegeneral importance
of the subject as of"hcr own interest
and obligations. In negotiating on this
important subiect. this Government has
had in view one, and only one, object.
That object has been, and is, the con
struction or attainment of a passage from
ocean to ocean; tlie shortest and pie best
for travelers aud merchandize, and even
tually open to all tlie world. It has
"'"F'3"""11" ul " enterprise waicn
promises so much convenience to the
whole commercial world and such emi
nent advantages to Mexico herself,
Impressed with these sentiments and
UuB convictions, the Conrnment will
re-4n,in", Vr " 'proper efforts to
bring about all necessary arrangements
with the Republic of. Mexico, for tho
speedy completion of tho work.
Vor some months past, the Republi6
of Nicaragua has been tlie theatre of oho
of those civil convnJsiqns from whifch
the cause of free institutions, ni the
general-prosperity ntl social progress of
tne States ot Central America, Ua.vo so
oltcn an4 so severely , suHcreJ. tnlill
quiet shull have been restored, and a go
vernment apparently stable shall. have
been'organised no advance can prudently
be made in disposing of tlie questions
pending between tlie two countries.
1 am nappy to announce that an inter-
ocear.io communication from Uie mouth
of the San Juan to the Pacific, has been
o far accomplished as that passengers
have actually traveled, and merchandise
has been transported, over it; and when
the canal snail have been coiuplerew ac
cording to the original plan, the means
of communication .will be further un
proved.
It is understood that , considerable
part of the rail road across tlie Isthmus
of Panama, has bean completed, so that
the mail and passengers will in future
be conveyed thereon. Whichever or
tlie several route between the two oceans
may ultimately prove most eligible for
travelers to and from the different States
on the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and
our coast on the Pacific, thure is liHle
reason to doubt Unit all of them will be
useful to Uie public and will liberally
reward that individual enterprise by
which alone they have been, or are ex
pcoled to be carried into effect.
Peace has bees, concluded between the
contending parties in the island of Saa
Domingo, and it is hoped upon durable
basis. Such is 4he extent of our com
mercial relations with that island, that
the United Statei cannot fail to feel a
strong interest h its tranquility, -The
office of Commissbncr to China fcmains
unfilled. Several tersons have be? ap
pointed, and the puce has been offeied
to others, all of whom have declined iU
acceptance, on the ground of tho inade
quacy of compensation.
The annual allowance by law is
000, and there is no provision for any
outfit. I earnestly recommend Uie con
sideration of Uii subject to Congr.
ti,-.xjm!nerc rrith Chin i highly im
portant, and is becoming more aud more
so, in consequence.'' 'ie increasing in
Wuuuiae wei ween our ports on the Pa
cific coast and eastern Asia. China is
understood to be a country in which liv
ing is Aery expensive, and I know of no
reason why the American Commissioner
setit thither,, should not be placed, in re
gard to compensation, on an equal foot
ing with ministers who represent this
country at the courts of Europe.
By reference to Uie report of Uie
Secretary of Uie Treasury, it will be
seen, that the aggregate receipts for the
last fiscal year amounted to $52,312.9
79 87, which with the balance in the
treasury on the 1st July, 1850, gave as
the available means for the" year, the
sum of $58, 917, 524 36. The total ex
penditures for the same period were
48,005,878 68. The total imnorts for
the year euding June 30lh, 1851, were
$ 7,yJ5, or which there was in
specie $49,679,001. The exports for the
same period were $217,517,130; of
which there, of domestic preducts.$178,
uo,o.x; loreign goods re-exported,
9.738.695; specie, $29,231,880 total,
17,517,130.
'nee Uie first of December last Uie
P'yents in cash on account of the pub
1,0 dfct, exclusive of interest, have a
mount1to $7,501,456 56, which, how
ev" Eluded the sum of $3,242,400,
P""i U.nr" 12th orticle of the treaty
o km oeiV' "nd furthe' uni
$,51,2134 being the amount of a
wards to A,,,,,, citizens under the
late treaty wr, Mexico, and for which
Krt , .... .0 -- .. . ...
which was paid n CMn from Uie Treas
ury. The public debt . o. onh ,.lt
usive of the stock a.h.,,-;ui n K
sued to Texas, by the acl of 9th Sep
tember. 1850. waa fi2.fr or:
The receipts for Uie mxt fiscal year
are esUmated at iSLSOO.-aoo. whinh.
