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President’s Message.
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On Tuesdaj/y the 1th instant, the foUoiring
Message from the President was read
to the two Houses oj Congress :
To THE Senatf. and IIouse of Rf.presiinta-
TivEs OF the United States;
In comings together, feilow-citizens, to enter a^aln
upon the discharg-e of the duties with which the
people have charged us, severally, \vc find great
occasion to rejoice in the general prosperity of tlie
country. We are in the enjoyment of all the bless
ings of civil and religious liberty, with unexampled
means of education, knowledge, an 1 improvement.
Through the year which is now drawing to a close,
pcace has been in our borders, and plenty in our ha
bitations; and although disease has visited some
few portions of the land with distress and mortality,
yet, in general, the health of the people has heen
preserved, and we are all calleci u[)on. by the high
est obligations of dutv, to renew oiir thanks and our
devotion to our Heavenly Parent, who lias continued
to vouchsafe to us the eminent blessings which sur
round us, and who has so signally crowned the
year witli his goodness. If we find ourselves in
creasing, heyond example, in nimibers, in strength,
in wealth, in knowledge, in every thing which pro
motes human and social happiness, let us ever re
member our dependence for all thcs'^ on t!ie pro
tection and merciful disr-ensations of Divine Provi-
A
dcnce.
Since }'0ur last adjournment. Ale.xaudt r McLeod,
a British subject, who was inlioted for the murder
of an American citizen, and wbo-se case has been
the subject of a correspondence heretofore commu
nicated to you, has been acquitted by the verdict of
an impartial and intelligent jury, and has, under the
judgment of the court been'rogularly dischargfcl.
Great tJritain having made known to this Go
vernment that the expedition wliich v.-as fittel out
from Canada for the destruction of the steamboat
Carolme, in the winter of 1S37, and whicli result
ed in the destruction of said boat, and the dcatli
of an American citizen, was unJertiik'"“n by orders
emanating from the autlioriiies of the IJritisli Go
vernment in Canadas, and demanditig tho discharge
of McLeod upoa the ground tiiat. if engaged in
that expedition, he did but fulfil the orders of his
Government, has thus been ansv/ered m the only
wav in which she could be answered bv a Govern
ment, the powers of which are distributed a.moiig
its several departments by tho rundamcntal law.
Happily for the people of Great Britain, as v.-ell as
those of the United States, the ot)ly motleb}’ which
nn fndividual arraigned Ibr a criminal oflence be
fore the courts of either can obtain his discharge, is
by the independent action of the judiciary, and by
proceedings equally familiar to the coiirls of both
countries.
If in (.Ireat D. ii iin a power exists in tt;c Crown
to cause to be entered a nolle proseqvi. which is
not the ca?e with tlie Executive power of the Uni
ted States upon a prosecution pending in a State
court: yet there no more than here, can the chief
executive rescu2 a prisoner from custodv, wiihoijt
an order of tho proper tribunal directing his dis
charge. The precise stage of the proceedings at
which such order may be made is a matter of mu-
iiiciple regulation exclusively, and not to be com
plained of by any other Government. In cases of
this kind, a (iovernment bccomrs politicallv respon
sible only when its tribunals of last r( ?';:t arc shown
to have rendered unjust and injuriov' j!i Ign.Ohts in
matters not doubtru). To t.'ie ..-tibiishment and
elucidation of this principle, no iint-on iias lent its
authority more efiicien'iy :!ian ' rreat Britain. Alex
ander ]\IcLeol having his option either to prosccnte
a writ of error from the deci^^ion of the Supreme
Court d’ New York, which had been rendered,
up-^n hi^ application for a discharge, to tlie Supreme
L\>urt of the United States, or to subm.it his caso to
the decision of a jury, prtTerred the latter, deem
ing it the readiest mode of obtaining his liberation;
and the result has fully sustained the wisdom of his
choice. The manner in which the issue submitted
was tried, will satisfy the English Government that
the principles of justice will never fail to govern
the enlightened decision of an American tribunal.
I cannot fail, hov.’ever, to suggest to Congress the
propriety, and, in some degree, the necessity, of
making such provisions ly law, so far as they may
constitutionally do so, for the removal at their com
mencement, and at the option of the party, of all
.such cases as may hereafter arise, and whicli may
involve the faithful observance and execution ofour
international obligations, from the State to the Fe
deral Judiciary. This Government, by our institu
tions, is charged with the maintenance of peace and
the preservation of amicable relations v.’ith the na
tions of the earth, and ought to posstss, without
question, all the reasonable and proper mean.'? of
maintaining tho one and preserving the other.—-
. AVhiist just confidence is felt in the Judiciary of the
States, yet this Government ought to be compctrnt
in itself for the fulfilment of the high duties wiiich
have been devolved upon it, under the organic law,
by the States themselves.
