Eaton Democrat. [volume], January 10, 1856, Image 1

About Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Fellow citizens of the Senate
and of the House of Representatives.
The constitution of the' United States f ro
.,. titles that Congress stint) asssmble annunllr
oa'the first Mondnjr of December, and it tins
, been usuat for, the President to make no
. communication of a public diameter to the
Senate and House or Keptesentatives until
' adyisrd uf their reatlinets to receive it. I
.. have deferred to this usajs until Unclose of
the first month of the session, but my convic-'
t ions of da tr will not permit me longer to
postpone the discharge of the oblige lion en
. joined by the constitution upon the President
'toglve to tho Cougress information of the
atate ef the Uuion, and recommend to their
consideration such measnres as he shall judge
v necessary and expedient."
v It is a matter of congratulation that the Re
public is tranquilly iJvanping in a career of
prosperity and peace."-' '' '
FOREIGN RELATIONS.—CENTRAL AMERICA.
W) ilt relations of amuity continue to ex
ist between the' Hailed Sloths and all foreign
powers, with some of them grave questions are
depending, which may require tiio considera
tion of Congress. , ; ' s
Of such questions, the most important is
that which has ariseu out of the negotiations
with Great Britain in reference to Central
America. , , , t :.-,. .. .
By the dORvention : concluded between the
two governments 9" the 19lb of- April, 1850,
both -parties, covenanted, llmi "neillier will
ever occupy, ot. fortify, or colonize, or as
sume or exercise any dominion over Nicara
f gua, Cos: a Rica, the Musquilo coast, or any
part of Central America." r
It waa the unOoubied understanding of the
United Stales, in maKing this treaty, that all
the present Slate of lha former rcpublioof
Centrnli'Amcrica, and the entire territory of
each, would henceforth enjoy complete
independence: and that bulh contracting pr
4ies engaged equally,, and to the tame extent,
for the presentand for the fuiure; that if eith
er thin had any claim of right in Cential
America, such claim, and alt occupation or
authority under it, . were unreservedly relin
quished by .the stipulations of the convention;
and that no dominion waa hereafter to be ex
ercised or assumed in any pari of. Central
America,, by Great Britain or the United
States..''.. . i- i. .''
This government consented to restrictions
V4n retard t a region of the country, wherein
' we had. specific and peculiar interests, only
. upen the conviction that the like restrictions ,
'' wyre in th ssme sense obligatory, to Great
. Dnlaiii. But' for this understanding of the
force mid t fleet of the convention, it would
never have been concluded by us. -
So clear was this understanding on the part
of the United Slates, that in correspondence
contemporaneous wiih lbs ratification of the
convention, it was distinctly expressed, (hat
1 Ihu mutual covenants of non-occupation were
- not intended to apply to the British establish
ment at the Hal at. This qualification ia 'to
be ascribed to the fact, that, in virtue of suc-cebsive-tresties
with previous sovereigns of
the country, Great Britain had obtained con
cession of l be right to cut nmhogony or dyt
woods at tha.Ballze, but with positive ex
clusionafall domain or sovereignty; aid thus
it co u Grins the natural constructor! "ami un
derstood impart of the treaty as to IJ the rest
of the region to which the stipulations up-plied..-.
,- w' ... .
it, however, became apparent, at an early
day, after entering upon the d isclisrge of aiy
present fuucliopa, that Great Britain still con
tinue in the exercise or assertioirof large au
thorily iniall that port of Central America,
commonly called lbs Mosquito coast, and cov
ering the entire ieuglb of the Stale if Nicsro.
guc ancla part of. Costs Rica; that she re
garded the Balixe as her absolute domain, and
waa gradually extending its limit at the ex
pense of the State of Hondjras, and that she
had formerly colonized a considerable insular
group known a the Bay Islands, and belong
ing, of light, to that Stale. . .
All these; acts or pretensions of Oreat Brit
ain, being contrary to the rights of the Slates
of Central America, and to the manifest tenor
of her stipulations with, the United States, as
uuderstood by this govtrment, have been made
the aubject of negotiation through the Ameri
can Ministers in London. . 1 transmit herewith
'' the instructions to him on the-subject,
" rud the correspondence between him and
the British Secretary for foreign Affairs,
by which you will perceive that the two gov
"r t-riuqenU differ widely and irreconcileablv as
to the construction of the convention, ana its
effect on their respective relations to Central
America. . .
r Ureal Britain so construes the convention,
. as to ruaintoiu. unchanged sll her previous
'' , pretentiens over the Mosquito coast, and in
iliffeient rmr.'.s of Central America. These
pretensions, as to the Mosquito coust, are foun
ded on the assumption of political relation be
tween Great Britain and the remnant of a
f ' tribe of Indians on that coast, entered into
' ' at a time when the wholecouutr7 was a colo
nial possession of Spain. It cannot be sue
i cess fully controverted, tnut, by the public
la w of Europe and America, no possible act
of sucb .Indian or their predecessors could
confer on- Great Britain any political rights.
