PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
To the 1st Session of the 32d Congress.
Fellow Citizens of th e Senate
and of the House of Representatives :
I congratulate you and our common coo
stitnency upon the favorable auspices
under which you meet for your first ses
sion. Our country is at peace with alJ
the world. The 'agitation which, for a
time, threatened to disturb the fraternal
relations which make us one people, is fast
subsiding; and a year of general prosperi
ty and health, has crowned the nation
with unusual blessings. None can look
back to the dangers which are passed, or
forward to i lie bright prospect before us,
without feeling a thrill of "ratification, at
the same time that he mut
with a grateful sense of
be impressed
our profound
obligations to a beneficent Providence.
wlto-e paternal care manifest in the
happiness of this highlSavored land.
Since the close last Congress,
certain Cubans and other foreigners resi
dent in the United States, who were more
or less concerned in the previous invasion
of Cuba, instead of being discouraged by
its failure, have again abused the hospitali
ty of this country, by making it the scene
of the equipment of another military expe
dition against the possession of her Catho
lic majesty, in vhich they were counte
nanced, aided and joined by citizens, of
the U. S On receiving intelligence that
such designs were entertained, I lost no
time in issuing such instructions to the
proper officers of the U. States as seemed
to be called for by the occasion. By the
proclamation, a copy of which is herewith
'submitted, 1 also warned those who might
be in danger of being inveigled into this
scheme ot its unlawful character, and of
the penalties which they would incur.
For some time there was reason to hope
that these measures had sufficed to prevent
any such attempt. This hope, however,
proved to be delusive. Very early in the
morning ot the third of August, a steamor
called the Pampero departed from New
Orleans for Cuba, having on board up
wards of four hundred armed men, with
evident intentions to make war upon the
authorities of the island. This expedition
was set on foot in palpable violation of the
laws of the U. Statrs. Its leader was a
Spaniard, and several of the chief officers,
and some others engaged in it, were
foreigners. The persons composing it,
however, were mostly citizens of the U.
States.
Before the expedition set out. and
probably before it was organized, a slight
insurrectionary movement, which appears
to have been soon suppressed, had taken
place in the eastern quarter of Cuba.
The importance of this movement was
unfortunately so much exaggerated in the
accounts of it published in this country,
that these adventurers seem to have been
led to believe that the Creole population
of the island not only desired to throw oft
the authority of the mother country, but
had resolved upon that step, and had
begun a well-concerted enterprise for
effecting it. The persons engaged in the
expedicion e- c gciiiri aiij young anu ill
informed. The steamer in which they
embarked left New Orleans stealthily and
without a clearance. After touching at
Key West, she proceeded to the coast of
Cuba, and, on the night between the 11th
anil I2th of August, landed the persons
on board at Playtas, within about twentv
leaguesof Havana.
The main body of them proceeded to, &
took possession of, an inland village, six
leagues distant, leaving others to follow in
charge of the baggage, as soon as the means
ot transportation could be obtained. The
latter, having taken up their line of march
to connect themselves with the main bodv.
and having proceeded about four leagues
into the country, were attacked on the
morning of the 13th bv a bod y of Spanish
troops, and a bloody conflict ensued; after
which retreated to the place of disembarca
tion, where about fifty ot them obtained
boats and re-embarked therein. They
were, however, intercepted among the keys
near the shore by a Spanish steamer cruis
ing on the coast, captured anil carried to
Havana, and, after being examined before
a militury court, were sentenced to be
publicly executed, and the sentence was
carried into effect on the 16th of August.
On receiving information of what had
occurred. Commodore Foxhall A. Parker
was instructed to proceed in the steam
frigate Saranac to Havana, and inquire
into the charges against the persons ex
ecuted, the circumstances under which
they were taken, and whatsoever referred
to their trial and sentence. Copies of the
instructions from the Department of State
to him, and of his letters to that Depart
ment, are herewith submitted.
