Newspaper Page Text
hew tcrritor 18 dally adding to tho num ber of H-1?-engaged 'n 'bat vocation.? Justj'- Rn^ sound policy, therefore, alike ,-o^uire that the Government should use nil the means authorized by tho Constitu tion to promote the interests and welfare of that important elasss of our fellow-cit izens. And yet it is a singular fact that, whilst the manufacturing and commercial interests have engaged the attention of Congress during a largo portion of every session, and our statutes abound in pro visions for their protection and encourage ment, little has yet been done directly for the advancement of agriculture. It is time that this reproach to our legislation should be removed ; and I sincerely hope that the present Congress will not cloj-c their labors without adopting efficient means i" supply the omissions of those who have proceeded them. An Agricutural Bureau, charged with ibe duty vf collecting and disseminating correct Information as to tho best modes wt' cultivation, and of the most effectual means of preserving and restoring the fertility of. the soil, and of procuring and distributing seeds and plants and other vegetable productions, with instructions in regard to the soil, climate, and treat ment best adapted to their growth, could not fail to bo, in the language of Wash ington, in his last annual message to Con-' a " very cheap instrument of im- [ mense national benefit." Regarding the act of Congress appro ved '-!Uth September, 1850, granting boun iv lands to persons who had been enga ged in the military service of the country, as a great measure of national justice and munificence, an anxious desire has been t'elt by the officers entrusted with its im mediate execution, to give prompt effect! to its provisions. All the means within their control were, therefore, brought in to fequisiuon to expedite the adjudication' of claims, and 1 am gratified to be able I to state that near one hundred thousand I applications have been considered, and | -about seventy thousand warrants issued xv ithin tho short space of nine months.?- J If adequate provision be made by law to! awry into oflect tho recommendation of : tlit- Department, .it is confidently expected | that, before the close of the next fiscal year, all who are entitled to the bone lits of the act will have received theirj v arrants. The Secretary of the Interior has sug gested in his .report, various amendments of the laws nil a ting to pensions and botin tv hinds, for the purpose of more effectu ally guarding against abuses and frauds i u the Ctovernmnnt, to all of which 1 in v5 e vi.uir particular attention. The largo accessions to our Indian pop ulation consequent upon the acquisition of: .New Mexico and California, and the ex tension of our settlements into Utah and j Oiegon. have give a increased interest and importance to our relations with the abo rij.i lal race. No material change has taken place, within the hist year, in the condition and pro-j e ? s of ;lie lirlii'.n tribes w ho reside in tin! North-\vc-:ern Territory and west of j lie Mississsippi river. We are at peace with all of them; and it will be a source of pleasure lo you to learn that they are ;;r idiially advancing in civilization and tlio pur id's of social life. Along the Mexican frontier, nnuin Cal ifornia, and Oregon, there have been oc casional manifestations of unfriendly feel ing, and some depredations committed.? I am satisfied, however that they resulted more from lite destitute and starving con dition of the Indians than from any set tled hostility toward the whites. As the settlements of our citizens progress to ward- them, tin- ginio upon which they mainly re Iy tor subsistence is driven oil or ?Trsii". i. ii?. oidv alternative left to them is starvation or plunder. It be comes us to consider, in vciw of this con dition o!'thing . whether jnstico ami hu manit v, as well as an enlightened econ oniv, do not reijuire, that instead of seek- ; ing to punish them tor ollences which are tin result of our own policy towards them, we should not provide for their immediate wants and entourage them to engage in; agriculture, and to rely on their labor, in- j stead of,the ch:e*e, for the means of sup port. Y urioii-important treaties have been I negotiated with different tribes during the year, by which their title to large and valuable tracts of country has been ex tinguished, all of which will, at the prop er time, be submitted to the Senate for ratification. The joint commission under the treaty of "Guadalupe Hidalgo has been actively engaged in running and marking the boundary line between the United States and Mexico. It was stated, in the last annua I'report of the Secretary of the Inte rior, thiil the initial point on the Pacific and the point of junction of the Gila with the Colorado river had been determined, and thji (intervening lino, about one hun dred nittifly miles in length, run and mat ked by temporary monuments. Since that time a nn lament of marble has been erected at the initial point, and perma nent landmark- of iron have been placed at suitable distances along the line. The Initial |? tint on the ltio llrande has also been fixed by the commissioners at latitude 32 de^'. 22 mill., and at the date of the last communication the survey of the Hue had bion made thence westward about one hundred and fifty miles to the neighborhood >f the copper mines. 'I fee com mi- ion on our part was at first ' Tganizod on i scale which experience1 proved to be u:\vieldy and attended with' \u"".<.(.Rsary expense. Orders have, thcre 'orc, bv.