Newspapers / The North Carolinian (Wilson, … / Dec. 7, 1850, edition 1 / Page 2
Part of The North Carolinian (Wilson, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
HE8lflEMTS MESSAG E. ffi!8; Feiicus -citizens of the Senate and of the House of Representatives : Being suddenly called, in the midst of the !at session of Congress, by a painful dipenmtion of Divine Providence, to the nrftjjvnsibie station which I now hold, I contented myself with such communica tions to the Legislature as the exigency of ;he moment seemed to require The country was shrouded in mourning for the las ofics venerated Chief Magistrate, and ail hearts were penetrated with grief. Nether the time nor the nrrasinn anncarpil . r r its legislative here that au thority ceases, and every citizen who truly loves the Constitution, and desires the continuance of its existence and its blessings, will resolutely and firmly resist any interference in those domestic affairs, which the Constitution has clearly and unequivocally left to the exclusive authori ty of the States. And every such citizen will also deprecate useless irritation among the several members of the Union, and all reproach and crimination tending to alien ate one portion of the country from anoth er. The beauty of our system of Govern ment consists, and its safety and durability 4. - i ; ..." . . ,.. . J just been received of the appointment of i since the last annual report from the nr. C n .. is i- . I r T i a Ajni- r rn treasury ue pa run em, 99,0 . By the 19th section of the act of 28th January, 1847, the proceeds of the sales ,to require or to justify, on my part, any must consist, in avoiding mutual collisions, general expression of political opinions, or 1 and encroachments, and in the regular any announcement ot the principles which would govern me in the discharge of the duties to the performance of wjich I hail been so unexpectedly called. I trust, therefore, that it may not be deemed in appropriate, if I avail myself of this oppor tunity of the re-assembling of Congress to make known my sentiments, in a gen eral manner, in regard to the policy which Gught to be pursued by the Government, both in its intercourse with foreign nations, and in its management and administration of internal affairs. Nations, like individuals in a state of nature, are equal and independent, pos sessing certain rights, and owing certain duties to each other; arising from their necessary and unavoidable relations; which rights and duties there is no common hu man authority to protect and enforce. Still, they are rights and duties, binding the morals, in conscience, and in honor, although there is no tribunal to which an injured party can appeal but the disinte rested judgment of mankind, and ultima tely the arbitrament of the sword. Among the acknowledged rights of na tions is that, which each possesses of es tablishing that form of government which it may deem most conductive to the happi ness and prosperity of its own citizens ; of changing that form, as circumstances may require; and of managing its internal affairs according to its own will. The people of the United States claim this right for themselves, and they readily con cede it to others. Hence it becomes an imperative duty not to interfere in the government or internal policy of other nations ; and, although we may sympa thize with the unfortunate or the oppress ed, every where, in their struggles for free dom, our principles forbid us from taking any part in such foreign contests. We make no wars to promote or to prevent successions to thrones: to maintain anv ' justice .a. 1- r t meory ot a naiance ot power: or to sup press the actual government which any country chooses to establish for itself. We instigate no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile military" expeditions to be fitted out in United States to invade the territory or provinces ot a friendly nation. The great law of morality ought to have a na tional, as well as a personal and individual, application. We should act towards other nations as we wish them to act towards us ; and justice and conscience should iorm the rule ot conduct between govern ments, instead of mere power, self-interest, or tile desire of aggrau dizement. To maintain a strict neutrality in foreign wars, to cultivate friendly relations, to reciprocate every noble and generous act, and to perform punctually and scrupulously every treaty obligation these are the duties which we owe to other States, and by the performance of which we best en title ourselves to like treatment from theinj or if that, in any case, be refused, we can entorce our own rights with and a clear conscience. In our domestic policy, the Constitution will be my guide 3 and i n questions of uouui, 1 snail look tor its interpretation to the judicial decisions of that tribunal, which was established to expound it, and to the usage of the Government, sanctioned by the acquiescence of the country. I regard all its provisions as equally binding. In all its parts it is the will of the people, expressed in the most solemn form, and the constituted authorities, are but agents to carry that will into effect. Every power which it has granted is to be exercised for the public good ; but no pretence of utili ty, no honest conviction, even, of what might be