Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume], December 10, 1851, Image 2

About Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861

Image provided by: West Virginia University

                
flrPREHI DENT'S .MESSACI)
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the
House of Representatives:
1 congratulate you and our common
constituency upon the favorable auspices
under which you meet for your lirst aqs
aion. Our couutry is at peace Willi all
the world. The agitation which, for a
time, threatened to disturb the fraternal
relations which make us one people, is
fast subsiding; and a year of general
health and prosperity has orowned the
nation with unusual blessings. None can
look back to the dangers which are past,
or forward to the bright prospect before
us, without feeling a thrill of gratification,
at the same time that he must be impres
sed with a grateful sense of our profound
obligations to a benifiocnt Providence,
whose paternal care is so manifest in the
happiness of this highly favored land.
Since the close of tin; last Congress
certain Cubans and other foreigners res
ident in the Uiiiled States, ,v'10 ^'ere
more or less concerned h> J/1? previous
invasion of Cuba, of being dis
courngcd by its have agtun abused
the hospitality' of this country, by making
it the sc'ia of the equipment of another
mjli'*ry expedition against that po3ses
?/on of hor Catholic majesty, in which
they were countenanced, aided and join
ed by citizens of the United States. On
receiving intelligence that such designs
were entertained, I lost no time in issu
ing such instructions to the proper officers
?f the .United States as seemed to bo call
?fil for bv, the occasion. By the procla
mation, a copy of which is herewith sub
mitted, I also warned those who might bo
in'dangcr of being inveigled into this
schcme, of its uulawful character, and of
the penalties which they would incur.?>
For some time there was reason to hope
that theso measures had sufficed to pre
vent any such attempt. This hope, how
ever, proved to be delusive. Very early
in the morning of the third of August, a
steamer called the Pampero, departed
from New Orleans to Cuba, having on
,board upwards of four hundred armed
men, with evident intentions to make war
upou tho authorities of the island. This
dxpedition was set on foot in palpable vi
olation of the laws of the United States.
Its leader was ? Spaniard, and several of
the chief officers, and some others engag
ed in it, were foreigners. The persons
composing it, however, were mostly cit
izens of the United Slates.
Before this expedition set out, and
probably before it was organized, a slight
insurrectionary movement, which appeals
to have beon soon suppressed, had taken
place in the eastern quarter of Cuba.?
The importance of this movement was un
fortunately so much exaggerated in the
accounts of it published in this countiy,
that these adventurers seem to have been I
led to believe that the Creole population !
of the island not only desired to throw oil -
the authority of the mother country, but
had resolved upon that step, and had be
gun a well-concerted enterprise tor elleet
ing it. The persons engaged in the ex
pedition were generally young and ill-in- j
formed, The steamer in which they epi-,
barked fcft New Orleans stealthily and
without a clearance. After touching at I
Key West, she proceeded to the coast of
Cuba, and, on the night between the 11th
and lSih of August, landed the persons
on bo*rd at Playtas, within about twenty
leagues of Havana.
The main body of them proceeded to,
and took possession of, an inland village,
six leagues distant, leaving others to fol- j
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 body, and having proceeded
nbout four leagues into the country, were
attacked on the morning of the U?th
bv a body of Spanish troops, and a,
bioody conflict ensued ; after which they
retreated to the place of discmbivrcation,
where about fifty of them obtained boats ?
and re-embarked therein, lliey were,
however, intercepted among the keys
near the shore by a Spanish steamer eruis
Jtil' on the coast, captured and earned to
Havana, and, after being examined be
fore a military court, were sentenced to ;
be publiclv executed, and the sentence
was carried into effcct on 'he U>th of Au- ^
^ On receiving information of what had
octlttrred. Commodore Foxhall A. 1 ar-,
ker wns instructed to proceed in the
steam-frigate Saranao to Havana aud in
quire into the charges against the persons
executed, the circumstances under which
they were taken, and whatsoever referred
to their trial and sentenec. Copies ol the
instruction*-from the Department of State
to him and of his letters to that Depart
ment, are herewith submitted.