According to the record of the examit.a
tion, the prisoners all admitted the offences
charged against them, of being hostile in
vaders of the island. At the time of their
trial and execution the main body of the
invaders was still in the field, making
war upon the Spanish authorities and
Spanish subjects. A fter the lapse of some
days, being overcome by the Spanish troops,
they dispersed on the 24th of August;
Lopez, their leader, was captured tome
days after, and executed on the 1st of
September. Many of his remaining fol
lowers were killed, or died of hungar and
fatigue, and the rest were made pri
soners. Of these, none nr r t n hVf
been tried or executed. Several of them
were pardoned upon application of their
friends and others, and the rest, about one
hundred and sixty in number, were sent
to Spain. Of the final disposition made of
these we have no official information.
Such is the melancholy result of this
illegal and ill-fated expedition. Thus,
thoughtless young men have been induced,
by false and fraudulent representations,
to violate the law of their country, through
rash and unfounded expectations of assist
ing to accomplish political revolutions in
other States and have lost their lives in
the u ndertaking. Too severe a judgment
can bardly be passed, by the Indfgnant
I sense of the community, upon those who,
k: nn k(. : f..-.., .i u i i
n-inj; wciict iiHuiuitu iiiciuaeivesi nave
yet led away the ardor ot youth and an
ill-directed love of political liberty. The
correspondence between this Government
and that of Spain relating to this transac
tion is herewith communicated.
Although these offenders against the laws
have torieiteti the protection of their coun
try, yet the Government may, so far as is
consistent with its obligations to other
countries, and its fixed purpose to maintain
and enforce the laws, entertain sympathy
for their unoffending families and friends,
as well as a feeling of compassion for them
selves. Accordingly no proper effort has
been spared, and nne will be spared, to
procure the release of such citizens of the
U. States, engaged in this unlawful enter
prise, asaie now in confinement in Spain ;
but it is to be hoped that such interposition
with the government of that country may
not be considered as affording any ground
of expectation that the Government of the
United States will, hereafter, feel itself
under any obligation or duty to intercede
for the liberation or pardon of such per
sons as are flagrant offenders against the
law of nations and the laws of the United
States. These laws must be executed.
If we desire to maintain our respectability
among the nations of the earth, it behoves
piS to enforce steadily and sternly the neu
trality acts passed by Congress, and to
follow, as far as may be, the violation of
those acts with condign punishment.
But what gives a peculiar criminality
to this invasion of Cuba is, that under the
lead of Spanish subjects and with the aid
of citizens of the United States, it had its
origin, with many, in motives of cupidity.
Money was advanced by individuals, pro
bably in considerable amounts, to pur
chase Cuban bonds, as they have been
called, issued by Lopez, sold, doubtless,
ata very large discount, and for the pay
ment of which the public lands and public,
property of Cuba, of whatever kind, and
the fiscal resources of the people and gov
ernment of that island, from whatever
source to be- derived, were pledged, as
well as the good faith of the government
expected to be established. All these
means of pay ment, it is evident, were only
to be obtained by a process of bloodshed,
war, and revolution. None will deny
that those who set on foot military expedi
tions against foreign States by means like
these, are far more culpable than the
ignorant and the necessitous whom they in
duce to go forth as the ostensible parties
in the proceeding. These originators of
the invasion of Cuba seem to have deter
mined, with coidness and system, upon an
undertaking which should disgrace their
country, violate its laws, and put to hazard
the lives of ill-informed and deluded men.
You will consider whether further legisla
tion be necessary to prevent the perpetra
tion of such offences in future.
No individuals have a right to hazard
the peace ot the country or to violate its
laws upon vague notions of altering or
reforming governments in other States.
This principle is not only reasonable in
itself, and in accordance with public law:
but. tt Antraltad mitt the foil p ft of iKor
nations as well as our own. But whih
such are the sentiments of this Govern
ment, it may be added that everv ind
pendent nation must be presumed to be
..kl- i. .i .r i r
auie 10 ueieiiu us possessions against un
authorized individuals banded together
to auacK inem. i he Uovernment of the
u. Mates, at all times since its establish.
ment, has abstained and has sought to
restrain the citizens of the country! from
entering into controversies between "other
a . a ...
powers, anil to observe all the duties of
neutrality. At an early period of the Go
vernment, in the administration of Wash
ington, several laws were passed for this
purpose. The main provisions of these
laws, were re-enacted by the act of April,
1818, by which, amongst other things, it
was declared that if any person shall, with
in the territory or jurisdiction of the U.
