The Sun. — London, England, 1841-01-12 00:00:00

Vk:NIN(Ir EDITION PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. the following following is the Message of the President 11 igesi the U nited State s t o th e t wo H ouses of Con -01 th e ' a ' the commencement of the Second Session F R/ Twenty -Sixth Congress : ',437-CITIZENS OF THE SENATE, , Ok„ ANA HOU SE OF R EPRESENTATIFES,-- l'l4. d ev out gratitud e i s d ue to t h e Supreme Being for te a , - g graciously continued to our beloved country, 4 gli the vicissitudes of another year, the invaluable sthis t, o l4l nga of health, plenty, and peace. Seldom has sers ti e r ed land been so generally exempted from the ravages e Ise ale, or the labour of the husbandman more amply c le oa: t _,:c l ; and never before have our relations with other isle i." 3 been placed on a more favourable basis than that affairstbeeethe so happily' occupy at this critical conjuncture in ste le of the world, A rigid and persevering . abd polit°ce from all interference with the domestic an geni us relations of other States, alike slue to the Me ua and distinctive character of our Government Obse,,iteseteeo prineiples by which it is directed; a faithful ti es& e ' ill the management of our . foreign rela ...Lev' °I ., the practice of speaking . plainly, dealing this b allet requiring truth and justice in return,. as Strict itn est co nservatives of the peace of nations ; a eoracee Partiality in our manifestations of friendship, in the fr or , ottLeial privileges we concede, and those we require ' Ito niai 7ers--tlaese, accompanied by a disposition as prompt re fain rs th in, in every emergency, our own rights, as we a lave pO i teiPle averse to the invasion of those of . others, 111 5 e ''' lv eu to our country and Government a standing in te,erreat f amily - of nations of which we have just cause to te r v ei e t licl, and the advantages of which are experienced . e y tea eke"a throughout every portion of the earth to t w h h e i m h fee, if to and adventurous spirit may ca f rry otis.t. . t iiiieraqs remain inseasible to the value of our friendship, l a i d I/ whi el e i t !t of the terms on which it can be acquired, 4 serio n t ca n alone: be preser ve d. inatte ent. of questions of long standing , difficult in their ,a ri a b t , and , mportant in their consequences, in which ler e a d R . of oc..r citizens and the honour of the country ; 1 1e let , e 4'4)11 involved, have, in the course of a few years lirtir : 4° ,at them during the successful administration of telt) -e""ate predecessor), been brought to a sansfac l tory ,„.. : ai l on, and the most of those remaining are, sat a is m . 0 believe, in a fair way of being speedily and `tai all i s t ' th all the Powers of the world our relations are those 14: 't°urable Peace. Since your adjournment nothing ' es has Occurred to interrupt or threaten this desirable ti e Te. „ It clouds have lowered above the other hemis ttrkeh(liPPY ' "eY have not cast their portentous shadows upon I, shores. Bound by no entangling alliances, yet ion s r a cornet - ion nature and interest with the other na r Pea c e - mankind, our aspirations are for the preservation arti ei -e "rl whose solid and civilizing triumphs all may 0 eepte Wall a generous emulation.. Yet it behoves us sa ita r i r ePaxed for any event, and to be always ready to . ce ll Thoae just and enlightened principles of national dd ie e th r ;ltse, for which this Government has ever conten og e a , 8 85 0 1,!uock of contending empires it is only v b ti v h as d su e m fe i nsive 1 tre iou `e bearing, and clothing themselves s . . aira i I ' , that neutral nations can maintain their independent I 0 te Ti le , vers„ e, citeme n t which grew out of the territorial contro le s"etween the United States and Great Britain having Ptre i g t l'd,at measure subsided , it hopes ', that a favourable °ars, i s approaching for its final settlement. Both Ge lb, ' r ats must now be convinced of the dang . ers with which la ti: ll ';estion is fraught ; and it must be their desire, as . it alis ti v i ;r interest, that tbie perpetual cause of irritation ate s IQ , he removed as speedily as practicable. In my last e ee l ss . 1 0.„ eiessage you were informed that the proposi- V a ‘ - e , l a commission of exploration and survey pro- Po en ; b y Gr eat B r i ta i n had been received, and that a and 4' project, including also a provision f or th e certa i n r ere tas:`„attiti. stment of the limits in di s p u t e , was t h en be ewer reritish Government for its consideration, The OtePo s i ti ° o f that G overnment, accompanied by additional Mate,. he re of its own , was received, through its Ml considere' ghee your separation. These were promptly ill s " eon • ' s uch as were deemed correct i n principle, -11 ited si tet tt With a d ue regar d to the just rights of the. , ltd the at es and o f t h e State of Maine, concurred in ad ditio a r , e asons for dissenting from the residue, with an atre..“4`^suggestion on our part, communicated by the mg f 4i l "Y of State to Mr. Fox. That Minister, not feel_ ( IT el,r aufEcEently instructed upon some of the points Ilse( in tne di scussion,felt it to be his duty to refer the ll as . ' e - „, t° his own Government for its farther decision. 'reee l e no his been for some time under its advisement, a weltsra ewera may be confidently expected. From the tie tibt ec r .the points still in difference, and the en tlia earl disposition of both parties to bring the matter to orebtY co nclusion, I look with entire confidence t . o a rhr e a - rsttncl satisfactory termination of the negotiation. Jourat;‘'°Mmissioners were appointed shortly after the ad /tovieirietrof Congress, under the Act of last Session ,Ilair sta - IL i or the exploration and survey of the line which '4 e /3 a t he States of Maine and New Hampshire from rie 11 "til 8.4 provinces • they have been actively employed t ,he seti:e'r Progress Was interrupted by the inclemency of "eabi: era and will resume their labours as soon as prac ,, It : in the ensuing year. '4o 'S ttnde;stood that their respective examinations will t ‘w te ll e " light upon the subject in controversy, and serve Salee:, any erroneous impressions which may have been tet ' l4 u/here prejudicial to the rights of the United le at '. It , „ was, among other reasons, with a view of pre -4 G s ' 'e e mbarrassments which in our peculiar system e , overe se ' • 04 ine te - "ent, impede and complicate negotiations in.. rilly duty,' "'o t erritorial rights of a State, that I thought it ti as , Mop to Dm ) 0 4 have been informed on a previous occa sister -'ai'-P°Se tO the British Government, through its trettl,ttat tbe to points of difference on the line of boundary tvest,,,r4e entrance of Lake Superior to the most North ! N D - i t Point of the Lake of the Woods, by the arbitra :"eele alriendlY Power, in conformity with the seventh ' te rtlec i 3 ' the thereat, of ' Ghent. No answer has yet been i With by British Government to this proposition. aa „ Austria, France, Prussia, Russia, and the remain ti vela , . ' lle'as e a r s °I . Europe I happy to inform you our rela ibeig.asllntairl.l-15 to he of the most friendly character.. With • . et a ) . treaty of commerce and navigation, based upon IA 11 , 1 ,_: Pri ociple s of reciprocity and equality, was concluded e'Per-erea.h*___l4.Bt will having been ratified by the Belgian _ Cory of .'nti be dt , ,,y laid before the Senate. I . !s e a ter,tY at e"gratuestion that it provides for the satisfa - e JesteiCult of °b at s ; thus - a long standing question of contro teJnet the removing the only obstacle which could s 4 rae b etty friendly and mutually advantageous inhteeern at 14..01,0 w it h the two nations. A messenger has th e t e et t ill - with the Hanoverian treaty to Berlin, w where, i 4 tee . g t 9 l s tipulation, the ratifications are to be ex -4a 4 'l Bela I am happy to announce to you that, after v s l gatio; i Ye e and difficulties . , a treaty of commerce and 14 eeladed between the United States and Portugal was 1 b and signed at Lisbon, on the 26th of August le e . Y th e p i . tv"pni,tin.,_ ep apotentiaries of the two Governments. L k lib et ._,`a . us are rounded upon . those principles of mu- States eirt,! always: (i tY and advantage which . the United .. . t 4 1, sought to make the basis of their intercourse t e cer :L e i go Powers, and it is hoped they will tend to re e _ .. and sir en i ti %stories, gtnen the commercial intercourse of the es 'der th 4 4, n t , e a ppropriation of the last session of Congress, ' egaia s ,a - i. eaa been sent to Germany for the purpose of pro „ Th e r,tne interests of our tobacco trade. '43 ;Id': "rttniSSlOnerE appointed under the convention for l ' A Po e siltl,il:tnient of Claims of citizens of the United States lei 11c ° having met and organized at Washington, in itt at last h b 4t t 0 ,.. n , t e paper s in the possession of theGotovetrhne era. ‘` l to those claims, were communicated are " menthe The claims not embraced by that convention subsect nf -- negotiation between the two Govern tialeothitibroiugh the medium of our Minister at Mexico. I n es ai.,g has occurred to disturb the harmony of our rela- R , "n, the different Governments of South America. li ‘) o t . t) ins e e t ' it u i °_w en ever, to be obliged to inform you that the ,•laims blB ' Yet e e z $ upon the late republic of C . olombia . h . ay.et I:kt,ri'vell satisfied by the Governments into which i '4, resolved, ilteetiouehantse d'Affaires of Brazil having expressed the f th ':B, i t s_°llaie Government not to prolong the Treaty on ~ 12,1;1111 cease to be obligatory upon either pa y s ve c s 4 atbe sei i l lay of December, 1841, when the exten i _ eat ~,r . a' intercourse between the United States and bee t el will no longer be regulated by express It „e 4, a. G e , ord se , n e'ernm e s en° Neasere to communicate to you that the iffs'ra reify of Chili has entered into an agreement to i' a r k tTeii t ile claimants in the . case of . the Alaccdoaian ~c r rha t . e att property seized in 1819 , and to add, that t of a n es. ' , c4l has also been received which justifies the hope " vO..ve.tu,,,'''Y adjustment of the remaining claims upon that T h • , ient. i\ta t ,• C ommissioners appointed in pursuance of the cen t th On betvveen the United States and Texas, for marking De e 'unitary between them, have, according to the last re lalirsthreeeived from our Commissioner, surveyed and esta welted the whole extent of the boundary north along . the Gai r e rn bank of the Sabine river, from its entrance into the torehYsMexico to the 32d d egree o f nort h l at i tu d e . Th e ssaii:i mon adjourned on the 16th of June last, to re-assem lili h .e on the Ist of November, for the purpose of eats tleglelng accurately the intersection of the thirty-second see t e h e of latitude with the western bank of the Sabine, terstee