In the month of Septemder, a body of armed men
from Upper Canada, invaded the territory of the
United States, and forcibl3»- seized upon the person
of one Grogan, and, under circumstances of great
harshness, hurriedly carried him beyond the lunits
of the United States, and deliv'cred him up to the
authorities of Upper Canada. His immediate dis
charge was ordered by those authorities, upon tho
facts of the case being'brought to their knowledge;
a course of procedure which was to have been ex
pected from a nation with whom we are at peace,
and which was not more due to the rights of the
United States, than its own regard for justice. The
correspondence which passed between the Depart
ment of State and the British envoy, Mr. Fox, and
with the Governor of Vermont, as soon as the facts
had been made known to this department, are here
with communicated.
I regret that it is not in my power to make known
to you an equally satisfactory conclusion in the case
of the Caroline steamer, with the circumstances
connected with the destruction of which in Decem
ber, 1837, by an armed force fitted out in Upper
Canada, you are already made acquainted. No
such atonement as was due for the public wronn-
tlone to the United States by this invasion of he'r
territory, so wholly irreconcilable with her ritrhts
as an independent power, has yet been made. In the
view taken by this Government, the inquiry whe
ther the vessel was in the employment of those who
were prosecuting an unauthorized war against that
Province, or was engaged by the owner in the bu
siness of transporting passengers to and from Navv
Island in hopes of private gain, (which was most
probably the case,) in no degree alters the real
question at issue between the two Governments.
Phis Government can never concede to any foreign
Government the power, cxcept in a case of the most
urgent and extreme necessity, of invading its terri
tory, either to arrest the persons or to destroy the
property of those who may have violated the muni-
ciple laws of such foreign Government, or have dis
regarded their obligations arising under the law of
oations. The territory of the tTnited States must
be regarded as sacredly secure against all such in-
their inability to acquit themselvrs of their dutirs to
others. And in announcing this stntiment, I do
but afnrm a principle which no nation on r-arth
would be more reatlv' to vindicate, at all hazards,
than the people and Government of Great Britain.
If upon a full investigation of,ail Jhc facts, it
shall appear that the owner of the Caroline was
governed by a hostile intent, or had made commoo
cause with thoso who were in the occupancy of
Navy Island, then, so far as he is concerned, there
can be no claim t>) indernnity for the destruction of
his boat, which this (.TOverDincnt would feel itself
bound to prosecute; since he would have acted not
only in derogation of the rights of C*reat Britain,
j but m clear violation of the laws of the United
' States. But this is a question which, however set
tled in no manner involves the higher considera
tion'of the violation of tcrritorcal sovereignty and
jurisdiction. To recognise it as an admissable prac
tice, that each Government, in its turn, upon any
sudden and unauthorised outbreak on a frontier, the
e.x'tent of which renders it impossible for either to
have an eiTicient force on every mile of it, and which
outbreak, therefore, neither may be able to suppress
in a day, may take vengcanco into its own hands,
and, without even a remonstrance, and in the ab
sence of any pressing or overruling necessity, may
invade tho "territory of the other, would inevitably
lead to re.'ults equally to be deplored b}’ both.—-
When border collisions come to reccivc tho sanc
tion, or to bo mado on the autiiority, of either CJo-
vernment. general war must be the inevitable result.
While it is the ardent desire of tho United States to
cultivate tho n lations of peace with all nations, and
to fulfil all the duties of good neighborhood towards
those wiio possess territories adjoining their own,
that very desire would lead th*;m to deny the right
of any foreign power to invade their boundary with
an armed force. The corresponilence between the
two Governments on this subjt'ct will, at a future
day of your session, bo committed to your considera
tion; and in the mean time I cannot but indulge
the hope that the British Government will see th"
propriety of renouncing, as a rule of future action.
hope to be able to announce sonc further degree of
progress towards the accomplshment of this high
ly desirable end.
The commission appointed by Government
for the exploration and surve*’ of the line of boun
dary separating the States of Maine and New
[lainpshire from the contermiious British Provinces
is, it is believed, about to ckse its field labors, and
is expected soon to report ths results of its exami
nations to the Depaitment jf State. The report,
when received, w’lll bo laid )efore Congress.
The failure on the part jf Spain to pay, with
punctuality, the interest due nnder tho Convention
of 1834, for tho settlement )f claims between the
two countries, has made it tie duty of the Execu
tive to call thcr papticular attntion of that Govern
ment to the subject. A dispsitioii has been mani
fested by it, which is believei to be entirely sincere
to fulfil its obligations, in thij respect, so soon as its
internal condition and the stitc of its finances will
permit.—An arrangement h in progress, from the
result of which, it is trusted that those of our citi
zens who have claims under the Convention, will,
at no distant day, receive the stipulated payments.