expedient, can justify the assump tion of any power not granted The powers conferred upon the Government and their distribution to the several de partments, areas clearly expressed in that sacred instrument as the imperfection of human language will allow ; and I deem it my first duty i.ot to question its wisdom, uu iu u provisions, evade its merits, or nullify its commands. upon you, teliow-citizeiis. as the re presentatives of the States and the people, is wisely devolved the legislative power, lshall comply with my dutv, in laving before you. h orn time to time", any infor mation calculated to enable you to dis charge your high and responsible trusi, lor the benefit ofour common constituents. My opinions will be frankly expressed upon the leading subjects of legislation ; and if, which I do not anticipate, any act should pass the two Houses of Congress which should appear to me unconstitution al, or an encroachment on the just powers or other departments, or with provisions hastily adopted, and likely to oroduce consequences injurious and unforeseen, I should not shrink from the duty of return ing it to you, with my reasons, for your further consideration. Beyond the due performance of these constitutional oblia tions, both my respect for the legislature and my seuse of propriety will restrain me from any attempt to control or influence your proceedings. With you is the power, the honor, and the responsibility of the legislation of the country. The Government of the United States is a limited Government. It is confined to the exercise of powers expressly grant ed- and such others as may be necessary for carrying those powers into effect , and it is at all times an especial duty to guard against any infringement on the just rights ot the States. ' Over the objects and sub- 1 .-1 n A. II 11 acpaiaic utuon 01 an, wnue each is re volving in its own distinct orbit. The Constitution has made it the duty of the President to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. In a Government like ours, in which all laws are passed by a majority of the representatives of the peopje, and these representatives are chosen for such short periods, that any injurious or obnoxious law can very soon be repealed, it would appear unlikely that any great numbers should be found ready to resist the execution of the laws. But it must be borne in mind that the country is extensive, that there may be local in terests or prejudices rendering a law odious in one part, which is not so in another, and that the thoughtless and in considerate, misled by their passions, or their imaginations, may he induced madly to resist such laws as they disapprove. Such persons should recollect that, with out law, there can be no real practical liberty ; that, when law is trampled under foot, tyranny rules, whether it appears in the form of a military despotism or of popular violence. The law is the only sure protection of the weak, and the only efficient restraint upon the strong. When impartially and faithfully administered, none is beneath its protection, and none above its control. You, gentlemen, and the country may be assured, that to the utmost of my ability, and to the extent of the power vested in me, I shall at all times, and in all places, take care that the laws be faithfully executed. In the discharge of this duty, solemnly imposed upon ine by the Constitution, and by my oath of office, I shall shrink from no responsibility, and shall endeavor to meet events as they may rise, with firmness, as well as with prudence and discretion. I he appointing power is one of the most delicate with which the Executive is invested- I regard it as a sacred trust to bp ex- an Unvoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of that Government to reside at Washington, whose arrival may 1 -v. . I soon De expected, it is hoped that no fur I 4 1 1 1T . -it iner impeuiments win De experienced in the prompt transaction of business between the two Governments. Citizens of the United States have un dertaken the connexion of the two oceans by means of a railroad across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, under grants of the Mexi can Government to a citizen of that Re public. It is understood that a thorough survey of the course of the communication is in preparation, and there is every reason to expect that it will be prosecuted with characteristic energy, especially when that Government shall have consented to such stipulations with the Government of the United States as may be necessary to im part a feeling of security to those, who may embark their property in the enter prise. Negotiations are pending for the accomplishment of that object, and a hope is confidently entertained that, when the Government of Mexico shall become duly sensible of the advantages which that coun try cannot fail to derive from the work, and learn that the Government of the United States desires that the richt of sovereignty of Mexico in the isthmus shall remain unimpaired, the stipulations referr ed to will be agreed to with alacrity. By the last advices from Mexico it would appear, however, that that Government entertains strong objections to some of the stipulations which the parties concerned in the project of the railroad deem neces sary for their protection and security. Further consideration, it