meridian line thence to the Red river. It is pre v that the work will be concluded in the present season. tes ta e Present sound condition of their finances, and the ti ree .4e w ith which embarrassments in regard to them, at matters aPParently insurmountable, have been overcome, are -1 11't e , r d e uPon which the people and Government of the s e i tir ea S tates may well congratulate themselves. s . An '''ltleat)eg treasury, however it may be regarded as an h l'er tair e of public prosperity, is seldom conducive . to t e 441_1:lent welfar e of any people; and experience . has ofh_vastrated its income satibility with the salutary action Naa r iitical ,institutions like those of the United States. tlte,ell'eat reliance for financial efficiency and indepen- Ne t , r e asi on the contra ry, been found to consist in ample the Fade; ees tinencumberec I with debt ; and, in this respect, kie tral Governmen ; occupies a singularly fortunate v h " Y enviahle posith in. t hei e , el t. I entered up( ,n the discharge of my . . offic . ial te 4 March, 1837', the Act for the distribution eti ou e tsar revenue • was in a course of rapid exe th' publi c . Nearly twent y-eight millions of dollars of Keee Money s wer e i pursuance of its rovisions, de l',ll,l itimi,,witlyhe States ' ili n the months of January, , April, - sap til s , oi that year. In May there occurrec a general '"iti l v ''nri of speciepay merits . by the banks, including, e vt ete e e e r Y few exceptions, these in which the public moneys '44 eSi P°Si ted, and upoi a whose fidelity the Goveinment a W s li , ie s h he r a tu b n e a e t n el o Y made i 'self dependent for the revenues ts able f__ ~collected from the people, and were indis- I;L'aes iii ha th e public se trice. This suspension, and ex -1,141i saer d_nK , es and con inaerce out of which it arose, and Ilea N at ''' greatly aggr; ivated by . its . occurrence, made, mot e'ttent, unavailable the principal part of the pub_ 111 111; I °Y then in hand • suspended the collection of many `le e ' ° ns a ce , • l . ee th ,, . umg on merchants' bonds , ( Ms ,`„,',revenue arising from customs and the public gre e r, 4 ncsc effects hut, continued to operate, in various i• e ,, o, to , the present peeiod ; and in addition to the dal e'l'as of li d tun revenue thus produced two and a half mi - Utie s have been relinquished by two biennial re ductions under the Act of 1833, and probably as much more upon the importation of iron for railroads, by special legislation. . . . - While such has bee❑ our condition for the last four years in relation to revenue, we have, during the same pe riod, been subjected to en unavoidable continuance of large extraordinary expenses necessarily growing out of past transactions, and which could not be immediately ar rested without great prejudice to the public interest. Of these, the charge upon the Treasury, in consequence of the Cherokee Treaty alone, without adverting to others arising out of Indian treaties, has already exceeded five millions of dollars; that for the prosecution of measures for the removal of the Seminole Indians, which were found in progress, has been nearly fourteen millions ; and the public buildings have required the unusual sum of nearly three millions. It affords me, however, great pleasure to be able to say that from the commencement of this period to the present day, every demand upon the Government, at home or abroad, has been promptly met. This has been done, not only without creating a permanent debt, or a resort to ad ditional taxation in any form, but in the midst of a steadily progressive reduction of existing burdens upon the people, leaving still a considerable balance of available funds which will remain in the Treasury at the end of the year. The small amount of Treasury notes, not exceeding four and a half millions still, outstanding, and less by twenty three millions than the United States have in deposit with the States, is composed of such only as are not yet due, or have not been presented for payment. They may be redeemed out of the accruing revenue, if the expendi tures do not exceed the amount within which they may, it is thought, be kept without prejudice to the public le_ terest, and the re - venue shall prove to be as largt., as may be justly anticipated. Among the reflections ar-itink from the contemplation of these circumstances, one, not the least gratifying, is the consciousness that the Government had the resolution and the ability to adhere, in every emergency, to the sacred obligation of law; to execute all its contracts according to the requirements of the Constitution ; and thus to present, when most needed, a rallying point by which the business of the whale country might be brought back to a safe and unvarying standard—a result vitally important as well to the interests as to the morals of the people. There can surely now be no difference of opinion in regard to the incalculable evils that would have arisen if the Government, at that critical moment, had suffered itself to be deterred from upholding the only true standard of value, even by the pressure of adverse circumstances, or the violence of un merited denunciation. The manner• in which the people sustained the performance of this duty was highly honour able to their fortitude and patriotism. It cannot fail to stimulate their agents to adhere, under all circumstances, to the line of duty ; and to satisfy them of the safety with which a course really right, and demanded by a financial crisis, may in a community like ours, be pursued, however apparently severe its immediate operation. The policy of the Federal Government. it extinguishing as rapidly as possible the national debt, and, subsequently, In resisting every temptation to estate a new one, deserves to be regarded in the same favourable light. Among the many objections to a national debt, the certaie tendency of public securities to concentrate ultimately in the coffers of foreign stockholders, is one which is every day gatherinr , strength. Already have the resources of many of the States, and the future industry of their citizens, been in definitely mortgaged to the subjects of European Govern ments to the amount of twelve millions annually, to pay the constantly accruing interest on borrowed money—a sum exceeding half the ordinary revenues of the whole United States. The pretext which the relation affords to foreigners to scrutinize the management of otir domestic affairs, if not actually to intermeddle with them, presents a subject for earnest attention, not to say of serious alarm. Fortunately the Federal Government, with the exception of an obligation entered into in behalf of the 'district of Colombia, which must soon be diseharged, is wholly exempt from any such embarrassment. It is also, as is believed, the only Government which, having fully and faithfully paid all its 'creditors, has also relieved itself en tirely from debt. To maintain a distinction so desirable, and so honourable to our national character, should be an object of earnest solicitude. Never should a free people, if it be possible to avoid it, expose themselves to the necessity of having to treat of the peace, the honour, or the safety of the Republic, with the Governments of foreign creditors, who a however well dis posed they may be to cultivate with us in general friendly relations, are nevertheless by the law of their own eendi tion, made hostile to the success and permateanq of poli tical institutions like ours. Most hemillating may be the embarrassments consequent upon such a condition. Another objection, scarcely less formidable, to the coms mencement of a new debt, is the inevitable tendency to increase in magnitude, and to foster national extrava gance. He has been an unprofitable 'observer of events, who needs at this day to be admonished of the difficulties which a Government, habitually dependent on loans to sustain its ordinary expenditures, has to encounter in res. sisting the influences constantly exerted in favour of ad ditional loans ; by capitalists who enrich themselves by Government securities for amounts much exceeding the money they actually advance—a prolific source of indivi dual aggrandizement in all borrowing countries ; by stock holders, w h o see k t h e i r ga i ns i n t h e r i se an d tall of pu bli c stocks, and by the selfish importunities of applicants fot appropriations for works avowedly for the accommodation of the public, but the real objects of which are, too fre quently, the advancement of private interests. The known necessity which so many of the States will be under to impose taxes for the payment of the interest on their debts, furnishes an additional and very cogent reason why the Federal Government should refrain from creating a national debt, by which the people would be exposed to double taxation for a similar object. We possess within ourselves ample resources for every emergency ; and we may be quite sure that our citizens, in no future exigency, will be unwilling to supply the Government with all the means asked for the defence of the country. In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its limited range of constitutional duties may certainly, under such circumstances, be performed without such a resort. It has, it is seen, been avoided during four years of greater fiscal difficulties than have existed in a similar period since the adoption of the constitution, and one also remarkable for the occurrence of extraordinary causes of expenditure. But, to accomplish so desiralile an object, two things are indispensable; first, that the action of the Federal Government be kept within the boundaries prescribed by its founders ; and, secondly, that all appropriations fur objects admitted to be constitutional, and the expenditure of them also, be subjected to a standard of rigid but well considered and practical economy. The first depends chiefly on the people themselves, the opinions they form of the tree construction of the constitution, and the confi dence they repose in the political sentiments of those they select as their representatives in the Federal Legislature ; the second rests upon the fidelity with which their more immediate representatives, and other public functionaries, discharge the trusts committed to them. The duty of economising the expenses of the public service is admitted on all bands; yet there are few sub jects upon which there exists a wider difference of opinion than is constantly manifested in regard to the fidelity with which that duty is discharged. Neither diversity of senti ment, nor even mutual recriminations, upon a point in re spect to which the public mind is so justly sensitive, can well be entirely avoided ; and least so at periods of great political excitement. An intelligent people, however, seldom fail to arrive, in the end, at correct conclusions in such a matter. Practical