A Treaty of Commerce and Navigation with
Bidgium was conchidcd and signed at W’ashing-
ton the 20th .March. 1810, r.n I dulv sanctioned
by the Senate of the United States. The Treaty
was ratified by His Belgitini Majesty, but did not
amount to $7,290,723 73thus making a total of
$32,025,070 70, and leaving a deficit to be provid
ed for, on the 1st of January next, of about *?62/,-
557 90. '
Of the loan of $12,000,000 which was authoriz-
ed by Congress at its late session, only ^3,4o2,726
88 have been negotiated. The shortness of time
which it had to run has presented no inconsiderable
impediment in the way of its being taken by capi
talists at home, while "the same causc v/ould have
operated with much greater forco in the foreign
market. For that reason, the foreign market has
not been resorted to; and it is now submitted, whe
ther it would not be advisable to amend the law by
making what remains undisposed of payable at a
more distant day. _ i ^
Should it be necessary, in any vieu’’ that Con
gress may take of the subject, to revise the existing
tarifJ’of duties, I beg leave to say, that, in the per
formance of that most delicate operation, mode^rate
counsels would seem to be the wisest. 1 he Gov-
ernuK'nt under which it is our happiness to live, ov.’cs
it.s e.xistcncc to the spirit of compromise which pi'C
UV 11.13 1.JL I” lUiil IJIJI lUU lJUI. , . • • I 1* I
I ,• ^ . i> I •' /«■ ' ViMod amonf its framers: larrmg and (uscoruant
approbation ot trio Belirium Cnan\uers 'a.ica ainuni.^ no ntuui.j , j » •». i i .
opinif>ns could only have been reconciled b} that
rrcci''(’ li’:
v. ithin tiio time limited by its' terms, an I haj, there
fore. becomc void.
'i'his o.'cuvrrnce assumes tho g”:u’cr aspcct from
tho consider.-^lion that, in 1S33, a 'i'reaty nc*gotiated
between the two Government.'?, and ratified on tho
part of the United States, fiiledto bo ratifif'd on the
put of Belgium. 'I'ho Kcpresrntalive of the CJj-
vfrmncnt, at Washington, informs tho Department
of State ihat ho has been instructed to give explan
ations of til*’ causes which occasiont^d delay in ihc
approval of the late Treaty bv tho f j''gislature, and
t ) ( xprcss the rrg.« t of tiie Iving at theoccurren''o.
joint com ui'>ion un h'r tiie Convention with
noble spirit of patriotism which prompted concilia
tion, and resulted in harmony. In tlie same spirit
pcasablc ncccssity for a scun'i c'j?r3ncy hczom^a
the more 'manifest, when wc reflect on the vast
amount of the internal commerce of the country. Of
this we have no statistics nor just data foi* forming
adequate opinions. But there can be no doubt but
that the amount of transportation coastwise by sea,
and the transportation inland by railroads^ and ca
nals and by steamboats and other modes of convey
ance over the surface of our vast rivers and immense
lakei and the value of property carried and inter
changed by these means, form a general aggregate
to which the foreign commerce ot the country, large
as it is. makes but a distant approach. ^
In the absujnce of any controlling power o\er thiV
subiect, whifdi by forcing a general resi^ption of
specie payments would at once have the eiiect of re
storing a sound medium of cxchangc, and would
leave to tho country but little to desire, what mea
sure of relief, falling within the limits of our consti
tutional competency, does it become this Govern
ment to adopt ? It was my painful duty at your
last session, under the weight of most solemn obliga
tions, to differ with Congress on the measures which
it proposed for my approval, and which it doutbless
retrarded as corrective of existing evils. Subse
quent reflection, and events since occurring, have,
only served to confirm me in tne opinions tiien en
tertained and frankly expressed.
I must he permitted to add, that no sciiemc ofGo-
vcrnmental policy, unaided by indiv'idual exertions,
can be available for ame!io.*ating the present condi
tion of things. Commercial modes of exchange anel^
a good currency are but the neces.sary means of
commcice and intercour.>c, no: the direct productive
souri’cs f)l wealth. ^Vc*.lth can only be accumulated
by tlie earnings of industry an 1 the savings of fru
gality , and nothinsr can be more ill-jadged than to
look to facilities in borrowmir, or tf) a redundant cir-
7 ll’l lOO v tO lill Hlliv O HI IM J i t » V 1 » I ^ I*' I ^ ^
the compromise bill, as it is commonly calit tl, was ibnlie power of difscharging pecuniary ob-
adopted at the session of 1833. W’’hile tho peop.c jjo-ation.^. The country is full of resources, and tho
TrX"::'. to tlu- tiu-
bound irv b( twccn
the
the prcccdent which has been set in the afiaii a! | two .MUiitn-s, has cjiiclu b .l ils laboi.s; but tin; li-
Schlo.':scr. I'cport of the c(.)rnrnis.s!0ncr of ihe Unite'd States
I herewith S'.ro:uit tlie corrcspondcncc whicl' ; h;v? n-'-t bei ii rrc» ivt-d. It is tin ler.'tood. however,
hai=! rccc'nily talcdi place between the American j ’** li 'i 'U hne, a;? t;accd by the commission,
Minister at *the Court of St. Jamrs. (Mr. Stevrt). j K's *.vL;?t furtln r E ist th.in the position hitlier-
’!v assigned t:> it, and. consequently, in-
'IVx.i.s so;no put of tho tcrritoiy which
son.) and the Minister of Foreign Afliiirs of that | ’ ■> .Cf-''’!
