The miners' express., December 27, 1849, EXTRA, Image 1

About The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854

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MINERS' EXPRESS,
—Extra—
DUBUQUE, DEC. 27, 1849.
TELEGRAPHED
Expressly for the
Galena North Western Gazette and Daily Advertiser.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21,1849.
PRESIDENT^ MESSAGE.
Fellow• Citizens of the Senate,
and of the House of Representatives
Sixty years have elapsed since the estab
lishment of our Government by the Con
gress of the United States, and you are
again assembled to legislate for an empire
of freemen. The predictions of evil proph
ets, who formerly pretended to foretell the
downfall of the Constitution, are now re
membered only to be derided, and the Uni
ted States of America, at this moment, pre
sents to the world the most stable and per
manent Government on the earth. Such is
the result of those who have gor.e before
us. Upon Congress will ultimately depend
the tendency of our Government, and ofthe
transmission of it unimpaired to posterity.
We are at pcace with all the world, and
seek to maintain our cherished relations
and our amity with the rest of mankind.
During the past year we have been bless
ed by a kind Providence, with nn abund
ance of the fruits of the earth, and although
the Destroying Angel, for a time, visited ex
tended portions of our territory with the
ravages of a dreadful pestilence, yet the
Almighty has, at length, deigned to stay
His hand, and to restore the inestimable
blessing of general good health to a people
who acknowledge his power, deprecate His
wrath and implore his merciful protection.
Enjoying the benefits of amicable inter
course with foreign nations, we have not
been insensible to the distractions aid wars
which have prevailed in other countries of
the world. It is the proper theme of
thanksgiving to Him who rules the desti
nies of the nations, that we have been able
to maintain amidst all these contests an in
dependent neutral position towards all bel
ligerent powers.
Our relations with Great Britain are of
the most friendly character. In conse
quence of the British navigation acts, Brit
ish vessels from British and other foreign
ports, will, under our existing laws after the
first day of lanuary next, be permitted to
enter our ports with cargoes of the growth,
manufacture or production of any part of
ttie.woild on the same terms as to duries,
imposts and charges, as vessels of the Uni
ted States, with their cargoes and our ves
sels will be admitted to the same advan
tages in British pojts, and entering there
in on the same terms as British vessels.
^ttrrfild no order hi" Council disturb this
legislative arrangement, the late act of the
British Parliament, by which Great Britain
is brought within the terms proposed by tho
•act of Congress of the 1st of March, 1817,
4t is hoped, will be productive of benefits to
both countries.
A slight interruption which existed be
ween this Government and France, I am
fcappy to say, lias terminated, and our Min
ister has been received. It is therefore un
necessary to refer now to circumstnnces
which led to the interruption, and I need not
express to you the sincere satisfaction with
which we should welcome the arrival ofan
other Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary from a sister Republic, to
which we have so long been, and still re
main bound by the strongest ties of amity.
Shortly after I had entered on the Execu
tive duties, I was apprised that a war steam
er, belongirtg to the German Empire, was
being fitted out at the harbor of New York,
with the aid of some of our naval olHcers,
rendered under the permission of the late
Secretary of the Navy. His permission
was cranted during an armistice between
that Empire and the Kingdom of Denmark,
which had been agreed to Schlosvvig
Hoist ein. I was apprehensive that this act
•of intention,on our part, might be esteemed
as a violation of our mutual obligations, in
curred by the treaty with Denmark, and of
the provisions of the act of Congress of the
20th April, 1818. I directed that no further
aid should be rendered by any agent or of
ficer of the Navy, and I instructed the Sec
retary of State to apprise the Minister of
the German Empire, accredited to this Go
vernment, of my determination to execute
the laws of the United States, and to main
tain the faith of treaties with all nations.
The correspondence which then ensued
between the Department of State and the
Minister of the German Empire is herewith
laid before you. The execution of the law,
and the observance of the Treaty, were
deemed, by me, to be due to the honor of
the country, as well as to the sacred obli
gations of the Constitution. I shall not fail
to pursue the same course, should a similar
gase arise with any other nation.
Having avowed the opinion on taking the
woath of office, that in disputes between con
flicting-foreign governments that it is our
interest, no less than our duty, to remain
•distinctly neutral, 1 shall not abandon it.—
Vou will perceive front the correspondence
submitted to you in connection with the
subject, that the -course adopted in this has
been properly regarded by the belligerent
persons interested in the matter. Although
the Minister of the United States to the
-German Empire was appointed by my
predecessor, in August, 1848, and has for a
long time been in attendance at Frankfort
on-the-Maine, and although a Minister ap
pointed to represent the Empire was re
ceived and acknowledged here, yet as such
Government as that of the "German States,
'under one Constitution or form of Govern
ment may, at length, be organized it is
believed by those well acquainted with the
existing relations between Prussia and the
States of Germany, that no such union can
be permanently established without her co
operation. In the event of the formation of
such a union, and the organization of a cen
tral power in Germany, of which she should
form a part, it would become necessary to
withdraw our Minister. While Prussia exists
as an independent kingdom, and diplomatic
relations are maintained with her, there can
be no necessity for the continuance of the
mission at Frankfort. I have, therefore, re
called Mr. Donaldson, and directed the ar
chives of the Legation at Frankfort to be
transferred to the' American Legation at
Berlin.