economy in the management of public affairs can have no adverse influence to contend with more powerful than a large surplus revenue ; and the unusually large appropriations for 1837 may, without doubt, independently of the extraordinary requisitions for the public service growing out of the state of our Indian relations, be, in no inconsiderable degree, traced to this source. The sudden and rapid distribution of the large surplus then in the Treasury, and the equally sudden and unprecedentedly severe revulsion in the commerce and business of the country, pointing with unerring certainty to a great and protracted reduction of the revenue, strengthened the propriety of the earliest practicable re duction of the public expenditures. But to change a system operating upon so large a sur face, and applicable to such numerous and diversified in- terests and objects, was more than the work of a day. The attention of every department of the Government was immediately, and in good faith, directed to that end ; and has been so continued to the present moment. The estimates and appropriations for the year 1838 (the first over which I had any control) were somewhat diminished. The expenditures of 1839 were reduced six millions of dollars. Those of 1840, (exclusive of disbursements for public debt and trust claims, will probably not exceed twenty-two and a half millions; beirg between two and three millions less than those of the preceding year, and Rine or ten millions less than those of 1537. Nor has it been found necessary, in order to produce this result, to resort to the power conferred by Congress, of postponing certain classes of the public works, except by deferring expenditures for a short period, upon a limited portion of them ; and which postponement terminated some time since, at the moment the Treasury Depart ment, by farther receipts, from the indebted banks, be came fully assured of its ability to meet them without prejudice to the public service in other respects. Causes are in operation, which will, it is believed, justify a still further reduction, without injury to any important na tional interest. The expenses of sustaining the troops employed in Florida have been gradually and greatly reduced, through the persevering efforts of the War Department ; and a reasonable hope may be enter. tained that the necessity for military operations in that quarter will soon cease. The removal of the Indians from within our settled borders i 3 nearly completed. The pension list, one of the heaviest charges upon the Treasury, is rapidly diminishing by death. The roost costly of our public buildings are either finished or nearly so ; and we may, I think, safely promise ourselves a continued exemp tion from border difficulties. The available balance in the Treasury on the first of January next is estimated at ono million and a half of dollars. This sum, with the expected receipts from all sources during the next year, will, it is believed, be suffi cient to enable the Government to meet every engage. ment, and leave a suitable balance in the Treasury at the end of the year, if the remedial measures connected with the customs and the public lands, heretofore recommended, shall be adopted, and the new appropriations by Congress shall not carry the expenditure beyond the official estimates. The new system established by Congres, for the safe • keeping of the public money, prescribing the kind of cur rency to be received for the public revenue, and providing additional guards and securities against losses, has now been several months in operation. Although it might be premature, upon an experience of such limited duration, to form a definite opinion in regard to the extent of its influences in correcting many evils under which the Federal Government and the country have hitherto suffered, especially those that have grown out of banking expansions, a depreciated currency, and offi.. cial defalcations, yet it is but right to say that nothing has occurred in the practical operation of the system to weaken in the slightest degree, but much to strengthen the confident anticipations of its friends. The grounds of these have been heretofore so fully explained as to require no reca pitulation. In respect to the facility and convenience it affords THE IN, LONDON, TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1841. in conducting the public service, and the ability of the Go vernment to discharge through its agency every duty at tendant on the collection, transfer, and disbursement of the public money with promptitude and success, I can say with confidence that the apprehensions of those who felt it to he their duty to oppose its adoption, have proved to be unfounded. On the contrary, this branch of the fiscal affairs of the Govertirteril: has been, and it is believed may always be, thus carried on with every desirable facility and security. A few changes and improvements in the details of the system, without affecting any principles in volved in it, will be submitted to you by the secretary of the Treasury, and will, I am sure, receive at your hands that attention to which they may, on examination, be found to be entitled. I have deemed this brief summary of our fiscal affairs necessary to the due performance of a duty specially en joined upon me by the Constitution. It will serve, also, to illustrate more fully the principles by which I have been guided in reference to two contested points in our public policy, which were earliest in their development, and have been more important in their Contequences, than any that have arisen under our complicated and difficult, yet admirable, system of Government. I allude to a na tional debt, and a national bank. It Was in these that the political contests by which the country has been agitated ever since the adoption of the Constitution, in a great mea sure originated; and there is too much reason to appre hend that the conflicting interests and opposing principles thus , marshalled, will ecintin , le at heretofore, to produce similar, if not aggrt'llttetl, consequences. Comin' t '-, into office the declared enemy of both, I have earivestly endeavoured to prevent a resort to either. The consideration that a large public debt affords an apology, and produces, in some degree a necessity also, for resorting to a system and extent of taxation which is not only oppressive throughout, but likewise so apt to lead, in the end, to the commission of that most odious of all offences against the principles of a Republican govern ment—the prostitution of political power, conferred for the general benefit, to the aggrandisement of particular classes, and the gratification of individtal cupidity—is alone suffi cient, independently of the weighty objections which have already been urged, to render its creation and existence the sources of bitter and unappeasable discord. If we add to this its inevitable tendency to produce and foster extrava- gant expenditures of the public money, by which a neces sity is creatod for new loans and new burdens on the people; and, finally, if we refer to the examples of ever) government which has existed, for proof how seldom it is that the system, when once adopted and implanted in the policy of a country, has failed to expand itself, until public credit was exhausted, and the people were no longer able to endure its increasing weight, it seems impossible to re sist the conclusion, that no benefits resulting from its ca. reer, no extent of 'conquest, no accession of wealth, to par ticular classes, nor any, nor all its combined advantages can counterbalance its ultimate but certain results—a splendid government, and an impoverished people. If a national bank was, as is Undeniable, repudiated by the framers of the Constitution as incompatible with the rights o:' the States and the liberties of the people; if, from the beginning, it has been regarded by large portions of our citizens, as coming in direct collision with that great and vital amendment of the Constitution which de clares that all powers not conferred by that instrurnont on . _ the General Government are reserved to the States and to the people ; if it has been viewed by them as the first great step in the march of lativadinous construction, which, un checked, would render that sacred instrument of as little value as an unwritten Constitution, dependent, as it would alone be, for its meaning, on the interested interpretation of a dominant party, and affording no security to the rights of the minority ; if sgeb. is Undeniably the case, what ra tional gro”.r.di entild have been conceived for anticipating aught liut determined opposition to such an institution at the present day ? _ _ _ Could a different result have been expected when the consequences which have flowed from its creation, and par ticularly from its struggles to perpetuate its existence, had confirmed in so striking a manner, the apprehensions of its earliest opponents ;_when it had been so clearly de monvrated that a concenthated money power, wielding so vast a capital, and combining such incalculable means of influence, may, in those peculiar conjunctures to which this Government is unavoidably exposed, prove an overmatch for the political power of the people themselves ; when the true character of its capacity to regulate according to will and its interests, and the interests of its favourites, the value and production of the labour and property of every man in this extended country, had been so fully and fearfully developed; when it was notorious that all classes of this great com munity had, by means of the power and influence it thus possesses, been infected to madness with a spirit of heedless speculation ; when it had been seen that, secure in the support of the combination of influences by which it was surrounded, it could violate its charter, and set the laws at defiance with impunity ; and when, too, it had become most apparent that to believe that such an accumulation of powers can ever be uranted without the certainty of being abused, was to indulge in a fatal delusion. To avoid the necessity of a permanent debt and its inevi table consequences, I have advocated, and endeavovred to carry into effect, the policy of confining the appropriations for the public service to such objects only as are clearly within the constitutional authority of the Federal Govern ment ; of excluding from its expenses those improvident and unauthorised grants of public money for works of in ternal improvement, which were's() wisely arrested by the constitutional interposition of my predecessor, and which, if they had not be so checked, would long before this time have involved the finances of the General Government in embarrassments far greater than those which are now ex perienced by any of the States, of limiting all our expen ditures to that simple, unostentatious, and economical ad