The Sun. — London, England, 1844-12-30 00:00:00

open" 11 of -se ° f $ e • p*rti le Le" Ler MARKET HIS DAY.) CORN-EXCHANGE —MONDAY. The past week's arrivals of all kinds of Grain for our market have, in consequence of the prevailing fogs and contrary winds, been on a very limited scale, and, comparatively speaking, of inferior quality, arising from the damp state of the atmosphere. Fresh up, scarcely any Wheat came to hand, coastwise or by land carriage and sample ; the stands were, therefore, scantily sup plied with parcels of both rod and white. The attend ance of buyers being small, we have to report a some- Nrhat sluggish inquiry for English Wheat. However, the best parcels were mostly disposed of, at prices fully equal to those obtained on this day se'nnight ; but, in all other kinds, only a limited business was doing, at barely late rates. At present a large fleet of vessels 13 coming up from almost every part, hence, should the wind continue in its present quarter, pod supplies may be expectad this week. Very little foreign Wheat was brought forward, yet the demand for thut article was by no means active. Al. though previous currencies were paid in every instance. Bonded Grain was nominal in value. The show of Bar ley was small. The best malting parcels were in fair re quest at fully previous rates, but grinding and distilling 4!)rts were very dull. Notwithstanding we bad only a limited quantity of Malt offering, that article was a slow sale, at last Monday's quotations. Not a single cargo of Oats came to hand last week from Ireland, but to-day three vessels were entered at the Customs. From the Want of supply, next to nothing was done in Oats, yet the quotations were the same as those obtained on this day se'nnight. Beans, Peas, and Flour were a slow WC, yet prices were supported. Linseed Cakes sold freely ; but in all other kind of Seeds next to nothing was oing, ~ - CURRENCY PER IMPERIAL MEASURE. v, HRAT-.-EBBEX & Kent, ,MALT—Chevalier..„..,.. 6ls to EU red 40s to 50s Ours--Yorkshire and Ditto white Norf•lk and Lin 1 Potatoe col., red . ....... .... 38s to 46.1 Yougha a o Ditto*hite 42s t• 50s } black . ...... ... .. .........Ti. to 221 Irish, red ....... Ditto white Ityk—Old SOB to 34s BEANS Tick 3ss to 37s New 3ss to 36 Pons lita atay—Grinding 26s to 31a s Pius- i Grey 35. to 37s Malting .. Chevalier 383 to 40s , White ............. ..... 36. to 38s MALT—Suffolk and Nor- 80i1er5.....-........... 38+ to 431 folk sBs to 62. FLOUR—Town made ... 40s to 45s Brown ...... ........ s6a to 60ii Suffol.... ..... .... .... . Xis to 35 1 Kingston and Ware 63s to 64s Sto c kt on k Norfolk 33s to 351" FOREIGN GRAIN AND FLOUR IN BOND. Wiskar—Dantric ...... 32s to 36s13sans .................. ...... 24s to 21). „. flamburgh....." ..... aPs to ...3 PICAS ................ ...•....•• 28. to 32s ' ~o4ittev usTa—New Feed...-. ....... . SMITHFIELD. As is almost invariably the case at this season of the ear, the supply of Beasts brought forward here was but limited, and of very inferior quality. The attend ance of-both town and country buyers beinf , small, the demand for all kinds of Beef was in a very sluggish state at a decline on last week's quotations of 2d per 81bs, the highest figure realised for the few prime Scots offering not being more than 4s 2d per Blbs, and at which a clearance was not effected. Since this day se'nnight the imports of foreign stock have been miserably "lan, in consequence of the severity of the • 'weather in Hol:and ; and very few Beasts or Sheep are expected for our market for some time hence. The bullock droves fresh up from Lincolnshire, Leices tershire, and Northamptonshire, were composed of about tOO short-horns. From Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cam bridgeshire, we received 400 Scots, &c. ; from the Wes tern and Midland districts, 600 Herefords, Devons, Itunts, &c . ; from other parts of England, 400 of v a ri ous kinds ; and from Scotland, 185 horned and polled Scots. The numbers of Sheep were sufficiently numerous; the Tory primest old Downs were in fair demand, at late Fates, but the general trade was extremely dull, and it has with great difficulty that last Monday's prices were s upported, a clearance of the supply not being effected. potwithstandin g the supply of Calves was small, the 41,nquirt' for them was inactive, at about stationary prices. the of 200 Pigs were on sale, from Ireland, w hil e `qe pork trade was in a sluggish state, at our quotations. Per Blbs. to sink the oftaL s. d. to s. d. s. d. to s. 41. a ' l nterior Beasts 2 o. 2 1 Secondqualityditto... 3 6 3 8 9 bd quality ditto 3 0 2 4 Coarse-woolled ditto.. 310 4 0 iVme large Oxen 3 6 310 Southdown Nether + 4 2 4 4 j 4 'ne SCAM &c. 4 0 4 2 Ditto out of the wool pOeeearse Calves 3 4 4 0 Large Hogs 3 0 3 6 s t ;:„.' 4 .! small ditto 4 2 4 4 Small Porkers 3 8 4 0 I.:'"isig Calves, each 18 031 Quarter oldPigs,eachl6 020 0 "'erior Sheep .... ..... 