Having been apprised that a considerable
number of adventurers were engaged in fit
ting out a military expedition within the
United States against a foreign country, and
believing, from the best information that
I could obtain, that it was designed for the
Island of Cuba, I deemed it due to the
friendly relations existing between the
United States and Spain, to the Treaty be
tween the two nations, to the laws of the
United States, and, above all to the Amer
ican honor, to exert the lawful authority of
this Government in suppressing this expedi
tion, and prevent the invaston.
To this end, I issued a proclamation en
joining it upon the officers of the United
States, Civil and Military, to use all lawful
means within their power. A copy of that
Proclamation is herewith submitted. The
expedition has been suppressed. So lone
as the act of Congress of the 20th April,
1818, which owes its existence to the law
of Nations and to the policy of Washington,
shall remain on the statute books, I hold
it to be the duty of the Executive, faithfully
to obey its injunctions. While this expe
dition was in progress, I am informed that
a foreigner who claimed our protection, and
had been clandestinely, as, was supposed,
carried off in a vessel from New Orleans to
the Island of Cuba. I immediately caused
such steps to be taken as I thought necessa
ry in tho case, if the information I had
received should prove correct, to vindicate
the honot of our country to a person seek
ing an asylum on our soil, and the protec
tion of cur laws. The person alluded to hav
ing been abducted, was promptly restored,
and the circumstances of the case are now
about to undergo investigation before a ju
dicial tribunal.
I would respectfully suggest that, although
the crime charged to have been committed
in this case, is held odious, and in conflict
with our opinions
on the subject of national
sovereignty and personal freedom, there is
no prohibition of it, or punishment for it
provided in Buy act of Congress the
expediency of supplying this defect in our
criminal code is, therefore, recommended
to your consideration.
I have scrupulously avoided an interfer
ence in the wars and contentions which
have recently disturbed Europe During
the late conflict between Austria and Hun
gary, there seemed to be a prospect that the
latter might become an independent nation.
However faint the prospect at the time, ap
peared, I thought it my duty, in accordance
with the general sentiment ofthe American
people, who deeply sympathise with the
Maygar patriots, to stand prepared, upon
the contingency of the establishment, by
her, of a permanent Government, to be the
first to welcome independent Hungary into
the family of nations. For this purpose, I
invested an Agent, then in Europe, with
power to declare our willingness, promptly
to recognize her independence, in the event
of her ability to sustain it. The powerful
intervention of Russia in the contest extin
guished the hopes of the struggling May
gars. The United States did not, at any
time interfere in the contest, but the feel
ings of the nation were strongly enlisted in
the cause and for the sufferings of a brave
people, who had made a gallant, though un
successful efTor! to be free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been,
during the past year, prosecuted with re
newed vigor. As it has been my object to
employ every effort of honorable diplomacy
to procure their adjustment, our Charge
•d'-Affairs at Lisbon, George W. Hopkins,
made able and energetic efforts to settle
these unpleasant matters of controversy,
and to obtain indemnity for the wrongs
which were the subjects of complaint. Our
present Charge d'Affaires will JMSO bring to
the prosecution of these claims ability anil
-zeal.
__T.be revolutionary and distracted condi
tion of Portugal in past times has been ful
ly represented as one of the leading causes
of her delay, in indemnifying our suffering
citizens, but I must now say it is a matter
of profound regret, that their claims have
not yet been settled. The omission of Portu
gal to do justice to the American claimants,
has now assumed a character so grave and
serious, that I shall shortly make it the sub
ject of a special message to Congress, with
a view to such ultimate action, as its wis
dom and patriotism may suegest.
With Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden,
Denmark, Beigium, The Netherlands, and
the Italian States, we still maintain our ac
customed amicable rela'ions. During the
recent revolutions of the Papal States our
Charge d'Affaires, at Rome, has been un
able to present his letters of credence, which,
indeed, I was directed by my predecessor
to withhold until he should receive further
orders. Such was the unsettled condition
of things in those States, that it was not
deemed expedient to give him any instruc
tions on the subject of presenting his cre
dential letters, different from those which he
had been furnished by the late Administra
tion, until the 20th of June last, when in
consequence of the most accurate informa
tion ofthe exact state of things at the dis
tance, he was instructed to exercise his
own discretion in presenting himself to the
then existing government, if in his judg
ment, sufficiently stable, orif not,to wait for
further events. Since that period Rome has
iinufcrgotiS another revolution, and decides
the stability of the government to become
sufficiently permanent to justify htto In
opening a diplomatic intercourse with it.
Wi'.h the government of Mexico it is our
true policy to hold the most friendly rela
tion, and since the ratification of the treaty
of Gaudaloupe "Igo, nothing has oc
curred to disturb W -_A faithful observ
ance of the treaty and insincere regard for
her rights cannot fail to secure the lasting
confidence and friendship of the Republic.
The Message of my predecessor to the
House of Representatives, the 8th of Feb
ruary last, communicating, in compliance
with a resolution of that body, a paper call
ed the Protocol, signed at Querretaro, on
the 30th of May, 1848, by the Commission
ers of the United States, and the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Government of Mexi
co, having the subject of correspondence
between the Department of State and the
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo
tentiary of the Republic, accredited to this
government. A transcript of that corres
pondence is herewith submiited. The Com
missioners on the part of the United
States for marking the boundary between
these two Republics, though detained
in reaching San DiegcT by unforeseen ob
stacles, have arrived at that place within
a short period of the time required by
the treaty, and was there joined by the
Commissioners on the part of Mexico. They
entered upon their duties, and at the date of
the latest intelligence from that quarter,
some progress had been made in the survey.