ministration of public affairs, which is alone consistent wiih the character of our institutions ; of collecting annually from the customs and the sales of public lands a revenue fully adequate to defray all the expenses thus incurred, but : under no pretence whatsoever, to impose taxes upon the people to a greater amount than was actually necessary to the public service, conducted upon the principles I have stated. In lieu of a national bank, or a dependence upon banks of any description, for the management of our fiscal affairs, I recommended tke adoption of the system which is now in successful operation. That system afferds every requi site facility for the transaction of the pecuniary concerns of the Government ; will, it is confidently anticipated, produce, in other respects, many of the benefits which have been from time to time expected from the creation of a national bank, but which have never been realised ; avoid the manifold evils inseparable from such an institution ; diminish, to a greater extent than could be accomplished by any other measure of reform, the patronage of the Federal Government—a wise policy in all Governments, but more especially so in one like ours, which works well only in proportion as it is made to rely for its support upon the unbiassed and unadulterated opinions of its constituents; do away for ever all dependence on corporate bodies, either in the raising, collecting, safe keeping, or disbursing the public revenues, and place the Government equally above the temptation of fostering a dangerous and unconstitu. tional institution at home, or the necessity of adapting its policy to the views and interests of a still more formidable money-power abroad. It is by adopting and carrying out these principles under circumstances the most arduous and discouraging, that the attempt has been made, thus far successfully, to demonstrate to the people of the United States that a national bank at all times, and a national debt, except it be incurred at a period when the honour and safety of the nation demand the temporary sacrifice of a policy which should only be abandoned in such exigencies, are nut merely unnecessary, but in direct and deadly hostility to the principles of their Government, and to their own permanent welfare. The progress made in the development of these posi tions, appears in the preceding sketch of the past history and present state of the financial concerns of the Federal Government. The facts there stated fully authorise the assertion, that all the purposes for which this Government was instituted have been accomplished during four years of greater pecuniary embarrassments than were ever before experienced in time of peace, and in the face of opposi tion as formidable as any that was ever before arrayed against the policy of an Administration; that this :las been done when the ordinary revenues of the Government were generally decreasing, as well from the operation of the laws as the condition of the country, without the creation of a permanent public debt, or incurring any liability, other than such as the ordinary resources of the Government will speedily discharge, and without the agency of a national bank. If this view of the proceedings of the Government for the period it embraces, be warranted by the facts as they arc known to exist; if the army and navy have been sus tained to the full extent authorised by law, and which Con gress deemed sufficient for the defence of the country and the protection of its rights arid its honour; if its civil and diplomatic service has been equally sustained; if ample provision has been made for the administration of justice and the execution of the laws ; if the claims upon public gratitude in behalf of the soldiers of the Revolution have been promptly met and faithfully discharged ; if there have been no failures in defraying the very large expenditures growing out of that long continued and salutary policy of peacefully removing the Indians to regions of comparative safety and prosperity ; if the public faith has at all times, and every where, been most scrupulously maintained by a prompt discharge of the numerous, extended, and diversi fied claims on the Treasury; if all these great and per manent objects, with many others that might be stated, have for a series of years, marked by peculiar obstacles and difficulties, been successfully accomplished without a resort to a permanent debt, or the aid of a national bank, have we not a right to expect that a policy, the object of which has been to sustain the public service independently of either of these fruitful sources of discord, will receive the final sanction of a people whose unbiassed and fairly elicited judgment upon public affairs is never ultimately wrong ? That embarrassments in the pecuniary concerns of in dividuals, of unexampled extent and duration, have re cently existed in this, as in other commercial nations, is undoubtedly true. To suppose it necessary now to trace these reverses to their sources, would be a reflection on the intelligence of my fellow-citizens. 'Whatever may have been the obscurity in which the subject was involved during the earlier stages of the revulsion, they cannot now be many by whom the whole question is not fully under stood. Nut deeming it within the constitutional powers of the General Government to repair private losses sustained by reverses in business having no connection with the public service, either by direct appropriations from the Treasury, or by special legislation designed to secure exclusive pri vileges and immunities to individuals or classes in prefer ence to, and at the expense of, the great rnajcrity neces sarily debarred from any participation in them, no attempt to do so has been either made, recommended, or encou raged, by the present Executive. It is believed, however, that tho great purposes for the attainment of which the Federal Government was in stituted, have not been lost sight of. Intrusted only with certain limited powers, cautiously enumerated, distinctly specified, and defined with a precision and clearness which would seem to defy misconstruction, it has been my con stant aim to confine myself within the limits so clearly marked out, and so carefully guarded. Having always been of opinion that the best preservative of the union of the States is to be found in a total abstinence from the exercise of all doubtful powers on the part of the Federal Government, rather than in attempts to assume them by a loose construction of the Constitution, or an ingenious per. version of its words, I have endeavoured to avoid recom mending any measure which I had reason to apprehend would, in the opinion even of a considerable minority of my fellow-citizens, be regarded as trenching on the rights ~f the States, or the provisions of the hallowed instrument of our Union. Viewing the aggregate powers of the Federal Government as a voluntary concession of the States, it seemed to me that such only should be exer cised as were at the time intended to be given. I have been strengthened, too, in the propriety of this course by the conviction that all efforts to go beyond this, rend only to produce dissatisfaction and distrust, to excite jealousies, and to provoke resistance. Instead of adding strength to the Federal Government, even when success ful, they must ever prove a source of incurable weakness, by alienating a portion of those whose adhesion is indis pensable to the great aggregate of united strength, and whose voluntary attachment is, in my estimation, far more essential to the efficiency of a Government strong in the best of all possible strength, the confidence and attachment of all those who make up its constituent elements. Thus believing, it has been my purpose to secure to the whole people, and to every member of the Confederacy, by general, salutary, and equal laws alone, the benefit of those Republican institutions which it was the end and aim of the Constittitioti to Ostahlish, and the impartial influence of which is, in my judgment, indispensable to their preserva tion. I cannot bring myself to believe that the lasting happiness of the people, the prosperity of the States, or the permanency of their union, can be maintained by giving preference or priority to any class of citizens in the distri bution of benefits or privileges, or by the adoption of mea sures which enrich one portion of the Union at the expense of another ; nor can I see in the interference of the I Federal Government with the Ina' legislation and reserved rights of the States, a remedy for present, or a security against future dangers. The first, and assuredly not the least, important step to. ward relieving the country from the condition into which it had been plunged by excesses in trade, banking, and credits of all kinds, was to place the business transactions of the Government itself on a solid basis ; giving and re ceiving in all cases value for value, and neither counte nancing nor er.couraging in others that delusive system of credits from which it has been found so difficult to escape, and which has left nothing behind it but the wrecks that mark its fatal career. That the financial affairs of the Government are now, and have been during the whole period of these wide spreading difficulties, conducted with a strict and invari able regard to this great fundamental principle, and that by the assumption and maintenance of the stated thus taken on the very threshold of the approaching crisis, more thati by any other cause or causes whatever, the community at largo has been shielded from the incalculable evils of a general and indefinite suspension of specie payments, and a consequent annihilation, for the whole period it might have lasted, of a just and invariable standard of value, will, it is believed, at this period, scarcely be questioned. A steady adherence on the part of the Government, to the policy which has produced such salutary results, aided by judicious State legislation, and, what is not less im portant, by the industry, enterprise, perseverance, and economy of the American people, cannot fail to raise the whole country, at an early period, to a state of solid and enduring prosperity, not subject to be again overthrown by the suspension of banks, or the explosion of a bloated credit system. It is for the people, and their represents. tivcs, to decide whether ok not the permanent welfare of the country ( which all good citizens equally desire, how ever widely they may differ as to the means of its accorn plishment) shall be in this way secured ; or whether the management of the pecuniary concerns of the Government, and, by consequence, to a great extent, those of individuals also, shall be carried back to a condition of things which fostered those contractions and expansions of the currency, and those reckless abuses of credit, from the baleful effects of which