is to be hoped, or some modification of terms, may yet reconcile the differences existing between the two Governments in' this respect Fresh instructions have recently been given to the Minister of the United States in Mexico, who is prosecuting the subject with promptitude and ability. J Although the negotiations with Portugal. I for the payment of claims of citizens of the United States against that Govern ment, have not yet resulted in a formal treaty, yet a proposition made by the Government of Portugal for the final ad justment and payment of those claims, has recently been accepted on the part of the United States. It gives me pleasure to say that Mr Clay, to whom the negotiation on the part of the United States had been entrusted, discharged he duties of his appointment with ability and discretion, message at the Congress. require- ercised with the sole view of advancing the prosperity and happiness of the people It shall be my effort to elevate the standard of official employment, by select ing for places of importance individuals fitted for the posts to which they are assigned, by their known integrity, ta lents, and virtues. In so extensive a country, with so great a population, aud where few persons appointed to office can be known to the appointing power, mistakes will sometimes unavoidably hap pen and Unfortunate appointments be made, notwithstanding the greatest care. In such cases, the power of romoval may be properly exercised ; and neglect of duty or malfeasance in office will be no more tolerated in individuals appointed by myself than in those appointed by others. I am happy in being able to say that no unfavorable change in our foreign relations lias taken place since the opening of the last session of . r .c ulc at jjeaue wiin an nations, anu we enjoy in an eminent degree the blessings ot that peace, in a prosperous and grow ing commerce, and in all the forms of amicable national intercourse. The un exampled growth of the country, the pre sent amount of its population, and its am ple means of self-protection, assure for it the respect of all nations; while it is trusted that its character for justice, and a regard to the rights of other States, will cause that respect to be readily and cheer fully paid. A convention was negotiated between the United States and Great Britain, in April last, for facilitating and protection the construction of a ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and for other purposes- This instrument has since been ratified by the. contracting par ties, the exchange of ratifications has been effected, and proclamation thereof has been duly made. In addition to the stipulations contained in this convention, two other objects re main to be accomplished between the con tracting powers. First, the designation and establishment of a free port at each end of the canal. Second, an agreement fixing the distance from the shore within which belligerent maritime operations shall not be carried on. un these points there is little doubt that the two governments will come to an demanding. 1 he conpany ot citizens of the United States who have acquired from the State ot iNicaragua the privilege of constructing a ship canal between the two oceans, through the territory ofthat State, have made progress in their preliminary arrange ments. The treaty between the United States and Great Britain, of the 19th of April last, above referred to; being now in operation, it is to be hoped that the guar anties which it offers will be sufficient to secure the completion of the work with all practicable expedition. It is obvious that this result could be indefinitely ostponed, if any other than peaceful measures, for the purpose of harmonizing conflicting claims to territory in that quarter, should be adopted. It will consequently be my endeavor to cause any further negotiations on the part of this Government, which may be requisite for this purpose, to be so 10 orm? them to a speed v acting always within the instructions of un conducted as and successful close. Some unavoidable delay has occurred, arising from distance and the difficulty of intercourse between this Government and that of Nicaragua, but, as intelligence has his Government It is expected that a regular convention wilfbe immediately negotiated for carrying the agreement between the two Govern ments inio effect. The commissioner appointed under the act of Congress for carrying into effect the convention with Brazil, of the 2rth of January, 1849, has entered upon th per. formance of the duties imposed upon him by that act. It is hoped that those duties may be completed within the time which it prescribes. The documents, however, which the Imperial Government, by the thud article of the convention, stipulates to furnish to the Government of the United States, have not yet been received- As it is presumed that those documents will be essential for the correct disposition of tne claims, it may become necessary for Congress to extend the period limited tor the duration ot the commission. The sum stipulated by the 4th article of the convention to be paid to this Government has been received. The collection in the ports of the United States of discriminating duties upon the vessels of Chili and their cargoes has been suspended, pursuit to the provisions of the