According to the record of the exam
ination, the prisoners all admitted the ot
fonces charted against them, ot being
hostile invaders of the land. At the time
of their trial and execution, the main body
of the invaders was still in the field, ma
kin? war upon the Spanish authorities and
Spanish subjects. After the lapse of
sotae davs,?being overcome by the Span
isli troops, lltey dispersed on the SMlh ol
August; LoCtz, their leader, was cap
tured some days after, and executed on
the 1st O' September. Many of his re
maining followers were killed, or died of
huuircr and fatigue, and the rest were
made prisoners. Of these, none appear
to have been executed. Several of them
were pardoned upon application of their
friends aud others, and the rest, about
one hundred and sixty in number, were
santto Spain. Of the final disposition
insClc of t^esc we have no official tuforma
Such is the melancholy result of this
Segal and ill-fated expedition, lhns,
thoughtless young men have been in
duced, by false and fraudulent represen
tations, to violate the laws of their coun
try, through rash and unfounded expec
tations of assisting to accomplish political
revolutions in other States, and have lost
tlveir lives in ^lie undertaking. Too se
vere a judgement can hardly be passed,
!jy the indignant sense of the community,
upon those, who being better informed
themselves, have yet led away the ardor
of youth and an iH-directed love of polit
ical liberty. The correspondence between
this Government and that of Spain rela
ting to this transaction is herewith com
municated. ,
Although these offenders against the
lawo have forfeited the protection of their
Country, yet tVe government may, so far
as is consistent vrll" i's relations to o'lier
and us fixed purpose to main
ijuor, too.'
?Jlow now .
at - *
tain and enfofce.fhe laws, entertain sym
pathy for their unoffending families and
friends, as well as, a feeling of compassion
for themselves Accordingly no proper
effort has been spared, ana none will be
spared, to procure the release of such cit
izens of the United States, engaged in this
unlawful enterprise, as are now' in Con
finement in Spain; but it, is to be hoped
that such interposition .^ith: the govern
men of that country may not be consider
ed as affording any ground of expectation
that the Government of the United
will, hereafter, feel itself under any obli
gation of duty to intercede for the -libera
tion or pardon of such persons as arc fla
grant offenders *bc law of nations
and the laws of the United States. These
laws mus'be executed. If we desire to
mainMin our respectability among the
? nations of the earth, it'behoves us to en
force steadily and sternly the neutrality
acts passed by Congress, and to follow,
as far as may be, the violation of those
acts with condign punishment.
But what gives a peculiar criminally to
| this invasion of Cuba is, that under the
lead of. Spanish subjects, and with the
aid of citizens of the United States, it
had its origin with many; in motives of
cupidity. Mont}' was advanced by individ
uals, probably in considerable amounts,
to purchase Cuban bonds, as they have
been called, issued bv Lopez, sold doubt
less, at a very large discount, and for the
pavment of which the public lands and
public property of Cuba, of whatever
, kind, and the fiscal resources of the peo
ple and government of tliat island, from
[ whatever source to be derived, , were
piedgctl, no well as ilio good faith of i'ne
government expected to be established,
i All the means of payment, it is evident,
, were only to be obtained by a process of
j bloodshed, war, and revolution. ? None
| will deny that those who set on foot mil
itary expeditions against foreign States by
means like these, arc fur more culpable
than the ignorant and the necessitous
whom they induce to go forth, as the os
tensible parties in the proceeding. These
originators of the invasion of .Cuba seem
to have determined, with coolness and
system upon an undertaking which should
disgrace their country, violate its laws,
and put to hazard the lives of ill-inform
ed and deluded men. You will consider
whether further legislation be necessary
to prevent the perpetration of such offen
ces in future.
No individuals have a right to hazard
the peace of the country, or to violate its
laws upon vague notions of altering or
reforming governments in other &ut<es.
The principle is not only reasonable in it
self, and in accordance with public law,
but is engrafted into the codes of other
nations as well as our own. But while
such are the sentiments of this go\ ern
nient, it may be added that every inde
pendent nation must be presumed to be
able to defend its possessions against unau
thorized individuals banded together to
attack them. The Government of the
United States, at all times since its etsab
lishmcnt, has abstained and has sought to
restrain the citizens of the country, from
entering into controversies between
other powers, and to observe all the du
ties of neutrality. At an early period of
the Government, in the administration of
Washington, several laws were passed for
this purpose. The main provisions of
these laws were re-enacted by the act ot
April, 1810, by which, amongst other
tliinfs, it was declared that if any person
shal?, within the territory or jurisdiction
of the United States, begin, or set on
foot, or provide or prepare the means for
any military expedition or enterprise to
be carried on from thence against the ter
ritory or dominion of any foreign prince
or State, or of any colony, district or peo- j
pie with whom the United btates are at
peace, every person so oBending hi all be
lined, not exceeding three thousand <lol;
1 vrs and be imprisoned not more
three years ; and this law has been exe
cuted and enforced to the full extent of
the power of the Government, from that
dav to tliis.
in proclaiming and adhering to the
doctrine of neutrality and non inden
tion the United States have not followed
the lead of other civilized nations; they
have taken the lead themselves and have
been followed by others. This was ad
mitted bv one of the most eminent of
modern British statesmen, w-ho said in
Parliament, while a minister of the crown,
I ?? that if he wished for a guide in a sys
tem of neutrality, he should take that
laid down by America in the days of
Washington, and the secretaryship of
Jefferson and wo see in fact that the
act of Congrass of 1818 was followed,
the succeeding year by an act of the I ar
i Kanient of England, substantially the
same in its general provisions. L p to
j that time there had been no similar la
in England, except certain highly penal
statutes passed in the reign of George II,
prohibiting English subjects from enhs
tine in foreign service, the avowed object
of which statutes was, that foreign ar
mies raised for the purpose of restoring
the house of Stuart to the throne, should
not be strengthened by recruits trom Eng
land herself.