The expenses incident to the organization
of the Commisston and its conveyance to
the point where its operations were to begin,
have so much reduced the fund appropri
ated by Congress, that a further sum, to
cover the charges to bo incurred during
the present fiscal year, will be necessary.
The length of frontier, along which the
boundary extends—the nature of the adja
cent territory, and the difficulty of obtaining
supplies, except, at or near the extremes of
the lines render it also indispensable, that a
liberal provision should be made, to meet
the necessary charge during the fiscal year,
ending June 30, 1850. I accordingly, re
commend this subject to your attention. In
the adjustment of claims, of American citi
zens, in Mexico, provided for by the late
Treaty, the employment of counsel en the
part of the Government, may become Im
portant for the purpose of assisting the Com
missioners in protecting the interests ofthe
United States.
I recommend this subject to the early fa
vorable consideration of the Government.
Complaints have been made in regard to
the inefficiency of the means provided by
the Government of New Granada for trans
porting the U. S. Mail across the Isthmus
of Panama. Pursuant to our Postal con
tract with that Republic, on the 6th of
March, 1848, our Charge d'Aftairs, at Bo
gota, has been directed to make such rep
resentations to the Government of New
Grenada, as will, it is hoped, lead to a
prompt removal of Ibis cause of complaint.
'I he s&neuinai) Civil War, w liich the Re-'
public of Venezuela, has for sometime past,
been cariying on, has been closed. In its
progress, the lights of some of our citizens,
resident, or travelling there, have been vio
lated. 1
he restoration of order, will afford
the Venezuelan Government an opportunity
to examine and redress those grievances,
and others of long standing, which our Rep
resentatives at Carraccas, has hitherto inef
fectually urged upon the attention of that
Government.
I recommend the observance of the same
course towards all other American States.
"lhe United States are the great Ameri
can power, to which, as their natural ally
and friend, they should always be disposed
first to look for mediation and assistance, in
the event of any collision between them and
any European nation as such we may of
ten kindly mediate in their behalf, without
entangling ourselves in foreign wnrs or un
necessary controversies, whenever the faith
of our treaties with any of them shall re
quire our interference.
The extension of the coast of the United
States upon the Pacific, and the unexampled
rapidity with which the inhabitants of Cali
fornia especially are increasing in numbers,
have imparted a new consequence to our re
lations with the other countries whose terri
tory borders upon that ocean. It is probable
that the intercourse between those_countries
and our possessions in that quarter, particu
larly with the Republic of Chili, will be
come extensive, and mutally advantageous
in proportion as California and Oregon shall
increase in population and wealth. It is
desirable, therefore, that the Government
should do everything in its power, to foster
and strengthen its relations withthose States
and tha the spirit of amity between them
and the United States should be mutual and
cordial.
A new convention has been negotiated
with Brazil, providing for the satisfaction of
American claims on that government, and
it.will be submitted to the Senate.
Since the last session of Congress we
hive received an Envoy Extraordinary aud
Minister Plenipotentiary from that Empire,
and our relations with her are founded upon
the most amicable understanding.
Your attention is earnestly invited to an
amendment of our existing laws, relative to
the African slave trade with a view to the
successful suppression of that barbarous
traffic. It is not to be denied that this trade
is still in part carried on by means of ves
sels built in the U. S. and owned or naviga
ted by some of our cilizens.
The correspondence between the Depart
ment of State, and the Minister and Consul
ofthe United States, at Rio Dc Janeiro,
which has from lime to time been laid be
fore Congress, represents that it is a custom
ary device to evade the penalties of the
laws. Vessels sold in Brazil, when provi
ded with such papers, by the "Consul, instead
of returning to the United States,for the reg
ister, proceed at once, to the coast of Aftici,
for the purpose of obtaining cargoes of
slaves. Much additional information of the
same character has been recently communi
cated to the Department of State. It has
not been considered (he policy, of our laws,
,to subject an American citizen, in a for
eign country, who purchases a vessel built
in the United States, to the inconvenience
of sending her home for a new register, be
fore permitting her to proceed on her voy
age.
"Any alteration of the laws which might
have a tendency to impede, the transfer of
property in vessels, between cur citizens,
ot the free navigation of those vessels be
tween different ports of the world, when
employed iu lawful commerce, should be
carefully considered but I trust your wis
dom may devise a method by which our
general policy, in this respect, & at the same
time, the abuse of Hag will, by means of
sealed letters iu the manner indicated, be
prevented.
Having ascertained that there is -no pros
pect of a re-union of the five States of Cen
tral America, which formerly composed the
Republic of that name, we have separately
negotiated with some of them, treaties of
amity and commerce, which will be laid
before the Senate.
A contract having been concluded with
the State of Nicaragua by a company of
American citizens for the purpose of con
structing a ship canal through the territory
of that State, to connect the Atlantic and
Pacific" oceans, I have also directed the
commencement of negotiations with the
State of Nicaragua, pledging both govern
ments to protect those who shall engage in
it and perfect the woik. All other nations,
are invited by the State of Nicaragua to en
ter into the same stipulations with us, and
the benefits to be derived by and from such
an arrangement, will be the protection of
this great ocean communication against any
power which might seek to obstruct it, or
to monopolize its advantages.