act of Congress of the 24th of May, 1828. It is to be hoped that this measure will impart a fresh impulse to the commerce between the two counties, which, of late, and especially since our acquisition of Cal ifornia, has, to the mutual advantage of the parties, been much augmented. Peruvian guano has become so desirable an article to the agricultural interest of the United States, that it is the duty of the Government to employ all the means properly in its power for the purpose of causing that article to be imported into the country at a reasonable price. Noth ing will be omitted on my part to wards accomplishing this desirable end. 1 am persuaded that in removing any restraints on this traffic, the Peruvian government will promote its own best interests, while it will afford a prW of a friendly disposition towards this country, which will be duly appreciated. The treaty between the United States and His Majesty the King of the Hawaiiau Islands, which has recently been made public, will, it is believed, have a benefi cial effect upon the relations between the two countries. The relations between those parts ofcthe Island of St. Domingo, which were former ly colonies of Spain and France, respect ively, are still in an unsettled condition. The proximity of that island to ihe Uni ted States, and the delicate qaestions involved in the existing controvert there, render it desirable that it should be per manently and speedily adjustel. The interests of humanity and of general com merce also demand this; and, as intima tions of the same sentiment have been 1 received trom other Governments, it is hoped that some plan may soon b devised to effect the object in a manner likely to give general satisfaction. The Govern. ment ot the United States will nojfail, by the exercise of all proper friendly offices, to do all in its power to Dut an enl r, tul destructive war which has raged between the Uitlerent parts of the islan L and to secure to them both the benefit S if rw3 and commerce. I refer you to the report of the Secretary nf th" Trpaw, F.K. detailed statement of the finances. , he total receints into the Treaairv. for the' year ending 30th of June la. w.r a . . . " r . w 34r,421,748 90. The total expenditures during thfc same period were S43.002.168 90. The publie debt has been hard earnings is a heavy tax, and every effort should be made by the government to relieve them from so great a burden. JVtore than three-fourths ofour population are engaged in the cultivation of the soil. The com- of the public lands were pledged for the j mercial, manufacturing, and navigating interests . . 1 - 1 u. I are all. to a erreat etent denendetit on the aori- interest ana principal 01 tne puouc uetu. , culturaK It-is thferWbre, the most important Ihe great amount of those lands sub- j interest of the nation, and has a just claim to the sequently granted by Congress for military j fostering care and protection of the government. bounties, will, it is believed, very nearly so iar as iney can oe exienaeu consistently wiin . .. 1 I f ho wire, vioinnfl rf iho nrtcritnf i aii A o thin supply the public demand lor seveiai years to come, and but little reliance can, therefore, be placed on that hitherto fruit ful source of revenue. Aside from the permanent annual expen ditures, (which have necessarily largely increased, a portion of the public debt, amounting to 88,075,986 59, must be provided for within the next two fiscal years. It is most desirable that these accruing demands should be met without sorting to new loans. All experience has demonstrated the wisdom and policy of raising a large por tion of revenue, for the support of Govern ment from duties on roods imported. The power to lay these duties is unques tionable, and its chief object, of course, is to replenish the treasury. But if, in doing this, an incidental advantage may be gain ed by encouraging the industry ofour own citizens, it is our duty to avail ourselves of that advantage. A duty laid upon an article which cannot be produced in this country such as tea or coffee adds to the cost of the article, and is chiefly or wholly paid by the consu mer, liut a duty laid upon an article which may b i produced here, stimulate the skill and industry of our own country to produce the same article, which is brought into the market in competition with the foreign article, anil the importer is thus compelled to reduce his price to that, at which the domestic article can be sold, a I. il . f . 1 1, mereuy mrowing a part 01 tne duty upon the producer ot the foreign article. ih continuance of this process creates the skill, and invites the capital, which finally enable us to produce the article much cheaper than it could have been procured Irom abroad; thereby benefiting both the producer and the consumer at home. The consequence of this is, that the arti san, anil the agriculturist, are brought reduced, together, each affords a ready market tor the produce of the other, the whole coun try becomes prosperous; and the ability to produce every necessary of life renders us independent in war as in peace. A high tariff' can never be permanent. It will cause dissatisfaction and will be changed. It excludes competition. and thereby invites the investmeut of capital in manufactures to such excess, that when changed it brings