i All must sec that difficulties may arise
in earn ing the laws referred to into exe
? cution in a country now liav ing three or
four thousand miles of seacoast with an
infinite number of ports and harbors anc
' small inlets, from some of which
ful expeditions may suddenly set forth,
without the knowledge of Government,
1 against the possessions of foreign states.
Friendly relations with all, but entang
ling alliances with none, has long been a
maxim with us. Our true mission is not
to propagate our opinions, or impose upon
other countries our form of government,
by artifiee or force ; but to teach by ex
ample, and show "by our success, mode
ration and justice, the blessings of selt
iroverament, and the advantages of free
institutions. Let every people choose for
itself, and make and alter its political in
stitutions to suit its own condition and
convenience. But, while we avow and
maintain this neutral policy ourselves, we
are anxious to see the same forbearance
on the part of other nations, whose forms
of government are different from our own.
The deep interest which we feel in the
spread of liberal principles and the estab
lishment of free governments, aud the
sympathy with which we witness every
struggle against oppression, forbid that
wo should be indiilerent to a case in
which the strong arm of a foreign power,
is invoked to stiffle public sentiment and
The governments of Great Britain#nd
France nave issued orders io their naval
commanders on the West India station to
prevent by force, if necessary, the landing
of adventurer^" from., any nation on the
the Island of Cuba with hostile intent.?
The copy of a memorandum of a conver
sation on the subject between the Charge
J 'Affairs of her Britanio Majesty, and the
Acting Secretary of State, and of a sub
sequent note of the former to the Depart
ment of the State, are herewith submitted,
together with a copy of a note of the Ac
ting Secretary of State to the Minister of
the French Republic, and of the reply of
ihe latter on the same subject. These
' papers will acquaint you with the grounds
of this interposition of the two' leading
commercial powers of Europe, and with
the apprehensions, which this Govern
ment could not fail to entertain, that such
interposition, if carried into effect, might
lead to abuses in derogation of the mari
time rights of the United States. The
maritime rights of the United States are
founded on a firm, secure, and well-defi
ned basis ; they stand upon the ground of
National Independence and public law,
and will be maintained in all their full and
just extent.
The principle which this Government
has heretofore solemnly announced it still
adheres to, and will maintain under all
circumstances and at all hazzards. That
principle is, that in every regularly docu
mented merchant vessel, the crew who
navigate it, *nd ?bo*e on board cf ii, will
find their protection in the fla<? which is
over them. No American ship can be
allowed to be visited or searched for the
purpose of ascertaining the character of
individuals on board, nor can there be al
lowed any watch by the-vessels of any
foreign nations over American vessels on
the coast of the United States Or the
seas adjacent thereto. It will be seen by
the last communication from the British
Charge d'Affaires to the Department of
State, that he is authorised to assure the
Secretary of State that every care will be
taken that, in executing the preventative
measures against the expeditions, which
the United States Government itself has
denounced as not being entitled to the
protection of any government, no interfe
rence shall take place with the lawful
commerce of any nation.
In addition to the correspondence on
this subject, herewith submitted, official
information has been received at the De
partment of State, of assurances by the
French government that, in the orders
given to the French naval forces, they
were expressly instructed, in any opera
tions they might engage in, to respect the
flag of the United Stales wherever it might
appear, and to commit no act of hostility
upon any vessel or armament under its
protection.
Ministers and consuls of foreign nations
' are the means and agents of communica
j tion between us and those nations, and it
is of the utmost importance that, while
i residing in the country, they should feel
a perfect security so long as they faith
fully discharge their respective duties and
are guilty of no violation of our laws.?