, Ureal Britain1 does not allege the assent of
Spain as the origin of her claims on the Mos
quito coast. She has, on the contrary, by re
peated end successive treatise, reuouncedand
" relinquished all pretentions of her own, and
recognized the full and sovereign rights of
Spain inirr most unequWeosl terms. Yet
' tbeae pretentions, so without solid foundation
in the beginning, aet thus repeatedly abjuied
were, at recent period, revived by Great
Britain against; the Central American States,
the regttimat successors to all the ancient
jurisdtetion of Spain in that region. They
were first applied only 4o a defined part of the
coast of N.xaragua. aflerwarOs to the whole
ofits.Atlantic coast, and lastly Ip a part of the
coast of Costa Bica; and they are now teas
- erted to this et tent, notwithstanding ensje
.tnentilo(tblitila46atec't: .-. . .
S - On thrf eastern coast of Nicarsga and Costa
-. Rica, tji interference of Great Britain, though
' eieitedatone time iu. the form, of military
occupation of the port of Sad Juan del Norte,
then la, the peaceful possession of tbt appro
' priale , authorities af ttie Central. American
States, i now presented by her aa lbs rightful
exercise o( proUelorthip over 41m.Moijtiiio
tjibeof lodians. , ,. j -
But the establishment It' (he Balite, now
reaching beyond its treaty limits into tlia. State
of (londuras, and that of the Bay islands, sp
' - pertaining of right to th sam State, aro a
distinctly, colonial governments, as those of
Jamie o( Canada, and therefore contrary to
ti.' the very letter as the spirit o convention with
, the United States, as jt was at tie lima.ef
f,. ratification, and now. is understood, by U'"
ovrnaitht. '. ;t-:f.-t
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BY L. Q. Q0ULD. - V: '-'' "Fearless and rrcU" - $l,50per Annum in Advance.
Jnw Series. . Vol.l2,No.3a.
The inlerpretrttion- which the British .govern
thus in assertion and act, persist in as-self,
cubing to the convention, entirely change
its character. While it holds us to all our ob-1
ligations, it ia a grest measure releases Great
Britain from those, which constituted the con- to
sideration of this Korernment for. entering ihta
the convention. It is impossible, in my judg
IllCllt, IUI lMIIW '""'i. V MWU.VJ
such a construction of the respectfve relations
of the two Government to Central America.
To a renewed call by this government upon
Great Britain, to abide by, and carry into ef
fect, the simulations of the convention ac
cordinc to its obvious import, by withdrawing
from the possession or colonization of portions
or the Central American Slates oi Honduras,
Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, the British gov
ernment has at length replied, affirming that
the operation of the treaty is protective only,
and did not require Great Britain to abandon
or contract any possessions held by her in
Central America at the dale of ita conclusion.
The reply substitutes a partial issue, in
the place of the general on presented by Ihe
United Stales. ..The British government pass
es over the question of the rights of Great
Britain, real or supposes, in uemrat America
and assumes that she had such rights tt the
date of the treaty, and that these rights com
prehended the protectorship of the Mosquito
Indians, the extended jurisdiction and limits
of the Bulite, and the colony of the Bay Is
lands, and thereupon proceeds by implication
to infer, that, if the slipula'ions of th treaty
be merely future in effect, Gieat Britain may
still continue to hold the contested portions
of Central America. The United States can
not admit either the inference or the.piemises.
We steadily deny, that a tthe date of the treaty
Great Britain had any possessions there, other
than the limited and peculiar establishment at
the Belize, and maititain that, if she had any,
they were surrendered by the convention.
This government, tecognuing the obliga
tions of the treaty, has of course desired to
see it executed in good faith by both parlies,
and in the discussion, therefore has not look
ed to rights, which we might assert, independ
entlyof the treaty, in consideration of our ge
ographical potitiou and of oftier circumstances
which create for ui relations to the Central
American States, different from those of auy
government of Europe.
,The British goverement in ita last commu
nication, although well knowing the views of
the United Stutes, still declares that it sees
leasons why a conciliatory spirit may
not enter the two governments to overcome!
all obslsclea to satisfactory adjustment"! the
subject. . . -
Assured o! the correctness or the construc
tion of the treaty constantly adhered to by
this government, and resolved to insist on the
rights of the United Slates, yet actuated also
by Ihe same desire, which is avowed by the
British government, to remove all causes of
serious misunderstanding between two nations
associated by so many ties of interest and
kindred, it has appeared tome proper not to
consider an amicable, solution of the contro
vert hopeless.