the country has so decidedly suffered—a return that can promise, in the end, no better results than to re produce the embarrassments the Government has expe rienced ; and to remove from the shoulders of the present, to those of fresh victims, the bitter fruits of that spirit of speculative enterprise to which our countrymen are so liable, and upon which the lessons of experience are so un availing. The choice is an important one, and I sincerely hope that it may be wisely made. A report from the Secretary of War, presenting a de tailed view of the affairs of that department, accompanies this communication. The desultory duties connected with the removal of the Indians, ie which the army has been constantly engaged on the Northern and Western frontiers, and in Florida, have rendered it impracticable to carry into full effect the plan recommended by the Secretary for improving its dis cipline. In every instance where the regiments have been concentrated, they have made great progress ; and the best results may be anticipated from a continuance of this sys tem. During the last season, a part of the troops have been employed in removing Indians from the interior to the territory assigned them in the West—a duty which they have performed efficiently, and with praiseworthy hu manity ; and that portion of them which has been sta tioned in Florida continued active operations there through out the heats of summer. . The policy of the United States in regard to the In diana, of which a succinct account is given in my Message of 1838, and of the wisdom and expediency of wkich I am fully satisfied, has been continued in active operation throughout the whole period of my administration. Since the spring of 1837, more than forty thousand Indians have been removed to their new homes west of the Mississippi; and I am happy to add that all accounts concur in repre senting the result of this measure as eminently beneficial be that people. The emigration of the Seminoles alone has been atten ded with serious difficulty, and occasioned bloodshed, hos tilities having been commenced by the Indians iR Florida, under the apprehension that they would be compelled, by force, to comply with their Treaty stipulations. The exe. cution of the Treaty of Payne's Landing, signed in 1832, but not ratified until 1834, was postponed, at the solici tation of the Indians, until 1836, when they again re newed their agreements to remove peaceably to their new homes in the West. In the face of this solemn and re• newed compact, they broke their faith, and commenced hostilities by the massacre of Major Dade's command, the murder of their agent, General Thompson, and other acts of cruel treachery. When this alarming and unexpected intelligence reached the seat of Government, every effort appears to have been made to reinforce General Clinch, who cornmareled the troops then in Florida. General Eustis was despatched with reinforcements from Charleston, troops were called out from Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia, and General Scott was sent to take the command, with ample powers and ample means. At the first alarm, General Gaines organized a force at New Orleans, and without waiting for orders, landed in Florida, where he delivered over the troops he had brought with hint to General Scott.. Governor Call was subsequently appointed to conduct a summer campaign, and at the close of it, was replaced by General Jesup. These events and changes took place under the administration of my predecessor. Note ith standing the exertions of the experienced officers who had command there for eighteen months, on entering upon the administration of the Government, I found the terri tory of Florida a prey to Indian atrocities. A strenuous effort was immediately made to bring these hostilities to a close ; and the army under General Jesup, was reinforced until it amounted to ten thousand men, and furnished with abundant supplies of every description. In this campaign a great number of the enemy were captured and destroyed ; but the character of the contest only was changed, The Indians, having been defeated in every engagement, dispersed in small bands throughout the country, and became an enterpriziag, formidable, and ruthless banditti. General Taylor, who succeeded General Jesup, used his best exertions to subdue them, and was se conded in his efforts by the officers under his command ; but he, too, failed to protect the territory from their de predations. By an act. of signal and cruel treachery, they broke the truce made with them by General Macomb, who was sent from Washington for the purpose of carry ing into effect the expressed wish of Congress, and have continued their devastations ever since. General Armis tead, who was in Florida when General Taylor left the army, by permission, assumed the command, and after active summer operations, was met by propositions for peace ; and, from the fortunate coincidence of the arrival in Florida, at the same period, of a delegation from the Seminoles, who are happily settled West of the Missis sippi, and are now anxious to persuade their countrymen to join them there, hopes were for some time entertained that the Indians might be induced to leave the territory without farther difficulty. These hopes have proved fallacious, and hostilities have been renewed throughout the whole of the territory. That this contest has endured so long, is to be attributed to causes beyond the control of the Government. Expe rienced Generals have had the command of the troops ; officers and soldiers have alike distinguished themselves for their activity, patience, and enduring courage ; the army has been constantly furnished with supplies of every descriptiou ; and we must look for the causes which have so long procrastinated the issue of the contest in the vast extent of the theatre of hostilities, the almost insurmount able obstacles presented by the nature of the country, the climate, and the wily character of the savages. The sites for marine hospitals on the rivers and lakes, which I was authorised to select and cause to be purchased, have all been designated ; but, the appropriation not prov ing sufficient, conditional arrangements only have been made for their Requisition. It is for Congress to decide whether those conditional purchases shall be sanctioned, and the humane intentions of the law carried into full effect. The navy, as will appear from the accompanying report of the Secretary, has be en usefully and honour ably em ployed in the protection o f our commerce and ci tizens in thethePacific, on the co as t o f B raz il , anMexico. A small squadron, consist ingdn Mediterranean,the Gulfof of the frigate Constellation and the sloop-of-war Bos ton, under Commodore Kearney, is now on its way to the China and Indian seas, for the purpose of attending to our interests in that quarter; and Commander Auliek, in the sloop-of-war Yorktown, has been instructed to visit the Sandwich and Society Islands, the coasts of New Zealand and Japan, together with other ports and islands frequented by our whale -ships, for the purpose of giving them countenance and protection, should they be required. Other smaller vessels have been, and still are, employed in prosecuting the surveys of the coast of the United states, directed by various Acts o f Con g ress ; an d those which have been completed will sh ortl y be laid bef ore you. The Exploring Expeditio n, at the latest date , was pre pthaerrinpsecgrotoleuatio ofobjects leave the Bay o f Islands, New Zealand, i n far therwhich have thus f ar b een suc cessfully accomplished. T he discover y o f a new conti nent, which was first seen in l at. 66 2 S., lon . 154 27 E. and afterwards in lat. 66 31 S., lon. 153 40 E. , by Lieu tenants Wilkes and Hudso n, for an exten t of eighteen hundred miles, but on which they were prevented from landing by vast bodies of ice which encompassed it, is ore of the honourable results of the enterprise. Lieut. Wilkes bears testimony to the zeal and good conduct of his offi cers and men ; and it is but justice to that officer to state, that he appears to have performed the duties assigned to him with an ardour, ability, and perseverance which give every assurance of an honourable issue to the under taking. The report of the Postmaster-General, herewith trans mitted, will exhibit the service of that department the past year, and its present condition. The transportation has been maintained during the year to the full extent autho rised by the existing laws—some improvements have been effected which the public interest seemed urgently to de mand, but not involving any material additional expendi ture; the contractors have generally performed their en gagements with fidelity; the postmasters, with few excep tions, have rendered their accounts and paid their quar terly balances with promptitude ; and the whole service of the department has maintained the efficiency for which it has for several years been distinguished. The Acts of Congress establishing new mail routes, and requiring more expensive services on others, and the in creasing wants of the country, have for three years past carried the expenditures something beyond the accruing revenues ; the excess having been met, until the past year, by the surplus which had previously accumulated. That surplus having been exhausted, and the anticipated in crease in the revenue not having been realised, owing to the depression in the commercial business of the country, the finances of the Department exhibit a small deficiency at the close of the last fiscal year. Its resources, however, are ample; and the reduced rates of compensation fur the transportation service, which may be expected on the futuro lettings, from the general reduction of prices, with the increase of Revenue that may reasonably be antici pated from the revival of commercial activity, must soon place the finances of the department in a prosperous con dition. Considering the unfavourable circumstances which have existed during the past yell, it is a gratifying result that the revenue has not declined, as compared with the preceding year, but, on the contrary, exhibits a small in crease, the circumstances referred to having had no other effect than to check the expected income. It will be seen that the Postmaster- General suggests certain improvements in the establishment, designed to reduce the weight of the mails, cheapen the transportation, ensure greater regularity in the service, and secure a con siderable reduction in the rates of letter postage—an ob. ject highly desirable. The subject is one of general in terest to the community, and is respectfully recommended to your consideration, The suppression of the African slave trade has received the continued attention of the Government. The brig Dolphin and schooner Grampus have been employed during the last season on the coast