This is the admitted law of nations, and
no country has a deeper interest in main
taining it than the United States. Our
commerce spreads over every sea and vi
sits every slime; and our ministers and
consuls are appointed to protect the inte
rests of that commerce, as well as to guard
the peace of the country and maintain the
honor of its flag. But how they discharge
these duties unless they be themselves
protected; and, if protected.it must be
by the laws of the country in which they
reside. And what is due to our o?vn pub
lic functionaries residing in foreign nations
i.-> exaclly the measure of what is due to
the functionaries of other governments re
siding here. As in war, the bearers of
: flags of truce arc sacred, or else wars
would be interminable, so in peace, em
bassadors, public ministers and consuls,
I charged with friendly national intercourse,
I are objects of especial respect and protec
! tion, each according to the rights belong
ing to his rank and station. In view of
these important principles, it is with deep
mortification and regret I announce to you
that, during the excitement growing out
6f the executions at Havana, the oflice of
her Catholic majesty's consul at New Or
leans was assaulted by a mob, his proper
ty destroyed, the Spanish flag found in
the oflice carried oil' and torn in pieces,
and he himself induced to flee for lus per
sonal safety, which he supposed to be in
danger. On receiving intelligence of these
events, I forthwith directed the attorney
of the United States residjng in New Or
leans, to inquire into the facts and the ex
tent of the pecuniary loss sustained by the
consul, with the intention of laying them
before you, that you might make provi
sion for such indemnity to him as a just
regard for the honor of the nation and the
respect which is due to a friendly power
might, in your judgment, seem to require.
The correspondence upon this subject be
tween the Secretary of State and her Cath
olic majesty's plenipotentiary, is herewith
i transmitted.
The occurrence at New Orleans has led
me to give my attention to the state of
our laws in relation to foreign embassa
dors, ministers and consuls. I think the
legislation of the country is deficient in
not providing sufficiently either for the
protection or the punishment of consuls.
I therefore recommend the<eubject to the
consideration of Congress.
Your attention is again invited to the
question of reciprocal trade between the
United States and Canada, and other Bri
tish possessions near our frontier. Over
tures for a convention upon the subject
have been received from her Britannic Ma
jesty's Minister Plenipotentiary, but it
that the matter should be regulated by
reciprocal legislation'. Documents are
laid before you showing the terms which
the British government is willing to offer,
and the measures which it mav adopt, if
some arrangement upon this subject shall
not be made.
From the accompanying copy of a note
from the British Legation at Washington,
and tlic reply of the Department of State
thereto, it will appear that her Britannic
Majesty's government is desirous that a
part of the boundary line between Oregon
and the British possessions, should be au
thoritatively marked out, aud that an in
tention wps expressed to apply to Con
gress for an appropriation to defray the
expense thereof on the part of the United
States. Your attention to the subject is
seems to bo in many
accordingly invited, and % proper appro
priation, recommended. -
A convention fqr the adjustment cjf
claims of citizens of the United States
against Portugal has been concluded, and
the ratifications have been Exchanged.?
The first instalment of the amount to be
paid by Portugal feU due on the 30tli of
September last, and has been paid.
The President of the French .republic,
according to the provisions of the cpnven
tion, has been selected as arbiter in the
case of the General Armstrong; and has
signified thit he accepts the thut and the
high satisfaction he feels in acting as the
common friend of two nations, with which
France is united by sentiments of sincere
and lasting amity.
The Turkish government has expressed
its thanks for the kind reception given to
the Sultan's agent, Amin Bey, on the oc
casion of his recent visit to the United
States. On the 28th of February last, a
despatched was addressed by the Secre
tary of State, to Mr. Marsh, the American
Minister at Constantinople, instructing
him to ask of the Turkish government per
mission for the Hungarians, then impris
oned within the dominions of the Sublime
Porte, to remove to this country. On the
3d of March last, both Houses of Con
gress passed a resolution requesting the
President to authoriie the employment of
a public vessel to convey to this country
Louis Kossuth and his associates in cap
tivity.
The instruction above referred to was
complied with, and the Turkish govern
ment having released Governor Kossuth
: and his companions from prison, on the
! 10th of September last, they embarked
on. board of the United States steam-fri
gate Mississippi, which was selected to
carry into effcct the resolution of Con
gress. Governor Kossuth left the Missis
sippi at Gibraltar, for the purpose of ma
king a visit to England, and may shortly
[be expected in New York. By commu
nications to the Department of State he
has expressed his grateful acknowledge-,
ments for the interposition of this govern
ment in behalf of himself and his associ
ates. This country has been justly re
garded as a safe asylum for those whom
political events have exiled from their own
homes in Europe ; and it is recommended
to Congress to consider in what .manner
Governor Kossuth and his companions,
brought hither by its authority, shall be
received and treated.
It is earnestly to be hoped that the dif
ferences which have for sometime past
been pending between the government of
the French republic and that of the Sand
wich Islands, may be peaceably and du
rably adjusted, so as to secure the inde
pendence of those islands. Long before
the events which have of late imparted so
much importance to the possessions of the
United States on the Pacific, we acknowl
edged the independence of the Hawaiian
government. This Government was first
in taking that slep, and several of the lead
ing powers of Europe immediately follow
'cd. We were influenced in this measure
by the existing and prospective impor
tance of the islands as a place of reluge
and refreshment for our vessels engaged
in the whale fishery, and by the conside
ration that they lie in the course of the
great trade which must, at no distant day
be carried on between the western coast
of North America and Eastern Asia.
