The Sun. — London, England, 1830-01-08 00:00:00

sity of securing in the Cabinet and in diplomatic stations ' of the highest rank, the best talents and political expe rience, should, perhaps, except these from the exclusion. There are, perhaps, few men who can, for any great length of time, enjoy office and power, without being more or less under the influence of feelings unfavourable to a faithful discharge of their public duties. Their in tegrity may be proof against improper considerations im mediately addressed to themselves, but they are apt to acquire a habit of looking with indifference upon the public interests, and of tolerating conduct from which an un practised man would revolt. Office is considered at a specks of property; and Government, rather as a means of promoting individual interests than as an instru ment created solely for the service of the people. Corruption in some, and, in others, a perversion of correct feelings and principles, divert Government from its legitimate ends, and snake it an engine for the support of the few at the expence of the many. The duties of all public officers are, or at least admit of being made so plain and simple, that men of intelligence may readily qualify themselves for their performance; and I cannot but be lieve that more is lost by the long continuance of men in office than is generally to be gained by their experience. I submit, therefore, to your consideration, whether the efficiency of the Government would not be promoted, and official industry and integrity better secured, by a general extension of the law which limits the appointment for four years. In a country where offices are created solely for the benefit of the People, no one man has any more intrinsic right to official station than another. Offices were not establishes! to give support to particular men at the public expense. No individual wrong is therefore done by re moval, since neither appointment to, nor continuance in office, is matter of right. The incumbent became :an officer with a view to public benefits; and when these re quire his removal, they are not to be sacrificed to private interests. It is the people, and they alone, who have a right to complain when a bad officer is substituted for a good one. lie who is removed has the same means of ob taining a living that are enjoyed by the millions who never held office. The proposed limitation would destroy the idea of property now so generally connected with official station, and although individual distress may be sometimes produced, it would, by promotiing that rotation which constitutee a leading principle in the republican creed, give healthful action to the system. No very considerable change has occurred, during the recess of Congress, in the condition of either our agricul ture, commerce, or manufactures. The operation of the tariff has not proved so injurious to the two former, nor an beneficial to the latter, as was anticipated. Importations of foreign goods have not been sensibly diminished ; while domestic competition, under an illusive excitement, has in creased the production much beyond the demand for home consumption—the consequences have been low prices, tem porary embarrassment, and partial loss. That such of our manufacturing establishments as are based upon capital, and ate prudently managed, will survive the shock, and be ultimately profitable, there is no good reason to doubt. To regulate its conduct so as to promote equally the prosperity of these three cardinal interests, is one of the most difficult tasks of Government ; and it may be re gretted that the complicated restrictions which now embarrass the intercourse of nations, could not by com mon consent be abolished, and commerce allowed to flow in those channels to which individual enterprise—always its surest guide—might direct it. But we must ever ex pect selfish legislation in other nations, and are, there fore, compelled to adapt our own to their regulations, in the manner best calculated to avoid serious injury, and to harmonise the conflicting interests of our agriculture, our commerce, and our manufactures. Under these impres sions I iuvite your attention to the existing tariff, believ ing that some of its provisions requite modification. The general rule to he applied in graduating the duties upon articles of foreign growth or manufacture is, that which will place our own in fair competition with those of other countries : and the inducements to advance even a step beyond this point, are controhing in regard to those articles which are of primary necessity in time of war. When we reflect upon the difficulty and delicacy of this operation, it is important that it should never be attempt ed but with the utmost caution. Frequent legislation in regard to any branch of industry, affecting its value, and by which its capital may be transferred to ■ew chan nels, must always be productive of hazardous speculation and loss. In deliberating, therefore, on these interesting subjects, local feelings and prejudices should be merged in the pa triotic determination to promote the great interests of the whole. All attempts to connect them with the party conflicts of the dap are necessarily injurious, and should be discountenanced. Our action upon them should be under the controul of higher and purer motives. Legisla tion subjected to such influences can never be just, and will flat long retain the sanction of a people whose active patriotism is not bounded by sectional limits, nor insen sible to that spirit of concession and forbearance which gave life to our political compact, and still sustains it. Discarding all calculations of political ascendancy, the North, the South, the East, and the West, should unite in diminishing any burthen of which either may justly com plain. The agricultural interest of our country is so essentially connected with every other, and so superior in import ance to them all, that it it is scarcely necessary to invite to it your particular attention. It is principally as manu factures and commerce tend to increase the value of agri cultural productions, and to extend their application to the wares and comforts of society, that they deserve the fostering care of Government. Looking forward to the perks], not far distant, when a sinking fund will no longer be required, the duties on those articles of importation which cannot come in com petition with our own productions, are the first that should engage the attention of the Congress in the modification of the tariff. Of these, tea and coffee are the most promi nent; they enter largely into the consumption of the coun try, anti have become articles of necessity to all classes. A reduction, therefore, of the existing duties, will be felt as a common benefit; but like all other legislation connected with commerce, to be efficacious, and not injurious, it should be gradual and certsin. The public prosperity is evinced in the increased reve nue arising from the sales of the public lands, and in the steady maintenance of that produced by imposts and ton nage, notwithstanding the additional duties imposed by the Act of 19th of May, 1828, and the unusual importations in the early part of that year. The balance in the Treasury on the Ist of January, 1829, was 5,972,435 dollars and 81 cents. The receipts of the current year are estimated at 24,602,230 dollars ; and the expenditure for the same time at 26,164,595 dol. hrs ; leaving a balance in the Treasury on the Ist of Ja nuary next, of 4,410,070 dollars, and 91 cents. There will have been paid, on account