Government, on tlio right claimed by that (jlovcn% i c!=; ..■,> m
mcnt to visit and detain vessels sailins: under tin'! h-^'^1 o ,‘:is!.»ered as jc-iong’ng
American flag, and engaged in prosecuting law'-I Lotji'.ana ana Aricans.i^s.
ful commerce in the African seas. Our commercial
to the State of
Uiiit(‘d States cannot but take a deep inter
interests in tint region have experienced considera- ! wnat n'er rriatrs to tni^ young, but growinf;'
ble increase, and have become an obje’ct of much
importance; and it is the fluty of this Governmrnt
to protect them against all improper and vexation^;
interruption. However desirous the United Stat s
may be for the suppression of the slave-trade, they
cannot consrnt to interpolations into the maritime
code at the mere will and pleasure of other Gov
ernment.^. We deny the right of any such intor-
polalion to any one or all the nations of the earth,
without our consent. We claim to have a voice in
all amendmrnts or alterations of that cod»'; and
when \ve are given to understand, as in this in
stance, by a foreign CJovernment, tiiat its trfatif .-^
with other nations cannot be executed without the
establishment and enforcement of new principles
of maritime police, t > he applied witii lut o’lr co;i-
sei/. we musi emr'ov a langu'’g^ n .ther of f'ruiv-
ocal ir.iport, no* susceptibi of' .vuscoLNtruction.
American citizens pros^cutin::: a lawful commerce.
-in the African seas, under tlie fiag of th-dr country,
are not rrsponsibh' for the abusf' or unlawfnl use
of that flag by others; nor can they rightfully, on
account of any such alleged abuses, be i’atrrrupted.
molested, or detained, while rn the ocean; anvl if
thus molested or detained while pursuing honc.st
voyages, in tho usual way, and violating no law
themselves, they are unquestionably entitled to in
demnity. 'I’his (government has manifested its re-
p'lgriai'ico to the slave-trade in a manner which can
not be misunderstood. ]3y its fundamental law, it
proscribed liniits in point of time to its continuancc ;
and again?!t its own citizens who might so far for
get the rights of humanity as to engage in that
wickcd trafllc. it has long since, by its municipal
laws, denounced the m.ost condign punishment.---
Many of the States composing this Union had
II* jnj' iio. S« ttl' d p: i!ici]);il!y by emigrants from
(lie Unitid States, we have the happin»-.ss to know,
tliat til"' great principles of civil lilier’y are there
de>tin»d to flourish, under wise institutions and
wdioksou'.e laws; an I tliat. tlirnugh its example,
anoil)»’r ( vidonc'^* is to })0 afibrded of ihe capacity
of popular institutions, to advance tiif' prosperitv'.
h.'.;qiin-ss. an 1 pe. manent glory of the human race.
'i’tK' gi'^lt tiuti), that government was mad • for the
p« ople, and not t!ie p.-opi*' for govnrnment, has al-
reaiiy l.'-eii estiblishinl in tli'* pia':tic' and by the
• of t(i*‘S‘ Uri't» (| Stjtf-s. -nid w^ can do no
-.th . I ,.ui cont vn’lato its !u;tlicr exemplification
1 y a s!>:‘er Republic, with tiie deepest interest.
t)a. reIatio:;s with the in lepcndent States of this
he;".,r'phere. form'^rly under t!; ’ do- vinion of Spain,
''..''v") not under ;r nr ;y mau ri.il ch ange wiiliin tlie
pa.t year. Tho mce:jsant sanguinary conflicts in.
or b‘tween those countries, arc to be greatly deplo
red, as necessarily tendingtj disable them from per-
fo’ ming their duties as members of the community
of nations, and rising to the destiny which the posi
tion and natural resources of many of them might
lead them justly to anticipate, as constantly giving
occasion, also, directly or indirectly, for complaints
on the part of our citizens who resort thither for
purposes of commercial intercourse, and as retard
ing reparation for wrongs already committed, some
of which arc }»y no means of recent date.