210 3 4 Lambs 0 0 0 0 SUPPLY AT MARKET. Beasts. I Sheep. Calves. I Pigs. 3,063 75 280 41.1%7D Since this day se'nnight the arrivals of country slaughtered meat have been but moderate, while the B " U Pply of that killed in the metropolis has been small. , t ill, however, 'our markets have been tolerably well iiuPplied, the time of year considered. As is usually L i e ease just after Christmas, the general demand is in -"iv; and prices are with difficulty supported. At per stone, by use Carcase. s. d. to s. d. B. (lA.I. st. f. ..... 2 6 2 8 Mutton, inferior 2 6 210 rnidollin 210 9 8 middling 3 0 3 4 prince 1arge...... 3 2 9 4 prime ..... 3 6 3 >r se Prime small ...... 310 3 6 Perk, large ......... ..- 2 3 4 ' ...... 3 4 4 4 —small. .... ....-- 3 6 310 ARRIVALS DURING THE PAST WEEK. Beasts. Sheep. Calves. Pig s . totland .. ..... 40 300 250 20 450 300 4% 1, 10 8 SO -- 40 Ci 60 ..» 60 ridgeshire ti t 4 t e X ............ ......... 20 340 NO 260 h 'hire .......... .... 14 1(0 so SO e t Part 5..„.».».......„..»».. 2O leo 20 100 1 6 t h . ..... 180 1,77(1 170 1,400 Moue week's Arrival bilrerence since our last 1)20 1,180 380 1,580 ziossotrazx AND SPXTALPIELDs. Very limited supplies of Potatoes—or only about 500 tons —have been received during the past week; how ti-er, as the show has been miserably small prices have Ned e x t remely irregular. Some few York Reds have tlcl as high a s 6L per too; w hil e t h e quotat i ons o f ot h er `lnds have been from 75s to 1103 per ton. These rates e o lnhot, howeve r , b e su pp or t e d, as a very l arge quant i ty ' potatoes is close at hand. ZIOZIOUGEI HOP 31CAR3CZT. 4 1 h. Mid Kent a n d S ussex b ags we h ave a s t ea d y de d, at at very full pricess. In all other kinds of Hops— suPplies of the fine qualities of which are small —a "r a niount of business is doing, at late rates. TALLOW. t oTh is market is steady in price, and the dema n d erahly good. There is now only one vessel to arrive th t zn St. Petersburgh, with about 480 casks, and two or th e a vessel s f rom o th er pl aces; b u t i t i s no t ant i c i pate d 114„ as t the arrivals can eff ec t th e p r i ce . Th e h ome me l t tjnquestionably short. Town Tallow is 41s to 41s 6d, 't h. WOOL MARKET. d em have to report a decided improvement in the 15 1 7, 4 , 1 ati for most kinds of English Wools, especially tttia°thipg qualities. The only alteration in the quo rei,;„" is a slight advance in those of flannel wool. Fo tlet", and Colonial Wools are in improved request, but uearer. The imports continue limited, yet s evera l p lk b t i ls are now off the coast from New Holland. Large ebruary. Bales are expected to take place about the middl e • c`JYO'S SHIPPING—.—(THIS DAY.) 1, e'OUd )50 N , DEC. 30.—Wind Northerly, moderate bree ze , y. (t " . 7 DEc. 27.—The Fair Maid of Perth, from iti t ilri c ) n to the North, came ashore near here this morn u but got off again without damage. itt. c 4 LwAY, DEC. 21.—Arrd. Superb, Liverpool, much tj„ r 'ed, and with loss of bulwarks, &c. j P ,PltesEusauc, Dec. 22.—Waterwitch, M'Kenzie, tj,,, ° un's, New Brunswick. Eitli, 4l ., DEC. 28.—Wind S.S.W., light.—Arrd. Bland, 1 '4; 1), Calcutta ; Camillus, Mules, Demerara ; Riga, eh i Orleans ; Britannia, Quebec ; Mary Bannatyne, Zuid Holland, Lendman, Batavia for Rotterdam ; qt l "„k Sovereign Freers, Coquimbo ; Arcadia, Hood, thiee for Hull '; Bumhopeside, Roby, ditto. 10 P.M., () f° i; 4:- ORTLAND, DEC. 26.—Constantine, New Or forl)4 Il avre . (; °It I'SMOU TD , DEC. 28 AND 29.—Wind S.S.E.—Arrd. 111 et, Fergus, Trinidad. DEC. 27.—Arrd. Acadian, Auld. Charleston; Qtlln'„_errie, Ho us t on , Quebec. 26. Sld. Catherine Isa l`plinladeira an d ape of Good Hope. 27. Clydesdale, k ad. ,LTIIIIDAL, DEC. 23.—Arrd. Londonderry, Hattri c k, e n - " 11 ' 8 , New Brunswick. et;74II4•TORsAY, DEC. 24.—Fragments of wreck are f tee, ll g ashore in different parts of the island, supposed „ Si) rae vessel lost on the coast. t tt( I I 4bL INOTON, DEC. 22.—The Affiance, Spencer, from °ll to Shields (reported as a brig belonging to Is a i ttt :), ran on t h e roc k s o ff tl am b oroug h H ea d , b ut was NP R° d off the following tie, atter throwing part of her 01 erboard, and proceeded without apparent da- W A ,,, e 4 ' 4l troßD, DEC. 27.—Sld. Ann Kenny, Charleston. l at a ° l l .. l t, Dec. 26.—Arrd. hope, Carver, Ichaboe; Cr), I ,N v ; t le Yer, Honduras; Velocity, M'Grath, St. John's, tirC o r linswick, with loss of sails, & c. 27. Ben Brace, l l ' lt trti t r 1 ,9 14 Y, Jamaison, Ferris, Butterfield, and Albion, '. l ehaboe. Sld. Perseverance, St. John's, New Q t wck. z,etikb °° ltitiAvE N DEC. 25.—Arrd. Lacy Ann, Tripp, c ar e (Oct. 14), crew sick, pumps choked, and part of If g° thrown overboard. 4Aer, DEC. 27.—Arrd. Constitution, Miratnichi. R t)t *l 4 P °Rn, DEC. 28.