< u tssuid for the reduction of the aiumoer ??f persons employed within the smallest hunts, consistent with the safety of those en?aj., ,i jn lj10 serviCCt an(j the prompt and fctWiont execution of their important duties. Returns hav, been received from all the officers engaged in taking the census Uk the States and Territories, except Cal ifornia. The superintendent employed to make the enumeration in that State has not vet made his full report, from 'causes, as he alleges, beyond his control. I Ids failure is much to be regretted, as it has prevented tho Secretary of the Inte rior from Vnaking the decennial appoint ment of representatives among the States as required by the act approved May 23, lOoO. It is honed, however, that the re turns will soon be received, and no time will then be lost in making the necessary apportionment, and in transmitting the certificates required by law. The Superintendent of the Seventh Cen sus is diligently employed, under the di rcotion of tho Secretary of the Interior, in classifying and arranging, in tabular form nil the statistical information derived from tlio returns of tho marshals, and it is be lieved that when the work shall be com pleted it will exhibit a more perfect view of tho population, wealth, occupations, and social condition of a great country, than has ever beenpresented'tothe world. ( The value of such a work, as the basis of enlightened legislation, can hardly be over-estimated; and I earnestly hope that Congress will lose no time in making the appropriations nccessary to complete the classifications, and to publish the results in a style worthy of the subject and of our national character. The want of a uniform fee bill, prescri bing the compensation to be allowed dis trict attorneys, clerks, marshals, and commissioners in civil and criminal cases, is the cause of much vexation, injustice, and complaint. I would recommend a thorough revision of the laws on the whole subject, and the adoption of a tariff' of* fees, which as far as practicable, should be uniform, and prescribe a specific com-j pensation for every service which the of-: ticer may be required to perform. This subject will be fully presented in the re-1 port of the Secretary of the Interior. In my last annual message I gave brief-' ly mv reasons for believing that you pos-1 sessed the constitutional power to improve ' the harbors of our great lakes nnd sea-; coast, nnd the navigation of our principal' rivers, nnd recommended that nppropria-! tiotis should be made for completing such j works as had already been commenced, I and for commencing such others as might seem to the wisdom of Congress to be of public and general importance. Without repeating the reasons then urged, I deem it my duty again to call your attention to this important subject. The works 011 many of the harbors were left in an unfin ished state, and consequently exposed to the action of the elements, which is fast destroying them. Great numbers of lives and vast amounts of property are annu ally lost for want of safe anci convenient harbors on the lakes. Nemo but those who have been exposed (o that dangerous navigation, can fully appreciate the im portance of this subject. The whole j north-west appeals to you for relief, and I trust their appeals will receive due con sideration at your hands. The same is in a measure true in regard to some of the harbors and inlets on the j seneoa'st. The unobstructed navigation of our large rivers is of equal importance. Our settlements are now extending to the.sour ces of the great rivers which empty into, And form a part of the Mis t, and the value of the public lands regions would be greatly enhanet ('i"g the navigation of those waters obstruc tions. In view, therefore, lis great; interest, I deem it my duty again to urge upon Congress to make such appropria tions for these improvements as they may , deem necessary. The survey of the Delta of the Missis-, sippi, with a view to the prevention of the overflows that have proved so disas-! trous to that region of country., lave been nearly completed, am1 the rfjitpts there of are now in course of and will shortly be laid before yjMin The protection of our western j frontier, and of the adjacent Mexican : States, against the Indian tribes within j our border, has claimed my earnest and j constant attention. Congress ha ving fail ed at last session, to adopt my recommen dation that an additional regiment of mounted men specially adapted to that ser vice should be raised, all that remained to| be done was to make the best use of the means at mv disposal. Accordingly, all the troops adapted to that service that could properly be spared from other qu;y ters have been concentrated on that fron tier, and officers of high reputation se lected to command them. A new ar rangement of the military j osts has also been made, whereby the troops are brought nearer to the Mexican frontier and to the tribes they arc intended to overawe. Sufficient time has not yot elapsed to realize all the benefits that are expected ' to result from these arrangements, but I have every reason to hope that they will effectually check their marauding expe ditions. The nature of the country, which furnishes little for the support of an army, and abounds in places of refuge and concealment, is remarkably well adapted to this predatory warfare ; and we can scarcely hope that any military force, combined with the greatest vigilance, can entirely suppress it. By the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we are bound to protect the territory of Mexico against the incursions of the sav age tribes within our border " with equal diligence and energy" as if the same were made within our territory or against our citizens. 1 have endeavored to comply, as far as possible, with this provision of the treaty, Orders have been given to the officers commanding on that frontier to consider the Mexican territory and its inhabitants as equally with our own enti tled to their protection ; and to make all their plans and arrangements with a view to the attainment of this object. Instruc tions have also been given to the Indian commissioners and agents among these tribes, in all treaties, to make the claus es designed for the protection of our own citizens apply also to those of Mexico. 