We are also influenced by a desire that
those islands should not pass under the
control of any other great maritime State,
but should remain in an independent con
dition, and so be accessible and useful to
the commerce of all nations. I need not
say that the importance of these conside
rations has been greatly enhanced by the
sudden and vasf- ilf"*?inpnmpnt whi?f> tK? 1
interests of the United States have at- i
tained in California and Oregon, and the '
policy heretofore adopted in regard to
those islands will be steadily pursued.
It is gratifying not only to those who
consider the commercial interests of na
tions, but also to all who favor the pro
gress of knowledge and the diffusion of
religion, to see a community emerge from
a savage state and attain such a degree of
civilization in those distant seas.
It is much to be deplored that the in
ternal tranquility of the Mexican repub
lic should again be seriouslv disturbed,
for, since the peace betwen that republic
and the United States, it has enjoyed such
comparative repose that the most favora
ble anticipations for the future might, with
a degree of confidence, have been indul
ged. These, however, have been thwar
ted by the recent outbreak in the S:ate of
Tamauliapas, on the right bank of the
Rio Bravo. Having received information
that persons from the United States had
taken pari in the insurrection, and appre
hending that their example might be fol
lowed 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
of the United States. I likewise issued a
proclamation ttpon the subject, a copy of
which is herewith laid before you. This
appeared to be rendered imperative by
the obligations of treaties and the gene
ral duties of good neighborhood.
In my last annual message I informed
Congress that citizens of the United States
had undertaken the connexions of the
two oceans by means of a railroad across
the Isthmus of Tehauntapec, under a
grant of the Mexican government to a ci
tizen of that republic ; and that this en
terprise would probably be prosecuttd
with energy whenever Mexico should con
sent to such stipulations with the Go
vernment of the United States as should
impart a feeling of security to those who
should invest their propeaty in the enter
prise.
A convention between the two govern
ments for the accomplishment of that end
has been ratified by this Government,
and only awaits the decision of Congress
and the"Executive of that republic.
Some unexpected difficulties and delays
have arisen in the ratification of that con
vention by Mexico, but it is to be presu
sumed that her decision will be governed
by just and enlightened views, as well of
the general importance of the object, as
of her own interests and obligations.
In negotiating upon this important sub
ject, this Government has had in view
one and only one object. That object
has been, and is, the construction or at-,
tainment of a passage from ocean to ocean,
the shortest and best for travellers and
merchandise, and equally open to all the
world. It has sought to obtain no terri
torial acquisition, nor any advantages pe
culiar to itself; and h would see, with the
gre&tekregret, that Mexico should op
pose any obstacle to the accomplishment
of- an flbterprisfl which promises so mycK
conveaienco to the whole commercial
world, and such eminent advantages to
Mexico heriel? Impressed with these
sentiments .and these convictions, the Go
vernment will continue to exert all pro
per efforts to bring about the necessary
arrangement with the republic of Mexico
for tfye speedy completion of the work.
Fot some months past the republic of
Nicaragua has been the theatre of one of
those civil convulsions, from which the
cause of free institutions, and the general
prosperity and social progress of the States
of Central America, have so often and so
severely suffered. Until quiet shall have
been restored, and a government appa
rently stable shall have been organized,
no advance can prudently be made in
disposingof the questions pending between
the two countries.
I am happy to announce that an inter
oceanic communication from the mouth
of the St. John to the Pacific has been so
far accomplished as that passengers have
actually traversed it and merchandise has
been transported over it; and when the
canal shall have been completed, accor
ding to the original plan, the means of
communication will be further improved.
It is understood that a considerable
part of the railroad across the Isthmus of
Panama has been completed, and that the
mail and passengers will in future be con
veyed thereon.
"Whichever' of the several routs between!
the two oceans may ultimately prove j
most eligible for travellers to and from j
the different States on the Atlantic and |
Gulf of Mexico and our coast on the Pa-!
cific, there is little reason to doubt that j
all of them will be useful to the public,
and will liberally reward that individual
enterprise, by which alone they have
been or are expected to be oarried into
effect.
Peace has been concluded between the
contending parties on the Island of St.
Domingo, and it is hoped upon a durable
basis.' Such is the extent of .our com
mercial relations with that island, that
the United States cannot fail to feel a
strong interest in its tranquility.