of the publia ,m,e, during the present year, the sum of 12,405,005 dollars and 80 cents ; reducing the whole debt of the Go vernment, on the Ist of January next, to 48,565,406 dollars and 50 cents., including seven millions or five per per svat. stock, subscribed to the Bank of the United States. The payment on account of the public debt, made on the Ist of July last, was 8,715,462 dollars and 87 cents. It was apprehended that the sudden withdrawal of so large a sum from the Banks in which it was de posited, at a time of unusual pressure in the money market, ;,sight cause much injury to the interests dependent on 84 , 44 accommodation. But this evil was completely averted by an early anticipation of it at the Treasury, aided by the judicious arrangements of the officers of the Bank of the United States. The state of the finances exhibits the resources of the nation in an aspect highly flattering to its industry, and auspirioua of the ability of Government, in a very short tirne, to extinguish the public debt. When this shall he dot,;:, our population will be relieved from a considerable portion Gi its present burthens ; and will find, not only new motives to patriotic affection, but additional means for the display of individual enterprise. The fiscal power of the States will also be increased, and may be more exten sively exerted in favour of education, and other public ob jects, while ample means will remain in the Federal Go vernment to promote the general weal, in ail the anodes permitted to its authority. After the extinction of the public debt, it is not pro bable that any adjustment of the tariff, upon principles satisfactory to the people of the Union, will, until a re unite period, if ever, leave the Government without a con sitlerable surplus in the Treasury, beyond what may be required for its current service. As then the period ap proachee when the application of the revenue to the pay ment of debt will cease, the disposition of the surplus will present a subject for the serious deliberation of Congress, and it may be fortunate for the country that it is yet to be decided. Considered in connection with the diffi culties which have heretofore attended appropriations for purposes of internal improvement, and with those which this experience tells us will certainly arise, whenever power over such Aubjeets may be 'exer ciaed by the general Government;it is hoped that it may lead to the adoption of some plan which will reconcile the diversified interests of the States, and strengthen the bonds which unite them. Every member of the Union, in peace awl in war, will be benefitted by the improvement of in land navigation and construction of highways in the seve ral States. Let us then endeavour to attain this benefit in a mode which will be satisfactory to all. That hitherto Adopted boa, by many of our fellow-citizens, been slepre sated as an infraction of the Constitution, while by others it has been viewed as inexpedient. All feel that it has been employed at the expense of harmony in the Legisla tive Councils. To avoid these evils, it appears to me that the most safe, just, and federal disposition which could be made of the surplus revenue, would be its apportionment among the several States, according to their ratio of representation; and should this measure not be found warranted by the Constitution, that it would be expedient to propose to the States an amendment authorizing it. I regard an appeal to the source of power, in cases of real doubt, and where its exercise is deemed indispensable to the general welfare, as among the most sacred of our obligations. Upon this ceunt►y, more than any other, has, in the providence of God, been cast the special guardianship of the great prin ciple of adherence to written constitutions. If it fail here, all hopes in regard to it will be extinguished. That this was intended to be a Government of limited and pacific, and not general powers, must be admitted by all ; and it is our duty to preserve fur it the character intended by its framers. If experience point out the necessity for an en largement of these powers, let us apply for it to those for whose benefit it is to be exercised, and not undermine the whole system by a resort to overstrained constructions. the scheme has worked well. It has exceeded the hopes of those who devised it, and become an object of admira tion to the world. We are responsible to our cotrntry, and to the glorious cause of self-goverment, for the preser vation of so great a good. The great mass of legislation ratting to our internal affairs, was intended to be left where the Federal Convention found it, in the State Go vernments. Nothing is clearer, in my view, than that we are chiefly indebted fur the success of the Constitution under which we are new acting, to the watchful and auxiliary operation of the State authorities. This is not the reflection of a day, but belongs to the most deeply rooted convictions of my mind. I cannot, therefore, too deeply or too earnestly from my own sense of its importance, warn you against all encroachments upon the legitimate sphere of State so vereignty. Sustained by its healthful and invigorating in fluence, the Federal system can never fall. In the collection of the revenue, the long credits autho rised on goods imported from beyond the Cape of Good Hope are the chief cause of the losses at present sustained. If these Were shortened to six, nine, and twelve months, and warehouses provided by Government sufficient to re ceive the goods offered in deposit for security and deben ture; and if the right of the United States to a priority of payment out of the estates of the insolvent debtors were more effectually secured, this evil would, in a great measure, be obviated. An authority to construct such houses is, therefore, with the proposed alteration of the credits, re commended to your attention. It is worthy of notice, that the laws for the collection and security of the revenue arising from imposts were chiefly framed when the rates on imported goods, presented much less temptation for illicit trade than at present exists. There is reason to believe, that these laws are, in some respects quite sufficient for the proper security of the re venue, and the protection of the in•erests of those who are disposed to observe them. The injurious and demoralizing tendency of a successful system of smuggling, is so obvious as not to require comment, and cannot be too carefully guarded against. I therefore suggest to Congress the pro priety of adopting efficient measures to prevent this evil ; avoiding, however, as much as possible, every unnecessary infringement of individual liberty, and stnharrassment of fair and lawful business. On an examination of the records of the Treasury, I have been forcibly struck with the large amount of public money which appears to be outstanding. Of the sum thus due from individuals to the Government, a consider able portion is undoubtedly desperate ; and in many in stances, has probably been rendered so by the remissness in the agents charged with its collection. By proper exer tions, a great past, however, may yet be recovered ; and, whatever may be the portions respectively belonging to these two classes, it behoves the Government to ascertain the real state of the fact. This can be done only by the prompt adoption of judicious measures for the collection of such as may be made available. It is believed that a very large amount has been lost through the inadequacy of the means provided for the collection of debts due to the public, and