1 have no reason to doubt that these in structions have been fully carried into ef fect. Nevertheless, it is probable, that in spite of all our efforts, some of the neighboring States of Mexico may have suQercdt as our own have, from depreda tions by the Indians. To the difficulties of defending out own territory, as above mentioned, arc superadded, in defending that of Mexioo, those that arise from its remoteness, from the fact that we have no right to station our troops within her limits, and that there is no efficient military force on the Mexican side to co-operate with our own. So long as this shall continue to be the case, the number and activity of our troops will rather increase than diminish the evil, Rs the Indians will naturally turn towards that-country where they encoun ter the least resistance. Yet these troops are necessary to subdue the 111, and to compel them to make and observe trea ties. Until this shall have been done, neither country will enjoy any security from their attacks. The Indians in California, who had previously appeared of a peaceable char acter, and disposed to cultivate the friend ship of the whites, have recently commit ted several acts of hostility. As a large portion of the reinforcements sent to the Mexican frontier were drawn from the Pacific, the military force now stationed there is considered entirely inadequate to its defence. It cannot be increased, how ever, without an increase of the. army ; and I again rccommend that measure as indispensable to the protection of the frontier. I invite your attention to the suggestions on this subject, and on others connected with his Depart ment, in the report of the Secretary of War. The appropriations for the support of the army during the current fiscal year ending 80th June next, were r^luced farhelow the estimate submit ted by the Dcpartmeut. The consequence of this reduction is a considerable deficiency, to which I invite your early attention. The expenditures of that Department, for the year ending 30th June last, were $9,060,268 58. The estimates for the year commencing 1st July next and ending June 30.1863 are $7,898,775 83; showing a reduction of $1,161,492 75. The Board of Commissioners, to whom the man agement of the affairs of the Military Asylum cre ated by the act of 3d March last was entrusted, have selected a site for ths establishment of an Asylum in the vicinity of tliiseity, which has been approved bv me, subject to the production of a satisfactory title. The report of the Secretary of the Navy will ex hibit the condition of the public service under the supervision of thijt Department. Our naval force afloat during ths present year has been actively and usefully employed in giving pjotcction to our widely extended and increasing commerce and interests in the various quarters of the globe, and our flag has everywhere afforded the secCritv and received the respect inspired by the justice aii'l liberality of our intercourse, and the dignity and' power of the nation. The expedition commanded -by Lieutenant De Haven, despatbhed in search of the British com mander, Sir John Franklin, and his companions in the Arctic Seas, returned to New York in the month of October, after l. peril and suti'cts changed?a beautiful vil tterous navigafear the spot of our confer climatc withop grass of the church-yard is the objects of the grave of the old hunter, tions to scienci is fixed upon my mind, and quontcil polnufomel, only burns deeper the ^ tho expcJiti^jon it, comes up before me servive, J>v' * .. . J wlmco ' tho entire approbation of the Government, it is suggested, as an act of grace and generosity, that the same allowances of extra pay and emoluments bo extended to them that were made to the offi cers and men of like rating in the late exploring expedition to the South Seas. 1 enrncstly recommend to your atten tion the necessity of re-organizing the Naval Establishment, apportioning and fixing the number of officers in each tirade, providing some mode of promo tion to the higher grades of the navy, having reference to merit and capacity, rather than seniority or date of entry into the service, and for retiring from the ef fective list upon reduced pay those who may be incompetent to the performance of active duty. As a measure of econo my as well as of efficiency in this arm of the service, the provision last mentioned is eminently worthy of your considera tion. The determination of the questions of relative rank between the sea officers and civil officers of the navy, and between officers of the army and navy, in the various grades of each, will also merit your attention. The failure to provide any substitute, when cdVporal punishment was abolished for offences in the uavy, has occasioned the convening of numer ous court-martial upon the arrival of ves sels in port, and is believed to have had an injurious effect upon the discipline and efficiency of the service. To moderate punishment from one grade to another if among the humane reforms of the age ; hut to abolish one of severity, which ap plied so generally to offences on ship board, and provide nothing in its stead, is to suppose a progress of improvement in every individual among seamen which is not assumed by the Legislature in re spect to any other class of men. It is hoped that Congress, in the ample op portunity afforded by the present session, will thoroughly investigate this important subject, and established such modes of determining guilt, and such gradations of punishment as are consistent with hu manity and the personal rights of indi viduals, and at the same time shall ensure the most energetic and efficient perfor mance of duty and the suppression of crime in our ships ot war. The stone dock in the navy yard at New York, which was ten years in pro cess of construction, has been so far fin ished as to be surrendered up to the au thorities of the yard. The dry dock at Philadelphia is reported as completed, and is expected soon to be tested and de livered over to the agents of the Govern-1 ment. That at Portsmouth, New Hamp shire, is also nearly ready for delivery ; and a contract has been concluded, agreeably to the act ef Congress at its last session, for a floating sectional dock on the Bay of San Francisco. I invite your attention to the recommendation of the Department, touching the establish ment of a navy yard in conjunction with this dock on the Pacific. Such a station is highly necessary to the convenience. and effectiveness of our fleet in that ocean,! which must be expected to increase with the growth'of commerce, and the rapid extension of our whale fisheries over its waters. The Naval Academy at Annapolis, un der a revised and improved system of reg ulations, now affords opportunities of ed ucation and instruction to the pupils quite equal it is believed, for professional im provement to those enjoyed by the cadets in the Military Academy. A large class of acting midshipmen was received at the commencement of the last academic term, and a practice ship has been attach ed to the institution, to afford the amplest means for regular instruction in seaman ship, as well as for cruises during tBe va cations of three or four months In each