The office of Commissioner to China
remains unfilled; several persons have ?
been appointed, and the place lias been j
offered to others, all of whom have decli
ned its acceptance, on the ground of the j
inadequacy of the compensation. The j
annual allowance by law is six thousand
dollars, and there is no provision for any
outfit. I earnestly recommend the con- j
sideration of this subject to Congress.? j
Our commerce with China is highly im- j
portant, and is becoming more and more |
so, in consequence of the increasing inter
course between our ports 011 the Pacific '
coast and Eastern Asia. China is un- j
derstood to be a country in which living
is very expensive, and 1 know of no re a-;
son why the American Commissioner sent:
thither, should not be placed, in regard
to compensation, on an equal footing with
ministers who represent this country at -
the courts of Europe.
liy reference to the report of the Soc
| rotary of tbe Treasury, it will be seen
that the aggregate receipts for the fiscal
year amounted to $52,312,979 C7; which,
with the balance in the Treasury on 1st
July, 1850, gave, as the available means
'for the year, the sum of $50,917,524 3G.
The total expenditures for the same
period were ?48,005,878 68.
J'he total imports lor the vear ending SOth Juno.
1851. wcro $215,725,995
Of which there were in specie 4.987.901
Tlie exports l'or the same period were #217,517.1 SO
. Uf which there wore of
domestic products $173.5 l'V555
Foreicn goods re-exported 9,738,605
?Socij 29.231.SS0
"?asiY.ai. ,iii?
Since the 1st of December last the pay
ments in cash on account of the public
debt, exclusive of interest, have amounted
to ?7,501,456 56; which, however, in
cludes the sum of ?3,242,400 paid under
the 12th article of the treaty with Mexico,
and the further sum of ?2,591,213 45,
being the amount of awards to American
citizens under the late treaty with Mexi
co, for which the issue of stock was au
thorized, but which was paid in cash from
the Treasury.
The public debt on the 20th ultimo,
exclusive of the stock authorized to be
issued to Texas by the act of 9th Septem
ber, 1850, was ?62,560,395 26.
The receipts for the next fiscal year
are estimated at ?51,800,000, which,
with the probable unappropriated balance :
in the Treasury, on the 30th June next,
will give, as the probable available means
for that year, the sum of ?63,258,743 09. |
It has been deemed proper, in view of,
the large expenditures consequent upon
the acquisition of territory from Mexico, j
that the estimates for the next fiscal year,
should be laid before Congress in such 1
manner as to distinguish the expenditures
so required from the otherwise ordinary
demands upon the Treasury.
The total expenditures for the next fis
cal year are estimated at ?42,892,299 19
of which there is required for the ordina
ry purposes of the Government, other than
those consequent upon the acquisition of
our new Territories, and deducting the
payments on account of the public debt,
the sum of ?33,343,190 08 ; and for the
purposes connected directlr or indirectly
with those Territories, anJ in the fulfil
ment of the obligations of the Govern
ment, contracted in consequence of their
acquisition, the sum of ?9,549,101 11.
If the views of the Secretary of the |
Treasury in reference to the expenditures
required for these Territories shall be met
by corresponding action on the part of
Congress, and appropriations made in ac
cordance therewith, there will be an es
timated unappropriated balance in the!
Treasury on tbe 30th June, 1853, of ?20,
366,443 90, wherewith to meet that por
tion of the public debt due on the first
July following, amounting to ?6,237,931
35, as well as any appropriations which
may be made beyond the estimates.
In thus referring to the estimated ex
penditures on account of our newly ac
quired Territories, I may express the
hope that Congress will concur with me
in the desire that a liberal course of poli
cy may be pursued towards them, and
that every obligation, express or implied,
entered into in consequence of their acqui
sition, shall be fulfilled, by the most lib
eral appropriations for that purpose.
The values of oar domestic exports for
the last fiscal rear, as compared with
those of the previous year, exhibit as in
crease of $43,646,382. At first view
this condition of our trade with foreign
nation* would seem to present the most
flattering hopes of its future prosperity.
An examination of the details of our ex
ports, however, will shew that the in
creased value of ouf exports for the last
fiscal year is to be found in the high price
of cotton which pretailed during the first
half of that year, which price has since
declined about one-half.
The value of odr exports of breadstuffs
and provisions, which it was supposed the
incentive of a low tariff and large impor
tations from abroad would have greath
augmented, has fallen from $68,701,921,
in 1847, to $26,061,373 in 1860, and to
$21,948,653 in 1851, with a strong prob
ability, amounting almost to a certainty,
of a still farther reduction in the current
year.
The aggregate values of rice exported
during the last fiscal year, as compared
with the previous year, also exhibit a de
crease amounting to $460,917, which,
with a decline in the values of the exports
of tobacco for the same period, make an
afferreeate decrease in these two articles of
$1,166,751.
The policy which dictated a low rate of
duties on foreign merchandise, it was
thought by those who promoted and es
tablished it, would tend to benefit the far
ming population of this country, by in
creasing the demand and raising the
price of agricultural products in foreign
markets.