that this inadequacy lies chiefly in the want of legal skill, habitually and constantly employed in the direction of the agents engaged in the service. It must, I think, be admitted, that the supervisory power over suits brought by the public, which is now rested in an accounting officer of the Treasury, not elected with a view to his legal know ledge, and encumbered as he is with numerous other duties, operates unfavourably to the public interest. It is important that this branch of the public service should be subjected to the supervision of such professional skill as will give it efficacy. The expence attendant upon such a modification of the Executive Department would be justified by the soundest principles of economy. I would recommend, therefore, that the duties now assigned to the Agent of the Treasury, so far as they relate to the superin tendence and management of legal proceedings, on the part of the United States, be transferred to the Attorney-Gene ral, and that this officer he placed on the same footing in all respect., as the Heads of the other Departments, re ceiving like compensation, and having such subordinate officers provided for his department as may be requisite for the discharge of these additional duties. The professional skill of the Attorney-General, employed in directing the conduct of Marshals and District Attorneys, would hasten the collection of debts now in suit, and, thereafter, save much to the Government. It might be further extended to the superintendence of all criminal proceedings fur offences against the United States. In making this trans fer, great care should be taken, however, that the power necessary to the Treasury Department be not impaired ; one of its greatest securities consisting in a controul over all accounts, until they are audited or reported for suit. In connexion with the foregoing views, I would sug gest, also, an inquiry, whether the provisions of the Act of Congress, authorizing the discharge of the persons of debtors to the Government, from imprisonment, may not, consistently with the public interest, be extended to the release of the debt, where the conduct of the debtor is wholly exempt from the imputation of fraud. Some more liberal policy than that which now prevails, in re ference to this unfortunate class of citizens, is certainly due to them, and would prove beneficial to the country. The continuance of the liability, after the means to dis charge it have been exhausted, can only serve to dispirit the debtor ; f,.r, where his resources are but partial, the want of power in the Government to compromise:and re lease the demand, instigates to fraud, as the only resource for securing a support for his family. lie thus sinks into a state of apathy, and becomes a useless drone in society, or a vicious member of it, if not a feeling witness of the rigour and inhumanity of hie country, All experience proves, that oppressive debt is the bane of enterprise; and it should be the care of a Republic not to exert a grinding power over misfortune and poverty. I would also suggest a view of the Pension Law, for the purpose of extending its benefits to every revolutionary soldier who aided in establishing our liberties, and who is unable to maintain himself in comfort. These relics of the war of independence have strong claims on their country's gratitude and bounty. The law is defective in not embracing within its provisions all those who were during the last war, disabled from supporting themselves by manual labour. Such an amendment would add but little to the amount of pensions, and is called for by the sympathies of the people, as well as by considerations of sound policy. It will be perceived, that a large addition to the list of pensions has been occasioned by an order of the late Administration, departing materially from the rules which had previou.ly prevailed. Considering it an act of legislation, I suspended its operations as noon as I was informed that it had commenced. Before this period, however, applications under the new regulations bad been preferred to the number of one hundred and fifty-four, of which, on • the 27th of March, the date of its revocation eights-seven were admitted. For the amount, there was neither estimate nor approbation ; and besides this de ficiency, the regular allowances, according to the rules which have hitherto governed the Department, exceed the estimate of its late Secretary, by about 50,0004. ; for which an appropriation is asked. Your particular attention is requested to that part of the report of the Secretary of War which relates to the money held in trust for the Seneca tribe of Indians. It will be perceived that without Legislative aid, the Executive can not obviate the embarrassments occasioned by the diminu tion of the dividends on that fund ; which originally amounted to 100,000 d , and has recently beets invested in the United States' three per cent. stock. The condition and ulterior destiny of the Indian tribes within the limits of some of our States, have become ob jects of much interest and importance. It has long been the policy of Government to introduce among them the arts of civilization, in the hope of gradually reclaiming them from a wandering life. This policy has, however, been coup',incompatibleits success. with another, wholly with success. Professing a desire to civilize and settle them, we have, at the same time, lost no opportunity to purchase their lands and thrust them further into the wilderness. By this means tiny have not only been kept in a wandering caw, hut beets led to hook upon us as unjust and indiffe rent to their fate. Thus, though lavish in its expenditures upon the subject, Government has constantly defeated its 01%11 policy ; and the Indians in general receding further 'and further to the West, have retained their savage habits. A portion, however, of the Southern tribes, having mingled much with the whites, and made some progress In The arts of civilized life, have lately attempted to erect. an. inde pendent Government within the limits of Georgia and Alabama.—These States, claiming to be the only Sove reigns within their territories, extended their laws over the Indians; which induced the latter to call upon the United States for protection. Under these circumstances, the question presented was, whether the General Govern meat had a right to sustain those people in their pretensions ? The Constitution de- dares, that "no new State shall be formed or erected within the jurisdiction of any other State," without the consent of its Legislature. It the General Government is not permitted to tolerate the erection of a confederate State within the territory of one of the members of this Union, against her consent, much less could it allow a foreign and independent Government to establish itself there. Georgia became a member of the Confederacy which eventuated in our Federal Union, as a Sovereign State, always asserting her claim to certain limits; which, having been originally defined in her Colonial Charter, and subsequently recognized in the Treaty of Peace, she has ever since continued to enjoy, except as they have been circumstanced by her own voluntary transfer of a portion of her territory to the United States, in the Articles of Cession of 1602. Alabama was admitted into the Union on the same footing with the original States, with boun daries which were prescribed by Congress. There is no constitutional, conventional, or legal provision, which allows them less power over the Indians within their borders, than is possessed by Maine