—The Jaeger, Redington, which I, l° Ple t t/ ,, sh ore to the north of this place, is expected to go ' 4 4 % ' 3 every tide, the weather being very bad-306 14,11nd eases discharged. ~"POoL. DEC 28.—The Thomas Perkins, from url e ttns, ashore . on Burbo yesterday, has been got in here leaky ; the Independence and both for New York, are putting back, leaky. Calcutta; Edward Harewood, pi Madras; ~91ith, Valparaiso;Savannah; Hudson,,,k •°4'e'and Royal ; Asenath, s nre, 4 th, ‘ Q Quebec. 29. Nancy, Quebec. 27. Sld. VIQPI Orleans; Idare, Belize. 28. Emily, Africa; ' 41 : 1 ;1 - " r anhare • Stephen, Cuba; Sir Henry Pottinger, l e "" ; York. 29. Cambridge, r.e sto , Virginian, N e w , ~r Off, Leghalern, China; Catharine, Ichaboe; Ovlchaboe; Ambassador, w Me 44 , lll5 aE, DEC. 25.—S1d. North Esk, lebaboe. It'tltbt:ltonctr, DEc. 28.—Arrd. Palemon, London, N,' , ley ; fl -;,1")st , and redder damaged, heving been ashore :"eaPer, Cockenzie, for Lynn, with part of cargo I ' ) ' lle wn %crb uard, having been ivbore to the North of tol 4 . l 4,, lg ij Ec t r „ t habb • - B .—Arrd. Trident, Smit, St. Thomas " 11 $Wi e k tir gh ; Aurora, Hunter, St. John's, New ; Theodore, Cole, Quebec. 4 1'1 pif )ng the itz william dispen se d 'di usual bounty Oi as>, ( ;"rlipeople on the Wentworth estate on Sr. tii,„ 4 'ord,h i ,,,Y• The number of persons who received ir of . bounty amounted to 1,030, and the quan i dlAtribUted amounted to 503 stone. A THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING DECEMBER 80, 1844 The great experiment of a political confederacy—each member of which is supreme as to all matters apper taining to its local interests, and its internal peace and happiness —while by a voluntary compact with others, it confides to the united rotk•eF of all the protection of its citizens, its matters not domestic, has been so far crowned with complete success. The world has wit nessed its rapid growth in wealth and population ; and ) under the guide and. threatens of superintending Provi dence, the developments of the past may be regarded but as the shadowing forth of the mighty future. In the bright prospects of that future we shall find, as pas triots and philosophers, the highest inducements to cul tivate and cherish a love of union, and to frown every measure of effort which may be made to alienate the States, or the people of the States, in sentiment and feeling, from each other. A rigid and close adherence to the terms of our political compact, and, above all, a sacred observance of the guarantees of the Constitution, will preserve union on a foundation which cannot be shaken, while personal liberty is placed beyond hazard or jeopardy. The guarantee of religious freedom, of the freedom of the press, of the liberty of speech, of the trial by jury, of the habeas corpus, and of the domestic institutions of each of the States—leaving the private citizen in the full exercise of the high and ennobling attributes of his na ture, and to each State the privilege which can only be judiciously exerted by itself, of consulting the means best calculated to advance its own happiness ; these are the great and important guarantees of the Constitution, which the lovers of liberty must cherish and the advo cates of the union must ever cultivate. Preserving these, and avoiding all interpolations by forced construction, under the guise of an imagined expediency, upon the Constitution, the influence of our political system is des tined to be as actively and as beneficially felt on the dis tant shores of the Pacific as it is now on those of the Atlantic Ocean. The only formidable impediments in the way of its successful expansion (time and space) are so far in the progress of modification, by the im provements of the age, as to render no longer specula tive the ability of representatives from that remote re gion to come up to the capitol, so that their consti tuents shall participate in all the benefits of federal legislation. Thus it is that in the progress of time, the inestimable princip!es of civil liberty will be enjoyed by millions yet unborn, and the great benefits of our system of Government be ex tended to now distant and uninhabited regions. In view of the vast wilderness yet to be reclaimed, we may well invite the lover of freedom, of every land, to take up his abode among us, and to assist us in the great work of advancing the standard of civilisation, and giving a wider spread to the arts and refinements of cul tivated life. Our prayers should evermore be offered up to the Father of the Universe for his wisdom to direct us in the path of our duty, so as to enable us to consum mate these high purposes. One of the strongest objections which has been urged against confederacies, by writers on Government, is the liability of the members to be tampered with by foreign Governments, or the people of foreign States, either