distress, bank ruptcy, and ruin, upon all who have been misled by its faithless protection. What the manufacturer wants, is uniformity and permanency, that he may feel a confidence that he is not to be ruined by sudden chan ges, liut to make a tariff unilorm and per manent, it is not only necessary that the law should not be altered, but that the duty should not fluctuate. To effect this, all duties should be snecific. wherever tlp nature of the article is such as to admit of it. Ad valorem duties fluctuate with the price, and offer strong temptation to fraud and perjury. Specific duties, on the con trary, are equal and uniform in all ports, and at all times, and offer a strong induce ment to the importer to bring the best arti cle, as he pays no more duty upon that, than upon one of inferior quality. I there fore strongly recommend a modification of the present tariff, which has prostrated some ofour most important and necessary manufactures, and that specific duties be imposed sufficient to raise the requisite revenue, making such discrimination in favor of the industrial pursuits ofour own country as to encourage home production, without excluding foreign competition. It is also important that an unfortunate pro vision in the present tariff, which imposes a much higher duty upon the raw material that- enters into our manufactures than upon the manufactured article, should be remedied. The papers accompanying the report of the Sec retary of the Treasury will disclose frauds at tempted upon the revenue, in v irietv and amount so great, as to justify the conclusion that it is impossible, under any system of ad valorem du ties levied upon the foreign cost or value of the article, to secure an honest observance and effec tual administration of the laws. The fraudulent. devices to evade the law, which have been de tected by the vigilance of the appraisers, leave no room to doubt that similar imnosition: not discovered, to a lar-re amount, have heen n- cessfully practiced since the enactment of the law now m force. This state of things has al ready had a prejudicial influence upon those en gaged in foreign commerce. It has a tendency to drive the honest trader from the business of importing, and to throw that important branch of employment into the hands of unscrupulous and dishonest men, who are alike regardless of law and the obligations of an oath. By these means the plain intentions of Congress, as ex pressed in the law, are daily defeated. Everv motive of policy and duty, therefore, impel me to ask the earnest attention ef Congress to this subject. If Congress should deem it unwise to attempt any important changes in the system of levying duties at this session, it will become in dispensable to the protection of the revenue that such remedies, as in the judgment of Congress may mitigate the eyils complained of, should be at once applied. As before stated, specific duties would, in my opinion, afford the most perfect remedy for this evil ; but, if you should not concur in this view, then, as a partial remedy, I beg leave respectful ly to recommend that, instead of taking the in voice of the article abroad as a means of deter mining its value here, the correctness of which invoice it is in many cases impossible to verify, -uugea as to require a home val uation or appraisal, to be regulated in such man ner as to give as far as practicable, uniformity in the several ports. r ThCftub 'JlS "? Lmint in California, I am in formed that the laborers in the mines are com pelled to dispose of their gold dust at a large dis count. This appears to me to be a heavy and un just tax upon the labor of those employed in ex tracting this precious metal; and I doubt not you will be disposed, at the earliest period possible to relieve them . - nmuiisnmeni 01 a m Li- l mean time, as an assayer's office is established there, I would respectfully submit for your consideration the propriety of authoriz inggold bullion, which has been assayed and stamped, to be received in payment of "govern ment dues. I cannot conceive that the treasury would suffer any loss by such a provision, w hich will at once raise bullion to its par valuJ I Ja thereby save (if I am rightly informed m millions of doll-ira trt th. loK.,l l many .- u:.r. - ' " vmcn are now the provisions of the constitution. As this can not be done by the ordinary modes of legislation, I respectfully recommend the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to be charged with the duty of giving to this leading branch of Ameri can industry the encouragement which it so well deserves. In view of the immense mineral re sources of our country, provision should also be made for the employment of a competent miner alogist and chemist, Who should be required, un der the direction of the head of the bureau, to collect specimens of the various minerals ofour country, and to ascertain, by careful analysis, their respective elements and properties, and their adaptation to useful purposes. He sheuld also be required to examine and report upon the qualities of different soilsi and the manures best calculated to improve their productiveness. By publishing the results of such experiments, with suitable explanations, and by the collection and distribution of rare seeds and plants, with in structions as to the best system of