States, begin, or set on foot, or provide,
or prepare the means for any militarv ex
pedition or enterprise to be carried on
from thence against the territory or domi
nion of any foreign prince or State, or of
any colony, district, or people with whom
the U. States are at peace, every person
so offending shall be deemed guility of a
high misdemeaner, and shall be fined, not
exceeding three thousand dollars, and
imprisoned not more than three vears. and
this law has been executed and "enforced,
to the full extent of the power of the Gov
ernment, from that day to this.
In proclaiming and adhering to the doc
trine of neutrality and non-intervention,
the U. States have not followed the lead
of other civilized nations, they have taken
the lead themselves, and have been follow
ed by others. This was admitted by one
of the most eminent of modern British
statesmen, who said in Parliament, while
a minister of the crown, "that, if he wish
ed for a guide in a system of neutrality,
he should take that laid down by America
in the days of Washington and . the sec
retaryship of Jefferson ;' and we see, in
fact, that the act of Congress of 1818 was
followed, the succefeding year, by an act
of the Parliament of England, substantial
ly the same in its general provisions.
Up to that time there had been no similar
law in fcngland, except certain highly
penal statutes passed iu the reign of
George II., prohibiting English subjects
r . i : . . : i r .
from enlisting in foreign service, the
avowed object of which statutes was. that
foreign armies, raised for the purpose of
restoring ine house ot iatuart to the
throne, should not be strengthened by
recruits from England herself.
All must see that difficulties may arise
in carrying the laws referred to into ex
ecution in a country now having three or
four thousand miles of seacoast, with an
infinite number of ports and harbors and
small inlets, from some of which unlawful
expeditions may suddenly set forth,
without the knowledge of Government,
against the possessions of foreign States.
Friendly relations with all, but entang
ling alliances, with none, has long been
maxim with us. Our true mission is not
to propagate our opinion, or impose upon
other countries our form of government,
by artifice or force, but to teach by ex
ample, and show by our success, modera
tion and justice, the blessings of self gov
ernment and the advantages of free insti
tutions. Let every people choose for
itself, and make and alter its political in
stitutions, to suit its own condition and
convenience. But, while we avow
and
maintain this neutral policy ourselves, we
are anxious to see the same forbearance
on the part of other nations, whose forms
of government are different from our own.
The deep interest which we feel in the
spread of liberal principles and the estab
lishment of free governments, and the
sympathy with which we witness every
struggle against oppression, forbid that
we should be indifferent to a casein which
the strong arm of a foreign power is invok
ed to stifle: public sentiment and repress
the spirit of freedom in any coantry.
The governments of Great Britan and
France have issued orders to their naval
commanders on the West India station
to prevent by force, if necessary, the land
ing of adventurers from any nation on the
Island of Cuba with hostile intent. The
copy of a memorandum of a conversation
on this subject between the Charged'
Affaires of her Britannic Majesty a4 the
Acting Secretary ot Staterand of a Subse
quent note of the former to the' Depart
ment of State, are herewith submitted, to
gether with a copy of a note of the Acting
Secretary of State to the Minister of the
French republic, and of the reply of the
latter, on the same subject. These pa
pers will acquaint you with the grounds
of this interposition of the two leading
commercial powers of Eumpe, and with
the apprehensions, which this Government
could not fail to entertain, that "such in
terposition, if carried into effect, might
lead to abuses in derogation of the
mari
time rights of the U.
States. The mari
time rights of the U. States are founded
on a firm, secure, and well defined basis;
they stand upon the ground of National
Independence and public law, and will
be maintained in all their full and just
extent.
The principle which this Government
has heretofore solemnly announced is still
adheres to, and will maintain under all
circumstances and at all hazard-. That
principle is that in every regularly docu
mented merchant vessel, the crew who
navigate it, and those on board of it, will
find their protection in the flag which is
over them. No American ship can be
allowed to be visited or searched for the
purpose of ascertainiug the character of
individuals on board, nor can there be
allowed any watch by the vessels of any
loreign nation over American vessels on
the coasts of the IT. States or the seas
adjacent thereto. It will be seen by the
last communication from the British
Charge d Affaires to the Department of
State, that he is authorized to assure the
Secretary of State that every care will be
taken that, in executing the preventive
measures against the expedition, which
the U. States Government itself has de
nounced a not bing entitled to the pro
tection of any government, no interference
shall take place with the lawful commerce
of any nation.