in their local affairs, or in such as affected the peace of others, or endangered the safety of the whole confederacy. We cannot hope to be entirely exempt from such attemptsfon our peace and safety. The United States are becoming too important in population and re sources not to attract the observation of other nations. It therefore may, in the progress of time, occur that opinions entirely abstract in the States in which they may prevail, and in no degree affecting their domestic institutions, may be artfully, but secretly, :encouraged, with a view to undermine the Union. Such opinions may become the foundations of political parties, until at last the conflict of opinion, producing an alienation of friendly feeling among the people of the different States, may involve in one general destruction the happy insti tutions under which we live. It should ever be borne in mind, that what is true in regard to individuals, is equally so in regard to States. An interference of one in the affairs of another is the fruitful source of family dissensions and neighbourhood disputes ; and the sam e cause affects the p eace , h app i ness, and prosperity of States. It may be most devoutly hoped that the good sense of the American people will ever be ready to repel all such attempts, should they ever be made. There has been no material change in our foreign re lations since my_ last annual Message to Congress. With all the powers of Europe we continue on the most friendly terms. Indeed, it afords me much satisfaction to state, that at no former period has the peace of that enlightened and important quarter of the globe ever been, apparently, more firmly established. The conviction that peace is the true policy of nations would seem to be growing and becoming deeper among the enlightened everywhere ; and there is no people who have a stronger interest in cherishing the sentiments, and adopting the means of preserving and giving it permanence, than those of the United States. Amongst these, the first and most effective are, no doubt, the strict observance of justice, and the honest and punctual fulfilment of all engagements. But it is not to be forgotten that, in the present state of the world, it is no less necessary to be ready to enforce their observance and fulfilment, in re ference to ourselves, than to observe and fulfil them, on our part, in regard to others. Since the close of your last session, a negotiation has been formally entered upon between the Secretary of State and her Britannic Majesty's Minister Plenipoten tiary and Envoy Extraordinary residing at Washington, relative to the rights of their respective nations in and over the Oregon territory. That negotiation is still pending. Should it, during your session, be brought to a definite conclusion, the result will be promptly com municated to Congress. I would, however, call your attention again to the recommendation contained in pre vious messages, designed to protect and facilitate emi gration to that territory. The establishment of military posts at suitable points upon the extended line of land travel, would enable our citizens to migrate in compara tive safe ty to the fertile regions below the falls of the Co lumbia, and make the provision of the existing convention for the joint occupation of the territory by subjects of Great Britain and the citizens of the United States, more avail able than heretofore to the latter. These pests would continue places of rest for the weary emigrant, where he would be sheltered securely against the danger of attack from the Indians, and be enabled to recover from the exhaustion of a long line of travel. Legislative enact ments should also be made which should spread over him the aegis of our laws, so as to afford prctection to his person and property when he shall have reached his dis tant home. In this latter respect, the British Govern ment has been much more careful of the interests of such of her people as are to be found in that country than the United States. She has made necessary provision for their security and protection against the acts of the viciously disposed and lawless ; and her emigrant re poses in safety under the panoply of her laws. What ever may be the result of the pending negotiation, such measures are necessary. It will afford me the greatest pleasure to witness a happy and favourable termination to the existing negotiation, upon terms compatible with the public honour ; and the best efforts of the Govern ment will continue to be directed to this end. It would give me the highest gratification in this my last annual communication to Congress, to have been able to announce to you the complete and entire settle ment and adjustment of other matters in difference be tween the United States and the Government of her Britannic Majesty, which were adverted to in a previous message. It is so