Th'' failure of the Congress of Ecuador to hold
a session, at the time appointed for that purpose, in
January last, will probably render abortive a treaty
of comn'iorco w'ith that Republic, which was ;.igned
at (.iuito nn flie l.]th of Jime, 1830, and had been
duly ratilird on our part, hut wdiich required the
approbation of that body, prior to its ratification by
made appeals to tho civilized world for its supprcs- Lcuadurian j^xecutive.
nations (^'>nvrnii('u which ha.'®
sion long before the moral sense of other
hail become shocked by the iniquities of the tr^/Iic.
Whether this Government should now enter in‘o
treaties containing mutual stipulations upon this sub
ject, is a qu'^stion for its mature deliberation. Cer
tain it is. that if the right to detain American shi]:?
been conciudL'd with
the Ivepul'dic of Peru, providing lor the settlenu'nt
ol ci'itain claims of citizens of the United States, up
on t!i" (Government of that Republic, v/ill be duly
submitted t" t!ie Senate.
The claims of our citlzrns again^rt the Brazilian
on tho high seas can bo justified on the pdf a of a ' c: >v‘-enmen!, oni^iuating fiom captures, and other
riPcessity for such detention, arising out of the e.xii-j ?ti!l unsatisfied. 'I'he United States
tence of treatirs between oth'^r nations, the sam^* { however, so uniformly shown a disnosilion to
plea may bo extended and enlarged by the new' sti
pulations of new' treaties, to wdiich the Unite;!
States may not be a party. Tliis Governm.ent will
not cease to urge upon that of Great Brit
ain full and ample remuneration for all losses,
wdiether arising from detention or otherw'i.so, to
Vvdiich American citizens have heretofore boen, or
may hereafter be. subjected by the exercise of rigl)ts
wdiich this Government cannot recognise as legiti
mate and proper. Nor will I indulge a doubt but
that the sense of justice of Great Britain will con
strain her to make retribution for any w’rong o
cn!iiv;.i{‘ r Iatit):;s of amity with that l^mpire. that it
is hoj'' tl the unrq-jivocal tokens of the same spirit
tow aids us. winch an adiustmemt of the afHiirs re-
ho \\ar with tne Indian trioes, on the peninsula j turnishcii, in place of gold and silver, a p:\per circu-
' i )ri la, has. (hiring tlie last summer and fall, i lation. 1 do not prope
Irnni fo won! I afford, will be given w ithout further
avoidable delay.
'J'h
of
been pros: cut 1 with untiring activity and zeal. A
sunmirr campa.gn was resolved upon, as the best
UM.de e;f bringing it to a close\ Our bnvc ofiicers
n- 1 and m; n \vho have been rjigaged in that service,
T|. j have sufb-red toils and privations, and exhibited an
of no portion of the Union wdll ever hesitate to
pay all necessary taxes for the support of Govern
ment, yet an innate repugnance exists to the impo
sition of burdens not really ne'cssary for that ob
ject. In imposing duties, however, for the purpo
ses of revenue, a right to discriminate as to the ar
ticles on w hich the duty shall be laid, as w'ell as
tiie amount, necessarily and most properly exists.
Othf'rwise, the Government w'ould be placed in tne
condition of having to levy the same duties upon all
a:tides, the productive as well as the unproductive.
The slightest duty upon some, miglit have tno ef
fect of causing their importation to cease; wdiercas.
ethers entering extensively into the consumption of
the country, might bear the heaviest, without any
sonsilde diminution in the amount imported. So al
so the (fovernment may be justified in so discrimi
nating, by reference to other considerations of do-
nu'stic policy connected with our manufactures. So
long as the duties shall be laid wdth distinct refor-
cnco to the wants of the Treasury, no w'cll-found-
ed obj*ection can exist against them.
It might be deemed desirable that no such aug
mentation of the taxes should take placc as we;uld
have the efilct of annulling the land proceeds disti i-
bution act of tho last session, wdiich act is declared
to be inoperative the moment the duties are increas
ed beyond 20 per cent., the maximum rate establish-
ctl by the compromise act. Some of the provisions
of the compromise act, which will go into eflect on
the 30th da}' of June next, may, however, be found
exceedingly inconvenient in practice, under an\' re
gulations that Congress mav adopt. I refer more
particular!}' to that relating to the home valuation.