of Africa, for the purpose of preventing such portions of that trade as was said to be prosecuted under the American flag. After cruising off those parts of the coast most usually resorted to by slavers, until the commencement of the rainy season, these vessels returned to the United States for supplies, and have since been despatched on a similar service. rrorn the reports of the commanding officers, it appears that the trade is now principally carried on under Portu guese colours, arid they express the opinion that the ap prehension of their presence on the slave coast has, in r flreat degree, arrested the prostitution of the American ag to this inhuman purpose. It is hoped that, by con tinuing to maintain this force in that quarter, and by the exertions of the officers in command, much will be done to put a stop to whatever portion of this traffic may have been carried on under the American flag, and to prevent its use in a trade which, while it violates the laws, is equally as outrage on the rights of others arid the feelings of humanity. The efforts of the several Governments who are anxi ously seeking to suppress this traffic must, however, be directed against the facilities afforded by what are now re cognised c 3 legitimate commercial pursuits, before that object can be fully accomplished. Supplies of provisions, water-casks, merchandise, and articles connected with the prosecution of the slave-trade, are, it is understood, freely carried by vessels of different nations to the slave factories ; and the effects of the factors are transported openly from one slave station to another, without interruption or pu nishment by either of the nations to which they belong, engaged in the commerce of that region. I submit to your judgments whether this Government, having been the first to prohibit, by adequate penalties, the slave trade—the first to declare it piracy—should not be the first, also, to forbid to its citizens all trade with the slave factories on the coast of Africa ; giving an example to all nations in this respect, which, if fairly followed, cannot fail to produce the most effective results in break ing up those dens of iniquity. Washington, December 5, 1840. M. VAN BUREN. DEATH OF SCOTT, THE DIVER. (FURTHER PARTICULARS.) For some time past bills had been posted about the town, the following of which is a copy " Challenge to the world.—On Monday next, January 11, 1841, and during the week, Sam Scott, the American diver, will run from Harry Godfrey's, the White Lion, Drury-lane, to Waterloo-bridge, and leap into the water, a height of 40 feet, and return back to the house within the hours of one and two. P. S.—S. S. will be in attendance daily at the above house, open to any wager." In consequence of such announcement, Waterloo-bridge and every approach thereto was densely crowded yester day, and at a few minutes after two o'clock, Scott ar_ rived, when he was greeted with the plaudits of thou sands of persons, who had assembled to witness his ex ploit. He was dressed in a pair of canvass trousers and blue check shirt, having on his head a silk handkerchief. He wore neither shoes, stockings, nor other article of apparel. On his arrival he appeared as confident as usual, and ascending a ladder placed against a scaffolding, erected over the second arch of the Fridge, on the Middlesex side, tied his handkerchief, which he tuck from his head, to one of the upright poles, and then affixed a rope to the top cross pole. Coming down again, he fastened some tin money-boxes to the scaffolding, and re marking, " Why, you all seem cranky," went up the ladder again. He then placed his head within the rope, and swung for a few seconds, after which he swung with his feet uppermost. Having done that he regained the ladder, and exclaiming, " Now I'll dance once more upon air be fore I dive," placed his head for a second time within the rope, and swung himself off. In that position he remained about five minutes, when not being observed to move fears were entertained that something had happened to him, and a knife was called for to cut him down, but some seconds elapsed before one could be obtained, when a person named Brown ran up the ladder, and dividing the rope extricated him. Mr. Havers, surgeon, of York-road, Lambeth, and another medical gentleman, who were near the spot, rushed forward and opened the jugular vein, from which but a few drops of blood flowed, and all appearances he was dead. He was, however, immediately placed in a cart, and con veyed to Chasing-cross Hospital by some of the F divi sion of police, who were on duty on the spot, when it was found that life was not quite extinct. Every exertion, under the superintendence of Dr. Golding, senior physi cian to the hospital, was made to restore animation, first by electrifying trim, next by cupping, and lastly by placing him in a warm bath, in which he had only been a few se conds when it was discovered that he had ceased to exist. Deceased was about thirty years of age, and was a fine made muscular young man. The melancholy accident cast a gloom over those who had previously seen him go through his performances, and had attended yesterday to witness a repetition of them. It having been generally rumoured that deceased was in a state of intoxication at the time his death occurred, it is duo to say that it has been ascertained beyond doubt that such was not the fact, but that the accident is to be solely attributed to the slipping of a knot in the noose from under his chin in such a manner as to cause suffocation. The sensation created by the untimely fate of this un fortunate man will probably render a few particulars rela• Live to his life and career not unacceptable to the public, the principal portion being collected from the deceased himself, may add to the interest. The story that he was not an American, but a native of Deptford, is untrue. Scott, according to his own showing, was born at Phila delphia, in the United States, and at an early age entered the American navy, and served on board several frigates, in which he commenced his daring feats as a diver, by jumping from the topmasts of the vessels ho served in into the sea. His extraordinary courage and prowess as a diver rendered him very popular, and after quitting the naval service he travelled about the Union, exhibiting, and col lected a good deal of money as the reward of his daring, particularly in the cities of New York, Boston, and Phila delphia. He subsequently visited Canada, and made some tremendous leaps from the banks of the St. Law rence and the lakes which intersect that country ; but his chef d'oeuvre as to leaping was from a precipice below the Falls of the Niagara, when, according to his own state ment, he jumped the amazing distance of 593 feet into the water, which he accomplished without injury or inconve nience. Incredible as this feat may appear, Scott so lemly averred that he had performed it, and was willing to attempt it again in this country, if a spot could be found of sufficient altitude for the purpose. He has been in Eng land upwards of twelvemonths, and has visited nearly all the seaports, and has taken some astonishing leaps in the Isle of Wight and Pembroke Dockyard. We first heard of him in London about three or four months ago, when he made several leaps from the top-gallant mast of a collier brig moored off the Town-pier at Gravesend. He next came up to Deptford, and jumped front the masts of a large American ship. Upon ono of these occa sions an accident befel him similar to that which termi nated fatally yesterday. lie was going through his usual antics, such as clinging with his feet to the spars, and letting his head hang down, fixing his head in a noose, &c., when the noose suddenly slipped tight, and he hung suspended. The spectators thinking this merely one of his ordinary feats, vociferously applauded him, when it was perceived that lie was turning black in the face, and an alarm was raised that the diver was strangling. A moment afterwards Scott made a desperate effort to extri cate himself, by flinging his feet up aloft, and managed to loosen the rope and get his neck out. In answer to the in quiries of the crowd below, as to whether he was injured— Scott replied in the negative, exclaiming, " The hemp that is to hang me is not grown yet." It is a singular fact that the subscription in his behalf among the spectators amounted to nearly double apon this occasion to what it had dune before. This is a striking illustration of the de praved taste of sight-lovers in England, for the greater the danger the more liberal are they in their rewards. THE WEATHER.-011 Saturday morning at five o'clock, the thermometer at the Zoological-gardens in the Regent's-park stood at zero, being the coldest period of the season. A thermometer in St. John's-wood regis tered l i l 7 deg. below that point between Friday evening and Saturday morning. During Friday night the tem perature of the giraffe house averaged from 47 deg. to 51 deg., the elephant house 35 deg. to 37 deg., the repository 42 deg. to 47 deg., the monkey house 49 deg. to 50 deg., and the temporary repository 54 deg. to 55 deg. At Hackney, the thermometer at seven o'clock vas 7 deg., whilst at noon the temperature had risen to 20 deg. There was a slight thaw in the evening, the wind having veered to the south, but at one o'clock on Sunday morning there was a very heavy fall of snow, which terminated about four o'clock, it having accumulated in many places from six inches to a foot in depth. On Sunday morning, at seven o'clock, the thermometer was SO deg., and at noon it stood at 34 deg. There was in the afternoon a rapid thaw, which rendered .traffic through the principal streets very inconvenient to' passengers. The atmosphere was highly hygrometric, and the barometer sank considerably. ..... , COURT CIRCULAR. WINDSOR, *MoNDAY.