All states entering into such a treaty will
enjoy the advantages of passing through the
canal, on the payment of the same tolls the
work, if constructed on these guarantees,
will become a bond of peace, instead of a
subject of emulation and strife between the
nations of the earth. Should the great mar
itime states of Europe consent to this ar
rangement, and we have no reason to sup
pose that a proposition so fair and honorable
will be opposed by any, the energies of
their people and ours will co operate in pro
moting the success of the enterprise. "*I do
not recommend any appropriation from the
National Treasury for this purpose, nor do
I believe that such appropriation is neces
sary.
Private enterprise, if properly protected,
will complete the work, should it prove to
be feasible. The parties who have procur
ed the charter from Nicaragua, for its con
strubtlon, desire no assistance from this
government, beyond its protection. They
profess that having examined the proposed
line of communication they will be ready
to commence the undertaking whenever
that protection shall be extended to them.
Should there appear to be reason, on exam
ining, the whole evidence, to entertain se
rious doubt of the practicability of construct
ing such a canal, that doubt should be
speedily solved by an actual exploration of
the route should such a work be conduct
ed under the common protection, for the
equal benefit of all, it would be neither just
nor expedient that any great maratime
State should command the communication.
The territory through which the canal may
be opened, ought to be free from any foreign
power. No such poiVefr should occupy the
position that would enable it hereafter to
exercise so cnntrollng an influence over the
commerce of the World, or to obstruct a
highway which ought to be dedicated to the
common uses of mankind.
The routes across the Isthmus of Tehu
autepic and Panama are also worthy of our
serious consideration. They did not fail to
engage the action of my predecessor. In the
negotiation of treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidal
go, our minister was instructed to offer a
very large sum of property for the right of
transit across ths Isthmus of Tehuauteplc.
The American Government did not accede
to their proposition for the purchase of the
right of way, probably because it had al
ready contracted with private individuals
for the construction ora passage from Jual-n
Acnlo river to Tehtiantepitt.
I shall not renew Miv proposition fr a
right, which shrill bft secured equally to all
nations, by the payment of a reasonable toll
to the owners of I
he i«aprof*»n«nf,
doubtless would be well contented with
that compensation, and of the mari
time states ofthe world, in separate treaties
negotiated with Mexico, binding her and
them to protect those who should construct
the work.
Such guarantees would do more to secure
the completion of the communication thro'
the territory of Mexico than anv other con
sideration that could be offered,"as Mexico
herself would be the greatest gainer by the
opening between the Gulf and the Pacific
Ocean. It is presumed she would not re
fuse her aid in the manner proposed to ac
complish an improvement to her own best
interests. We have reason to hope tl at the
proposed railroad across the Isthmus a* Pan
ama, will be successfully constructed under
the protection of the late treaty with
New Granada, ratified and exchanged by
my predecessor, on the 21st day of June,
1846, which guarantees the perfect neutral
ity of the Isthmus and the rights of sover
eignty and property of New Graoada,
over that territory, with a view that the free
transit from ocean to ocean may not be in
terrupted or embarrassed during the exis
tence of the treaty.
It is our policy to encourage every practi
cable route across the Isthmus which con
nects with South America,either by railroad
or canal,which the energy and enterprise of
our citizens may induce them to complete,
and I consider it obligatory upon (hem to
adopt that policy, especially in consequence
of the necessity of facilitating intercourse
with our possessions on the Pacific.
The position of the Sandwich Islands
with reference* to the territory of the Uni
ted States, on the Pacific the success of
the persevering and benevolent citizens who
have repaired to that remoto quarter iu
christianizing the natives,and inducing them
to adopt the Government laws suited to their
capacities and wants, and the use made by
numerous whale ships of the harbors of the
Islands as places of resort for obtaining re
freshments and repairs, all combinc to ren
der their destiny particularly interesting to
us. It is our duty to encourage the author
ity of those Islands to increase efforts to im
prove & elevate the moral and political con
dition ofthe inhabitants,and we should make
reasonable allowance for the difficulties
inseparable from this task. I desire that
these Islands may maintain their independ
ence, and that other nations should concur
with us in this sentiment. We could in no
event be indifferent to their passing under
the dominion of any other known power.
The principal commercial States have,
in this a common interest, and it is to be
hoped, that no one of them will attempt to
interpose obstacles to the continued inde
pendence of the Islands.
The receipts into the Treasury for the
fiscal year ending on the 30th of June last,
were $48,830,997 50 in Treasury notes
funded, $10,833,000, The expenditures
were, in cash, $46.798.382 iu Treasury
notes funde ',, l^n^a^t^dGO, making an ag
gregate of $67,631,607 82. Ths accounts
and estimates which will be submiited in
the Report of the Secretary of the Treasu
ry show, that there is a probability that
there will be a deficit, occasioned by the
expenses of the iVJexian war. and Treaty,
on the 1st of July next, of $58.21-2.166 and
on the 1st of July, 1851, $10,547,059 73
making, in the whole, a probable deficit to
to be provided for, of $63,752,143 12*
The extraordinary expenses of the war
with Mexico, & the purchase of California &
New Mexico, exceed in amount this deficit,
together with loans, heretofore made, for
these objects. I therefore submit, that au
thority be given, to borrow whatever sums
may be necessary to cover that deficit, and
recommend a strict economy, in appropri
ations & expenditures of the public money.
I recommend a revision'of the existing tar
iff, and its adjustment, on a basis which may
augment the revenue.