In addition to the correspondence on
this subject, herewith submitted, official
information has been received at the De
partment of State, of assurances by the
French government that, in the orders
given
to the French naval forces, they
were expressly instructed, in any opera
tions they might engage in, to respect the
flag of the U. States wherever it might
appear, and to commit no act of hostility
upon any vessel or armament under its
protection
Ministers and consuls of foreign nations
are the means and agents of communica
tion between us and those nations, and it
is of the utmost importance that, while
residing in the country, they should feel
a perfect security so long as they faith
fully discharge their respective duties and
are guilty of no violation of our laws
This is the admitted law of nations, and no
country has a deeper interest in maintain
ing it than the U. States. Our commerce
spreads over every sea and visits every
clime, and our ministers and consuls are
appointed to protect the interests of that
commerce, as well as to guard the peace
of the country and maintain the honor of
its flag. But how can they discharge these
duties unless they be themselves protected;
and, it protected, i must be by the laws
of the country in which they reside. And
what is due to our own public functiona
ries residing in foreign nations is exactly
the measure of what is due to the func
tionaries of other governments residing
here. As in war, the bearers of flags of
truce are sacred, or else wars would be
interminable, so in peace, embassadors,
public ministers, and consuls, charged
with friendlv national intercourse, are ob
jects of especial respect and protection.
each according to the rights belonging to
his rank and station. In view of these
important principles, it is with deep mor
tification and regret I announce to you
that, during the exci ement growing out
of the executions at Havana, the office of
her Catholic majesty's consul at New
Orleans was assailed by a mob, his proper
ty destroyed, the Spanish flag found in the
office carried off and torn ii pieces, and he
himself induced to flee for his personal
safety, which he supposed to be in danger.
On receiving intelligence of these events,
I forthwith directed the attorney of the U.
States residing at New Orleans'to inquire
into the facts and the extent of the pecu
niary loss sustained by the consul, with
the intention ot laying them before you,
that you might make provision for such in
demnity to him as a just regard for the
honor of the nation, and the respect which
is due to a friendly power might, in your
judgement, seem to require. The corres
pondence upon this subject between the
Secretary of State and her Catholic maj
esty's minister plenipotentiary is herewith
transmitted.
The occurrence at New Orleans bat led
me to give my attention to the state of
our Jaws in regard to foreign embassadors,
ministers, and consuls. I think the legis
lation of the country is deficient in not
providing sufficiently either for the protec
tion or the punishment of consuls I
therefore recommend the subject to the
consideration of Congress.
Yourattention is again invited to the
question of reciprocal trade between the
U. States and Canada and other British
possessions near our frontier. Overtures
for a convention upon this subject have
been received from her Britanic Majesty's
Minister Plenipotentiary, but it seems to
be in many respect- preferable that the
natter should be regulated by reciprocal
I legislation. Documents are (aid before
you showing the terms which the British
government is willing to offer, and the
measures which it may adopt, if some
arrangement upon this subject shall not be
made.
From the accompanying copy of a note
from the British Legation at Washington,
and the reply of the Departemnt of State
thereto, it will appear that her Britannic
Majesty's government is desirous that a
part of the boundary line between Oregon
and the British possessions should be au
thoritatively marked out; and that an in
tention was expressed to apply to Congress
for an appropriation to defray the expense
thereof on the part of the United States.
Your attention ta this subject is ac
cordingly invited, and a proper appropria
tion recommended.
A convention for the adjustment of
claims of citizens of the United States
against Portugal has been concluded, and
the ratifications have been exchanged.
The first enstalmentof the amount to be
paid by Portugal fell due on the 30th of
September last, and has been paid.
The President of the French republic,
according to the provisions of the conven
tion, has been selected as arbiter in the
case of the General Armstrong; and has
signified that he accepts the trust and the
high satisfaction he feels in acting as the
common friend of two nations, with which
France is united by sentiments of sincere
and lasting amity.