with the probable unappropriated balan
ce in the Treasury, on Uie 30th June,
will give, as Uie probable available nwane
for that year, Uie sura of $62,258,743.
i nns oeen aeemod proper, in view of
the large' expenditure onsaniii.nt imnn
tho acquision of territory from Mexico. '
that Uie estimates for the next fiscal
year should be laid before Congress in
such manner as to distinguish Uie ex
penditures so required from the other
wise ordinary demands upon the Treas
ury. The total expenditures for Uie
next fiscal year are esUmated at $42,
892,299 19; of which is required for the
ordinary purposes of the Government,
other than those consequent upon the ac
quisition of our new Territories, and de
ducting the payments on account of Uie
publi-3 debt, Uie sum of 41,343 J98 56;
and for the purposes connected directly
or indirectly wiih those Territories, and
in the fnlfillmeat of the obligation of
Uie Government contract in consequence
of these acquisition, the sum of $9,549,-
IU1. U tne views of Uie secretary of
the Treasury, in reference to the expen
ditures required lor tne territories shall
be met by a corresponding action on the
part of Congress, and appropriations be
made in accordance therewith, there will
be ss cstisistcd upprcpristcd bcJ ir.ee
in the Treasury, on the 30th January,
1853, of $20,3G6'443 9O, wherewith to
meet that portion of the public debt due
on the lt of 4uly Wowing amounting to
$5,237,931 35, as well as any appropria
tions w hich may be made beyond the es
timates. Ia thus referring to the esU
mated expenditures on account of our ac
quired Territories, 1 may express Jhe
hope, (hat Congress will concur with me
in the desire that liberal course of poliey
miiy be pursued towards them, and Unit
every obligation, expressed or implied,
entered into in consequence of their ac
quisitions, shall be fulfilled by the moat
liberal appropriations for thst purpose.
ine value oi onr domestic exports lor
the last fiscal year, us compared with
those of the previous year, exhibits an
increase of $43,646,322. At the first
view, this condition of our trade with
Foreign .nations would seem to present
Uie most flattering hopes ot its future
prosperity. An examination of Uie de
tails ofour exports, however, pill show,
that the increased, value of our exports
i3 tne isat Carat yer,r ie to o Jound in
Uie high prioe of cotton, which prevailed
during Uie first part of that year, which
price has since declined.
About one half the value of onr ex
ports of breadstuff's and provisions, which
it was supposed the incentive of a low
Tar iff and large importations from abroad
would have greatly augmented baa fall
en from $08,701,921 in 187, Ut26
054.373 in lbSO.and to $21 ,949.653 in
1851, with a strong probability, amount
ing almost to a certainty, .of a still fur
ther reduction iu the current year.
The aggregate vidua of rice exported
during tlie last fiscal year, as compared
with the previous jevr, also exhibits a
decrease, amountf ngto $450,017, which,
with, o doc-lino in Uie vuluu of the exports
VOL. .2 NO
of tobacco for the same period, make ah
aggregate decrease in the two article nt
$1,156,751. The policy; which d solar!
a low rata of duties on foreign aoere half
dize, it was tWmght by those who pro
moted and established it, would Vend t4
benefit the farming population of tbia
country, by increasiug Ihe dr,,and, and
raising the price cf agricultural roJuot ,
in foreign markets. The foregoing fasts,
however, seem to show incontest&blr.
tliat no such result has followed the a
Aoption of this policy, On the contrary,
notwithstading the repeal of the restric
tive Corn-laws in England, Uie foraign
demand for the products of ihe American
farmer hasidadily declined, sinee the
ihort crops and consequent famine in -psrtion
of Europe, Have been happily re- ,
pbud py fuU crori and comparative
abunomc, of food. - .
Itwu seen by referring W tho
fonimarc.,1 1 ,utijc, the past ye'ar,
that the ralu 0f our domestio oy,
has been increased in Uie single item of .
raw cottot$ 100,000 over the value of
that exported for the year preceding.