year. The advantages of science in naxitical affairs have rarely been more strikingly illustrated than in the fact stated in the report of the Navy Department, that, by means of the wind and current charts, 1 projected and prepared by Maury, the Superintendent of the Naval Observato ! ry, the passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific ports of our country has been shortened by about forty days. The estimates for the support of the 1 Navy and Marine Corps the ensuing fis \ cal year will be found to be $5,856,472 19, the estimates for the current year be ing $5,900,621. I The estimates for special objects under '?the control of this Department amount to * . yj ? ' I'-"- ? ? $8,684,220 89, against $2,210,980 for the present year, the increase being oc casioned by the additional mail service on the Pacific coast and the construction of the dock in California, authorized at the last session of Congress, and some slight additions under the head of improvements and repairs in navy yards, buildings and machinery. 1 deem it of much importance to a just ! economy, and a correct understanding of naval expenditures, that there shoula be i an entire separation of the appropriations for the support of the naval service proper from those for permanent improvements at navy yards and stations, and from ocean steam mail service, and other spe cial objects assigned to the supervision of this Department. The report of the Postmaster General, communicated, presents an interesting j view of the progress, operations, and con dition of his Department. At the close of the fiscal year, the length of mail routes within the United States was 196,290 miles; the annual transportation thereon 53,272,252 miles; j and the annual cost of such transporta tion $3,421,754. The length of tho foreign mail routes is estima ted (it 13,349 miles; and the annual transportation thereon at 615-200 miles. The annual cost of this service is $1,472,137, of which $44S,937 is i paid by the Post Office Department, and $1,023, 230 is paid through the Navy Department. The annual transportation within the United States (excluding tho service in California and j Oregon, which is now for tho first time, reported and embraced in the tabular statements of the Department) exceeds that of the proceeding year 8,1<52,SS5 miles, at an increased cost of $347,110. The whole number of post offices in the United States, on the 30th day of June last, was 19.796. There'were 1.69? post offices established, and 250 discontinued, during the year. The gross revenues of the Department for the fiscal year including tho appropriations for the ? franked matter of Congress, of tho Departments, and officers of Government, and excluding tho foreign postages, collected for and payable to tho British post office, amounted to $0,737,?66 73. Tlio expenditures for the same period (excluding j20.599 49, paid under an award of the Auditor, I pursuance of a resolution of the last Congress for mail service on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in 1532 and 1S33, and the amount paid to the Brit ish post office for foreign postages collected for and papable to that office) amounted to $6,024, 500 79; leaving a balance of revenuo over the proper expenditures of the year of $703,299 99. The receipts for postages, during tho year (ex cluding tho foreign postages collected for and pay able to the British post office) amounted to $6, 345,747 21, being an increase of $997,610 79, or IS. 65-100 per cent, over the like receipts for tho preceding year. Tho reduction of postage, under tho act of March last, did not take efl'cet until the commence ment of the present fiscal year. The accounts for the first quarter, under the operation of tho re duced rates, will not be settled before January next; and no reliable estimate of the receipts for the present year can yet bo made. It is believed however, that they will fall far short oftliose of the last year. The surplus of tho revenues now on hand is, however, so large that no further ap propriation from tho treasury, in aid of tho rev enues of the Department, is required for the cur rent fiscal year; but an additional appropriation for the year ending 30th June 1843, will probably be found necessary when the receipts of the first two quarters of the fiscal year arc fully ascertain ed. Ill Ids last annual report the Postmaster Gene ral recommended a reduction of postage to rates which he deemed as low as could be prudently adopted, unless Congress was prepared to appro priate from tlie treasury, for the support of the Department, a sum more than equivalent to tlie mail services performed by it for the Government. The recommendations of the Postmaster General, in respect to letter postage, except ou letters from and to California and Oregon, were substantially adopted by the lust Congress. lie now rceom ii.wudo ?Jl.oroiioo fco tL. And advises against a further reduction until justified : by the revenue of the Department. lie tilso rceommends that the rates of postage on printed matter be so revised as to render them more simple, and more uniform in tlioir opera tions upon all classes of printed matter. I sub mit the recommendations of the report to your favorable consideration. The public statutes of the United States have now been accumulating for more than sixty years, and, interspersed with private acts, are scattered through numerous volumes, and. from the cost of the whole, have become almost inaccessible to the (treat mass of the community. They also exhib it much of the incongruity and imperfection of hasty legislation. As it seems to be generally conceded that there is no " common law" of the United States to sup ply the defects of their legislation, it is most im portant that that legislation should be as perfect as possible, defining every power to be conferred, every crime intended to be mode punishable, and prescribing the punishment to be inflicted. In addition to some particular cases spoken of more at length, tho whole criminal code is now lamen tably defective. Rome offences arc imperfectly described, and others are entirely omitted; so that| flagrant crimcs may he committed with impuni ty. The scale of punishment is not in all cases graduated accordiugto the nature of the offence; and is often rendered more unequal by tho different modes of imprisonment, or penitentiary