cultivation, much may be done to promote this great nation al interest. In compliance with the act of Congress passed on the 23d of May, 1650, providingjamong other things, for taking the seventh census, a superin tendent was appointed, and all other measures adopted which were deemed necessary to ensure the prompt and faithful performance of that duty. The appropriation already made will, it is believ ed, be sufficient to defray the whole expense of the work ; but turther legislation may be neces sary in regard to the compensation of some of the marshals of the Territories. It tvill also be proper to make provision by law at an early day, lor the publication ot such abstracts ot the re turns as the public interests may require. The unprecedented growth of our territories on the Pacific 111 wealth and population, and the consequent increase of their social and commer cial relations with the Atlantic States, seem to render it the duty of the government to use all its constitutional power to improve the means of intercourse with them. The importance of open ing -a line 01 communication, the hest and most expeditious of which the nature of the country will admit," between the valley of the Missis sippi and the Pacific, was brought to jour notice by my predecessor, in his annual message; and as the reasons which he presented in favor of the measure stil exist in full force, I beg leave to call your attention to them, and to repeat the recommenaaiions then made by him. The uncertainty which exists in regard to tl validity of land titles in California is a subject which demands your early consideration. Larfje bodies of land in that State are claimed under grants said to have been made by authority of the opanisn ana Mexican governments. Many ot these have not been perfected, others have been revoked, and some are believed to be fraudulent. But until they shall have been judicially investi gated, they will continue to retard the settle ment and improvement of the country. 1 there tore respectfully recommend that provision be made by law for the appointment of commission ers to examine all such claims with a view to their final adjustment. 1 also beg leEve to call vour attention to the propriety of extending, at an early dav. our sys tem of land laws, with such modifications as may be necessary, over the State of California and the territories of Utah and New Mexico. The mineral lands of California will, of course, form an exception to any general system which may be adopted. Various methods of disposing ot them have been sujrested I was at first, in clined to favor the system of leasing-. ns it seem ed to promise the largest revenue to the govern ment and to afford the best security against monopolies; but further reflection, and our ex perience in leasing the lead mines e 1 1 i n if lauds upon credit, have brought mv mind to the conclusion that there woi.ld be great difficulty in collecting the rents, and that the relation of settlements on tt, cV,. ..,, ,.r i, t , . . . o ji iuc ratine, are nhvimw I. 1 .. . .ae "c uyeriooKea or disregarded too the army itiu.js in relation 10 rank m and navy, and relative tn n tr k.i. the two branches of the servYce. p ent'e" ?f the Executive by certain resolutions cf. House of Representatives, at the u .. . lhe . ' .001, iHiiinn t j 1 Congress, have been cnhmlrt u ocfsl?! cers in each hr.nrt, ' r.hl .ar9 i offi. port may be expected at an earlv day Ie" I also earnestly recommend the enactment law authorizine officers of the arm OI a be retired from the .vr - u navy to for its vicorous and active dntie t.i,: rerent make suitable provision for those who haveV0 . WJt aim awaraine diet;. mc- I llll.U rtl vtAriBV-tansv an j, jciujMwig, iu appropriate Command those who have been particularly conspicuous U gallantry and good conduct. While the obla tion of the country to maintain and honor thos" who, to the exclusion of other pursuits, hav devoted themselves to its arduous service, is ar' kowledged this obligation should not be p'ermitt" ed to interfere with the efficiency of the service itself. may be debtor and creditor, between the citizens and the government, would be attended with filanv mischievous consequences. I therefore recom mend that, instead of retai nine the mineral a, under the permanent control of the government, they be divided into small parcels and sold, un der such restrictions, as to nnnntifv :inil timn as will ensure the best price, and guard most et-' lectuaiiy against combinations of capitalists to ooiuiu monopolies. The annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and New Mexico have given in creased importance to our Indian relations. The various tribes brought under our jurisdiction by these enlargements of our boundaries are esti mated to embrace a population of one hundred and twenty-four thousand. Texas and New Mexico are surrounded, by powerful tribes of Indian, who are a source of constant terror and annoyance to the inhabitants. Separating into small predatory hands, and al ways mounted, they overrun the country, devas tating farms, destroying crops, driving off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally murderin" the inhabitants or carrying them into cauf i vitv The great roads leading into the country are infested with them, whereby travelling is rendered ex tremely