A difltii'encc in value of the same ariicies, to some
extent, wdll ncccssariiy exist at diflerct ports; but
tiiat is altogether insignificant, when compared with
the conOicls in valuation w'hich are likely to arise
fVoni the diflbrences of opinion among the numer
ous appraisers of merchandise. In many instan
ces, the estimates of value must be conjectural, and
thus as many diirercnt rates of value may be esta
blished as there arc appraisers. These (lifierenccs
in valuation may also be increased by the inclina
tion which, without the slightest imputation on iheir
honesty, may arise on the part of the appraisers in
favor of their respective ports of entry I recom
mend this wdiole subject to the consideration of Con
gress, with a single additional remark. Certainty
and pcrmanency in any system of governnicntal po
licy are, in all rcspects, eminently desirable; but
more particularly is this true in all thatafi’ects trade
and commerce, the operations of which depend
much more on the certainty of their return?, and
calculations w'hich embraco distant periods of time,
than on high bounties, or duties, wdiich arc liabh.'
to constant fluctuations.
At your late session, I invited your alteniiou to
the conditon of the currency anti exchanges, :md
urged the necessity of adopting sucli measures as
were consi.-?teni wdth the constitutional competency
of the Government, in order fo correct the unsound -
ness of t!io one. and, as far as practicable, the ine-
cpialities of the other. No country can he in ihe en
joyment ol’its 1‘ull measure of prosperity, without the
presence of’a medium of exchange, approximating
to uniformity of value. Wdiat is necessary as be-
iween the different nations of the earth, is also im-
j)ortant as betw’cen the inhabitants of dilferent ])arts
of the same country. With the first, the precious
metals constitute the chief medium of circulation;
and such also would be the case as to the last, but
br inventions comparatively modern, which have
CUi
ligation.'
people lull of energy j and the groat and permanent
remedy fbi present embarrassments must be sought
in iri(iustrv% ci'ononiy, the ohscrvancc ot good laitAi,
and the fuvorable inllnenr.e of time.
In pursuaiice e)i n ple^lgei given tei you m my la.st
message to Congress, (wdiicii plrdgc 1 urged as aa
apoloiTV’ l*'r alventuring to present you the CiCtaHs
ot any plan) the Secretary eit the I rcasury will he
ready to submit to von. shoulti j’ou reepnire it, a plan
of finance, v.ddc'i. wdiile it thro'ivs around the public
treasure rca.?onahle guards for its protection, and
rests f>n powers acl»n'>wdt.‘dgC!i in practicc^to exist
from the ori2cin ol the Goveriunent, will, at tne fe.iiae
time, furnisfi to the country a soun^i j)aper nicilium,
and afford all reasona!)le litcilities for regulating
exchans^cs. Wlien snbniiited, you w’ill perceive iii
it a plan amendaiory of the existing laws in relation
to the Treasury Department—snbordinate in all res
pects to the wdll of Congress directly, and the w ill
of the people iiidirecily—selfsu5ta.ining, should it be
found in practice \o realize itr. promises in theoi'}',
loss which any American citizcn, engaged in iiie | niorgy. wdiirli, j.i -ny ejlher war. would have won
prosecution of lawful commerce, may have cxpc-I lln in unfading laurrls. In despite of the sick-
rienced at the hand of her cruisers, or other public incident to tlu- clim-itc, they have pmrtratcd
authorities. This Government, at the same time, fistiH spf s nf the Indians, broken up their en-
will relax no efil^rt to prevent its citizen?, if iliere
be any so disposed, from prosecuting a traffic so re
voking to the feelings of humanity. It seeks to do
no more than to protect tho fair and hone\t trader
campm; M.s. tmd harrassed them uncf asingly. Num-
bin.'' I’.avt' b“f n captured, and still greater numbers
have surr- IIdi'jed. and have been transported to join
th* ir brrthrf n on tlie lands elsrwdiere allotted to
from molestation and injury; but wdiile the enter-1 by the ('.'overnmf rit; and a slrong hope is rn-
prising m.ariner, engaged in the pursuit of an lion- terrain-d that, under the conduct of th*^gallant ofu-
orable trade, is entitled to its protection, it wudl visit h^afl of the troops
with condign punishment others of an opposite cha
racter.
I invitc your attention to existing law’s for the*
suppression of the African slave-trae!e, and recom
mend al] such alterations as may give to them
greater forco and efficacy. That the American
flag is grossly abused by the abandoned and profli
gate of other nations is but too probable. Congress
has not long since had this subject under conside
ration; and its importance well justifies renew’ed
and anxious attention.
I also communicate herewith the copy of a cor
respondence betw'oen Mr. Stevenson and Lord Pal-
mers^ton, upon the subject (so inter( sting to several
of the Southern State?) of the rice duties, wdiich
resulte^d honorably to the justice of Great Britain,
and aei V'a n t.n CTPAIl^;! f/-» TTriifnrI Qfof/no
and advantageously to the United States.