There is, however, reason to apprehend,
that, with Great Britain in aclnal occupation
of the disputed territories, and the treaty there
fore practically null, so far as regards our
rights, this international difficulty cannot long
remain undetermined, without involving in
serious danger the friendly relations, which it
is the iultreat as well as tbe duty of both
countries to cherish and presetve. It will
afford me sincere gratification, if fuiure ef
forts shall result in the success, anticipated
heretofore with more confidence than tbe
pect or tbe case permits me now-to entertain
RECRUITMENT.
One other subjeot of discussion between the
United Slates and Great Britian has grown out
Of the attempt, which the exengencies of the
war in which she is engaged with Russia -induced
her to make, to draw recruits from the
United States.
It is the rtaditional and settled policy of the
United States to maintain impartially neutrality
during the wars which from time to lime occur
among the great powers or the world. . Per
forming all the duties of neutrality towards the
respective belligerent Stales, we may reasona
bly expect Ihtm not to interfere with our law
ful enjoyments of its benefits. Nolwilhstand
ing the existence of such hostilities, our citi
zens retain Ihe individual right to continue !
their accustomed pursuits, by land or by sea,
at borne or abroad, subject only to such restric
tions in this relation, as tbe laws of war, the
usage of nations, or special treaties, may im
pose; and it is our sovereign right that our ter
ritory and jurisdiction shall not be invaded by
either of the belligerent parties, for the Iron
sU of their armies, the operations of their fleets,
the levy of troop for their service, the fitting
out of cruiser by or against either, or any oth
er act or incident of war. And these undenia
ble rights of neutrality, individauland national
the United Stoles will under no' circumstances
surrender. r
In pursuance of Ibis policy, the law of the
United States (lo not forbid their citizens to
sell lo either of the belligerent powers articles,
contraband of war, or to lake munitions cf war
or aoldieraon board their private ships for trans
portation ( and although, in doing, so the in
dividual citizen exposes his property or pirstn
to some of the bazurdsof war, hipacls do not
involve any breach of national neutrality,' nor
implicate the government. Thus, during the
progress of tbe present war in Europe, our cit
izens have, without national .responsibility
therefor, sold gunpowder and arms to all buy
ers, regardtei of the destination of those arti
cles. - Our merchantmen have been, and still
continue to be largely employed by Great Brit
ian and by Prance in transporting troops, pro
visions, and monitions of war to the principal
seat ol ' military operations, and in bringing
home their sick and wounded soldiers; but sucb
use of our oieichaalile marine is not interdict
ed either by the international, or by our muni
cipal low, and therefore doe not' compromise
our neutral relation with Russia. -
But ur municipal law, in accordance with
tbe law of nation, peremptorily forbid not
only foreigners, but our own citizens, to fit out,
within the limit of the United Stater, a vessel
lo commit hostilities sgainst any Stat, with
whiob the United States are at peace, or to in.
crease the force of any armed vessel intended
for such hostilities against a friendly Sate. t
r Whatever concern msy have been felt' by
either of the belligerent power least private
aimed cruisers, or other vessels, in the service
of one might be fitted out in the porta of this
country to depredate on the property of the
other, all sucb; fears have proved to be ultter
ly groundless.' - Our citizen have been With
held (torn any such' set or purpose by good
faith and by respect for the law. v i
.! While tbe law of -the Union are thus ;per
emp'.orily in their prohibition ol the: equipment
or armanent bf belligerent cruisers in our porls,
they provide' not less absolutely that no person
shall, withia the territory or jurisdiction of the
United Stales, enlist w enter himself, or bi(v
or retain another person to enlist or enter him
ment, or to go beyond the limit or Jurisdiction
of the United State wilb intent to be enlisted
or entered, in the service of any foreign State,
either as a soldier, or as a mariner or seaman
board of any vessel of-war, letter or marque,
or privateer. And tbese enactients are in
strict conformity with the raw of nation, which
declare that no State has the right to raise
troops for land or sea service in mother Slate
without its content, and that, whether forbid
den by the muncipat law or not, the very at
tempt to do it, without sucb consent, ia sn at
tack on the national sovereignty.
Sucb being the public rights and (he munici
pal law of Ihe United States, no solicitode.on
the subject was entertained by this government,-when
a year since, tbe British Parlia
ment passed an act to provide for the enlist
ment of foreigners in tbe military service of
Great Britian. Nothing on tbe face of the act,
or in its public history of, indicated that the
British government proposed to attempt recruit
ing in th United Slates; nor did it ever give
intimation oraucb intention to this government
It was matter of surprise, thereore, to find,
surisequeniiy, that an engagement ol persons
within the UmttU States to proceed to Halifax,
in the British province of Nova Scotia, and
there enlist in Ihe service of Gieat Britian, was
ening on extensively, with little or no divguise.