—His Royal Highness Prince Albert took the diversion of coursing this morning in the Horne Park and Slopes, attended by Lord Alfred Paget, Colonel Bouverie, and Dr. Pretorius. Prince George of Cambridge, the Earl of Errol, Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, and Lady Fanny Cowper will arrive this evening on a visit to her Ma jesty. The Earl of Uxbridge will have the honour of dining with the Royal party at the Castle in the evening. The Rev. Dr. Short and Sir James Clark left the Castle this morning. Her Majesty and tho Duchess of Kent have not left the Castle to-day owing to the unfavourabl e state of the weather. His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge left Cambridge House at five o'clock yesterday after noo❑ on a visit to her Majesty at Windsor Castle. His Excellency Chekib Effendi, the Turkish Ambas sador arrived at Bryanston-square, on Saturday morn ing, from Paris, by way of Dover. Mr. Melliss had an interview with Lord John Rus sell vesterday, at the Colonial-office. The Po:tmaster•General had an interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday, at his officill residence in Downing-street. The Marquis of Normanby returned to town last evening from Brighton. DeTatches from Major-General Napier, Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, were received yesterday at the Colonial-office. SPORTING INTELLIGENCE. TATTERSALL'S-YESTERDAY. The betting yesterday afternoon exhibited a slight im provement on Monday, the 4th instant, but was far from being important, with the exception of a very slight improvement on Marshal Soult ; 20 to 1 was laid by two or three parties ; the first class favourite remains at our last quotation ; the Rosalie colt and Palmmon were backed, but although mentioned, nothing sufficiently definite was said about Eringo, Coronation, or Cawelion, to warrant our affixing prices to their names. Wahab was backed at an improvement of five points, and enough was said (very little was done) about the Knight of the Whistle ar,d the Duke of Wellington, to give each a lift of several points. 2,000 to 45 (twice), and 1,000 to 20 were laid on Darioletta colt ; 1,000 to 15, and 1,000 to 10, four or five times against Simoorn ; 1,000 to 16, two or three times, and 1,000 to 20, and 1,000 to 10, several times, against Ben Brace. DEBBY. 16 to 1 agst Mr. Greville's two—taken 1000 to 10 agst Lord Stradbroke's lot—ditto 14 to 1 agst Rosalie colt—ditto 18 to 1 agst Pala3mon—ditto 20 to 1 agst Marshal Soulr—ditto 23 to 1 agst Ralph 28 to 1 agst Knight of the Whistle 30 to 1 agst Wahab—taken 33 to 1 agst Prince Caradoc—ditto 33 to 1 agst Joachim—taken 35 to 1 agst Duke of Wellington 2000 to 45 agst Darioletta colt—taken 1000 to 16 agst Knightsbridge—ditto 1000 to 10 apt Simoom—ditto 1000 to 10 agst Mustapha—ditto 1000 to 10 agst Ben Brace—ditto The Dowager Countess of Pembroke arrived in Grafton-street, on Friday last, from Dunmore-park, Fal kirk, where her Ladyship had been staying some time with the Earl and Countess of Dunmore. The Earl of Shelburne, INT.P., and Countess of Shelburne, arrived at Mivart's Hotel, on Saturday, from Bewood-park, Witte, the seat of the Marquis and Mar ehiones3 of Lansdowne. The Countess of Charleville has returned to this country from Hanover, where her Ladyship was called by the alarming accident of Lord Tullamore. We hear that his Lordship is now quite recovered. The Duke and Duchess of Richmond and fa mily will remain some time longer at Goodwood-park, Sus sex. Lord Alexander Lennox, second son of the Noble Duke, was thrown out of a chaise last week, but, we are happy to hear, only received a few slight contusions. Lord and Lady Wharncliffe have had a succes sion of visitors at Wortley Hall, near Sheffield, since Christmas. His Lordship comes to town to dine with the Duke of Wellington on the 26th instant, at Apsley House. The Earl of Liverpool has entertained a select party at Pitchford Hall, Salop, during the past week. The Duke of Sutherland dined with the Noble Earl on Tuesday last, when Selina Dowager Viscountess Milton, Mr. and Lady Louisa Cotes, and a distinguished circle, were present. STRATHBOGIE.—The late decision in the Court of Session, enjoining the Presbytery of Strathbogie to receive Mr. Edwards as minister of the parish of Mar. noch, was discussed in the Edinburgh Presbytery on 'Wed nesday. The Rev. Mr. Cunningham was the chief dis putant on the occasion, and moved a series of resolutions to be transmitted to her Majesty's Government on the sub ject. What effect these resolutions are intended to pro• duce is not very clear, as they contain nothing more than a bare statement of the case. Is it expected that the Go vernment will reprimand the Court, or reverse its de cision ? Whatever may have been the object of the motion in this respect, it at least afforded the reverend mover an opportunity of abusing the Judges of the land, and dog matising against the right of the civil power to interlece in ecclesiastical matters—the clergy being of course the sole judges as to what matters belong to their exclusive juris diction 1 A more unseemly exhibition by clergymen ap pointed and paid by the State, and whose duty it is to set an example of submission to the laws, as administered in our courts of justice, could hardly be conceived. We ob serve that the Glasgow Presbytery are about to make a similar demonstration against the Marnoch decision.— Scotsman. KIRCALDY BURGIIS.—A Correspondent in forms us that the impression which has gone abroad, that the Reformers of Kirkaldy have finally decided in favour of Colonel Ferguson, is not strictly accurate. " They have shown," he says, " great partiality towards the Colonel, and universally entertain a favourable opinion, both of his character and his politics; but the ques tion has been broached, whether a more experienced person should not be looked for? and in the meantime the matter is undergoing friendly examination, that the feelings of the majority of the Liberals on the subject may be ascertained." At a meeting of the electors on Monday last, it was decided that a resolution in favour of any particular candi date should be postponed for a week. In the mean time, a requisition is in course of signature to induce Dr. Bowring to come forward as a candidate : but the inten tion is not to send it off; unless it obtain a sufficient num ber of signatures to insure him a good chance of success. We regret these schisms, as they may be the means of dividing the Reformers, and opening up the way for a Conservative. Dr. Bowring has many good points ; but as Colonel Ferguson is already in the geld, and has given general satisfaction by the frankness and liberality of his sentiments, we should be glad to see the Reformers unite in his support. The only objection hinted at is his inex perience, but from all we have been able to learn, we be lieve he would make an upright and efficient Member.— Scotsm a n. SECESSION PRESBYTERY OF EDINBURGH.— At the meeting of this body on Tuesday, the case of Mr Edmund, who some time since received a call to the Church at Lasswade, was brought before them. It may be remembered that various charges were made against Mr. Edmund, the nature of which will be best understood from the following deliverance, to which the Presbytery, after much deliberation, came on Tuesday :—Tbat Mr. Edmund had been found guilty of making offers of marriage to two different young ladies, and withdrawing them without any good reason assigned ;—farther, that he is guilty, by his own con fession, of improperly connecting himself, in a similar way, with other, females ; and therefore the Presby tery suspend Mr. Edmund-from his license sine die, set aside his call to Lasswade, and appoint a committee to deal with his conscience. It is understood that the con gregation entirely acquiesce in this finding. The Presby tery afterwards took up two separate petitions from indi viduals, one in Slateford and one in Stockbridge, com plaining that actions for damages had been raised against them for defamation of character, because of their having given information of moral delinquencies on the part of church members, to exclude them from church privileges. In the Slateford case the action was abandoned—in the Stockbridge case the action went to trial, when the de fenders were assoilzied; but in both a considerable amount of law expenses was incurred. The Presbytery were una nimously of opinion that the question vitally affected the purity of the Secession Church, and agreed to aid both parties. Some difference of opinion existed as to whether the Stockbridge parties had been actuated by improper motives in urging the charge against the pursuer in the action; but it was held that these suspicions did not affect the party who presented the petition.—Scotsman. Bow-STREET.—Two respectably-dressed young men, named Henry Malien and John Sampson, were con victed of throwing snow balls at three soldiers belonging to the Dragoon Guards in the enclosure in St. James's Park yesterday. It appeared that the soldiers on taking the two prisoners into custody were so assailed by the mob assembled, that they were obliged to draw their swords, as they stated, to protect their lives. They said that it would take at least thirty shillings to repair the damage done to their clothes. Mr. Hall said that the conduct of the pri soners was very improper, particularly on a Sunday, and ordered Sampson, who was the worst, to be sent to the House of Correction for a month, and the other to pay thirty shillings er to have three weeks' imprisonment. It would seem that public opinion is even too powerful for the " black book" and " black bottlesystem which prevails at the Horse Guards. There is a r umour thnt Lord Hill, judiciously remembering what was the making of the well-bred dog when preparations were m in a for his ejectment, is about to follow his prudent example. p t l b e g e . This, indeed, has been strongly asserted . in s Liberal papers, and the half-and- London Standard deals with the assertion made ti n be lieve, that it has not been made without foun tb i o i . nii half fashion inokmwsehuicsh the affects to doubt its truth, and yet, withal, pii!s s - thing should. eant intimation to the doubt :--" po if st a l n ie y .i hasfil b l e edwith se in duce his Lordship to resign the much honour and benefit to the country, will the state yv P e u r b e l g i c r e ? t p t i o n l o c n a earn, , y e b t e e a i ti p n o d w i ff e e r: for of his health, which has , rent some time past.' ful in this country, and never was it more . righteously ex pressed than in the loud tone with which it . has de nounced the Horse Guards' pe stilential system.—Liverpool Albion. DEPARTURE OF THE MAIL STEAME R CO LUMBIA.—This fine steamer, the fourth of Mr. Cunard's line, sailed on Tuesday evening for H a lif ax and Boston. She is commanded by Captain Judson, l ate of the Britan nia. She carried out eighty passengers, and the heaviest ma il, believe, that ever left the Liverpool Post-office.