The Turkish government has expressed
its thanks for the kind reception given to
the Sultan's agent Amin Bey, on the oc
casion of his recent visit to the United
States. Ob the 28th of February last a
despatch was addressed by the Secretary
of State to Mr Marsh, the American Min
ister at Constantinople, instructing him to
ask of the Turkish government permission
for the Hungarians, then imprisoned with
in the dominions of the Sublime Porte, to
remove to this country. On the 3d of
March last both Houses of Congress passed
a resolution requesting the President to
authorize the employment of a public ves
sel to convey to this country Louis Kossuth
and his associates in captivity.
The instruction above referred to was
complied with, and the Turkish govern
ment having released Governor Kossuth
and his companions from prison, on the
10th of September last they embarked on
board of the United States steam-frigate
Mississippi, which was selected to carry
into effect the resolution of Congress.
Governor Kossuth left the Mississippi at
Gibraltar, for the purpose of making a
visit to England, and may shortly be ex
pected in New York. By communications
to the Department of State he has express
ed his grateful acknowledgments lor the
interposition of this Government in behalf
of himself and his associates. This coun
try has been justly regarded as a safe asy
lum for those whom political events have
exiled from their own homes in Europe ;
and it is recommended to Congress to con
sider in what manner Governor Kossuth
and his companions, bro tght hither by its
authority, shall be received and treated.
It is earnestly to be hoped that the dif
ferences which have for some time past
been pending between the government of
the French republic and that of the Sand
wich Islands, may be peaceably and dura
bly adjusted, so as to secure the indepen
dence of those islands Long before the
events which have of late imparted so much
importance to the possessions of the United
States on the Pacific, we acknowledged
the independence ot the Hawaiian govern
ment. This Government was first in tak
ing that step, and several of the leading
powers of Europe immediately followed.
We were influenced in this measure bv the
existing and prospective importance of the
islands as a place of refuge and refresh
ment for our vessels engaged in the whale
fishery, and by the consideration that they
lie in the course of the great trade which
must, at no distant day. be carried on be
tween the western coast of North America
and Eastern Asia.
We were also influenced by a desire that
those islands should not pass under the
control of any other great maritime State,
but should remain in an independent con
dition, and so be accessible and useful to
the commerce of all nations. I need not
say that the importance of these considera
tions has been greatly enhanced by the
sudden and vast development which the
interests of the United. States have attain
ed in California and Oregon ; and the
policy heretofore adopted in regard to those
islands win oe steadily pursued.
It is gratifying not only to those who
consider the commercial interests of na
tions, but also to all who favor the progress
of knowledge and the diffusion of religion,
to see a community emerge from a savage
state and attain such a degree of civiliza
tion in those distant seas.
It is much to be deplored that the inter
nal tranquility of the Mexican republic
should again be seriously disturbed; for,
since the peace between that republic and
the United States, it had employed such
comparative repose that the most favorable
anticipations for the future might, with a
degree of confidence, have been indulged.
These, however, have been thwarted by
the recent outbreak in the State of
Tamaulipas. on the right bank of the Rio
Bravo. Having received information that
persons from the United States had taken
part in the insurrection, and apprehend
ing that their example might be followed
by others, I caused orders to be issued for
the purpose of preventing any hostile ex
peditions against Mexico from being set
on foot in violation of the laws of the
United States. I likewise issued a pro
clamation upon the subject, a copy of which
j is herewith laid before you. This appear
ed to be rendered imperative by the obli-
! gations of treaties and the general duties
ot good neighborhood.
Id my last annual message I informed Congress
that citizens of the U. States had undertaken the
connexion of the two oceans by means of a rail-
! road across the Isthmus of Tehauntepec, under
j a grant ot ine Mexican government to a citizen
of that republic; and that this enterprise would
prooaoiy oe prosecuted wiin energy whenever
exico should consent to such stipulations with
the government of the U. States asshould impart
a feeling of security to those who should invest
their property in the enterprise.
A convention between the two governments
for the accomplishment of that end has been rati
fied by this government, and only awaits the de
cision of the Congress and the Executive of that
republic.
Some unexpected difficulties and delays have
arisen in the ratification of that convention by
Mexico, but it is to be presumed that her deci
sion will be governed by just and enlightened
views, as well of the general importance of the
object, as of her own interest and obligations.