obviously the interest of both coun tries, in respect to the large and valuable commerce which exists between them, that all causes of complaint, however inconsiderable, should be, with the greatest promptitude, removed, that it must be regarded as cause of regret that any unnecessary delays should be per mitted to intervene. It is true, that, in a pecuniary point of view, the matters alluded to are altogether insigni ficant in amount, when compared with the ample re sources of that great nation ; but they, nevertheless— more particularly that limited class which arise under seizures and detentions of American ships on the coast of Africa, upon the mistaken supposition indulged in at the time the wrong was committed, of their being engaged in the slave trade—deeply affect the sensibilities of this Government and people. Great Britain having recog nised her responsibility to repair all such wrongs, by her action in other cases, leaves nothing to be regretted upon this subject, as to all cases prior to the treaty of Wash ington, than the delay in making suitable reparation in such of them as tall plainly within the principle of others, which she has long since adjusted. The injury inflicted by delays in the settlement of these claims falls with severity upon the individual claimants, and makes a strong appeal to her magnanimity and sense of justice for a speedy settlement. Other matters, arising out of the construction of existing treaties, also remain unad justed, and will continue to be urged upon her attention. The labours of the joint committee appointed by the two Governments to run the dividing line, established by the treaty of Washington, were, unfortunately, much delayed in the commencement of the season, by the failure of Congress at the last session, to make a timely appropriation of funds to meet the expenses of the Ame rican party, and by other causes. The United States Commissioner however, expresses hi s expectation that, by increased diligence an d energy, the party will be able to make up for lost time. We continue to receiveassurances of the most friendly feelings on the part of all the other European powers, with each and all of whom it is so obviously our interest to cultivate the most amicable relations. Nor can I an ticipate the occurrence of any event which would be likely in any degree to disturb those relations. Russia, the great northern power, under the judicious sway of her Emperor, is constantly advancing in the road of science and improvement ; while France, guided by the councils of her wise sovereign, pursues a course calcu lated to consolidate the general peace. Spain has ob tained a breathing spell of some duration from the in ternal convulsions which have, through so many years, marred her prosperity ; while Austria, the Netherlands, Prussia, Belgium, and the other powers of Europe, reap a rich harvest of blessings from the prevailin g peace. I informed the two Houses of Congress, in my message of December last, that instruction s had been given to Mr. Wheaton, our Minister at Berlin, to nego tiate a treaty with the Germanic States composing the Zollverein, if it could be done, stipulating, as far as it was practicable to accomplish it, for a reduction of the heavy and onerous duties levied on our tobacco, and other leading articles of agricultural production ; and yielding in return, on our part, a reduction of duties on such articles, the production of their industry, as should not come into competition, or but a limited one, with articles the product of our manufacturing industry. The Executive, in giving such instructions, con sidered itself as acting in strict conformity with the wishes of Congress, as made known through several mea sures which it had adopted, all directed to the accom plishment of this important result. The treaty was, therefore, negotiated ; by which essential reductions were secured in the duties levied by the Zollverein on tobacco, rice and lard, accompanied by a stipulation for the admission of raw cotton, free of duty. In exchange for which highly important concessions, a reduction of duties, imposed by the laws of the United States on a ariety of articles. most of which were admitted free of IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE all duty under the act of Congress, commonly known as the Compromise law ; and but few of which were pro duced in the United States, was stiptilated for oh our pare This treaty has commuhitated to the Senate at aft ettiV daY cif its hat seseithe but net (tete(' upon till near its close ; When, for the *ant; as I ate bound tb presume ; of full time to considef it ; it was laid upon the table. This protedure had the effect of virtually re jecting it , in tonsequence of a stipulation contained in the treaty, that its ratifications shbuld be exehanged on or before a day which has already passed. The