confine ment, in the different States. Many laws of b permanent character have been introduced into appropriation bills, and it is often difficult to determine whether the particular clause expires with tho temporary act of which it [ is a part, or continues in force. Is has also fre quently happened that enactments and provi sions of law have been iutroduced into bills, with tho title or general subject of which they have little or no connexion or relation. In this mode of legislation so many enactments have been heaped upon each other, and often with but little consideration, that, in many instances, it is diffi cult to search out and determine what is the law. The government of the United States is empha tically a government of written laws. The stat utes should, therefore, as far os practicable, not only be made accessible to all, but be expressed in language so plain and simple as to be understood by all, and arranged In such method a, to give perspicuity to every subject. Many of the States have revised their public acts with great and man ifest benefit; and I recommend that provision be made by law for the appointment of a commission to revise the public st itnte, of the United States, arranging them in order, supplying the deficien cies. correcting incongruities, simplifying their language, and reporting them to Congress for its action. An act of Congress approved 30th September, 1650, containing a provision for the extension of the Capitol, according to such plan as might be approved by the President, and appropriated one hundred thousand dollars to be expended under his direction, by such architect as he should ap point to exccute the same. On examining the va rious plans which had been submitted by differ ent architects, in pursuance of an advertisement by a committee of the Senate, no one was faund , to be entirely satisfactory, and it was therefore deemed advisable to combine and adopt the advan ; tages of several. The great object to be accomplished was to make ' such an addition as would effort! amnio and con* venient halls for the deliberations of toe two Hou ses of Congress, with sufficient accommodations for spectators, and snitible apartmefate for the . _ committee* and officers of the two !>ranche? of the Legislature. It mi aUo deeirabie not to mar the harmony and beauty of the preeont structure, which, a* a specimen of architecture, is so uni versally admired. Keeping these objects in view, I concluded to moke the addition by wings, detach- | ed from the present budding, yet connected with it by corridors. This mode of enlargement will ? leare the present Capitol uninjured, and afford great advantages for ventilation and tho admission of light, and will enable the work to progress without Interrupting the deliberations of Congress. To carry this plan into effect, I hare appointed an experienced and competent architect. The corner stone was laid on the 4th of July last, with suitable ceremonies, since which time the work has advanced with commendable rapidity, and the foundations of both wings are now nearly complete. I again commend to your favorable regard the : interests of the District of Columbia, and deem it | only necessary to remind you, that although its ! inhabitants have no voice in the ohoice of repre- . scntatircs in Congress, they are not the less enti- , tied to a just and liberal consideration In your le- ! gislation. My opinions on this subject were more ! fully expressed in my last annual communica tion. Other subjects were brought to the attention of | Congress in iny last annual message, to which I would respectfully refer. But there was one of more than ordinary interest, to which I again in- ! vite your special attention. I allude to tho re commendation for the appointment of a commis- { sion to settle private claims against the United States. Justice to individuals ns well as to the Government imperatively demands that some more convenient and expeditious mode than an appeal to Congress should be adopted. It is deeply to be regretted that in several In stances officers of the Government, in attempting to exccute the law for tho return of fugitives from labor, have been openly resisted, and their efforts frustrated and defeated by lawless and violent mobs; that in one case such resistance resulted in the death of an estimable citizen, and in others se rious injury ensued to those officers and to indi viduals who were U5ing their endeavors to sustain tho laws. Prosecutions have been instituted against the alledged offenders, so far as they could be identified, and are still pending. I have regar ded it as my duty in these cas?s, to give all uld, legally in my power, to tho enforcement of the laws, and I shall continue to do so wherever and whenever their execution may bo resisted. The act of Congress for the return of fugitives from labor, is one required and demanded by the express words of the constitution. The constitution declares, "That no person held to labor or service in one State, underthe laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, In conse quence of any law or regulation therein, be dis charged from such service or labor, but shall be delivered tip on claim of the party to whom such s?rvlce or labor may bo due." This constitution al provision is equally obligatory upon the Legis lative, tho Executivo and Judicial Departments of the Govermnont, and upon every citizen of the United States. Congress, however, must of necessity, first act upon the subject, by prescribing the proceedings necessary to ascertain that the person is a fugi tive, and the means to be used for his restoration to the claimant. This was done by an act passed during the first term of President Washington, which was amended by that enacted by tho last Congress, and It now romains for the Executive and Judicial Departments to take cnrO that these laws be faithfully executed. This injunction of the constitution is as peremptory and as binding as any other; it stands exactly on tho same foun dation as that clause which "roviiles for the re turn of fugitives from justice, or that which de clares that no bill of attainder or cx jiost facto law shall bo passed, or that which provides for an equality of taxation, according to tho census, or the clause declaring that all tile duties shall bo uniform throughout the United Stat??, or the im