Ordinary legal step were immediately taken to
arrest anil punish parties concerned, and so put
an end to acts infringing trie municipal law
and derogatory to our sovereignly. Meanwhile
suitable representations on th subject were
addressed to the British government.
Thereupon it became known by the ad mis
sion of the British government itself, that the
attempt to draw recruits from this country or
iginated with it, or at least bad its approval and
sanction; but it also appeared that tbe public
agent engaged in it had "stringent instruc
tions" not lo violate the municipal law of the
United States. . r
It is difficult to understand how it should
have been supposed that troops could be raised
here by Great Britain, without violation of the
municipal law. 1 he unmistakable object of
the law wss to prevent every such act, which.
if performed, must lie either in violation of the
law, or in studied evasion of it : and in either
alternative, the act doue would be alike inju
rious to the sovereignty of the United Slates.
In the meantime, Ihe matter acquired addi
llonnl importance, by the recruitment in the
United Stiles not being discontinued, and the
disclosure of Ihe fact that they were prosecu
ted upen a systematic plan devised by official
authority; :hat recruiting rendezvous bad been
opened in our principal cities, and depots for
the reception or recruiis estauiisnea on our
frontier: ana the whole Dusiness conducted un
der the supervision and by the regular co-operation
of British officers, civil and military.
some in the lortn American provinces, ami
some in the United Statea. Th complicity of
those officers in an undertaking, which could
only be accomplished by defying our laws,
throwing suspicion over cUr attitude of neu
trality, am) disregarding our territorial rights;
is conclusively proved by the evidence elici
ted on the trial of such of their agent ss have'
been apprehended and convicted. Some of
the officers thus implicated are of high official
position, and many of them beyond our juris
diction, so that legal proceeding could not
reach t lie source or the raiscbier.
These considerations, and the fact, that the
cause of complaint was not a mere casual oc
cuireace.but a deliberate design, entered upon
with full knowledge of our laws and national
policy, and conducted by responsible publio
functionaries, impelled me to present the case
to the British government, in order to secure,
not only a cessation of tbe wrong, but it rep
aration. The subject is atill under discussion,
the result of which will be commnnica'.ed to
you in due time.
BRITISH RELATIONS—CONTINUED.
I repeat the recommendation submitted lo
the last Congress, that provision be made for
the appointment ol a commissioner, in connex
ion with Great Britain, to survey and establish
the boundary line, which divides the Territory
of Washington from the contigi-ius British pos
sessions. By reason of the extent and impor
tance of Ihe country in dispute there has been
imminent danger of collision between the sub
jects of Great Britain and lha cilizens of the
United States, including their respective auth
orities in that quarter. The prospect of a
speedy arrangement has eontributed bithertoo
to induce on both aides forbearance to assert by
force what each claims as a right Contin
uance of delay on tbe part of tbe two govern
ment to set in the matter will increase th
danger and difficulties of the controversy.
Misunderstanding exists as to the extent,
character, and value of tbe possessory rights
of the Hudson's Bay Company nd the pro
perly of the Puget's Sound Agricultural Com
pany, reserved in our treaty with Gjeal Brit
ain relative to tbe Territory of Oregon. I
have reason to believe that a cession of the
righ'.s of both companies to the United Stales
which would be the readiest mean of termi
nating all questions, can be obtained on rea
sonable terms ; and, u it b a vie to this end,
I present the subject to the attention of Con
gress. The colony of Newfoundland, having enact
ed the laws required by the treaty of the 6th
of June, 1854, is now placed on the same
fooling, in respect to commercial intercourse
with the United States, as tbe other British
North American provinces.
Tbe Commission, wh.ch that treaty con
templated, for determining the rights of fish
ery, in rivers and mouth of livers on the
coasts of the United Stales and the British
North American provinces, has been organzed
and has commenced it labors; to complete
which there is needed further appropriations
for tbe service of another season.
SOUND DUES.
In pursuance of (be authority, conferred by
a resolution of the. Senate of the United
States, parsed on the 3d of March last, notice
waa given to Denmark,' an the 14th day of
April, of the intention or thia government to
avail itself of the stipulation of tbe subsisting
convention of friendship, commerce, and navi
gation between that Kingdom and tbe United
States, whereby either party might, after ten
years, terminate the same at tbe expiration of
one year from tbe dale of notice for that pur
pose. ,
The considerations, which led me to coll
(he attention oi Congress to that convention,
and induced the Senate to adopt Ihe resolu
tion refetred to, still continue in. full force.