At the opening of the last annual session, the
President intormed Congress of the progress which
had then been mado in negotiatinsf a convention
between this Government and chat of England, with
a view to the final settlement of the question of the
boundary betw'ccn the territorial limits of the t\vo
countries. I regret to say that little further ad
vancement of-the vjbject has been accomplished
since last j’ear; but this is owing to circumstances
no way indicative of any abatement of the desire
of both parties to hasten the negotiation to its con-
clysio^and to settle the question in dispute as early
.oops in Florida, the trou-
bi(Som(' and evpen.?iv(> vrar is destined to a speedy
terininntion. Witli nil t!ie (>tlier Indian tribes, ue
are enjoyinor the blessings of p( ace. Q-jr duty, as
w'( II as onr Ix st intere.cts, prompt u:^ to observe, in
ail our Hit.'rcourse wdth tliem, fidelity in fulfilling!
our engagements, the practice of strict justice, as
w'eil as the constarit exercise of act.s of benevolence
and kindness, 'Idnse are the great instruments of
civilization, and through the uSe of them, alone, can
the untutored child of the forest be induced to lis
ten to it.s teachinfrs.
O
The Secretary of State, on whom the acts of
Congress have devolved the duty of directing the
proceedings for the taking of the sixth census, or
enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States,
wdll report to the two Houses the progress of that
w’ork. 'J’he enumeration of persons has been com
pleted, and exhibits a grand total of 17,069,453*
making an increase, over the census of 1830 of 4-
202,040 inhabitants, and showdng a gain in a ratio
exceeding 32-J per cent, for the last ten years.
From the report of the Secretary of the Trea
sury, you will be informed of the condition of the
finances. The balance in the Treasury on the 1st
of January last, as stated in the report of the Sec
retary of the Treastiry submitted to Congress at the
extra session, was $987,345 03. The receipts in
to the Treasury, during the first three quarters of
this year, from all sources, amount tp $23,407,052
propose to enter into a comparative
analysis of the merits of the tw'o systems, yncli be
longs more properly to the period of the introdr.ction
of the paper system. Tho spcculalive philosopher
might find inducements to prosecutc the inquiry,
ljut Ills researches could only load him to conclude
that the paper system had probably better never
have been introduced, anel that society might have
heen much happier wdthout it. The practical states
man has a very difi'erent task to pertbrm. He has
to look at things as they are—to take them as .he
finds them—to supply deficiencies, and to prune ex
cesses as far as in him lies. The task of furnishing
a correclive for derangements of the paper medium
wdth us, is almost inexpressibly great. The power
cxertcil by the States to charter banking corpora-^
lions, which, having been carried to a great excess,
has filled the country wdtli (in most of the States)
an irredeemable paper medium, is an evil wdnch, in
some way or other, requires a correctiv’e. The rates
at which bills of exchange are negouated between
difierent pans of the country, furnisfi an index of the
value ot’ the local substitute for gold ami silver,
w hich is, in many parts, so far depreciated as not to
Ite received, cxcept at a large discount, in payment
of debts, or in the purchase of prode^ce. It could
earnestly be desired that every bank, not possessing
the means of resumption, slionld follow the example
of the late United States Bank of Pennsylvania,
and go into liquidation, rather than, by refusing to
do so, to continue embarrassments in the way of sol
vent institutions, thereby augmenting the difficulties
incident to tlie present condition of things. W’^heth-
er this Government, with due regard to the rights
of the States, has any pow'er to constrain the banks
either to resume specie payments or to force them
into liquidation, is an inquiry which will not fail to
claim your consideration. In view' of the great
advantages w’hicli are allow*ed the corporators—not
among the least of which is the authority contained
in most of their charters to make loans to three times
tlie amount of their capital, thereby often deriving
three times as much interest on the same amount of
moniey as any individual is permitted by layv to re
ceive—no sufficient apology can be urged for a long
continued suspenion of specie payments. Such sus
pension is productive of the greatest detriment to the
public, by expelling from circulation the precious
metals, and seriously hazarding the success of any
effort that this Government can make to increase
commercial facilities and to advance the public in
terest.
CCUci^n^hg indis
pint
from tlie sword ; or, more properly to speak, denica’
any other control to tiie President over the agents
who may be selectcil to carry it into execution, but
wdiat may be indispensably necessary to secure the
fidelity of such agents; and, by wise regulations,
keeps plainl}' apart from each other private and pub
lic funds, it contemplates the establishment ol a
Board of Control at tlic .seat ot Government, with
agencies at prominent commercial points, or wlier-
ever el.?e Congress shall iliroct, for tiie sate-!:espng
and elisburseinent of the public nioney.-^, and a sut.-
stitution, at tfie option oi’the p\ibHc crctlitor, of Trea
sury notes in lieu of gohl and i^ilver. It proposes to
limit tho i.s.-?nos to an amount not to exceed $13,000,-
000, wdihoiit the express sanction of the legislafi vo
pow'cr. It also autfio.nzc.si the receipt of individual
depositesof gold and silver to a.limited amount, an.i
the granting certificate.^ ot* deposite, divided into
such sums as may be called for by ’he depositors.—
It proceeds a step further, and authorizes the pur
chase and sale of domestic biUs and drafts, resting
on a real and substantial basis, ^rayable at sight, or
having but a short time to run, and drawn on placcs
not less than one hundred miles apart; which au
thority, except in so far as may be necessary for (to-
vernment purposes exclusively, is only to be exerted
upon the express condition that its exercise shall
not be prohibited by the State in .vliich the agcncy
is situated.