dangerous, and immigration U .lmr.lt entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier, which, by the Uth article of the treatv of rin-.d Hidalgo, we are bound to protect against the In dians within our border, is exposed to these in- uia.uns equauy wiin our own. The military force stationed in that country (although form ing a large proportion of lhe army) is represent ed as entirely inadequate to our own protection and the fulfillment of our treaty stipulations with Mexico. The principal deficiency is in cavalrv and I recommend that congress should, at as ear ly a period as practicable, provide for the raising of one or more regiments of mounted men. For further suggestion on this subject, and others connected with our domestic interests and the defence of our frontier I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Interior and of the Secretary of War. I commend also to your favorable consideration fhe suggestion contained in the last mentioned report, and in the letter of the general-in-chief relative to the establishment of an asylum for the relief of disabled and dextitnt si.i... This subject appeals so strongly to your sympa thies that it would be sunerfiuom in in- 1... any thing more, than barely to express my cor dial oppi-ubation of the proposed object. ? The navy continues to give protection to our commerce and other nation-l interests in the different quarters af the globe, and. with the ex ception of a single steamer on the Northern lakes the vessels in commission are distributed in six different squadrons. -Tl1"8 rf0 the.head "f that Department if I" ! 1 hC ST,Ce3 f thesp qdwns?annd of the several vessels employed in each durin the past year. Itis asource of gratification that while they have been constantly prepared for any hostile emergency, they have every where met with the respect and courtesy, due as well toThe dignity as to the peaceful dispositions ai d just purposes of the nation. ana just The two brigantines accepted by the Govern ment from a generous citizJn of Nw York "d placed under the command of an officer of She navy to proceed to the Arctic seas in quest of r "mpani0nS ln compliance with the act of heard f7nPP.a !V?ay ,38t' 1,ad' when la9t itnH. - h ;Penetrated lntrt a hiSh northern lat itude, DUt the SUCCesS of thia nr.hl enterprise is yet uncertain. I invite your attention to the view ofour pres ent naval establishment and resources presented in the report of the Secretary of the Navy, and the!suggestions.therein made for its improvement, together with the naval policy recommended for the security ot our Pacific Coast, and the protec- :iu paid in brokerage to convert this precious Z?J V0? antL "tension of our commerce with Eastern into available fund,. This discount upon their t' 7 ftf f?V ' larger PticiPtion y . . . f . ,n tn trad f the East, by means of our recent I am gratified in being able to state, that fhe estimates of expenditure for the navy in the en suing year are less, by more than one million of dollars, than those of the present, excepting the appropriation which may become necessary f0r the construction of a dock on the coast of the P, prupusiiions jor wuicn are now be ncr siaerea, ana on which a special report ..IJVU1 I'icscu i session. There is an evident justness in the suggestion of the same report, that appropriations for the naval service proper, should be separated from those for fixed and permanent objects, such as building docks and navy yards, and the fixtures attached; and from the extraordinary objects under the care of the Department which, how ever important, are not essentially naval. A revision of the code for the government of me navy seems to require me immediate consid eration of Congress. Its system of crimes and punishments had undergone nochan-e for half a century, until the last session, though its defects have been often and ably pointed out, and the iibolltion of a particular species of corporeal pun ishment, which then took place, without provi ding any substitute, has left the service in a stale of defecti veness, which calls for prompt coritc tion. I therefore recommend thut the whale sub ject be revised without delay, and such a svtii siaousneu for ine eniorcetneni ot discipline, is shall be at once humane and ellectiiil. The accompanying report of the Postmaster General, presents a satisfactory view of the op erations and condition ofthat Department. At the close of the last fiscal year, the length of the inland mail routes in the United States (not embracing the service in Oregon and Cali fornia) was 17s,o7-2 miles; the annual transpor tation thereon -J 0,5-1 1, 1:3 miles; and the annual cost of such transportation $2,72 1,10. The increase of the annual transportation over that of the preceding year, was y,.i9,:J5-l miles, and the increase in cost was ,:Ji2, 110. ' The number of Tost Ollices in the U. States on tne nrst day of July last, was 1S.1I7 l,ein increase of 11)70 during the preceding year. I he gross revenues of the Department for the fj-cid year ending June 30th, 150, amounted to S'5,.55'2,07 1 -1, including the annual appropria tion of .$-.200,000 for the franked matter of the departments, and excluding the foreign postages collected for & payable to theMritish government. The expenditures for the same period were .