The convention contain an article, which, al
though it doe not directly engage -the United
Slates to submit the Imposition of tolls on the
vessels snd cargoes- of Americana into or from
tbe lyaltio ea, during, the continuance of th
treaty, yet may, by possibility, be construed aa
implying aqcb . submission. The exaction of
;huae loll, not being justified by any principle
of international low, it became the right and
duty of the-Uuiled Statea Icl relieve tbeiB
elvea from th implication of engagement on
the subject, so ss to be perfectly free to id in
the premises in such way as their public inter
ests and honor sha'.l demand.
I remsiu of the opinion that the United
States ought not to submit ta the payment of
Sound does, not so much because of the
amount, which is a secondary matter, but be
cause it is in effect the recognition of the right
of Denmark to treat one of Ihe great maritime
highways or nations as a close sea, and the
navigation oi n as a privilege ror wiiicn tri
bute may ba imposed upon those who have oc
casion to use it.
This government, on a former occasion not
unlike 'he present, signalized its determina
tion to maintain the freedom of the sess, and
of the grest natural channels of navigation.
The Barbary State had, for a longtime, co
erced the payment or tribute from all nations.
whose ship frequented the Mediterranean.
To the Isst demands of such payment made by
them, the United Mates, although suffering
less oy their depredations than many other ns
tiotis returned the explicit answer, that we
preferred war to tribute, and thus opened the
way to the relief of the commerce of the
world fiom in ignominious tax, so lone sub
mitted to by the far more powerful nation of
Europe.
If the msnnrrof payment of the Sound duca
diffei from that of the tribute formerly conce
ded lo the Barbary Slates, still their exaction
by Denmark has no belter foundation in right.
Each was in it origin, nothing but a tax on a
common natural right, extorted by those, who
were at that time, able to obstruct the freeand
secure enjoyment of it, but who ne longer pos
sess that power.
Denmark, while resisting our assertion of
the freedom of the Baltic Sound and Belts, has
indicated a readiness to make some new ar
rangement on tbe subject, and has invited (he
government interested, including tbe United
States, to be represented in a convention to
assemble for the purpose of receiving and con
sidering a proposition, which she intends to
submit, Tor the capitalization of the bound
duel, aod the the distribution of thesum to be
paid as commutation among the governments,
according to the respective proportions of their
maritime commerce to snd from tbe Baltic.
I have declined in behalf of the United States
to accept this invitation, for the most cosent
reasons. One is, that Denmark does not offer
to submit to the convention the question of her
right to levy the Sound dues. A second
that, if Ihe convention were allowed to take
cognizance of that particular question, still it
would not be competent to deal wiih the great
international principle involved which affects
the right mother cases of navigation and com
mercial freedom, as well as that of access to
the Baltic. Above all, by the express terms
of the propoaition it is contemplated, that the
consideration of the boun'J dues shall be com
mingled with, and made subordinate to.
matter wholly ex'.raneous, the balance of pow
er nmone the governments of turope.
While, however, rejecting this proposition
and insisting on the right ol free transit into
and from the Baltic, I have expressed to Den
mark a willingness, on the part of the United
States, to share liberally with other powers in
compensating her for any advantages, which
commerce shall hereafter derive from expendi
lutes mace by her for the improvement and
safety of tbe navigation of the Sound or Belts.
I lay before you, herehith, sundry docu
ments on the subject, :n which my views are
more fully disclosed. Should no satisfactory
arrangement be soon concluded, I shall again
call your attention to the subject, witri re
commendation of such measures as may ap
pear to be required in order to ossert and se
cure the rights of the United States, so far as
they are affected by the pretensions of Den
mark.
FRANCE.
I announce with much gratification, that
since the adjournment of Congress, the ques
tion, then existing between this government
and that of trance, respecting the rrencn con
aul at San Francisco, has been satisfactorily
determined, and that the relation of the two
governments contiuu to be of the most friend
ly nature.
GREECE.
A auestion. also, which has been pending
for several years between the United States
and the kingdom of Greece, growing out of
the sequestration, by public authorities of that
country, of property belonging to the present
American Consul at Athens, ana whicn had
been the subject of very earnest discussion
heretofore, has recently been settled to the
satisfaction of the party interested and of both
governments.
SPAIN.
With Spain, peaceful relations are still
maintained, and some progress has been made
in securing the redress ol wrongs complained
of by this government. Spain has not only
disavowed and disapproved the conduct of the
officers, who illegally seized and detained tbe
steamer Black Warrior at Havana, but has
also paid the sum clnimvd as idemnity for the
loss thereby inflicted on citizens of the United
Slates.