I do not doubt the right or duty of Con
gressto encourage domestic industry, which
is the great source of national as well as in
dividual wealth and prosperity. I lo*k to
the wisdom and patriotism of Congress for
the adoptiou of a system which may place
home labor on sure and permanent footing
and by a due encouragement of manufac
tures give a new and increased stimulus to
Agriculture, and promote the developement
of our common country. Believing that to
the attainment of these ends, as well as the
necessary augmentation ofthe Revenue and
prevention of frauds, a system of specific
duties is best adapted to the country. I
strongly recommend to Congress the adoD
tinn of that system, fixing the rates high
enough to afford substantial and sufficient
encouragement to our own Industry, and at
the same time so adjusted as to ensure sta
bility.
The question of the continuance of the
Subtreasury system is respectfully submit
ted to the wisdom of Congress if continued
important modifications of it appear to be
indispensible. For further details and views
of the above and other matters connected
with Commerce, the Finance and Revenue,
I refer to the report of the Secretary.
No direct aid has been given by the Gen
eral Government to the improvement of
Agriculture, except by the expenditure of
small sums for the collection of Agricultural
statistics, and for chemical analysis, which
has been paid for out of the Patent office.—
This aid is, in my opinion, wholly inade
quate to give to the leading branch of Amer
ican industry the encouragement it merits.
I respectfully recommend the establishment
of an Agricultural Bureau, to be connected
with the Department of the Interior, to ele
vate the social condition of the Agricultural
ist. To
increase his prosperity, to extend his
means of usefulness to his country by mul
tiplying bis sources of information, should
be the study of every statesman, and the
primary object of every Legislature.
No civilGovernment having been provided
for California, the people of that Territory,
impelled by the necessities of their political
condition, recently met in convention for the
purpose of forming a Constitution and State
Government,which recent advices lead us to
suppose will be accomplished, and it is be
lieved they will shortly apply for the admis
sion of California into the Union, as a sover
eign State.
Should such be the case, and should their
Constitution be ceuformable to the require
ments of the Constitution of the United
States, I recommend their application to
the favorable consideration of Congress
The people of New Mexico, will also, it is
believed, at no distant period, present them
selves for admission into the Union. Pre
paratory to the admission of California and
New Mexico, they will have instituted for
themselves a republican form of Govern
ment, and lay its foundations in such princi
ples, and organize its powers in such form,
h& to themselves seems most likely to affect
their safety and happiness. By awaiting
(heir actions, all causes of uneasiness and
fear & disquietude will be removed, & confi
dence and kindly feeling be preserved with
a view of maintaining the harmony and tran
quility so dear to all. We should abstain from
the Introduction of those exciting topics, of
a sectional character, liitheito producing
painful apprehensions in the public mind,
and I respect the solemn warning of the
first and most illustrious of inv predecessors,
against famishing any ground for character
ising parties by geographical denominations.
A Collector has been appointed at San
Francisco under the act of Congress ex
tending the revenue laws over California.
Msmuja* l.ave W« n taken to organize the
custom l.oue.« at that and
mentioned in that act. At the earliest je
riod practicable the Collector proceeded
over laud, and advices have not yet been
received of his arrival at San Francisco.
Mean while it is understood that the cus
toms have been continued to be collected by
officers acting under the military authorities,
as they were during the administratiou of
my predecessor. It will I think, be etpe
dient to confirm the collections thus made,
and direct the avails, 'vitli such an allow
ance as Congress may think fit to authorize,
to be paid into the Treasury for the pur
pose of meeting
Appropriations for
I have trsnsferred the Indian agencies
from the Upper Missouri and Council
Bluffs, to Santa Fe and Salt Lake and
have caused to be appointed sub-ageuts in
the vallies of the Gila, the Sacramento and
Joaquin rivers.
Still further legal appropriations will be
necessary for effectual and successful exten
sion of our Indian intercourse ovei the new
territory.
I recommend that commisioners be au
thorized by Congress to decide upon.the
validity of the present subsisting land titles
iu California and New Mex'.co, and that
provision be made for the establishment of
Surveyors General in New Mexico and Cal
ifornia, and for surveying r.nd bringing into
market the public lands in those terrilo
res.
Those lands, remote in position, and dif
ficult of access, ought to be disposed of on
terms liberal to all, but especially favorable
to the early emigrants. In order that the
situation and character of the piincipal mi
neral deposits may be ascertained, I recom
mend that a Geological and Mineralogical
exploration, to be connected with a generel
Survey, and that mineral lands be divided
into small lots, suitable for mining, and be
disposed of, by sale or lease, so as to give
our citizens an opportunity of procuring a
permanentright of property in the soil. This
would seem to be as important to the suc
cess of mining as of agricultural pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California,
the advantages which its ports and harbors
and those of Oregon afford to commerce, es
pecially with the Islands in the Pacific and
the Indian Ocean, and the populous regions
of Eastern Asia, make it certain that there
will arise in a few years, large and pros
perous communities on our western coast.
Communications the best and most expedi
tious which the nature of the country will
admit, should be opened within the Teritu
ry of the United States.
From the navigable waters, from the Gulf,
to the Pacific, the opinion, as elicited and
expressed by two large and respectable
Conventions, lately assembled at St. Louis
and Memphis, points to a Rail Road, as that
which, if practicable will best meet the
wishes and wants ofthe country but while
this, if a successful operation, would be a
work of great material importance and of
a value to the country which would be
difficult to estimate, it is also to be con
sidered as an undertaking of vast mag
nitude and expense, and one, if it be in
deed practicable, that must encounter
many serious difficulties in its construction.