portant provision that tho trial of all crimes shall , be by jury. These several articles and clauses of : Ihe constitution, all resting on tho same authorl- , ty, must stand or fall together. Some objections 1 liavc been urged against tho details of the act for . the return of fugitives from labor; but it is wor thy of remark that the main opposition is aimed .against the constitution itself, and proceeds from persons and classes, of persons, many of whom declore their wish to see that constitutiq;, over turned. They avow their hostility- to any law which shall give full and practical effect to this requirement of the constitution. Fortunately, the number of these persons is comparatively small, and is believed to be daily diminishing, but tho issue which they present is one which Invol ves the supremacy and even the existence of tho Constitution. Crises have heretofore arisen in which individu als have denied the binding authority of acts of Congress, and even States have proposed to nul- \ lify such acts, upon the ground that the constitu- ] tion was the supreme law of the land, and that thoao acts of Congress were repugnant to tlmt in- i strument, hut nullification was now aimed, not so much against particular laws as being incon- j sist^nt with the constitution, as against the con stitution itielf; nnd it is not to lie disguised tiiat a spirit exists and has i?een actively tit work to \ rend asunder this Union, which is our cherishod inheritance from our revolutionary fathers. In iny last annual message, I stated that I con sidered (ho series of measures, which had been adopted at the previous session, in reference to the agitation growing out of the Territorial and sla very questions, ns a final settlement in principle and substance of the dangerous and exciting sub jects which they embraced; and I recommended adherence to the adjustment established by those measures, until time and expcrienco should de monstrate the necessity of further legislation to guard against evasion or abuse. I was not indu ced to make this recommendation because I thought those moasurcs perfect, for no human le gislation can bo perfect. Wide differences and jarring opinions can only be reconciled by yield ing something on all sides, and this result had been reached after an angry conflict of many I months, in which ono part of the country was ar rayed against another, and violent convulsion ) seemed to be imminent. Looking at the interests of the whole country, I felt it to be my duty to seize upon this compromise as the best that could be obtained amid conflicting interest*, and to in- : sist upon it as a final settlement, to bo adhered to 1 by all who value the peace and welfare of the coun try. A year has now elapsed since that recom mendation was made. To that recommendation I still adhere, and I congratulate vou and the ?country upon the general acquiescence in these measures of peace, which has been exhibited in all parts of the Republic. And not only Is there this general acquiescence in these measures, but the spirit of conciliation which has been ma llfes ted in regard to them in all parts of the country, has removed doubts and uncertainties in the minds of thousands of good men, concerning the dura bility of our popular institutions, and given re newed assurance that our Liberty and our Union 1 may subsist together for the benefit of this and all ' succ?"ding generations, MILLARD FILLMORE. Washington, Dec. 2,1831. (Coopers Clarksburg Register "Equal Right* nnd Kqnal taws!" CLARKSBURG .WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10, lf-51 Wanted. At this office, an intelligent, active boy about 15 years old, to learu the printing business. He must be industrious and steady. To such an one ; a good opportunity is offered to learn the business, and none others need apply. Congress.?Congress met on Monday the 1st inst., and organized by electing Hon. Linn Boyd, of Kentucky,Speaker, and J.W. Forney, Esq., the able editor of the Pennsylvania!!, Clerk. The President's Messig- was sent in on Tues day, and will be found in oar columns to-day.? Its extreme length has crowded out our usual va riety, and left ns scarcely room for any thing else. Nothing of importance has aa yet transpired in ! Congress. We intend keeping oar readers in formed of all transactions of general interest which may occur during the session. ????? / Piety commands esteem. Election Return*. We giro below, the complete retarns from this county, and the reported returns from those ad jacent. Whig* In Halle. governor. Johnaon, 423 Summers, 322 ueut. cot; Leake, 38S Watt., 336 ATT'*, oo. Bococh, 396 Baxter, 33^i Bassel, 537 Kincheloo, l l'J 133 151 172 114 54 34 26 695 64 386 Johnaon'* majority, 307 127 134 172 27 848 105 52 33 63 509 Loake's majority, 259 127 136 170 28 857 33 CI 579 DELXOATEl. Levis, Moon, Vnncc, Hoiden, 330 459 381 204 105 Gl 175 210 109 30 120 43 Bocock'a majority, 278 131 185 71 985 50 15 13 402 Bomb's majority, 583 127 71 27 170 1?3 38 153 43 81 74 11 13 400 951 751 C07 550 ma Johnaon Is reported to havo received jority In Marion county. Kldwell and Arncttare elected Delegate*. J. S. Woit, Dem., is reported to have been elected to the Senate, over Martin Dom. Johnson's reported majority in Upshur Is 23. Summers is said to hare a majority of 4G in Taylor county. Burdett, \Y hig is elected Delegate in Taylor, over Johnson by about 115 majority. Lewis Cotott.?A friend linm sent us the fitll vote of Lewis county, by which wo learn that Johnson has 212, Leake 213 and Bocock 221 ma jority. Lort-nti, Wliig, 231 majority for Senate, and J. M. Bennett, Dom., 580 maj. for Delegate. The Srccciira on Monday.?The morning of the day of election was devoted by Iho different candidates to defining their positions in public speeches. We did not hear them, but understand llmt they acquitted themselves very well. We I are Informed that Mr. A. S. Holdm, a candidate for Delegate, during his remarks, took us to task for not anuounclng him as a candidate in the Re gister. Wc aro surprised at this* inasmuch os neither he nor any of his frieuds uuthorlrod us to do so, which is the Invariable custom. It m?y be that Mr. Ilolden wns ignorant of this usage, if so, we advise him to Inform himself iu future before making himself ridiculous. Hn is freely forgiven by us, us the vote he received shows the estimation