In negotiating upon this important subject,
this government has had in view one, and only
one, object. That object has been, and is, the
construction or attainment, of a passage from
ocean to ocean, tb shortcut a.d the best for
travellers and merchandise, and equally open to
all the world. It has sought to obtain no terri
torial acquisition, nor any advantages peculiar
to itself; and it would see with the -ire test re
gret that Mexico should oppose any obstacle to
the accomplishment of an enterprise which pro
mises so much convenience to the whole com
mercial world, and such eminent advantages to
M exico herself. Impressed with these senti
ments and these convictions, the government will
continue to exert all proper efforts to bring
about the necessary arrangement with the repub
lic of Mexico for the speedy completion of the
work.
For some months past the republic of Nicar
agua has been the theatre of one of those civil
convulsions, from which the cause of free insti
tution.?, and the general prosperity and social
progress of the States of Central America have so
often and so severely suffered. Until quiet shall
have been restored, and a government apparently
stable shall have been organized, no advance can
prudently be made in disposing of the questions
pending between the two countries.
I am happy to announce that an inter-oceanic
communication from the mouth of the St John
to the Pacific has been so far accomplished as
that passengers have actually traversed it, and
merchandise has been actually transported over
it; and when the canal shall have been complet
ed according to the original plan, the means of
communication will be further improved.
It is understood that a co.widerable part of the
railroad across the Isthmus of Panama has been
completed, and that the mail and passengers will
in niture De conveyed thereon.
Whichever of the several , routes between the
two oceans may ultimately jprove most eligible
for travellers to and from the different States on
the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and our coast on
the Pacific, there is little reason to doubt that
all of them will be useful to the public, and will
liberally reward that individual enterprise, by
which alone they have been or are expected to be
carried into eflect. i
Peace has been concluded between the con
tending parties in the Islandof St. Dmingo,and
it is hoped upon a durable basis. Such is the
extent of our commercial relations with that
Island, that the U. States Cannot fail to feel a
strong interest in its tranquility.
The office of Commissioini to China remains
unfilled ; several persons hve been appointed,
and the place has been offered to others, all of
whom have declined its acceptance on the ground
of the inadequacy of the cotnpens.it ion. The an
nual allowance bv law is $6,000, and there is no
provision for any outfit. ' I earnestly recommend
the consideration of this subject to Congress
Our commerce with China is highly important,
and is becoming more and more so, in conse
quence of the increasing intercourse between our
ports on the Pacific coast &. eastern Asia. China
is understood to be a country in which living is
very expensive, and I know of no reason whv the
American Commissioner sent thither should not
he placed, in regard to compensation, on an equal
footing with ministers who represent this coun
try at the couits of Europe.
By reference to the report of the Sec'y of the
Treasury, it will be seen that the aggregate re
ceipts for the last fiscal year amounted to $52,
312,979 87; which, with the balance in the Trea
sury on the 1st July, IS50, gave, as the available
means for the year, the sum of $58,917,524 36.
The total expenditures for the same period
were $48,005,878 68.
The total imports for the vear ending 30th June
18.11, were $213,725,995
Of which there were in specie 4,967,101
The exports for the same period
were $217,517,130
Of which there were of
domestic products $17S,546.553 '
For'gn goods re-exported 9,739,693
Specie 29,231,880
$217,317,130
Since the 1st Dec. last the payments in cash
on account of the public debt, exclusive of inter
est, have amounted to S7.501.456 56; which,
however, includes the sum of S3.242.400 paid un
der the 12th article of the treaty with Mexico,
and the further sum of $2,391,213 45, being the
amount of awards to American citizens under
the late treaty with Mexico, for which the issue
of stock was authorized, but which was paid in
cash from the Treasury.
The public debt on the 20th ult, exclusive of
the stock authorized to be issued toTex..s by the
act of 9th September, 1S50, was $62,560,395 26
The receipts for the next fiscal year are esti
mated at $51,500,000, which, with the probable
unappropriated balance in the Treasury, on the
30th June next, will give, as the probable avail
able means for that year, the sum of $63,258,743.
It has been deemed pioper, in I view of the large
expenditures consequent Upon tfre acquisition of
territory from Mexico, that the estimates for
the next fiscal year should be laid before Con
gress in such manner as to distinguish the expen
ditures so required from the otherwise ordinary
demands upon the Treasury.