Execu tive, acting apon the fair inference that the Senate did not intend its absolute rejection, gave instructions to out Minister at Berlin to re-open the negotiation, so far as to obtain an extension of time for the exchange of ratifications. I regret, however, to say that his efforts in this respect have been unsuccessful. I am, neverthe less, not without hope that the great advantages which were intended to be secured by the treaty may yet be realised. lam happy to inform you that Belgium has, by an " ante Royal," issued in July last, assimilated the flag of the United States to her own, so far as the direct trade beta een the two countries is concerned. This measure will prove of great service to our shipping interest ; the ' trade having heretofore been carried on chiefly in fo reign bottoms. I flatter myself that she will speedily resort to a modification of her system relating to the tobacco trade, which would decidedly benefit the agri culture of the United States, and operate to the mutual advantage of both countries. No definitive intelligence has yet been received from our Minister of the conclusion of a treaty with the Chinese empire ; but enough is known to induce the strongest hopes that the mission will be crowned with success. With Brazil our relations continue on the most friendly footing. The commercial intercourse between that growing empire and the United States is becoming daily of greater importance to both ; and it is the inte rest of both that the firmest relations of amity and good will should continue to be cultivated between them. The Republic of New Grenada still withholds, not withstanding the most persevering efforts have been em ployed by our Charge d'Affaires, Mr. Blackford, to pro duce a different result, indemnity in the case of the brig Morris. And the Congress of Venezuela, although an arrangement has been effected between cur Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affa.rs of that Government, for the payment of 18,000 dollars in discharge of its liabili ties in the same case, has altogether neglected to make provision for its payment. It is to be hoped that a sense of justice will soon induce a settlement of these claims. Our late Minister to Chili, Mr. Pendleton, has returned to the United States without hating effected an adjust ment in the second claim of the Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds altogether frivolous and untenable. Mr. Pendleton's successor has been directed to urge the claim in the strongest terms; and in the event of a failure to obtain a permanent adjustment, to report the fact to the Executive at as early a day as possible, se that the whole matter may be communicated to Congress. At your last session, I submitted to the attention of Congress the Convention with the Republic of Peru, of the 17th of March, 1841, providing for the adjustment of the claims of the citizens of the United States against that Republic ; but no definitive action was taken upon the subject. I again invite it to your attention and prompt action. In my last annual message I felt it to be my duty to make known to Congress, in terms both plain and em phatic, my opinion in regard to the war which has so long existed between Mexico and Texas ; which, since the battle of San Jacinto, has consisted altogether of predatory incursions, attended by circumstances revolt ing to humanity. I repeat now what I then said, that after eight years of feeble and ineffectual efforts to recover Texas, it was time that the war should have ceased. The United States had a direct interest in the question. The contiguity of the two nations to our ter ritory was but too well calculated to involve our peace. Unjust suspicions were engendered in the mind of one or the other of the belligerents against us ; and, as a neces sary consequence, American interests were made to suffer, and.our peace became daily endangered. In ad dition to which, it musthave been obvious to all that the exhaustion produced by the war subjected both Mexico and Texas to the interference of other Powers, which, without the interposition of this Government, might eventuate in the most serious injury to the United States. The Government from time to time exerted its friendly offices to bring about a termination of hostilities upon terms honourable alike to both the belligerents— its efforts in this behalf proved unavailing. Mexico seemed, almost without an object, to persevere in the war, and no other alternative was left the Executive, but to take advantage of the well-known dispositions of Texas, and to invite her to enter into a:treaty for annex ing her territory to that of the United States. Since your last session Mexico has threatened to renew the war, and has either made, or proposes to make, formidable preparations for Texas. She has issued de crees and proclamations,:preparatory to the