or New York. Would the people of Maine permit the Penobscot tribe to erect au independent Government within their State ? And unless they did, would it not be the duty of the General Government to support them in resisting such a measure ? Would the people of New York permit each remnant of the six nations within her borders, to declare itself an in dependent people, under the protection of the United States ? Could the Indians establish a separate Republic on each of their reservations in Ohio ? And if they were so disposed, would it be the duty of this Government to protect them in the attempt. If the principle involved in obvious answer to these questions be abandoned, it will follow that the objects of this Government are reversed; and that it has become a part of its duty to aid in destroy ing the States which it was established to protect. Actuated by this view of the subject, I informed the Indians inhabiting parts of Georgia and Alabatna, that their attempt to establish an independent government would not be countenanced by the Executive of the United States, and advised them to emigrate beyond the Mississippi, or submit to the laws of those States. Our conduct towards these people is deeply interesting to our national character. Their pre►ent condition, con trasted with what they once were, makes a most powerful eppeal to our sympathies. Our ancestors found them the uneontroulcd possessors of these vast regions. By per suasion and force, they have been made to retire from river to river, and from mountain to mountain, until some of the tribes have become extinct, and others have left but remnants to preserve, for awhile, their once terrible names. Surrounded by the whites, with their arts of civilization, which, by destroying the resources of the savage, doom him to weakness and decay, the fate of the Mohegan, the Narragansett, and the Delaware, is fast overtaking the Choctaw, the Cherokee, and the Creek. That this fate surely awaits them if they remain within the limits of the States does not admit of a doubt. Hu manity and national honour demand that every effort should be made to avert so great a calamity. It is too late to inquire whether it was just in the United States to include them and their territory within the bounds of new States whose limits they could controul. That step can not be retraced. A State cannot be dismembered by Congress, or restricted in the exercise of her Constitu tional power. But the people of these States, and of every State, actuated by feelings of justice and regard for our national honour, submit to you the interesting ques tion, whether something cannot be done, consistently with the rights of the States, to preserve this much in jured race? As a means of effecting this end, I suggest for your con sideration the propriety of setting apart an ample district west of the Mississippi, and without the limits of any State or territory now formed, to be guaranteed to the Indian tribes as long as they shall occupy it; each tribe having a distinct controul over the portion designated for its use. There they may be secured in the enjoyment of governmeute of their own choice, subject to no other con troul from the United States than such as may be neces sary to preserve peace on the frontier, and between the several tribes. There the benevolent may endeavour to teach them the arts of civilization ; and by promoting union and harmony among them, to raise up on interest ing commonwealth, destined to perpetuate the race, and to attest the humanity and justice of this Government. 'This emigration should be voluntary; for it would be as cruel as unjust to compel the aborigines to abandon the graves of their fathers, and to seek a home in a dis tant land. But they should be distinctly informed that, if they remain within the limits of the States, they must be subject to the laws. In return fur their obedience as indiViduals they will, without doubt, be protected in the enjoyment of those possessions which they have improved by their industry. But it seems to me visionary to sup pose that, in this state of things, claims can be allowed on tracts of country on which they have never dwelt nor made improvements, merely because they have seen them from the mountains, or passed them in the chace. Sub mitting to the laws of the State and receiving, like other citizens, protection in their persons and property, they wi*, ere long, become merged in the mass of our popu lation. The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy will make you acquainted with the condition and useful employmeut of that branch of our service during the pre sent year. Constituting, as it does, the best standing se curity of this country against foreign aggression, it claims the especial attention of Government. In this spirit, the me 'sures which, since the termination of the last war, have been in operation for its gradual enlargement were adopted; and it should be continued to be cherished as the offspring of our national experience. It will be seen, however, that, notwithstanding the great solicitude which has been manifested for the perfect organization of this arm, and the liberality of the appropriations which that solicitude has suggested, this object has, in many important respects, not been secured. In time of peace we have need of no more ships of war thsn are required to the protection of our commerce. Those not wanted for this object must by in the harbours, where, without proper covering, they rapidly decay, and, even under the best precautions for theirpreservation, must soon becolue useless. Such is already the case with many of our finest vessels, which, though unfinished, will now requ;re immense sums of money to be restored to the condition in which they were when committed to their proper element. On this subject there can be but little doubt that our best policy vrculd be to discontinue the building of ships of the first and second class; awl look rather to the possession of ample materials prepared for the emer gencies of war, than to the number of vessels which we can float in a season in peace, as the index of our naysl power. _ _ Judicious deposits in navy yet ds, of timber, and other ma tarials, fashioned under the hands of skilful workmen, and fitted by prompt application to their various purposes, would enable us, at all times, to construct vessels as fast as they can be manned, and to save the heavy expense of repairs, except to such vessels as must be employed in guarding our commerce. The proper points for the esta blishment of these yards are indicated with so much force, in the Report of the Navy Board, that, in recommending it to your attention, I deem it unnecessary to do more than express my hearty concurrence in their views. The yard in this district, being already furnished with most of the machinery necessary for ship-buildinrs,will be comp e t en t t o the supply of the two selected by the Board as the best for the concentration of materials ; and from the facility and certainty of communication between them, it will be useless to incur, at these depots, the expense of similar machinery, especially that used in preparing the usual me tallic and wooden furniture of vessels. Since the last Session of Congress, numerous frauds on the Treasury have been discovered, which I thought it my duty to bring under the cognizance of the United St a t es , Court for this district, by a criminal prosecution. It was my opinion, and that of able Counsel who were consulted, that the cases came within the penalties of the Act of the 17th