In which he is held, and his powers to do us harm. Gau. Samuel Watts, the Whig candidate for Lieutenant Governor, visited our place on Thurs day I 1st and made a sprweh, iu which he said that , the Whig party had thrown aside the old party I issue;:, and that there was now little difference of j opinion In regard to them, between Iho Whigs { and Democrats. He, boivi'ver. deelored his own feelings to bo as Urongly iu favor of the old dis carded mejsures, n? ever. lie claimed for the Whig porty exclusive friendship for the Union? the now rallying cry of Iho party. This was very odvisible, considering Iho fact that ill every election held in tho free states this fall, the Whig havo coalesced which tho nbolitiJiiists, and have tn'ltf'rally bc-en bealon. Mr. Watts was replied toby John S.Carlile, Esq., who clearly exposed tho hypocrisy of tho no-par ty professions of tha Whigs, mid succoasfully re futed their pretensions to lie the CNpocial guardi ans of the Union. It Is tho general opinion thut Mr. Watts cameolT second best in the encounter. SrcciAi. Court.?A Bpeeial term of tho Circuit Court of Marion county, will commence on the Sth of January next, at which Judge Fry will pre side. Parties litigant in that Court can prepare for trial. Dsatii or IJenj. Uray Wilson.?We copy be low from the Lexington ( Mo.) Chronicle, of the Sth ult., nn article on the death of Bcnj. Bray Wilson, formerly of this place. Ho was hurled ?n the ith ult. Ills death was caused, we bcliove, by eating custard into which <'roton oil had been put, in mistake for oil of cinnamon. " Most deeply do we regret the palntul duty which is devolved upon us, of recording the death ) of our esteemed young friend, Benjamin Dray ' Wilson. He breathed his last, in this place, on Thursday evening, after a lingoring illness of se veral weeks. During the short time wo have been a resident of Lexington, there have boon few with whom our associations wore more intimate, or for whom our friendly attachments have been stron ger. His many sterling and manly virtues had drawn around him a list of friends that few of his age could boast; and while his death will fall i most heavily upon his parents and kindred, yet numbers of others will mingle the tear-drop of i sorrow with theirs, as they contemplate the un timely fate of their friend; and long, long uftor the first burst of grief shall have passed away, in . the hidden recesses of many a heart, will bo cl? rished the' memory of his virtues. In the very i prime of his youth, with prospects of a bright fti- 1 lure before him, either in his professional enroer or in the preferment of his friends, with talents j and intogiity which would ha-.o sustained with honor in any position, he is cut off, and the dark, j gloomy mantle of death enshrouds them all! Oh, Death! relentless Death! can no plea avert thy fatal shaft t Must auction's bleeding chord*, the pride of manhood and its glowing hoj.es, the no Meet virtues of our race, the heart-warm prayers and tears of loved ones, that hang like holy in cense round the throne of God,?must all these be plead in vain i A'lta, yes " ' Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, And stars to set?but thou host all. All seasons for thine own. Oh. Death!' " THE MAILS. The Eastekx Mail arrives at Clarkshnrg on Sundays. Wednesdavs and Fridays, at 6 o'clock. I'. M . and departs. TucJays, Thursday* Mid Sat urdays at 5 o clock. A M. The Wirrtns Mail arrivacn Mondays. Thurs days and Saturdavs, at * o'clock A. M.. and de parts. Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at . o'clock. P. M*. _ I The I' viostomi Mail arrives daily atlo'clock,' P. M.. Mondays excepted, and depart* daily at if o'clock, A. M.?, Sunday*, eiceptad. ! The Westo* Mail arrives on Mondays, Wed nesday* and Fridavs, at 4 o'clock. P. >1., ond de parU.'Tue^lays, Thursday* tutf Saturday*, at 10 o'clock. A. M. The BrcKHA>vo> Majl arrive* on Tuesday of each week, at ? o'clock, P. M . and depart* on Wednesday at ? o'clock, A. M. The Biveblt Mail arrives on Monday of each week, at 4 o'clock, P. M.. and depart* on Fridays at 7 o'clock, A.M. The Suimnston Mail arrives on Saturday of each week, at 11 o'clock. A. M.. and depart* at IS o'clock. M., of same day. t^r- The post OCR e i* open from 8 o'clock A. M., till 9 o'clock, P. M., every day except Sunday, when it is open from > to lo o'clock. A. M., and one hour after th* arrival of ea.h mail. E. BKl'EN, P. M. THE MARKETS. [cOMtSCTSD VIIIIT TO? TH* Baitucu. Dec. t, 1W1. Bur Cattle.?The offerings at the on Monday, reached *00 head. <30 of whlcbwere I driven to PkllmdslphU, and the bala at pricea ranging tenatXM to M. 3 100 ft*, on the hoof, oqtal UttS&TJP ??*. awofjng **H6<it^Ws qooM at tan S* to *,46. siSTI.' ass Cor*, <-tVt Psad. DO.KWlSC /"CARLES uu ? ? i *. i m ?*_ : public that ho ba* re-opeu.<! the room nearly opposite llir WDcrao log office, third door obore Barnes' Drt?& Store, where ho haa inat received hi* Hew sttppl> ol Winter Goods, ?o which ho InviU* the atten tion of hla former frkirfi and customers and the public generally. Hi* *tofck constat*, In .part, of the following: . Prints from 3 to <4?enta* Cashmeres, Alpaccas, DeLalnca, very cheap Woollen and Cashmcro Sliftwls. Black 811k, I.adtca' Flannel Shirt*. Black French Twilled and fancy colored Cloth*. JSatln, fancy colored 811k and other Vesting*. Men'a Flannell Shtrta and Drawer*. Cottort Yarn, Brown A BlraeluMICMtonsA. rtrtlllns" A large assortment of BOOTO and SHOES. Fine Cloth, Plush and Glared Caps. A variety of Slik, Moleskin, Ancoftf and Wool HATS, very low. With tho usual oMOTlment of Gaocnusa, Hsaint-a*K, QDCCNtwan, Davos and Medicines, Books, StatIoxcht, &e., &c< He Invites the public to examine his stack which will be found as low as any it^the coun try. All kltuia of produce taken in Mchange for roods. N. B.?Thostf Indebted to him wfl( please call and If possible p*y ltUu?by so doing they wilt confer a lasting furor. December 3, 1W1?ly. IN'. W. Vn. Railroad Co. AN Instalment ef Three Dollars on each share ot the stock of this company, is required to bo paid to the Treasurer, at their office In Pnrkers burg, on or before the 1 Oth day of December nest. Stockholder* residing in or near Lewia county, may pay their Instalments to Jonathan M. Ben nett, Esq., and those In or near Harrison county to Burton Despard, Esq., who will deliver to thmi