In consequence of a destructive hurricane,
which visited Cuba in 1844, the supreme au
thority of that island issued a decree, permit
ting tbe importation, for the period of six
months, of certain building materials and pro
vivioni, free of duly, but revoked it when
about half the period only had elapsed, to the
injury of citizens of the United States, who
had proceeded to act on tbe faith of that de
cree. ThejSpaiiiah government refused indem
nification to the parties aggrieved until recent
ly, when it waa assented lo, payment being
promised to be made so soon as tbe amount
due can be ascertained.
Satisfaction claimed for the arrest and search
of the steamer El Dorado has not yet been ac
corded, but there ia reason to believe thai (t
will be, and that case, with others, continues
to be urged on the attention of the Spanish
government. I do not abandon the hope of
concluding with Spain some general arrange
ment, which, if it do not wholly prevent the
reccurrence of difficulties in Cuba, will ren
der them less fiequent, and whenever they
shsll occur facilitate (heir more speedy settlement.
MEXICO.
The interposition of thia government has
been invoked by many of lis citizens, on ac
count of injuries done to their persons and
property, for which Ihe Mexican republic is
responsible. The unhappy situation of that
country, for soma time past, ba not allowed
its government to g ve due consideration to
claims of private reparation, and ha appeared
to call for and justify com forbearance in such
matters cn Ihe part of this government. But,
if the revolutionary movements, which have
lately occurred in thot republic, and in Iheor
ganizalion of a liable government, urgent ap
peals lo it justice will then, be made, and,
it may be hoped, with mccess, for ihe redress
of iil coroplainla of our citizen.
. , .. CINTHAI, ailKaiCA... ' ; k
t In regard ba th Americsn republic, which,
from their proximity and other considerations,
have peculiar relations to thia government,
while it has been my constant aim strictly to
observe all the obligations of political friend
ship and of good neigh Dorhoml, obstacles lo
this have arisen in some of them, from their
own insufficient power lo check lawless irrup
tions, which In effect throws mosl of the tsk
the United States. Thus it is that the dis
tracted internal condition of the State ofNi-
caragua has made it iucumbent on me to ap
peal to the good faith of our citizens to at
tain from unlawful intervention in ita affairs,
and to adopt preventive measures to the same
end, which, on a mmilar occasion, had the
best results in reassuring th peace of the Mex
can Stales ot Sonora and Lower California.
TREATIES.
Since the last session of Congress a treaty
of amity, commerce, and navigation, and for
the surrender ot fugitive criminals, with the
kingdom of the Two Siscilies; a treaty of
friendship, corsmeice and navigation with Ni
caragua; and a convention ol commercial re
ciprocitj ith tbe Hawaiian kingdom, have
bean negotiated. The latter kinedom and the
State of Nicaragua have also accorded lo a de
duration, recognizing as international rigbls
Ihe principles contained in the convention be
tween the United States and Russia of the
'2d of July. 1854. These treaties and con
ventions will be laid before the ireuate for
ratification.
TREASURY.
The statements made, in my Isst annual
message, respecting the anticipated receipts
and expenditures of the Treasury, have been
substantially verified.
It appears from the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury, that the receipts during the
last fiscal year ending June 30, 1S35, from all
sources, wcte sixty-five million three thousand
nine hundred and thirty dollars, and that the
public expenditure for the same period, exclu
aive of payments on account of the public
debt, amounted to biiy-six million tbree hun
dred and sixty-five thousand three hundred
and ninety-three dollars. During ;he same pe
noa, me payments matte in redemption ofthe
public debt, including interest and premium,
amounted to nine million eight hundred and
forty-four thousand five hundred and twenty
eicht dollars.
The balance in the Treasury at the begin
ning of tbe present fiscal year, July 1, 1855,
was eignteen million niue nunureu anu tinny
one thousand nine hundred and seventy-six
dollars; the receipts for the first quarter, an
ne estimated receipts tor trie remrimng three
quarters, amount, together, to sixty-seven mil
lions nine hundred ond eighteen thouson
seven hundred and thirty-four dollars thu
affording in all, a the available resources of
the current fiscal year, the sum of eighty-six
million eight hundred and fifty-six thousand
seven hundied and ten dollars.
If, lo the actual expenditures ofthe first
quarter of the current fiscal year, be added
the probable expenditures for the remaining
three quarters, as estimated by the Secretary
of the Treasury, the sum total will be seventy
one million two hundred and twenty-six thou
sand eight hundred and forty-six dollars, there
by leaving an estimated balance in the treas
ury on July 1, 1S56, of fifteen million six hun
dred and twenty three thousand eight hundred
and aixty-three dollars and forty-one cents.
In the above estimated expenditures of the
present fiscal year are included three million
dollars to meet the last instalment of the ten
millions provided for in the late treaty with
Mexico, and sever, million seven hundred and
fifty thousand dollars appropriated on account
of the debt due to Texas, which two sums
make an aggregate amount of ten millions
seven hundied and fifty thousand dollars, and
reduce the expenditures, actual or estimated,
for ordinary objects of the year, to tbe sum of
sixty million four hundred aud seventy-six
thousand dollars.