Congre , s, approved 3d March, 1523, providing for the punislnnent of frau Is committed on the Government •of the United States. Either from some defect in the law or in its administration, every effort to bring the accused to trial under its provisions proved ineffectual; a n d th e Government was driven to the necessity of resorting to the vague and inadequate provisions of the common law. It is therefore my duty to call your attention to the laws which have been passed for the protection of the Treasury. If, indeed, there be nu provision by which those who may be . unworthily entrusted with its guardianship, can be punished for the most flaw ant violation of duty, extending even to the most f audulent appropriation of the public funds to their OWA . WC, it is time to remedy so danger ous an om;ssion. Or, if the law has been perverted from its original purpose, and criminals, deserving to be punished under its provisions, have been rescued by legal subtleties, it ought to be made so plain, by emendatory provision 4, as to baffle the arts of perversion, and ac complish the ends of its original etTaiitment. In one of the most flagrant cases, the Court decided that the prosecution was barred by the statute which limits prosecution for fraud to two years. In this case all the evidences of fraud, and indeed all knowledge that a fraud had been committed, were in possession of the party accused, until after the two years_ bad elapsed. Surely the statute ought not to run in favour of any man while he retains all the evidences of his crime in his own possession ; and, least of all, in favour of a public officer who continues to defraud the Treasury, and conceal the transaction, for the brief term of two years. I would therefore recommend such an alteration of the laws as well give the injured party and the Government two years after the disclosure of the fraud, er after the accused is out of office, to commence their prosecution. In connection with this subject, I invite the attention of Congress to a general and minute inquiry into the con dition of Government; with a view to ascertain what offices can be dispensed with, what expenses retrenched, and what improvents may be made in the organization of its various parts, to secure the proper responsibility of public agents, and promote efficiency and justice in all its operations. The Report of the Secretary of War will make you acquainted with the condition of our Army, Fortifica tions, Arsenals, and Indian Affairs. The proper dis cipline of the Army, the training and equipment of the Militia, the Education bestowed at West Point, and the accumulation of the means of defence, applicable to the Naval force, will tend to prolong the peace we now enjoy, and which every good citizen, more especially those who have felt the miseries of even a successful warfare—must ardently desire to perpetuate. The returns from the subordinate branches of this service exhibit a reg ularity and order highly creditable to its charaoter ; both officers and soldiers seem imbued with a proper senile of duty, and conform to the restraints of exact discipline with that cheerfulness which becomes the profession of arms. There is need, however, of further legislation, to obviate the inconveniences specified in the report under consideration ; to some of which it is proper that I should call your particular attention. • The Act of Cangress of the 2d of March, 1821, to re duce and fix the military establishment, remaining unex ecuted as it regards the command of one of the regiments of artillery, cannot now be deemed a guide to the Execu tive in making the proper appointment. An explanatory Act, designating the class of officers nut of which the grade is to be filled—whether from the military list, as existing prior to the Act of 1821, or from it, as it has been fixed by that Act--would remove this difficulty. It iy also impor tant that the laws relating to the pay and emoluments of officers generally, should be more specific than they now are. Those, for example, in relation to the Paymaster and Surgeon General, assign to them an annual salary of 2,500 d. ; but are silent as to allowances which, in certain exigencies of the service, may be deemed indispensable to the discharge of their duties. The circumstance has been the authority for extending to them various allowances, at different times, under former Administrations; but no uniform rule has been observed on the subject. Similar inconveniences exist in other cases ; in which the con struction put upon the laws by the public accountants may operate unequally, produce confusion, and expose officers to the odium of claiming what is not their due. I recommend to your fostering care, as one of our safest means of national defence, the Military Academy. This institution has already exercised the happiest influence upon the moral and intellectual character of the army; and such of the graduates as, from - various causes, may not pursue the profession of arms, will be scarcely less useful as citizens. Their knowledge of the military art will be advantageously employed in the military service; and, in a measure, secure to that class of troops the advantages which, in this respect, belong to standing armies. Another improvement would be effected by dispensing altogether with the Navy Board, as now constituted ; and substituting, in its stead, bureaus, similar to those already existing in the War Department. Each Member of the Board, tranferred to the head of a separate bureau, charged with specific duties, would feel, in its highest de gree, that wholesome responsibility which cannot be divided without a far more than proportionate diminution of its force. Their valuable services would become still more so when separately appropriated to distinct portions of the great interests of the Nary, to the prosperity of which each would be impelled to devote himself by the strongest motives. Under such an arrangement, every branch of this impartaet service would assume a more simple and precise charaoter ; its efficiency would be in creased, and scrupulous economy in the expenditure of public money promoted. I would also recommend that the marina corps be merged in the artillery or infantry, as the best mode of .curing the many defects in its organization. But little exceeding in uumber any of the regiments of infantry, that carps has, besides its Lieutenant-Colonel Command ant, five Brevet Lieutenant-Colonels, who receive the full pay and emoluments of their brevet rank, without render ing proportionate service. Details for marine service could as well be made from the infantry or artillery, there being no peculiar training requisite for it. With these improvements, and such others as zealous watchfulness and mature consideration may suggest, there can be little doubt that under an energetic administration of its affairs, the navy may soon be made every thing that the nation wishes it to be. Its efficiency in the sup pression of piracy in the West India seas, and wherever its squadrons have been employed in securing the interests of the country, will appear from the report of the Secre tary, to which I refer you for other interesting details. Among these, I would bespeak the attention of Congress, for the views presented in relation to the inequality be tween the army and navy as to the pay of officers. No such inequality should prevail between these brave de fenders of their country ; and where it does exist, it is submitted to Congress whether it ought not to be rec tified. _ _ The report of the POstmaster General is