the official receipts of the undotslgned, counter signed by themselves. Bv order of the Board, P. G. VAN WINKLE. Treas. Parkersburg, Nov. 90,1851.?3t New Clothing Store. The subscriber hat just opened at his storo-rooin in Clarksburg, immediately opposite " Mr fckriif district," a 'lorgo nnd fashionable assortment of Rendv-Made Clo th! ug, which he plodgna himself to sell at auch iiorjuiuy low pri ces, that those who call, cannot fall to go their way rejoicing In f bargains never before nbtuTui lis stoi i-cry descvip very cheap; Drawers, Flannel nnd Cottou Under shirts, Cravats, Gloves, vVc., &.e. Also, a large assortment of Roots, Shoes, Hnts t]ie possession of bargains never before obtained In this place. Ills stock consists principally of Coats of every description, Vests, Vanta, Shirts, Xa. if which will bo aold at prices hur?' ivn to "If00 . constantly recelvlug from the cities of Now York P11 tofore unknown to tho people of Clnrksburg and tho surrounding country. Always on liana, nnd and Philadelphia, n new and complete DSKortine'U of Winter Clothing, to supply the present demand. Thoso who wish to save rtiolr money,can do ao by calling upon the subscriber, at hi* store, ou? door west of the law office of J. 8. Carlisle, Esq., formerly occupied bv Col. O. D. Camden. MYER SONNE HORN. Clarksburg, Nov. 36, lEil.?3t ,\t"H Fall A. Winter Goods. Philadelphia. iluliiinoru un.l Pittsburg, my Fall and Winter Uoodn, of all kinds, to wit: Clothes Ciwslmeros nnd Satluets, of all color* mid styles. I'lne Silk* of *11 colors and style. Also, late style of tt v.I'.Sn Goods for Ladies Diesse*. Calicoes from S to l'l eU.. of superiorstvls. Alpaea*. Muslins, Cashmeres, Ac. Hath and t^Ars of the latest stylu. IIoxm.ts ; Silk, Uraid un.l I'uurl. (iRocBniks ; Superior V. II. Tea, Hlncli do., flu j>orior Coffee at IS') cts. Boots & Huoi.s ; a superior stook of all kiudt fur Lndioe, Gentlemen and Boy*. yrtr.s? ??b? ; a good assortment. Cotton V*">' I all No*., Batting, Ao. Iron ?fe Nails , also, a good lot of Iron and Nails. Haiiii wjiki ; a pood assortment. Also a line assortment of HsnDLrar. All of wlileh 1 w ill soil Cheap for Cash or coun try produce. R. F0WKB8. Not. 14th. 1661. Take Notice?Those who hav* standing ac counts and notes unsettled will please call with out delay and setttle them, or by the lat ofJau tiary next, without regard to personal and those who fsil to settle by that tluie their actonnt* w ill be trsusforred to meet mv debts. K. FOWKES. Nov. 19th, ISM. N. B. All kinds of grain will bs received on debts or for (roods. It. F. ,\cw Hup|>1> of Wry 'Pllli boat baTgalna can be hnd at R. Dnepard, JL jr'e. new eatabllahinent; whohaa juet rocelv ??(I a very Urge and general ntaorlment of gooda, fine, good tiia clicMi, which |m offen to aell oii l>fr<niln|; terina for (>*h, Produce, or lo prompt dealera on time. lila aim-It conalata In part of Cloth*, Caitlmtri, TirrrtU, SatinetU, Heady mad* Clothing, routiiting of Fint elm* and Otrr C0.1I1, I'ttti, I'antt, 8kiru, Ac., SiUtl, Alpatnt, Df taint, 4*cm Collcara, of every kind, nnd quality, Shawl*, brown, oud bleached Cotton*, Drilling*, Flannels, IJnttyt, and n thouaandand one other urlkloa in the dry gooila lino. Ilia (lock olio comnrlaea Orocerlee, Queciuwarn, Hardware, Huddlnry, Uuuka And Stationary, Hoola and Hhoea, Hula, Capa nnd Bontiela. In abort, ha baa ate rythiug kept In A country aloro. lie cauDot toll ynn nil, but come and eee for yonraelvea, and yo* will cry with tli? Qneeti of Shaba, (who whilom did vlalt Solomon) tbat tha half run not !>?*? told you. He will alaoglve you a practleaj de monatratloii of nnotber fact, atafed In aaerod wilt, which in, that old thlnga are done away, and nil thlnga hnve become new. Clurkaburg, Not. IQtli, lHM-tf. TO THE Pi;BMC J ' WndpSaaof friondf and promptne-ui of a portion of mycue toniura, I have been enabled lo aiiliaUMta rny Toola, Miv hninery. Blork, Which wera de (troyod by lira on tho 27th of May, ]aat. My Ma chinery ianow new, of tba vert liTtw mrion* m>'i, ami not inferior to any in oaf. With theae faellitlea I ran manufacture TIN, W)FPEB, fiHEKT-JKOK and HKAM WARE lower than hua ever been done in tba Weak All klnda of JOB-WORK wiU l>a done vary promptly and at greatly reduced prkea. Ilotaa-Hrorn** of overy kind at tha ahoerteet notloe?tha common ?Uc of wliich will be made at eta. per tooU? In ahort I will afty that Mo*i.r ran an aa\bE it DLALirio wrra uc; and tbat fa^t can be eaiabUah od by trying me owe*, and If aatiofWrtiin ia not given, I will not aak a return. Thlaia no huiubiiggcrv I will no what J oat. I hereby tender my thunka f. thla people for their Ion? and liberal en" uragetnent, a?d am un der many obliiraiione to tboMofmy cuaUtaara who have ao ravMCTLT entiled tbolr tlalina aii.ui the fire. And ft? I ye' ffroufly need money, would re^ueet all tbora knowing tneiaaclvee doe mn V> make payment at tbeir a * k 1.1 tar cvnvauienr*. Tliia ?ill more effectually enable uie to ovry out mr oetirmihatio* 10 ?ri.i, low for prompt pay. 1 have removed my Shop fr.m lite Coart-Jli/aaa yard, to the north uud of Llaapard'a bl the croaa-ntreet V.-adin# from liarMott Kinetxdoe'a orrntr ; where I will be glad loaee tha rrorL?. 1 however will, between tbla aa<earing, )m> upon the old fT'rjud opj oaiu U?t C OarViVrarjr, Not. 12, 1*51,?ly H 0. Tr ey lulernational Magazine ,F LITERATURE, SCIENCE AND ART. 1 Til la " 1'arageo of flie MonthTlae," Comprl are the apirit of tba Enrltah Rnflewl and Joor nala; tranaUtiona from the Kranch, German, iic-1 tha moat popular Heftil Komancea and Take; no tlceaof tU? principal evartla In Lltoratutc and Art; the general h'iatory of ewh month; obttuerlea af em loan t peraona; fineat pnnru of naw worka, &o. Each number eontalna T4-1 c+tavo pogea. In doultle columna, Kith fin< ly engraved Portraite of I pabtir rbsractxra, llluairationa of avenla, die., and carefully prepared notice of foalilona. Tha three epkndid volnnwe preaeutodin a ringle year, will contain la tbfe agrragato 9000 Ian* and admirably priated ahd embelliahed pagea. The fifth voiuaso ieanunencca w Ith the Dec^nbar 4ujnber. Taw?*3 a year, 25 cerita a nntnber. Vol amea bound In mualin 'comprtalng four monthly itumbera.) tl i&. Back votomea from tba com mencement (Aoguat, i860) can aiwayabeauppli ed. Addrcaa HTRINGER it T0WN8END, Not. 96,48M. OB Broadway, Now York. cTTcXie A((oruie? ci