This is not one to any increased general
demand for that article, but to the abort
crop of Uie preceding year, which creat
ed an increased demand and an augment- '
ed price for the dop of feu year. Should ;
the cotton crop noJr going forward to""
market, be only equ4 in quantity to that '
of the year preceding and be sold at Uie
present prices, then bere would be a
falling off in the value 0f our exporti,
for Uie present fiscal ywt, of least at
$400,000, compared .wife Uie amount
exported for the year ending 30tb
June, 1851.
The production of gold in California
for the past year, seems to promise ft
large supply of this metal fYqn that
quarter, for some time to come. This
largo annual increase of the curreW of
the world must be attended with Ha keml
results. These have been already parUiljr
disclosed in the enhancement of pric, '
and a rising spirit of speculation anl
adventure, tending to over-trading, as
well at home -as abroad. U mess some 1
salutary check shall be given to these .
tendencies, it is to be feared that im
portations of foreign goods, beyond ft
healthy demand in this oountry, will
lead to a auddea drain of Uie precious
i.w,.-.. m, sl Iinr.g T7i S3 it, ...
has done in former tunes, disastrous
consequences to the business mod Uie
capital of Uie American people. Tho
exports of specie, to liquidate our for
eign debt, during the past . fiscal year,
have been $24,263,376 over Uie amount
of specie imported. The exports of
specie, during the first quarter of tho
present fiscal year, have been $14,651,
827. Should speice continue to be ex
ported at this rate for the remaining1
three-fourths of this year, it will drain
our metallic currency, during the year 'i
ending 30th January, 1852, tba enoN '
mous amount of. $0,bU7,30.
In the I present prosperous condition
of the national finances, it will become
Uie duty of Congress to consider the
best mode of paying of the pubuo debt.,
If Uie present anticipated surplus in tho
treasury should not be absorbed by ap-
' . i 1 . . m ,
propriaiions ii snouiu d employed in
such way and under such restrictions as
Congress may enact, in extinguishing .
Uie outstanding debt of the. nation.
By reference to the act of Con
gress approved 9th September; 1850, it
will be seen that, in consideration of cer
tain concessions by Uie State of Texas,
it is provided, that the United States shall ,
pay to Uie State of Texas Uie sum ot
ten millions of dollars, in a stock bearing
five per cent, interest, and redeemable
at the end of fourteen years, the intre?t ;
payable hair yearly at the 1 reasury ox
the United Slates. In Uie same section
of Uie law, it ia further provided, tbat .
no more than five millions of said stoclc
shall be issued, until the creditors of tho
State, holdin bonds end other certifi
cates of stock of Texas, for which du
ties on imports were specially pledged,
snuu nrst uie at lite treasury of Uie U ni-
ted States, releases of all claims arainat
the U. States, for, or on account of, said
bonds or certificates, in such form as .
shall be prescribed by Use Secretary of
Treasury and approved by Uie President
of tb United States. The form of re
lease Uius provided for has been prescri
bed by the Secretary, and approved. It
has been published in all Uie newspapers
in Uie commercial cities of the U&tcd
States, and aft persons holding cLims of
Uie kind specified in the foregoing pro-
viso, were required toile their release
in Uie form prescribed, in Uie treasury of
United States, on or before Uie first day
of October, 1851. Although this publi
cation has been continued from the 25th '
of March, 1851, yet up to Uie 1st of Oe-
tuber last comparatively few rebnases had
been filed by the creditors 4?, Texas.
The auUioriiies of the State of Texns, at
Uie request sf Uie Secretary, have pub- '
lished a schedule of jthe public debt of
that State created prior tober admission - .
into the Union, with ft eopy of Uie laws
under which each class was contracted.
I have, from the documents furnished by
the State cf Texas, determined the class
es of claims which in my judgment fall
within the provisions of the act of Con
gran of the 9ih of September, 1S50. On ,
being officially informed of the accep
tance by Texas, of the proposition eon
tainvd lft the act refeirsd to, 1 caused
the stock te be prepared, and tho five i
millions whih aro to b iaetied unooud
lionalW, bearing aa iute?? st of five per ,
cent, from tho 1st day of January, lSol
have been for sometime delivered to th '
Si ate iif Texas. The aulh. ri ! ;s of Tex
as up to tho present time, have nut au- '
OtoiU'J J any cu to raceira Ui stocky
Tii
4:-
o'
' ' ' - . ,
6
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f - i ... " ' ..x .... s ... v. - - -
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