referred to as exhibiting a highly satisfactorily administration of the department. Abuses have been reformed ; increased expe dition in the transportation of the mail secured ; and its revenue much improved. In a political point of view, this department is chiefly important as affording the means of diffusing knowledge. It is to the body politic, what the veins and arteries are to the natural, con veying rapidly and re,fularly, to the remotest parts of the system, correct information of the operations of the Government, and bringing back to it the wishes and feel ings of the people. Through its agency, we have secured to ourselves the full enjoyment of the blessings of a free press. In this general survey of our affairs, a subject of high importance presents itself in the present organization of the Judiciary. An uniform operation of the Federal Go vernment in the different Stabs is certainly desirable ; and, existing as they do in the Union, on the. basis of per fect equality, each State has a right to expect that the be nefits conferred on the citizens of others should be ex tended to hers. The judicial system of the United States exists in all its efficiency in only fifteen Members of the Union; to three others, the Circuit Courts, which con stitute an important part of that system, have been im perfectly extended; and to the :remaining six, altogether denied. The effect has been to withhold from the inha bitants of the latter, the advantages afforded (by the Su preme Court), to their fellow citizens in other :States, in the whole extent of the criminal, and much of the civil authority of the Federal Judiciary. That this state of things ought to be remedied, if it can he done consistently with the public welfare, it ought not to be doubted ; nei ther is it to be disguised that the organization of our judi cial system is at once a difficult and delicate task. To extend the Circuit Courts equally throughout the Union, and, at the same time, to avoid such a multiplication of members as would encumber the Supreme Appellate Ti ibunal, is the object desired. Perhaps it might be accomplished by dividing the Circuit Judges into two classes, and providing that the Supreme Court should be held by those classes alternately, the Chief Justice always presiding. If an extension of the Circuit Court Court system to those States which do not now enjoy its benefits should be determined upon it would, of course, be necessary to revise the present arrangements of the circuit; and even if that system should not be enlarged, such a revision is recom mended. A provision for taking the census of the people of the United States will, to insure the completion of that work within a convenient time, claim the early attention of Congress. eine groat and constant increase of business in the de partment of State forced itself, at an early period, upon the attention of the Executive. Thirteen years ago it was, in Mr. Madison's last Message to Congress, made the subject of an earnest reoininendation, which has bee❑ repeated by both his successors; and my comparatively limited experience has satisfied me of its justness. It has arisen from many causes, not the least of which is the large addition that has bee❑ made to the family of inde pendent nations, and the proportionate extension of our foreign relations. The remedy proposed was the establish.. went of a Home Department—a measure which does not appear to have met the views of Congress, on account of its supposed tendency to increase gradually and impercep tibly the already too strong bias of the fei'eral systetn to wards the exercise of authority not delegated to it. I am not, therefore, disposed to revive the recommendation; but am not the less impressed with the importance of so orga nizing that department, that its Secretary may devote more of his time to our Foreign Relations. Clearly satisfied that the public good would be promoted by some suitable provision on the subject, I respectfully invite your atten tion to it. The charter of the Bank of the United States expires in 1836, and its stockholders will most probably apply for a renewal of their privileges. In order to avoid the evils resulting from precipitancy in a measure involving such important principles, and such deep pecuniary interests, I feel that I cannot„in justice to the parties interested, too soon present it to the deliberate consideration of the Le gislature and the people. Both the constitutionality and the expediency of the law creating this Bank, are well questioned by a large portion of our fellow-citizens ; and it must be admitted by all, that it has failed in the great end of establishing a uniform and sound currency. Under these circumstances, if such an institution is deemed essential to the fiscal loperations of the Govern ment, I submit to the wisdom of the Legislature whether a national one, founded upon the credit of the Govern ment and its revenues, might not be devised, which would avoid all constitutional difficulties, and, at the same time, secure all the advantages to the Government and country that were expected to result from ►he present Bank. I cannot close this communication without bringing to your view the just claim of the representatives of Com modore Decatur, his officers, and crew, arising from the re capture of the frigate Philadelphia, under the heavybatteries of Tripoli. Although sensible, as a general rule, of the im propriety-of Executive interference under a Government like ours, where every individual enjoys the right of directly petitioning Congress, yet, viewing this case as one of a very peculiar character, I deem it my duty to reeom mend it to your favourable consideration. Besides the justice of this claim, as corresponding to those which have been since recognised and satisfied, it is the fruit of a deed of patriotic and chivalrous daring, which infused life and confidence into our infant navy, and contributed, as much as any in ita history, to elevate our national character. Public gratitude, therefore, stamps her seal upon it; and the need should not be withheld which may hereafter operate as a stimulus to our gallant tars. I now commend you, fellow-citizens, to th e guid ance of Almighty God, with a full reliance on his merciful Providence for the tnaintenance of our free institutions : and with an earnest supplication,. that what ever errors it may be my lot to commit, in . discharging the arduous duties which have devolved on me, will find a remedy in the harmony and wisdom of your counsels. ANDREW JACKSON. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. (From the Gazette de France of Tnualay, Jan. 5.) PARIS, JAN. 4.—lf we may believe the reports which we hear repeated, the party which will not hear of the preventive measures, or of coups d'etat on the part of the Ministry, after having taken its preventive measures by the associations for the re hisal of the taxes, meditates a popular coup d'etat which would be the entire reduction of the budget. We have reason to believe that this question, hav ing been discussed in the liberal meetings, has been decided affirmatively by several members of the left side, and that M. B. Constant, who expressed a wish for a partial rejection, was admonished for hii concessions. (From the Messager de Chambres of Tuesday, Jan. 5.) PARIS, JAN. 4.