The total expenditures for the next fiscal year
are eatimated at $42,892,299 19, of which there
is required for the ordinary purposes of the gov
ernment, other than those consequent upon the
acquisition of our new territories, and deducting
the payments on account of the public debt, the
sum of $33,343,198 S8; and for the purposes con
nected directly or indirectly with those terri
tories, and in the fulfillment of the obligations
of the government, contracted in consequence of
their acquisition, the sum of $9,549,101 11.
If the views of the Sec'y of the Treasury in re
ference to the expenditures required for these
territorins shall be met by corresponding action
on the part of Congress, and appropriations made
in accordance therewith, there will be an esti
mated unappropriated balance in the Treasur
on the 30th June, 1853, of $20,366,443 90,
wherewith to meet that portion of the public
debt due on the 1st July following, amounting to
$6,237,931 35, as well as any appropriations
which may be made beyond the estimates.
In thus referring to the estimated expendi
tures on account of our newly-acquired territo
ries, I may express the hope that Congress will
concur with me in the desire that a liberal course
of policy may be pursued towards them, and that
every obligation, express or implied, entered in
to in consequence of their acquisition, shall be
fulfilled by the most liberal appropriations for
that purpose. '
The values of our domestic exports for the last
fiscal year, as compared with those of the previ
ous year, exhibit an increase of $43,6 16,322. At
first view this condition of our trade with foreig
nations woold seem to present the most nattering
hopes of its future prosperity. An examination
of the details of our exports, however, will snow
that the increased value of our exports for tn
last fiscal year is to be found in the high Pf
of cotton which prevailed during the first half oi
that year, which price has since declined abous
one-half. ,
The value of our exports of breadstuff ana
provisions, which it was supposed the incentive
of a low tariff and large importations from abroaa
would have greatly augmented, has fallen from
$68,701, 921 in 1S47, to $26,031,373 in 16S0,M
to $21,943,653 in 1851, with a strong probabili
ty, amounting almost to a certainty, of a still
further reduction in the current year.
The aggregate values of rice exported during
the last fiscal year as compared with the P
ous year, also exhibit a decrease amounting to
$460,917, which, with decline in the values of
the exports of tobacco for the same period, make
an aggregate decrease in these two articles of
$1,156,751. , .
The policy which dictated alow rate of duties
on foreign merchandise, it was thought by those
who promoted and established it, would tend to
benefit the farming population of this country,
by increasing the demand and raising the price of
agricultural products in foreign markets.
The foregoing facts, however, seem to show
incontestiblj that no such result has followed
the adoption of this policy. On the contrary,
notwithstanding tfie repeal of the restrictive corn
laws in England, the foreign demand for the pro
ducts of the American farmer has steadily de
clined, since the short crops and consequent fa
mine in a portion of Europe have been happily
replaced by full crops and comparative abund
ance of food. t i
It will be seen by recurring to the commercial
statistics for the past year, that the value of our
domestic exports has been increased in the sin
gle item of raw cotton by $4C,000.000 over the
value of that exported for the year preceding.
This is not due to any increased general demand
for that article, but to the short crop of the pre
ceding year, which created an increased demand
and an augmented price for the crop of last year.
Should the cotton crp now going forward to
market be only equal iu quantity to that of the
year preceding, and be sold at the present prices,
then there would be a falling off in the value of
our exports for the piesent fiscal year of at least
$40,000,000. compared with the amount export
ed tor the year ending 30th June, 1851.
The production of gold in California for the
past year seems to promise a large supply of that
metal frm that quarter for some time to come.
This laige nnnn:l increase of the currency of the
world must be attended with its usual results.
These have already been partially disclosed in
the enhancement of prices and a rising spirit of
speculation and adventure, tending to overtrad
ing, as well at home as abroad. Unless some
salutary check shall begiven to these tendencies,,
it is to be feared that importations of foreign
goods beyond a healthy demand in this country
will lead to a sudden drain of the precious me
tals from us, bringing vtjth it, as it has done in
former times, the most disastrous consequences
to the business and capital of the American peo
ple. The exports of specie to liquidate our foreign
debt during the past fiscal year have been $24,
263,979 over the amount of specie imported.
The exports of specie during the first quarter of
the present fiscal year have been $14,651,827.