To avoid failure and disappointment, to ena.
hie Congress to judge of the practicability
of the proposed enterprise, to decide clearly
whether the same shall be undertaken, if
found to be feasible, and whether as a na
tional or private work, I recommend, a
preliminary reconnoissance of the several
proposed routes, by the several scientific
corps, and that they report on the practica
bility of making such a road, with estimates
of the cost of construction and suppoit.—
For further views of Ibis, and other matters
connected with the Home Department, I
refer you to the Report of the Secretary of
the Interior.
I recommend early appropriations for
continuing river and haibor improvements
which have been already commenced, and
also for the construction of those for which
estimates have already been made, as well
for examinations and eslimates preparatory
to the commencement of such others as the
wants of the country, and especially the
advance of our population over new dis
tricts, and of the extension of commerce
may render necessary. 'J he estimated
amount which can be advantageously
expended within the limits of the fiscal
year, under the direction of the Topo
graphicaf Engineers, accompanies the
report of the Secretary of War, to which I
respectfully invite the attention of Congress.
The cession of territory made by a late
treaty with Mexico, has greatly extended
our exposed position and renders its defence
more difficult. The treaty has also thrown
us under obligation to Mexico, to comply
with which a military force is requisite, but
the military establisement is not materially
changed.
Great embarrassment has resulted from
the effect upon the rank in the Army, here
tofore given to brevet and staff commission.
The views of the Secretary of War,
on this subject are deemed important, and if
carried into effect will, it is believed, pro
mote the harmony of the service. The
place proposed for the retiring disabled offi
cers, and providing an asylum for the rank
and file, who have from age, wounds and
other infirmities, occasioned by services,
have become unfit for further duty, is re
commended. Thus a means of increasing the
efficiency of the army,& as an act of justice
due from a grateful people to the faithful
soldier. The accompanying report of the
Secretary of the Navy, presents a full and
satisfactory account of the Naval services.
Our citizens engaged in legitimate ^com
merce have enjoyed its benefits wher
ever our national ships have gone, they
have been received with respect, our offi
cers have been received with kindness and
courtesy, and they have on all occasions,
pursued a course of staid neutrality in ac
cordance with the policy of our
government.
The naval force, at present, in commission
is as large as is advisable with the number
of men authrised by Congress to be employ
ed.
I invite your attention to the recommen
dation of the Secretary of the Navy, on the
subject of reorganization in the various
grades of officers, and the establishing of
a retired list, for such of the officers as are
disqualified for active and effective service.
Should Congress adopt some such measure
as has been recommeuded, it will greatly
increase the efficiency of the Navy, and re
duce its expenditures. I also ask your at
tention to the views,expressed by him,in re
frence to the employment of war steamers,
and in regard to the contracts for transporta
tion of the United States Mails, and the op
erations ofthe svstem upon the prosperity of
the navy. By nn act »f Congress,passed Au
gust 14th, 1848, provision was made for ex
tending po«t offices and mail accommoda
tions to California and Oregon. Exertions
been toad* to •Ketule that law, but
ri _"'i
rrjfn,r,
the Im­
provement of its rivers and harbors.
A pariy engaged on the canal survey
was deputed to Oregon in July last, but ac
cording to the latest advices, they had not
left California and directions have been
given to them, that as soon as they had fix
ed on the site of the two light houses and
buoys, authorized to be constructed in Or
egon, to proceed without delay and make
a reconnoisance of the most important'
points on the coast of California, and es-j transporting
ptcially to examine and determine on sites!
for light-houses, on the coast —the speedy
erection of which is earnestly demanded
by a rapidly increasing commerce.
.iii)-nr-ii-i|in-i
Li.i|ir
other points: the limited provision of the act, in&dcquary
the means it authorized,the ill adaptation
of the Post Office law to that country, and
the measure of the compensation allowed
by those laws, compared with the prices of
labor aud rents iu California, render those
exertions in a great degree ineffectual more
particularly an efficient provisioi^of law is
required. On this subject,the act of 1845 re
ducing postage, has now by its operation
during four years produced results showing
that the income resulting from suGh reduc
tion cf postage is sufficient, for the whole
expense of the service ofthe Post Office De
partment, not including the costs of trans
portation in mail steamers, from New York
to Chagres, or from Panama to Astoria,
which have not been considered by Con
gress as properly belonging to the mail
service.
It is submitted to the wisdom of Con
gress whether a further reduction of postage
should not now be made, more particularly
of the letter correspondence. These should
be relieved from their unjust burden of
and delivering the franking
matter of Congress, for which provision
should be made from the Treasury. I con
fidently believe that a change may safely
be made reducing all single letter postage to
a uniform rate of five cents, regardless of
distance, without thereby imposing any
greater tax on the Treasury than that
which constituted a very moderate compen
sation for this public service, and I, there
fore, respectfully recommend such a reduc
tion. Should Congress prefer to abolish the
franking privilege entirely, it seems proba
ble that no demand oil the Treasury would
result from the reduction of postage wheth
er any further diminution should now be
made, or the reduction to five cents, tvhjch
is recommended should be first tested, is
submitted to your decision.
Since the commencement of the last ses
sion of Congress, a postal treaty with Great
Britain has been received and ratified, and
such regulation has beey formed by tho
Post Office Department of the two countreis
in pursuance of that treaty, as to carry its
provisions into full operalinn. The attempt
to extend this favorable arrangement,
through England to France, has not been
equally successful, but the purpose is not
abandoned. For a particular view of the Post
Office Department, and other relations con
nected with that portion of the public ser
vice, I refer you to the Report of the Post
Master General.—By acts of the 3d of March
1834,a board was'constitutedjto make ar
rangements for taking the seventh census,
composed of the Secretary of State, the At
torney General, and the Post Master Gen
eral—and it was made the duty of the board
to propose and cause to be printed, such
forms and schedules for collecting, in statis
tical tables, under proper heads, such in
formation as to agriculture, commerce,
manufactures, education etc., as would ex
hibit a full view of the pursuits, industry,
education and resources of the country.