$5,21 2,953 -13 leav ing a balance of revenue over expenses of $3 10,0 IS 05. I am happy to find that the fiscal condition f the Department is such as to justify the Post master General in recommending the reduction ofour inland letter nostaae to 3 cents the eimri.. letter when prepaidi and 5 cents when not pre paid. He also recommends that the nreoaid rule shall be reduced to 12 cents whenever the reve nues of the Department niter the red 1 1 p t i n 11 hall exceed its expenditures by more than five per cent, for two consecutive years; that the postage upon California and other letters sent hv otr ocean steamers shall be much reduced: and that the rates of nostace on newsna tiers, immnh. lets, periodicals, and other printed matter, siull be modified, and some reduction thereon made. It cannot be dou:ted that the t.ronosed reduc tions will; for the present, diminish the revenues of the Department. It is believed t hit the de ficiency; after the surplus ah ead v accummtiluted shall be exhausted, may be almost wholly met, either by abolishing the existing privileges of sending free matter through the mails, or by paying out of the treasury to the Post Office De partment a sum equivalent to the which it is deprived by such privileges. The last Is supposed to be the preferable mode, and will; if not entirely, so nearly supply that defi ciency as to make any further appropriation that may be found necessary, so inconsiderable as to form no obstacle to the proposed reductions. I entertain no doubt of the authoritv of Con gress to make appropriations for leading objects in that class of public works comprising what are usually called works of internal improvement. 1 his authority I suppose to he derived chiefly from the power ot regulating commerce with foreign nations, and among the States, &t,d the power ot laying and collecting imposts. Where commerce is to be carried on, and imposts col lected; there must be ports and harbors, a well as wharls and custon-houses. If j-hips, laden with valuable cargoes approach the shore, or sail along the coast, light-houses are necessary at suitable points for the protection of life "and property, Other facilities and seeurit ies fni. commerce and navigation are h.n-dlv le tant ; and those clauses of the i.,nt. ,,;.... therefore, to which I have referred !,:. ceiyedfroni the origin of the Government a lib eral and linetii .1 r...,. . ..., : , i- i. I .loiiuiiiun, ioi only have light-houses, buoys, and beacons been 'estab lished, and floating lights maintained, hut har bors have been cleared and improved, piers con structed, and even breakwaters for the suietv vf shipping, and sea walls to protect harbors from being filled up, and. rendeied Useless, by the ac tion of the ocean, have been ejected at very great expense. And this construction of the Constitu tion appears the more reasonable from Ihe con sideration, that if these works, of such evident importance and utility, are not to be accom plished by Congress, they cannot be accomplished at all. Uy the adoption of the Constitution the several States Voluntarily parted with the power of collecting duties ofimpostin their own ports and it is not to be expected that they should' raise money, by internal taxation, direct or indi rect, for the benefit ofthat commerce, the rev enues derived from which do not, either in the ,.oie or ,n part, go into their own treasuries. Nor do I perceive any difference between the power of Congress to make appropriations for objects of this kind on the ocean and the power to make appropriations for similar objects on lakes and rivers, wherever they are larse enough to bear on their waters an extensive traffic. The magnificent Mississippi and it tributaries, and the vast lakes of the north and the nothwest, ap pear tome to fall within. the exercise of the pow er, as justly and as clearly as the Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It is a mistake to regard ex penditures judiciously made for these objects as expenditures for local purposes. The position, or site of the work, is necessarily local; but its utility is general. A ship canal around the falls of St Mary of less than a mile in length, though local in its construction, would yet be national in its purposes and its benefits, as it would re move the.only obstruction to a navigation of more than a thousand miles, affecting several States, as well as our commercial relations with Cana da. So, too, the Breakwater at the mouth of the Delaware is erected, not for the exclusive benefit of tne States bordering on the bay and river of that name, bnt for that of the whole coastwise navigation of the United States, and, to a con siderable extent also, of foreign commerce. If a ship be lost on the bar at the entrance of a south ern port for want of sufficient depth of water, it is very likely to be a northern ship ; and if a steamboat be sunk in any part of the Mississippi, on account of its channel not having been pro perly cleared of obstructions, it may be a boat belonging to either of eight or ten States. I may add, as somewhat remarkable, that among all the thirty-one States, there is none that is not, to a greater or less extent, bounded on the
The North Carolinian (Wilson, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 7, 1850, edition 1
2
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75