The amount or the public debt, at the com
mencement or the present fiscal year, was
forty million five hundred and eighty-three
thousand six hundred and thirty one dollars,
and deductions being made of subsequent pay
ments, the whole publio debt of the federal
government remaining at tbis time is less than
forty million dollars.
The remnsnt of certain other government
slocks, amounting to two hundred and forty,
trues thousand dollars, referred to in my last
message as outstanding, has since been paid.
I am fully persuaded that it would be dif
ficult to devise a system superior to (hat, by
which the fiscal business of the government
is now conducted. Notwithstanding Ihe great
number of public agents of collection snd dis
bursement, it is believed that the checks pud
guards provided, including the requirement
of monthly leturns, rentier it scarcely possible
for my considerable fraud on the part of those
agents, or neglect involving hazard of serious
public Kss, to escape detection. I renew,
however, the recommendation, heretofore
made by me, of the enactment of a law de
claring it felony on the part of public officers
to insert false entries iu their books of record
or account, or to make faKe returns, and also
requiring them on the termination of their
service to deliver to their successors all books
records, and other objects of a public nature
in their custody.
Derived as public revenue is, in chief part,
from duties on imports, its magnitude affords
gratifying evidence of the prosperity, not only
of our commerce, but of the otbergreat inter
ests upon which that depends.
The principle that all money not required
for the current expenses of the government
should remain for active employment in the
hands ofthe people, and the conspicuous fatft
that the annual revenue from all sources ex
ceeds, by many millions of dollars, the amount
needed for a prudent and economical adminin-
nation of public affaiis, cannot fait to suggest
uia propriety or eariy revision and recuc
tmn ol the tanu of duties on imports. It is
now genernlly Conceded that (he purpose of
revenue alone can justify the 'imposition of
u ucs on nnpurrs, inai, in re-aujusting the
import tables and schedules, which unques
tionably require essential modifications, a de
parture nom me principle or the presen( tar
iff is not anticipated.
ARMY.
The armv, during the past year, bos been
actively engaged in defendmgthe Indian fron
tier, the state of the service permitting but
few and small garrisons in our permanent fcr
tifjeations.' Tha additional regiments author
ized at the last session of Congress have h.n
recruited and organized, and a large portion of
me iroop nave ajreauy been sent to the field.
All the duties, which devolve an the milifry
establishment, have baen satisfactorily per
formed, and the. dangera and privation inci
dent to Ihe character of Ibe service required
of our troops have furnished additional evi
dence of their courage, zeal, and capacity to
meet any requisition, which their country may
make upon them. For lha detail of (he mili
tary operations, (he distribution of the troops,
aud additional provision required for the mili
tde pruinrrnt.
publishedcvcry Thursday morning in'.). (.Id
Uasou o Ha l, ecotitl story of the buck build
up west of C. Vauausdsl & Co'i (lore, Main
Street, Eaton, Ohio, at the folio ire rates s
11:50 per annum, in advance.
$-00. not paid within the year, and
82:50 after the year baa expired.
7"Thes rates will be rigidly enforced.
Nu paper discontinued until all arrearages are
paid unless attbe option of the publitbtr.
CTNo communication inserted, unless ac
companied bj a responsible name.
tary service, I refer to the report of the Secre
tary of VV arand the accompanying documents.
experience, garnered irom events which
hove transpired since my last annual messnge,
has but served to confirm tbe opinion then ex
pressed of the propriety of making ptoviiun, ,
by a retired list, tor disabled ollicers, and Tor
increased compensation to the officers retained
on the list for active duty. All the reason
which existed, when these measures were re
commended on ' former occasions, continue
without modification, except so far as circum
stances bsve given to them additional force.
The recommendations, hereioiore mane tor a -
partial reorganization of the army, are also re
newed. .The thorough elementary tfiucalioii
given to those otlcer, who commence their
service with the grade ofcadet, qualifies them,
to a considerable extent, to perioral the duties
of every arm of the service; but to give the.
highest efficiency to orlillery,requires the prac
tice and special atudy of many years; and it
is not, therefore, believed lo be advisable to
maintain, in lime of peace, a larger force that
arm than can be usually employed in the du
ties appertaining to the service of field and
siege artillery. The duties of the stall' in all
its various branches, belong to tbe movements
of the troops, and the efficienry of an ormy in
the field would materially depend upon the
ability with which those duties are discharged.