The duties enjoined on the census board,
thus established, having been performed, it
now rests with Congress to enact a law for
carrying into effect the provisions of the
constitution which requires an actual enu
meration of the people of the United States,
within the ensuing year.
Among the duties conferred by the Con
stitution upon the general government, is
one of general application, but not on that
account less obligatory—I allude to the trust
committed to Congress as the exclusive leg
islator aud sole guardian of the District of
Columbia. I recommend those interests to
your kind attention. As the national metro
pnlis. tHfi nf WoG^in^ton muvt bu tilt?
object of general interest, founded as it
was, under the auspices of him whose im
mortal name it bears, its claims to the fos
tering care of Congress presents additional
strength. Whatever can contribute to its
prosperity must enlist the feelings of its
constitutional guardians, and command their
favorable consideration.
Our government is one of limited powers,
and its successful administration eminently
depends upon the confinement of its co-or
dinate branches within its own appropriate
sphere. The first section ofthe constitution
ordains that all legislative powers therein
granted shall be vested in a Congress of the
United States which shall consist of a Sen
ate and House of Representatives. The
Executive has authority to recommend, not
to dictate measures to Congress. Having
performed that duty, the Executive De
partment of the government canuot right
fully control the action of legislation until
thai decision shall have been presented to the
President for approval. Th? check provi
ded by the constitution in confening the
qualified veto, will never be used by me ex
cept in the cases contemplated by the fa
ther of the Republic. I view it as an ex
treme measure, to be resorted to only in
extraordinary cases —as when it may be
come necessary to defend the Executive
against encroachments of the legislative
power—to prevent hasty or inconsiderate
or unconstitutional legislation. It is under
these considerations only, that the elector
wou'd fill a component part of the sov
ereign power of the nation. With equal
care we should study to defend the rights
of our judicial department.
The Union can on!y be preserved, in its
purity, by the suppression and entire dimin
ution of every claim or tendency of one co
ordinate branch, to encroach upon another.
With the strict observance of this rule, and
the other injunctions of the Constitution,
with a sedulous observance of that respect
aud love ofthe Union of the States, which
our fathers cherished and enjoined upon
their children and with the aid of that over
ruling Providence which has so long guard
ed our liberties and institutions, expect to
transmit them and their innumerable bless
ings to the remotest posterity. But attach
ment to the Union of the States should be
habitually fostered in every American for
more than half a century, while kingdoms
and empires have fallen, this Union remains
unshaken the Patriots who formed it have
long since descended to the grave— yet it
remains, the proudest monument to their
memory and the object of affection and ad
miration of |every one who bears the Amer
ican name.
In my judgment the dissolution of the
Union would be the greatest of calamities,
and to avoid that should be the study of
every American. Upon its preservation
must depend our own happiness, and that
of countless generations to come. What
ever dangers may threaten it, I shall stand
by it, and maintain its integrity, to the full
extent of the obligation and the power con
ferred on me by the Constitution.
Z. TAYLOR.
Washington, Dec. 4, 1849,
SPEAKER ELECTED!
Hon. Howell Cobb, of Georgia, was cho
sen Speaker of the House of Representa
tives, on Saturday.
The following telegragh despatch gives
all the facts of which we ai$ in possession
at the time of this writing:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.
At the last ballot in the House to-day
Cobb received 112 votes, Winthrop* 100.—
One of the tellers declared Cobb, of Geor
gia, elected, Mr. Stanley introduced a res
olution declaring bin elected -Speaker.
JilLL'llS'ii*!'
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL ANU CHEAP
POSTAGE. ,j
The following is an extract from the lie
port of the Postmaster General:
What should be the degree or measure of the re
duction of postage at this time is entirely a question
to be settled by Congress but it is proposed respect
fully to submit what jvould be the probable cffect of
one measure of reduction.
The most obvious and prominent feature now in
our postage is the double price, ten cents, charged on
all single letters carried over thiee hundred miles.—
The reduction of this ten cent postage, and charging
all single letters at fire cents each, would much sim«
plify the manner of accounting, and render the same
bolh more facile and perfect—would remove the dis
satisfaction arising from the great difference in the
postage in difieieut offices, even in the same vicinity,
but separated by this arbitrary line end would pro
mote and encourage the correspondence and inter
course, by mail, between the most distant parts ofthe
country, which most need and demand it, in precise
proportion as their other means of intercommunica
tion are slow and unfrequent.
The next inquiry is, what would be the effect of this
reduction on the receipts from postage, and bow
would it affect the Trea3Uiy.
It is not possible, from any returns or data in tho
Debarment, to ascertain with much precison the num.
ber of letters passing annually in the mail under this
charge often cents. Even if the number of ten cent
letters were actually known, it would still be impossi.
ble to determine how many of them were ten cent let
ters liom being double. '1 ho.nee arises the great dif.
ference in the estimate of loss of revenue from such
a reduction as was presented in the report ofthe Post
master General last year, to-wit,$715,137 and that of
the First Assistant 306,738.