The foregoing facts, however, seem to
show incontestibly that no such result has
followed the adoption of this policy. On
the contrary, notwithstanding the repeal'
of the restrictive corn laws in England,
the foreign demand for the products of
the American farmer has steadily declin
ed, since the shoiu crops and consequent
famine in a portion of Europe have been
happily replaced by full crops and com
parative abundance of food.
It will be seen by recurring to the
commercial statistics for the past year, that
the value of our domestic exports has been
increased in the single item of raw cotton
by <$40,000,000 over the value of that
export for the year preceding. This is
not due to any increased general demand
for that article, but- to the short crops of
the preceding year, which created an in
creased demand and an augmented price
for the crop of last year. Should the cot
ton crop now going forward to market be
only equal in quantity to that of the year
preceding, and be sold at the present pri
ces, then there would be a falling off in
the value of our exports for the present
fiscal year of at least $-10,000,000, coin
pared with the amount exported for the
year ending 30th June, 1051.
The production of gold in California for
the past year seems to promise a large
supply of that metal from that quarter ful
some time to come. This large annual
increase of the currency of the world must
be attended with its usual results. These!
have been already partially disclosed in
the enchantment of prices and a rising
spirit of speculation and adventure, tend
ing to overtrading, as w ell at home as
abroad. Unless Some salutary check shall
be given to these tendencies, it is to be
feared that importations of foreign goods
beyond a healthy demand in this country
will lead to a sudden drain of the precious
metals from us, bringing with it, as it has
done in former times, the most disastrous
consequences to the business and capital
of the American people.
The exports of specie to liquidate our
foreign debt during the past fiscal year
have been $24,363,970 over the amount
of specie imported. The exports of spe
cie during the first quarter of the present
fiscal year have been $14,651,027.?
Should specie continue to be exported at
this rate for the remaining three quarters
uf tlila jufii, It -wilt drain lYom our metlll
tic currency during the year ending 30th
June, 1052, the enormous amount <>f i*ao,
007,308. *
In the present prosperous condition oT
the national finances, it will become the
duty of Congress to consider the best
mode of paying off the public debt. If
the present and anticipated surplus in the !
Treasury should not be absorbed by
appropriations of an extraordinary char
acter, this surplus should be employed in
such way, and under such restrictions,
as Congress may enact, in extinguishing
the outstanding debt of the nation.
By reference to the act of Congress ap
proved 9ih September, 105J, it will be
seen that, in consideration of certain con
cessions by the State of Texas, it is pro
vided that the " United States shall pay
to the State of Texas the sum of ten mil
lions of dollars in a stock bearing five
per cent, interest, ami redeemable at the
end of fourteen years, the interest paya
ble half yearly, at the Treasury of the
United States."
In the same section of law it is further
firovided " that no more than five lnil
ions of said stock shall be indued until
the creditors of the State holding bonds
and other certificates of stock of Texas,
for which duties on imports uerc specially
pledged, shall lirst lile at the Treasury uf
the United States releases of nil claims
against the United States, for or on ac
count of said bonds or certificates, in snch
form as shall be prescribed by the Sec
retary of the Treasury, aud approved by
the President of the United States."
The form of release thus pro\ ided for
has been prescribed by the Secretary of
the Treasury, and approved. It lias been
published in all the leading newspapers
in the commercial cities of the United
States, and al) persons holding claims of1
the kind specified in the foregoing provi- ;
so were required to file their releases (in
the form thus prescribed) in the Treasu
ry of the United States, on or before the
1st day of October, 1851. Although
this publication lia-s been continued from
the 25th day of March, 1051, yet ftp to
the first of October last comparatively few
releases have been filled bj* the creditors
of Texas.
The authorities of the State of Texas,
at the request of the Secretary of the
Treasury, have furnished a schedule of
the public debt of the State created prior
to her admission into the Union, with
a copy of the laws under which each class
was contracted.
I have, from the documents furnished
b7 the State of Texas, determined the
classes of claims which in my judgment
fall within the provisions of the act of
Congress of the 9th of September, 1850.
On being officially informed of the ac
ceptance by Texas of the propositions,
contained in the act referred to, caused;
the stock to be prepared, and the fire
millions which are to be issued uncondi
tionally, bearing an interest of five per
?fttfeirom the first ??LV 1861/
have been for some ta^sSlttabe de_.
livered to the State of TeflS^ au.
thorities of Texas, up to the pre*v4i
have not authorized any one to rCv;v0
this stock, and it remains in the Treasui,
Department, subject to the order of Tex
[ as.
The release, required by law to be de
posited in the Treasury, not having been
filed there, tbe remaining five millions
! have not been issued. This faist amount
I of the stock will be withheld from Texas
! until the condition# upon which it is to be
delivered shall bo complied with by the
creditors of that State, unless Congress
shall otherwise direct by a modification of
the law. .