—We have received letters from Milan, which leave no doubt of the happy recovery of the Archduchess Maria Louisa. During the course of the year 1829 there arrived iu the port of Havre 1,429 French and foreign ships coming from foreign parts and from the French Co lonies, and 3,657 coasting vessels, including those employed in the navigation of the river. It appears from this statement that there arrived at Havre, in 1829, 400 ships from foreign parts, and 700 coast ing vessels, more than in 1826 (qy. 1828 ?) The receipt of customs at Havre, in 1829, amounted to 25,876,535 francs 44. centimes. This sum, com pared with the receipt of the last year, presents an excess of nearly 2,000,000 in favour of the year 1829. An American skip, which left the Havannah on the let of November last, and has arrived at Balti more, brought word that the whole of the Spanish squadron under Admiral Laborde had returned into port. After all the reports that bad been spread, it seemed that the opening of the session would not be delayed beyond the 18th of February; it is now affirmed that it will not take place till the 4th or sth of March. Many reasons are assigned for this change; first, the internal embarrassments of the ministry, its disunion and the uncertainty of its legislative projects: lastly, the impossibility of giv ing a final resolution respecting Greece. This last reason is said to be the principal; and this is con ceivable, for till we know the turn that events in Greece will take, we cannot know whether the 80,000,000 that it has cost us have been well or ill employed. VIENNA, DEC. 25.—Our speculators in the funds begin to make themselves easy about the sudden departure of M. de Rothschild, for it is now known that ha is gone, not to ♦Varsaw, but to Troppau, to have a conference with a distinguished member of the Russian Board of Finance. It is affirmed that no such thing as a loan is thought of, but only an adjustment of old accounts. FRENCH FUNDS.—PARIS, JAN. s.—Fire per Cents., 108 f. 60c. 50c. 55c. 50c. 60c. ; Three per Cents. 84f. 20c. 10c. 15c. 25c. ; Rentes de Naples, 91f. 80c. 50c. 60e, ; Royal Spanish Loan, 814 Ren:es Perpe tuelles d'Espagne, 621 62 613 62 613 62 621. Exchange on London,—one month, 25f. 50c. ; three months, 25£ Sse.—Coots Authentique. BRITISH BEAUTIES OF 1830 AND FEMALE EQUESTRIANS.-We are requested to state that a Second Edition of the Court Journal of Saturd:iy last (the First Number for the New Year) is now ready for delivery, con taining anions numerous other interesting Papers :—Key to the new satirical novel " The Exclusives"—The Gar land of Beauty, a Characteristic Description of all the Beauties of the year 1830—The Female Equestrians of 1830, naming all the most distinguishetl, their Style of Person, Mode of Riding, Costume, &c. This New Journal of Fashion, the Companion not merely of the Drawing- Room and the Boudoir, but of the Breakfast Table and the Study, is published every Saturday Morning on a handsome stamped sheet of 16 pages, and s-nt by the Newsmen, free of postage, to all parts of the kingdom ; and the Publisher begs to remind those who desire to commence taking this Publication with the New Year that unless their orders are given immediately to their re spective Booksellers or Newsmen, he cannot answer their being supplied. CHRISTMAS BOUNTIES TO THE WORKMEN ♦T HAWK ESIILTRY COLLIERY, NEAR. ('oy/tram% —A Correspondent informs us that on Christmas-day the numerous colliers and workmen employed in the Hawkes bury Colliery (to the number of about 200) were as sembled at Springfield House, near Bedworth, Warwick shire, soon after ten o'clock in the morning, when they were met and addressed by their employer, G. WRIELDON, Esq., who shortly reminded them of the nature and du ties of the day ; of the obligation resting upon every real Christian to commemorate it in the way pointed out and required by the service of our Church ; and with much earnestness he exhorted them to be regular in their attend ance to the duties of tile Sabbath. day ; to accustom them selves to habits of sobriety, industry, and domestic regu larity, as the surest means of contributing to their earthly comfort and future happiness. After which all the men walked in procession to the Church, iu the most orderly manner, attended by the agents and clerks, where they heard from the Rev. H. Batt/tuts a most excellent and appropriate discourse. Immediately after Divine Service, their employer had four sheep distributed amongst them, and each individual received a quart of ale. Their appear ance on this occasion was highly gratifying, and their conduct highly exemplary, particularly for their great at tention during the service. We like to witness this good feeling between masters and their servants, and have plea sure in recording in our columns ail such instances of libe rality to the poor, which is, indeed, peculiarly called for at this season of the ) ear, and in these sad times at distress. The competition between the butchers at Tonbridgc, has surpassed any thing within our remem brance. The very best joints of beef were proclaimed by the cryer to be selling in the market on Thursday last, by a Toubridge butcher, at 4d. per lb. and at the same time, good beef to be given by another butcher of this town to all deserving poor people—Guam ! They seem deter mined to keep pace with the Chatham hero, who paid another visit on the above day.—Kent llerald. '~... LITERATURE. e.k St SE: 130nds THE HISTORY OF CHIVALRY AND THE c ent Per Cent. Con CRUSADES.—Entxßuaair, 1830. ni per Ditt o Re l n ' The present volume, which forms the fiftieth iii cen t . Am of " Constable's Miscellany," proves that its '124 1 '4Z,...: author, the Rev. Henry Stabbing, has diligently 4 . ; An a,; availed himself of the numerous but scattered Atli" — sources of information on this popular subject. ZS OF r kexiaan Tim; Among other works to which he is not a little 'l . 3 'itt i rt) Bond d indebted, is the, late Mr. Mills' admirable his- .uenos Ayr% 11, 1 a /t i t N h 121 . 1 tory of " Knighthood and its Times," a work tt o inb l ig 4 Bor which, for the extent and variety of its research, the Ltih Eorid,... attic graces of its style, and the manner in which gitt,) 4l7s its ample materials have been condensed and di- bitto. 1825 • gested, ranks foremost among modern publics pawn tions. The fullest, and, in every respect, the most satisfactory chapter in the present volume, 1/22:Lan Mm ii Im is decidedly the one on the ".floral Influence e of Chivalry—the Truth, honour, and Gallantry of Knighthood," which does credit to Mr. Steb- liarik Stock .... Consols, S per Gov. Stock, 3% Ditto, New ... 4 per Cent....... ) Gov. Deb. 3% Royal Canal St Grand Canal Si ' City Deb. 4 pei Ballast Office 1 wing's scrupulous judgment and impartiality.— The introductory remarks on the origin of the Crusades, in like manner, display no inconsi- derable powers of analysis and refleetion. LINCOLN COUNTY MEETING. Arrived. 0 America 0 Brasil.. 0 Buenos . 0 Carthar 1 Dublin.. 0 Flanders LINCOLN, THURSDAY MORNING.