Should specie continue to be exported at this
rate tor the remaining three quarters of this
year, it will drain from our metallic currency
duiiiig the year ending 30th June, 1352, the
enormous ..mount of $5S',607,30S.
In the present prosperous condition of the na
tional finances, it w ill become the duty of Con
gress to consider the best mode of paying off the
public debt. If the pre.-ent and anticipated sur
plus in the Treasury should not be absorbed bv
appropriations of an extraordinary character, this
surplus should he employed in such way, and un
der such restrictions as Congress may enact, in.
extinguishing the outstanding debt of the nation.
By reference to the act of Congress approved
9th Sept. 1S50. it will be seen that in considera
tion of certain concessions by the State of Texas,
it is provided that the "V. States shall pay to the
State of Texas the sum of $ 1 0,000.000, in 'a stock
bearing 5 per cent, interest, and redeemable at
the end of 14-yeais, the interest p.iyahle half
yearly, at the Treasury of the United States."
In the same section of the law it is further pro
vided " that no more than five millions of said
stock shall be issued until the creditors of the
Stae holding hoods and other certificates of
stock of Texas, for which duties on import were
specially pledged, shall fust file at the Treasury
of the U. States releases of all claims against the
U. States, for or on account of said bonds or cer
tificates, in such torm as shall be prescribed by
the Sec'y of the Treasury, and approved by the
President of the United States."
The form of release thus provided for has been
prescribed by the Sec'y ..f the Treasury and ap
proved. It b.s been published in all the leading ,
newspapers in the commercial cities of the U. S,
and all oersons holding claims of the kind speci
lied in the foregoing proviso were required to
file their releases (in the form thus prescribed)
in the Treasury of the U. S., on or before the 1st
of Octaber, ls5t Although this publication ha
been continued from the 25th March. 151, yet
up to the 1st Oct. List comparatively few release
had been filed by the creditors of Texas.
The autharities of the State of Texas, at the
request of the Sec y of the Treasury, have fur
nished a schedule of the public debt of that St.de
created prior to her admission into the Union,
with a copy of the laws under which each class
wis contracted.
I have. frm the documents furnished bv the
Stale .f Texas, determined the classes of ciaiu.s
which in my judgment f.ill within the provisions
ot the act of Congress of the 9th of Sept 1850
On being officially informed oftheacceptai.ee
by rixas of the proposition contained in the act
referred to, I caused the stock to be prepared,
and the live millions which are to be issued un
conditionally, bearing an interest of 5 per cent,
from the 1st of Jan'y, 151. have been lor some
time re . dy to be delivered to the State ot Texas.
The autuonties of Texas, up to the present time,
have not authorized any one to receive this
stock, and it remains in the Treasury Depart
ment, subject to the order .f Texas.
Th "I", required by law to be deposited
in the Treasury, not having been filed there, the
remaining five millions he not been issued.
Ibis last amount of the stock will be withheld
from Texas until the conditions upon which it is
to be delivered shall b complied with by the
creditors of that State, unless Congreas shall
otherwise direct by a modification of the law
In my last annu-1 message, to which I respect,
fully refer, I stated briefly the reasons which in
duced me to recommend a modification of the
present tarifl. by converting the ad valorem into
a specific duty, whenever the article imported
was of such a character as to permit it, and that
such a discrimination should be made in favor of
the industrial pursuits ot our own country, as to
encourage home production without excluding
foreign competition.
The numerous frauds which continue to be
practised upon the revenue by flse invoices and
undervaluations, constitute an unanswerable rea
son for adopting specific instead of ad valorem
duties in all cases where the nature of the com
modity does not forbid it. A striking illustra
tion of these frauds will be exhibited in the Re
port of the Sec'y of the Treasury, showing the
custom-house valuation of the articles imported
under a former law subject to specific duties,
when there was no inducement to undervalua
tion, and the custom house valuations of the
same articles, under the present system of ad
valorem duties, so greatly reduced as tj leave no
doubt of the existence of the most flagrant abuses
under the existing laws. This practical evasion
of the present law, combined with the languish
ing condition of &ome of the great interests of
the country, caused by over importations and
consequent depressed prices, and with the failure
in obtaining a foreign market for our increasing
surplus of breadstufls and provisions, has induced
me again to recommend a modification of the
existing tariff.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,