From a careful examination now made of the data
in the Department, it is estimated that the whole num.
ber of charged letters sent through the mails, the past
year was 62,000,000, and of this number, about 16,500,.
000 were subjected to the ten cent postage, on ac.
count of distance. If then the reduction were to
bring no moie letters into the mail, the diminution of
revenue therefrom, the first year, would be $776,000.
It is already shown that the surplus, on th first day
of July last, was $691,682 70, and that, on the first day
of July next, will be $358,710 67, which will undoubt.
edly increase in future years, by natural accumulation,
and by increase ofthe number 'if letters arising fiom
tnis reduction, will, in the first year, occasion no
change in the Treasury, and it is extremely uncertain
whether its operation can ever produce that eflect.
A biief trial of this experiment will show its effect,
and if it should not produce any important draught on
the Treasury,
then furtherreductions of postage should
be made, and a corresponding provision from the
1 rcasury, adopted until after this has been tested by
experiment, is respectfully submiited.
From the Boston Herald of Tuesday*
PROFESSOR WEBSTER AND HIS FAMILY.
One of our reporters visited Cambridge
last evening, and ascertained that on Solur
day night Marshal Edwards, in consequence
of apprehensions by the Mayor, that an at
tack might be made upon the residence cf
Professor Webster, on Garden street, assem
bled twenty-five special policemen, who
were directed to patrol near the house, with
out exciting suspicions of their object. No
attempt, however was made to n.elest the
innocent cccupauts of the dwelling, which
s not owned by Professor Webster, but by
Jonas Wyeth, Esq. Our reporter also learn
ed some facts in relation to ths personal his
tory and family relations of the Professor.—
He is the son ofthe late Redford Webster,
Esq., formerly an effluent resident of the
north part of Boston, where he died some
time about the year 1835, leaving
about $40,000, which, we learn, is convey
ed as a life estate to Professor Webster, and
at bis death, to his childjeu. Young Web
ster, while in College, wa6 not considered
passionate or fractious, but rather chicken
hearted, as one of his college mates expres
ses it. He is nervous, but not quarrelsome.
After he had graduated, he went to Europe,
and finished his medical education in Eng
land and Scotland. On his return from
thence, about the time of bis father's death,
he stopped at the Azores, and became ac
quainted with Miss Hinckly, now his wife,
al.the port of Faj'»l:
BJ
«»««.
with ner ramer, who held the post of Amer
ican Consul at that port. He married her
there, and returned to Cambridge, and lec
tured at the college for a year or two, when
he was elected professor, in the year 1837.
Since then he has resided in Cambridge,
and has lectured on chemistry, geology,
and minerology, at Cambridge and at this
city and was in receipt of a salary, and
from tickets to his lectures at the medical
college, at the time of his arrest, of from two
to three thousand dollars, which from bis
carelessness about money matters were in
sufficient for his wants, and kept him al
ways in debt. His family now consists of
a wife and four daughters, the youngest six
teen years of age, and the eldest about twen
ty-three. The eldest is married to Mr. Dab
ney, the present consul at Fayal. The oth
er three daughters reside at Cambridge, and
with their mother are in deep affliction on
account of the arrest and suspicions of their
husband and father. The feeling entertain
fd among the citizens of Cambridge, who
best know Dr. Websfer, is, that he is inno
cent of the charge on which he has been ar
rested, or that, if guilty, some unknown
provocation must have induced the fatal at
tack. Our reporter called last evening at
the jail, and ascertained that the professor
had passed a quiet day, having partaken of
his meals regularly, and being free from that
alternate excitement and gloom which char
acterized him for some twenty-four iiours af
ter bis arrest.
Maple Sugar.—A "good" man will make
six or seven hundred pounds in three weeks.
The man that took the piemium at Auburn
in 1846, kept all his vessels clean, he ran
(he hot sugar into conical vessels having a
half inch bole, plugged at botton, until the
sugar was thoroughly hard then put three
layer of woollen cloth ou top, and poured
on a pint of water every morning fcr three
weeks in succe&sion. The water looked
like brown molasses, and the sugar, when
done, like loaf sugar.
Refugees in Egypt.—Alexandra, Egypt,
has of late been crowded with military refu
gees, flying from the scenes of the abortive
revolutions in Europe. They are in a des
titute condition, and the Moors are much
alarmed last they should make use of the
arms they possess to obtain oubsistance.
"Is smoke offensive to you?" said a land
lord, as he took out his segar, to a family
that had just moved into bis house. "Not
at all, sir," said the female of the household.
"I am glad to hear it," said he, "for all the
fire places here smoke so bad, that you will
be bacon before you -have inhabited tlx*
premises sfx weeks."
W. H. Prescott is said to be engaged fijj*
on the "Life of Philip II of Spain," which
will be punished during the coming year.
American Art.—The London Times,
speaking in the same connection of the three*
mile Panorama of the Mississippi exhibited
in that city, and (be rail road to the Pacific(
remarks that life, indeed,is short, but Amex,*
ican art is long.
A child only three years of age, son of
Antoine Ravel, made his first essay OQ thfi
tight rope at New York on Monday week.
Bern.—We see it stated, that Bern, the
Polish general, in embracing the faith of
Mahomet, declared that it wis his religion
to fight Russia, and he would turn to any
quarter where he could have a chance to
fulfil that vocatiou.
Col. Webb's eoniiaxioO with the Courier,
the New York Mirror esses Irototba
date of bis departure* Mir* Biynond hia i
fole control of thft JpuraaK
m'