In order to covcr the expenses incident to tiie
plan, it wdll be authorized to receive moderate pre
miums for certificates issued on deposiees, and on
bills bonghtand sold; and thus, as far as its dealin?^
extend, to furnish facilities to commercial intercour.sc
at the lowest possible rate.s and to subduct from the
earnings of indu.-try tlie feast possible sum. U uses
the State l.*anks at a distance from tiie agencies, as
au::iliarie.s, wdthout imparling any power ro trade in
its name. It is subjected to sucli guards and res
Iraints as Ir.ive appeared to be necessary. If i> the
creature of law, and exists only at the pleasure o ’
the legislauire. It is made to rest on an actual spe
cie basis, in order to redeem the notes at the places
of issue ; produces no dangerous redundanc}' of cir
culation ; affords no temptation to speculation; is at
tended by no inflation of prices : is eepiahle in its op
eration; makes ihe Treasury notes w hich it may u:>e
along with the certificates of deposite, and the notes
of specie-paying banks, convertible at the piaco
wdiere collected, rec«dvahle in iia\ inent of (Jover.i-
ment dues, and, without vlaiatmg any principle o:
tiic constiiution. aiibrds tiie Govcrnnicijt and t!ic
])c'Jp!e suidt facihdies as are crdled ibr hy tho ivani^
of both. Such, i! lias ajipea.re-d fo nie, are its recom
mendations ; and in view' oi'them it will be .submitted,
w henever von may require it, to your consi-deration.
1 am not able to jierceive that any fair ami candid
object ion can be ur ged against the plan, the princi
pie outlines of wdiicii 1 have thu=? presented. 1 can
not don!>t hut tliat the notes w'hich it pn^poses to
lurnish, a.1 the vo!unt;iry op/tion of the public credit
or, issued in lieu oi’ the revenue and ils certihcaies
ol' dej)o.s-ltc, will be maintained at an equality witli
gold and silver everywdiere. They are redeemable
in goitf and silver, on demand, at the places of issue;
they are receivable everywhere in payment of Go
vernment dues. I'he Treasurj- notes are limited to
an amou’it of one-li)urih less th-an the estimated an
nual receipts oi'the Treasury ; luid, in addition, they
rest upon the faith of the Government lor their rc-
denqiiion. If all these as.suranees are not sufTicient
to make lliem available, then the idea, as it seems t'>
me, of furnishing a sound paper medium of exchang
es, nmy be entiridy abandoned.
If a i’ear In; indulged tliat the Government maybe
tcmp/ted to r\m into excess in its issues at any future
day, it seems to me tliat no sucli apprehension can
reasonably be entertaiiieil until all confidence in the
represenialives of the States and of the people,
well as in the people tliemselves, shall be lost. The
weightiest considerations of policy require that the
restraints now jiroposed to be throwui around the
mea.sure should not, for light causes, be removed.
To argue against any proposed plan its liability to
possible abuse, is to reject every expedient, since
every thing dependent on human action is liable to
abuse. Fifteen millions of Treasury notes may be
issueel as the n?aarimum; but a discretionary pow'cr
is to be given to the Board of Control, under that
sum ; and every con.sideration will unite in leading
them to feel their way w’ith caution. For the first
eight years of the existence of the late Bank of the
United States, its circulation barely exceeded .^4,-
000,000; and for five of its most prosperous years it
was about equal to ^16,000,000. Furthermore, the
authority given to receive private deposites to a lim
ited amount, .and to issue certificates in such sutiis
as may he called for by the depositors, may so far
fill up the channels of circulation as greatly to di
minish the necessity of any considerable issue ot
Treasury notes. A restraint upon the amount ot
private deposites has seemed to be indispensably ne
cessary, from an apprehension, thought to be wel
founded, that, in any emergency of fratJe, connaenc
might be so far sWken in tlie banks as to
withdrawal from them of private ieposites, witn .
view to insure their unquestionaWe safely
jK)sitcd with the Governmeni, which migh p
eminently disastrous to the State baflks. ^
Is it objecledj that it is proposed to authorize t
‘agei
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low*
ques
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