— ..Liverpool Albion. EVENIN G E 'ION. VICTORIA THEATRE„ • A new domestic rnelo-drama, from the prolific pen o f Mr. .1. T. Haines, was produced at this theatre last even ing, with the most triumphant success. The following is an outline of the plot. Walter Trevalyon (Mr. Hicks) on his return to England from Brazil is wrecked on the coast of Cornwall, near the residence of Sir Wilfred Penruth ( Mr. Dale), and loses the whole of his property, including a casket containing treasure to a considerable amount, which he had intended to present to Sir Wilfred, as a compensation for certain sums which his father had un fairly won of Sir Wilfred at play, and which he had on his deathbed confessed to his sun. Before his departure from England Trevalyon had been engaged to Sir Wil fred's daughter Beatrice (Miss E. Montague), but in con sequence of the family feud Sir Wilfred had rofused her to Trevalyon. On his return, however, he informs Beatrice of his arrival, and the lovers are in the habit of meeting in secret. Sir Wilfred, since Trevalyon's departure ,had fallen upon evil courses, and had sought to repair his broken fortunes by peculations on the property of his ward Lord Aveline (Blanchard), by joining the wrecker s an d smugg l er on t h e coast, and afford ingiposri of f f i ze r w, g n ed a, v a ,t d i Im documents ; r h a i b s p c warde rf d o . w r o i t i n l l d e b d e :‘ b i o y a ' th em hi s protection, and by borrowing money f u ß r a i eg e n e ed \ ei V nr . a a r df All, e w , l ,d a lawy n s,i l ~I e s r en i r y d. the discovery will be inevitable. The casket meanwhile has been found by a gang of smugglers, the captain of whore, Fielder (Mr. Courtney), is des;roue of marrying Beatrice Penruth ; the smugglers seize her in a cove on the coast, and from them she is rescued by Trevalyon, who restores her to her father ; the father, however, remains inexorable to his suit, and t eats the so rj of the casket as an idle fabrication. The smugglers meanwhile have hid the casket in the cave, but have been watched by Maurice Wardle, who seizes it and removes it tee his own house. Trevalyon in the meanwhile meets Lord Aseiine, with whom he bad been formerly acquainted, and remonstrates with him on his alleged seduction of Ruse Kynon, a poor country girl. Their conversation is overheard, and they part apparently in anger. Lord Aveline then me'eee an ap pointment to meet Rose at " the yew-tree ruins," from which the piece takes its title, bat beseeches list to keep their marriage a secret until after he shall have become of age, - Tr, valyon and Beatrice have appointed the same trystirig place, and thither also comes Sir Wilfred to meet old Maurice Wardle, to get more money from hint. Avelino comes first to the ruins, and is met by one of the smugglers, who are there awaiting the commands of Fielder aria Sir Wilfred. His Lordship attempts to pass—is prevented— a desperate combat ensues, and he fights his was off. Tie valyon next arrives, and deposits his loaded gun and his valise in the hollow of the yew, while he goes to look for Beatrice. She shortly after arrives, hevitig missed Tre valyon, and, hearing footsteps, hides herself in the hollow of the yew. While there, she overhears her father's guilty history, and hears him assent to a proposition of Fielder, on old Wardle's refusing to advance any more money, for bringing Cain Kynon ( Mr. J. T. Haines), who is mad with rage against Lord Avelino for seducing his sister, to the spot to meet his Lordship and exciting him to mur der him. Lord Aveline appears, Cain Kynon rushes on him,—Beatrice terrified leaves her place of concealment to go to her father. The gun, welch falls out of the tree on her leaving it, is seized by Kynon, he fires and Lord Aveline falls,—they all fly from the cave instantly. Trevalyon hearing the gun comes to the cave and sees his former friend shot, he is leaning over the body to exa mine it when tie villagers rush in and seize him as the murderer. He is taken to Sir Wilford a prisoner, Fielder demands of Sir \Wilford that his daughter shall be given to bins as his wife. Sir Wilford and Beatrice recoil with horror from the proposition, but Fielder calls in his gang, who seize her, and carry her into the ruins, until they can convey her to sea. Trevalyon flies to her rescue. The smugglers who have obtained information of Maurice Wardle being in possession of the casket attack his hoese,: murder the old man, and carry off his strong chest containing the casket, to the ruin. Trevalyon arrives there, accom panied by Lord Aveline, who has been only wounded ; and by Cain Kynon and rescues Beatrice and her father. The chest is opened, and the casket restored. There is a comic underplot, in which Miss Ratcliffe acts a charity girl very naively. The scenery is magnificent, and the piece is got up in excellent style. It was announced fur repetition every evening amidst a tumult of applause. SURREY THEATRE. Last night Mr. Davidge produced to a most crowded house, an adaptation by Mr. Haines, of Mr. H. Ains worth's " Tower of London." Mr. Haines has adhered very closely to the original work, and the Proprietor has exerted himself to do every justice to the piece, by sparing no expense upon the dresses and scenery, both of which gave great satisfaction to his numerous patrons. The actors generally were " well up" in their parts—more so than usual in new pieces, and all went off well, though many seemed to regret that they saw so little of that esta blished favourite Mr. W. Smith. Where all did so well it would be almost invidious to particularise any, but we cannot avoid noticing the exertions of Mrs. If. Vining as Queen Jane, Miss Grant as Queen Mary, and Mr. Saville in the part of Cuthbert Cholmondely, whose acting greatly tended to the safety of the piece. Gog and Magog were repre sented in all their length, but, luckily, they had little to do, for, although their size created a laugh, it. was evi dently painful to the majority to witness the precarious position of the upper man. The scenery and " Tableaux" were exceedingly good, and Mr. Saville announced the repetition of the piece every night till further notice amidst loud cheering. UNIVERSIT Y INTELLIGENCE. OXYORD, JAN. 9.—Hilary or Lent Term begins on Thursday next, the 14th inst., on which and following days congregations will be holden for granting degrees, &c..— Thursday, Jan. 28 ; ditto, Feb. 11 ' • ditto Feb. 18 ; ditto, Feb. 25 ; ditto, March 4 ; ditto, March 11 ; ditto, March 18; Saturday, April 3. The Rector and Fellows of Exeter College have pre sented the Rev. G. T. Stupart, Fellow of that Society, to the Vicarage of Merton, in this county. Tne Earl of Shaftesbury has presented the Rev. S. Robins, late of Exeter College, to the Rectory of Shaftes bury. The Archdeacon of Oxford has presented the Rev. W. Woolcombe, Fellow of Exeter College, to the Perpetual Curacy of Ifliey, near this city. The Rev. Dr. W. Carwithers, of St. Mary Hall, has been appointed by her Majesty the Queen to the Rectory of Stoke Climsland, Cornwall. The Loyd Bishop of Carlisle has presented the Rev. M. Dand, of Queen's College, to the Rectory of Clikoo, Westmoreland. The Warden and Fellows of New College have pre sented the Uev, J. Ekini, Fellow of their Society, to the Rectory of Sew Sampford, Essex. The Rev. George Hulme, jun., of Balliol College, has been appointed by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cam bridge one of his domestic chaplains. The Rev. G. Bellamy, of Lincoln College, has been appointed chaplain to her Majesty's ship End)? mion. The Rev. Daniel I3utler, of Lincoln College, has been unanimously elected Head-master of Helleston Grammar School, Cornwall. CAMBRIDGE, FRIDAY.—The subject of the Setonian prize poem for the present year is " Call of Abraham." The Rev. Edward Male, M. A., of Caius College, in this University, has been presented to th© Curacy of Cuf ton Hackett, Worcestershire. George Blake, Esq., of Emmanuel College, in this Uni versity, and late a Master in King's College, London, is appointed Assistant Master in the Free Grammar School of Manchester. The Rev. James Ro) don Hughes, M.A., Chaplain to the Bishop of Chichester, has been collated by his Lord snip to the Canonry and Prebend of Bursalas, in Cathedral of Chichester, void by the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Wil liams, appointed Warden of New College, Oxford. The Lord Bishop of Lichfield has appointed the Rev. Walter Augustus Shirley, M. A., Vicar of Shirley, to the Archdeaconry of Derby. The Rev. J. M. Ni . ikins, B. A., Curate of St. Mary's, Nottingham, to the Vicarage and parish of Soathwell, on the presentation of the Archdeacon of No: tingham,as Canon of Normanton, in the collegiate church of Southwell. The Rev. W. Gresley, M. A., has been appointed an Honorary Canon in Lichfield Cathedral, under the provi sions of the late Act of Parliament. The Rev. Mr. Fentiman ' to the Head-Mastership of the Newbury diocesan school, vacant by the resignation of Mr. H. J. Potter. The Rev. J. W. Watts, to be Officiating Minister of Kensington Chapel.—Cambridge Chronicle. . .. Sir Francis Burdett intends leaving town early in the week for Stowe, in order to be present at the annual Conservative festival, which takes place at Buckingham on the 13th. The Earl of Orkney and several distin guished ersons are expected t Stowe during the week. There w p ill be a grand Conserv a ative ball at the 'Town Hall on the 15th. ROBBERY OF PLATE.—Yes terda y information was given to the police of a quantity of plate having been oNnoThsTeunwdhaoyle, between t t w ile ec a n rt t i h cl r e ce s otarf g a e n, : Lc re C i c o bu u y n s t dm e e s es s ac n o r si f p o S t if c o a tnil r s - e, s i ri p ie roperty in stolen from the mansion of the Dow n borough, No. 14, Portman-squ are surmounted t h eKing's q an u d es f t o ir ks er t s h i e sts th o ie l f tl ff r e e c r tc s d p . oo n n e . area-gate, wnich was left op. while by (lead a" l n l e ' t. have engraved o n fomo t r h havea n dlt sixO B o'clock, , c E 1 receivedno c Y ki n. of a L t E i t rn ih , g e e l i ' an u e : d e' notescwra Cross, :; s , t the thiefa they h is supposed fustian hef o c r o m a c t , r bwhoein being a inatil3unAtilhaKt h the p o a u s iseleyied Cross, East r e . "' P a a P s l e e l y , o Can , to be a man Lord Cremorne has, b s conversing with Mr. e .n y t t w h e e r t e ini se e e s n ob t e o r t it tile d n r a e n s s k ed i n a like feelings Lord to his infinite credit and house together, t Farnham is f a . h e r and's debts his brother actuated the Hon.y character, paid off a ll Barry Maxwell, at the deaths of their uncle and father, two years ag o , came i nto the possession of large estates, have lately discharg e d a ll thei r fathers' obligations. RAILWAY COLLIsION.—It is currently re ported that a certain Noble Marquis, in his anxiety to wit ness a good case of collision, has offered a large sum to any of the Railway Companies who will allow two of their en gines to have a regular set-to on the rail. We have not heard whether the Noble Lord or any of his friends in tend to act as engine-drivers or stokers on the occasion. DEATH OF MAJOR SIRR.—Mr. Sirr, better known as Major Sirr, for many years a Magistrate of the head police-office, Dublin, died last Thursday night, at the age of 82. Air. Sirr had been Town-major of Dub lin during the Rebellion of l79tt, and took a prominent part in the arrest of Lord Edward Fitzgerald, having fired the shot of which his Lordship died in Newgate, a few days subsequently to his capture. Major Sirr had the superintendence o f the " in formers" who figured durik the rebellion, of whom the notorious " Jemmy O'Brien," afterwards executed for murder, was the most conspicuous. •• • .