In my last annual message, to which 1
respectfully refer, I stated briefly the
reasons which induced me to recommcn J
I a modification of the present tariff, by
! converting the ad valorem into specific
| duty, wherever the article imported was
I of such a character as to permit it, ana
I that such a discrimination should be made,
in favor of the industrial pursuits of our
! own country, as to encourage home pro
1 duction without excluding foreign oompe
tion.
The numerous frauds which continue l<t
be practised upon tho revenue, by false
invoices and undervaluations, constitute
i nn unanswerable reason for adopting spe
cific instead of ad valorem duties in all
' cases where the nature of the commodity
docs not forbid it. A striking illustration
?of these frauds wiil be exhibited in the
: Report of tho Secretary of the Treasury,
showing the custom-house valuation of
articles imported under ft foriuer law sub
ject to specific duties, when tliere was no
inducement to undervaluation, and tl?e
j cus torn-house valuation of the same art i -
! cles, under the present system of nd va
lorem duties, so generally reduced as to
leave no doubt of the existence of the
' most flagrant abuses uuder the existing
laws. This practical evasion of the pre
! sent law, combined with the languishing
condition of somo of the great interests
? of the country, caused by over impor
tations and consequent depressed prices,
and with the failure in obtaining i\ for?
eign market for our increasing surplus of
breadstuff and provisions, has induced
me to recommcnd a modification of the
i existing tariff.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terior, which accompanies this communi
cation, will present a condensed statement
of the operations of that important de
partment of the Government.
it will be seen thai the cash sales ol
the public lauds exceed those of the pre
feeding year, and that there is reason to
anticipate a stUl further increase, notwith
standing the large donations which have
been made [to many of the States, and
the liberal grants to individuals as a re
nard for military services. This fact fur
nislica very gratifying evidences of the
growing wealth ar.d prosperity of our
country. >
Suitable measures- have been adopted
for commencing the survey ot the itiblic
! lands in California and Oregon. Si rvcy
inlj- parlies have been organized, and
t some progreshas been made in establish*,
ing the principle bast) and meridian lines.
But further legislation and addition ;il ap
propriations will be necessary "be foi u the
i proper subdivisions can be made, ai d the
general land system extended over those
remote parts of our territory.
On the 3d of March last an net was
j passed providing for the appointment of
1 three commissioners to settle private land
j claims in California. Three persons were
immediately appointed, all of whom,
| however, declined accepting the office,
in consequence of the inadequacy of the
compensation. Others were .ui'jinuifb"
| i* i?ui t him/
j declined ; and it was not until late in th?;
season, that the services of suitable per
1 sons could be secured. A majority of
tho commissioners convened, in this city
on the lUlh of September last, when de
tailed instructions were given to them in
regard to their duties. "Their first mee
ting for the transaction of business will
be held in San Francisco on the 8th day
of the present month.
I have thought it proper to refer to
these ficts, not only to explain the causes
of the delay in tilling the commission,
but to call your attention to the propriety
of increasing the compensation of the
commissioners. The office is one of
^reat labor and responsibility, and the
compensation should be such as to com
mand men of a high order of talents and
the most unquestionable integrity.
The proper disposal of the mineral
lands of California is a subject surroun
ded by great difficulties. In my last an
nual me-sage I recommended the survey
and sale of them in small parcels, uudcr
sucli restrictions as would effectually guard
against monopoly and speculation. But
upon further information, and in deference
to the opinions of persons familiar with
the subject, 1 am inclined to change that
recommendation, and to udtise Unit tl?c;y
be permitted to remain, as at present, a
common field, open to the enterprise and
industry of all our citizen*, until farther
experience shall have developed the best
policy to be ultimately adopted in regard
to them. It is safer to suffer the inconve
niences that now exist, for a .short period,
than, by permature legislation to fnsten
on the country a system founded in er
ror, which may place the whole subject
beyond the future control of Congress.
Tlje agricultural lands should, nowcv
er, be surveyed and brought into market
with as little delay as possible, that tho
titles may becotna fettled, and the inhab
itants stimulated to make permanent im.
provemenU, and enter on the ordinary
pursuits of life. To effect these objects it
is desirable that the necessafv provisions
be made by law for the establishment of
land officcs in California and Oregon, and
for tho efficient prosecution of the sur
veys at an early uay.
liome difficulties have occurred in or
ganizing the Territorial government* of
New Mexico and Utah ; and, when more
accurate information shall be obtained of
the causes, a further communication will
be made on that subject.
In my last annual communication to
Congress, I recommended the ettablish
ment of an Agricultural Bureau, and I
take this occasion again to invoke your
favorable consideration of the subject.
Agriculture may justly be regarded aa
the great interest of our people. Four
fifths of our active population are employ
ed in tbe cultivation of the soil, and the
rapid expansion of our settlements over