--The approach ing assembly of the Freeholders of this county to morrow has not failed to create that interest which' such an event, so unfrequent in occurrence, must necessarily be supposed to occasion. "Are you going to the meeting ? Who do you expect to meet - there ? arid who is to take the prominent parts in the pro ceedings ?" are the common topics in ahnostall classes of society in this city. Various are the conjectures, and nearly every public character is expected to attend as mover and seconder of the resolutions, petition, &c. From the best sources of information we possess, we learn that it is most probable Colonel Johnson, of Witham-on-the-Hill, will be called to the chair. Sir Robert Herod, Burt., of Stubden, near Newark, an unsuccessful candidate to represent the county iu Parliament, is named as the mover, and Russell Collett, Esq., of Sweevethorpe, as seconder of the petition, which prays for the repeal of the beer tax, and a revision of the present malt duties. Sir William Ingleby, Bart., the county member; Sir Richard Sutton, Bart., of Lincoln ; Sir Charles Anderson of 'lce-house, near Gainsborough • Colonel Sibthoro of Canwick ; the Rev. Humphrey Sib thorp, of Washingborough ; Colonel Craycroft, of Hockthorpe, and other distinguished individuals, have promised to attend in order to support the pe tition by their powerful assistance. We also learn that Sir Edward H. Bromhead, Bart., of Thurlby, has notified his intention to attend the Meeting for the purpose of moving an amendment to the Hon. Baronet's motion, and, it is reported, suggest to the Meeting the impolicy of petitioning for the repeal of so large an amount of taxation, because it must b t t il oo l u s trh d ,e i l s a t ps in tr g er, according to his view, drive Government to resort S SU Ir D T DE R N- 0 : to an income-tax in time of peace. In this opinion the Hon. Baronet will be supported by the other on Saturda county member, Charles Chaplin, Esq., as also by l the Lord Lieutenant of the county, Lord Ceci , and Thomas Chaplin, Esq., the member for Status W p e oi b n e t li o e f ve e , : sidered ne ford, and many gentlemen of the old Tory interest of the county. Many of the agriculturists have beeu led to believe that the object of the present Meet• the death ing is really and only a disguise for their landlords to have something like a plausible reason for raising ~ their rents. and cones Should to-morrow prove as fine a day as yester day it will be impossible even to guess at the num ber of persons who will be assembled in the Castle; • yard. ' d'ceuvres c It has been arranged by the High Sheriff that, in ,' case of foul weather, the Court-house shall be The N thrown open to the freeholders . Should the space, be not su ffi cient to hold them, there is ample pro-. UNITED vision already made is the yard by a number of' - waggons, supplied by the neighbouring ram" , , y o placed as to form convenient hustings, similar - to and indeet: that at the never-to-be-forgotten Manchester and . Kent meetings. rapid progi usualB n .P: i '3 ''s lV' h il le good tb i cr d dir 1 Guernee c,f4 - FRIDA' Despatc Office this GEORGE Dec. 12 ; F. C. P o , Nov. 24, ; The Ea PEEL had WELLING -.'u el ra We understand that county m ee tin g s are a bo u t CO km take place at Norfolk an d C am b r id ge , t o cons ider i r )o the propriety of petitioning Parliam e nt for th e repeal People—at of the Beer and Malt Duties. The meeting at Nor folkexample is appointed to take place on Saturday, the 16th, agreeable to a requisition signed by 518 free- of Ge ne ral holders, which had been presented to the High She- th ose rill( riff of that county. ey Impor t ant Lord Francis Osborne took the chair at a pre- bee nt liminary meeting held in Cambridge. his talents l Prince LEOPOLD came to town yeste r d a y ous 3 ' "Ili' morning from his residence at Claremont. His R o y a l tile P RESI Highness left town in the afternoon eu his return. trusive but The Duke of WELLINGTON had an inter view yesterday with Prince LEoroLD. The Duke of We h a y ( IVELLINGrox gave a grand dinner yesteiday evening at Apsley-house, Piccadilly, fur the first time since its re; from our I construction. The party consisted of the LORD CHAN.. }Uwe natura Governmen vgtuati Juries have CELLOS., the Earl Of ABERDEEN, Viscount MELVILLE, Lord ELLENBOROUaII, Mr. Secretary PY.ZL, Sir Gaoraws " The re MURRAY, and the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER. Yesterday, Tice Austrian Ambassador had an interview the Royal I yesterday with the Earl of ABERDEEN at the Foreign• rienced f lor office. The Hansetown Minister transacted business yes terday at the office of the Secretary of State fur Foreign e Affairs. ..1 et of the I Despatches were sent ofron Wednesday even- ;t i re i .,.. _ , h o e fow l f - i exAnießinz4Ea WELLINGTON ABERDEEN D-oGNEoryveNesrtneoirlrdaadoyf, ata G 1 t i lh b Gibraltar. t t u ree s ra svui interview Treasury. J urie s ing from the Colonial-office, for the Hon. General,Post- ° , n ' in Lot SONBY, the Lieutenant-Governor of Malta; and also for ra h have, tv ject of eul The Message of the President, delivered yes- wh4 t they with SirS ir r i : G ' t l . h l : 13 :E:ir e ; terday at noon, was received by us at four o'clock this "eie tYs ti t morning. The express came from New. Brunswick. to Other hand 1 Jersey city, in one hour and furty minute:, a distance of co „ 33 miles We have made extraordinary exertion to pre- , " S elous, I sent it to our readers several hours in anticipation of the relldnnee of usual time of publication. The old officers of the House leer., are were re-elected. Mr. STEVENSON received 152 votes.....' Of th e New York Commercial Advertiser, Dec. 9. 0 systei e btou 1 The Duke of WELLINGTON is said, within in0, 4 . 1: g It the last six months, to have visited two-thirds of the collo" ter„ abi li ty ties in England, and, in the couree of his rapid journeys, . 01 ; s eeurit to have seen more of the country than any of his pre deces- r e is a sors. His Grace, however, we believe, has nut stopped Nintrn en , at many large towns. Outs o f a 1 REMARKABLE OCCURRENCE.—M r . WM. kid t h e 1 , a . HoLatxs of Spaldington Lanes, Dear Howd e n, has, in his ti oh i 'gi , possession a goose, which has, within the last twelve k ri " 5 the months, laid the extraordinary number of seventy eggs: ~ °W ek o 0 twenty-six at the usual time of laying, from which she 'l:e "rent , producc..d, and brought up, seventeen fine gosling,. She - rsge t< true began laying again about the cud of harvest, and has con• of t , ‘4 , tru e 1 1 tinned to lay an egg every other day since. She appears e h e count] to be in excellent condition.— York Courant. o th .._. v.. ( nit niil A bloody feud broke out in Ireland in 1490, "1 f Ose of between an O'Niza and an O'Doxxxt. It originated in °hi' Ll Ott the insolence of the reply of the latter to the demand of N t h , Sept O'NIEL for the payment of his quit-rents. The corre- co :I t Ma spondence is curious, and shows that the Spartan epistolary . t , ed t o exec style was not limited to the Peloponesus. "Pay me my I N d ob , rent," said O'Nricr., "or rf you don't —" s 4 I owe °llly i ts "n you no rent," answered O'Dosiiirm, "and if I did—_--" Ivi iiit 11 bnii GAME TO THE LAST.—A tradesman of ' hu t 301 .14 at Bath very recently had business at the mansion of the N I , tß nee, Earl of CORE, and in walking through the park he ob- le,, ei4 °reit served two cock pheasants fighting: he looked on a con- i tttre w i l siderable time arid walked close up to the birds, which r e : lir, ictie s minded him not, but c !ntinued the battle, until he parted s ea son t _ , them, by taking one in each hand, which he afterwards i Yhtt rn " 1 .! 1 vele ,lelivered to a servant of the domain.—A similar spirit Iv port'a_ was lately witnessed in other birds, equally as full of games t he t , a ant LA although only cock robins. Two birds of this description 0 1 4 ,, ,sYst were watched by one of the gardeners, in Sydney Gardaiss 1) 1 , 4 , til er fur eight or ten minutes, and an attempt was made by Pitt, % Vith noise to disturb them, but they would not be parted until Of t ' i ., . i trith o , the man took them up, like cocks distressed, but still eager - IVe r ; 4° by to fight, and in that state he carried them up to the bar . to h e r of the Hotel.--Dorset Chronicle.