It ia not, as in the case ot the artillery, a
speciality, but requires, also, an intimate
knowledge of the duties of an oflictrol the
line, and it is not doubted, that to complete
the education of on officer for eitt.er the line
or the general staff, it is desirable that be
shall have served in both. With this view, it
was recommended on a former occasion that
the duties of the staff should bo mainly per
formed b delailsfrom the line; aud, with con
viction ol the advantages winch would result
from such a change, it is again presented for
Ihe consideration cf Congress.
NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy,
herewith subrrilted, exhibits in full the naval
operations of tbe past year, together with tbe
present condition of tbe service, autl it makes
suggestions of further 1 tgislu'.ion, to which
your intention is invited.
The construction of the six steam frigates,
for which appropriations were made by the
last Congress, has proeetded in the moit sat
isfactory manner, and Willi such expeditions
as to warrant the belief that they will bo
ready Tor service early the coming spring. Im
portant as this addition to our naval force is,
it still remains inadequate to Ihe contingent
exigencies of the protection of the. extensive
sea coast and vast comn.eminl interests of the
United Slates. In view of this foct, and of
the acknowledged wisdom of the policy of n
gradual and systematic increoseof the navy, art
appropriation is recommenJed for tbe construc
tion of six steam sloopa-of war.
In regard to the steps taken in execution of
the act of Congress to promote the efficiency of
the navy, it is unnecessary for me lo say more
than to express entire concurrence in Ibe ob
servations on that subjtt presented by tho
Secretary in his report.
POST OFFICE.
It will be perceived, by the report of the
Postmaster General, that the gross expendi
ture of the department for the last fiscal year
was nine million nine hundred and sixty-eight
thousand three hundred and fourly two dollars,
and the gross receipts seveu million three hun
dred and forty two ihousund one hundred anil
thirty six dollars, making an excess of expend
ilure over receipts of two million six hundred
and twenty six thousand two hundred and
six dollars; that the cost of mail transportation
during that year was six hundred and seventy
four thousand nine hnndred and fifty-two dol
lars gieater than the previous year. Much of
the heavy expenditures, to which the Treasury
is thus subjected, is to be ascribed to the
large quantity of printed matter conveyed ly
the mails, either franked, or liable to no post
age by law, or to very low rates of postage'
compared with that charged on letters; and
to the great cost ol mail service on railroads'
and by ocean steamers. The suggestions of
Ihe Postmaster General on the subject de
serve the consideration of Congress.
INTERIOR.
The report ofthe Secielory of the Interior
will engage your attentioon, ss well for use
ful suggestions it contains, as for the interests
and importance uf tbe subject to which they
refer.
The aggregate amcunt of public land sold
during the last fiscal year, located with mili
tary scrip or land warrants, taken up under
grants for roads, and selected as swamp! lands
by Slntes, is twenty-four million five hundred
snd fifiy-seven thousand four hundred and
niue acies ; of which the portion sold was
fifteen million seven hundred and twenty
nine thousand five hundred and twenty-four
acres, j ielding in receipts tbe sum of eleven
million'four hundred and eighty-five thousand
three hundred and eighty dollars. In the same
period of lime, eight million seven hundred
and twenty-three thousand eight hundred and
fifty-four acres have been surveyed; but, iu
consideration of the quantity already subject
to entry, no additional tracts have been brought
inlo market.
Tbe peculiar relation ofthe general govern
ment to tbe District of Columbia renders it
proper to commend to your care not only its
mateiial, but also its moral interest.' including
education, more especially in those ports of
the district outside of the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown.
The commissioners appointed to revise and
codify the laws of the District have made such
progress in the performance of their task, as
lo insure its completion in the time prescribed
by the act of Congress,
Information has recently been reeelredtha't
the peace of the jcttlrment in the Territories
of Oregon and Washington is disturbed ly
hostilities on the port ofthe Indians, with in
dications of extensive combinations of a hos
tile character among tbe tribes in that quarter
the more serious in their possible effect by
reason of the undetermined foreign interest
existing in those Territories, lo which vour at
tention haa already been especially "invited.
Efficient measure, have been takenwhich, it
,s believed, w,l restore quiet, and afford pro
tection to our citizen. 1
.,!.Bni81Ie"it,0,, 0f Ktns thtM h'e b
St.S:C',al 10 "!. b''t . yel none
hate accuned under circumstances to justify
the interposition of the federal Executive.-
federal aw, or of organized resistance lo ter
ritornl law, assuming iho ehor.cter ef insur
rection, wbieb, if itsboaid occur, it wculd be
TL du.,yP'onl'"1y to overcome and suppress,
i cherish the hope, however, that the occur
rence Of any such untoward event will be pre
vented by the sound sense of Ihe people of the
th right to determine lUir own domesiio in
Btitutisu, are entitled, while deponing Ihem
selvea peaflly, to,tie free tx,cuie of ,al
right, and must be protected iu lha njoymtitt