commence ment of hostilities, full of threats revolting to humanity, and which, if carried into effect, would arouse the at tention of all Christendom. This new demonstration of feeling, there is too much reason to believe, has been produced in consequence of the negotiation of the late treaty of annexation with Texas. The Executive, therefore, could not be indifferent to such proceedings, and it felt it to be due, as well to itself as to the honour of the country, that a strong representation should be made to the Mexican Government upon the subject. This was accordingly done, as will be seen by the copy of the accompanying dispatch from the Secre tary of State to the United States Envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no right to jeopardise the peaee of the world by urging any longer a useless and fruitless contest. Such a condition of things would not be tolerated on the Eu ropean continent. Why should it be on this ? A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by Mexico, cannot be waged without involving our peace and tranquillity. It is idle to believe that such a war could be looked upon with indifference by our own citizens, inhabiting adjoin ing States ; and our neutrality would be violated in spite of all efforts on the part of the Government to prevent it. The country is settled by emigrhnts from the United States, under invitations held out to them by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants have left behind them friends and relatives' who would not fail to sympathise with them in their difficulties, and who would be led by those sympathies to participate in their struggles, however energetic the action of Government to prevent it. Nor would the numerous and formidable bands of Indians, the most warlike to be found in any land, which occupy the extensive regions contiguous to the states of Arkansas and Missouri, and who are in possession of large tracts of country within the limits of Texas, be likely to re main passive. The inclination of these numerous tribes lead them invariably to war whenever pretexts exist. Mexico had no just ground of displeasure against this Government or people for negotiating the treaty. What interest of hers was affected by the treaty.? She was despoiled of nothing, since Texas was for ever lost to her. The independence of Texas was recognised by several of the leading Powers of the earth. She was free to treat— free to adopt her own line of policy—free to take the course which she believed was best calculated to secure her happiness. Her Government and people decided on annexation to the United States ; and the Executive saw, in the acquisition of such a territory, the means of advancing their permanent happiness and glory. What principle of good faith then was violated ?—what rule of political morals trampled under foot? So far as Mexico herself was concerned, the measure should have been re garded by her as highly beneficial. Her inability to re conquer Texas has been exhibited, I repeat, by eight-- now nine—years of fruitless and ruinous contest. In the mean time Texas has been growing in population and resources. Emigration has flowed into h e r territory from all parts of the world, in a current which continues to increase in strength. Mexico requires a permanent boundary between that young republic and herself. Texas, at no distant day, if she continues separate and detached from the United States, will inevitably seek to consolidate her strength by adding to ber domain in the contiguous provinces of. Mexico. The spirit of revolt from the control of the Central Government has, there fore, manifested itself in some of those provinces ; and it is fair to infer that they would be inclined to take the first favourable opportunity to proclaim their inde pendence, and to form close alliances with Texas. The war would thus be endless, or, if cessations of hostilities should occur, they would only endure for a season. The interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better consulted than iu a peace with her neighbours, which would result in the establishment of a permanent boundary. Upon the ratification of the treaty, the Exe cutive was prepared to treat with her on the most liberal basis. Hence the boundaries of Texas were left un defined by the treaty. The Executive proposed to settle these upon terms that all the world should have pro nounced just and reasonable. No negotiation upon that point could have been undertaken between the United States and Mexico in advance of the ratification of the treaty. We should have had no right—no power—no authority, to have conducted such a negotiation ; and to have undertaken it would have been an assumption equally revolting to the pride of Mexico and Texas, and subjecting us to the charge of arrogance ; while to have proposed, in advance of annexation, to satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest she might have in Texas would independent polder, been to have treated Texas, not as an poWer, but as a mere dependency of Mexico. This as sumption could not have been acted on by the Executive, without setting at defiance your own solemn declaration that the Republic was an independent State. Mexico had, it is true, threatened war against the United States in the event the treaty of annexation was ratified. The Executive could not permit itself to be influenced by this threat. It represented in this the spirit of our people, who are ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimidation. A war, under any circum stances, is greatly to be deplored, and the United States is the last nation to desire it ; but if, as the condition of peace, it be required of us to forego the unquestionable right of treating with an independent power, of our own continent, upon matters highly interesting to both, and that upon a naked and unsustained pretension of claim by a third power, to control the free will of the power with whom we treat—devoted as we may be to peace, . and anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the whole world, the Executive does not hesitate to say that the people of the United States would be willing to brave all consequences sooner than submit to such conditions. But no apprehension of war was entertained by the Ex ecutive ; and I must frankly confess the opinion, that had the treaty been ratified by the Senate, it would have been followed by a prompt settlement, to the entire satis faction of Mexico, of every matter in difference between the two countries. Seeing, then, that new preparations for hostile invasion of Texas were about to be adopted by Mexico, and that these were brought about because Texas had adopted the suggestion of the Executive upon the subject of annexation, it could not passively have folded its arms and permitted a war, threatened to be accompanied by every act that could mark a barbarous age, to be waged against her, because she had done so. Other considerations of a controlling character in fluenced the course of the Executive. The treaty which had thus been negotiated had failed to receive the rati- UNITED STATES, MEXICO, AND CANADA. ARRIVAL OF THE CALEDONIA. LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY EVENING. The British and North American Royal mail steam-ship Caledonia, Capt. Lott, arrived in Bootle bay at four o'clock this afternoon, bringing 32 pas sengers. She left Boston and Halifax on the usual days, the 16th and 18th instant, and made the run for the former port in 13 days, having encountered wes terly winds throughout the passage. The Caledonia, shortly after she left Halifax, spoke the Acadia. The dates of the advices by this arrival are—New York, lith ; Washington, 13th; and Boston and Halifax, 16th and 18th inst. The intelligence they communicate is very important, comprising the Pre sident's annual Message, and the Speech of Sir Charles Metcalfe on the opening of the Canadian:Parliament, with other exceedingly interesting matter. The Electoral College had unanimously confirmed the late Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections. Congress met on Monday, the 2d inst., and the Pre sident's message, which we annex, was delivered on the following day. The anterior proceedings of Congress are interesting. In the Senate, on the 3d, Mr. M'Dufie introduced a joint resolution for the annexation of Texas to the United States. The re solution provides that the first eight articles of the treaty rejected by the Senate last session shall be the fundamental law of union between the United States and Texas, so soon as the supreme authorities of that Republic shall agree to the same ; and, also, that whatever was stipulated to be done immediately, or at a fixed period after the ratification of the treaty compact, shall be done immediately, or in a like period after the authorities of Texas shall have formally agreed to the resolution. It was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. A similar joint resolution was also reported in the House. On the following day Mr. Benton introduced his Bill of last session, providing for the "re-annexation of Texas ;" and this was also referred to the Com mittee on Foreign Relations. On the same day, a resolution, introduced by Mr. Allen, calling upon the President of the United States for information concerning the state of the negotiations pending on the Oregon questions was, after some oppposition, adopted by a vote of 24 to 16. Another resolution, ') calling upon the President, if not incompatible with the public interest, for copies of all correspondence between France and the American Minister at Paris, relative to the proposed annexation, was adopted. A Bill to establish a uniform line for the election of electors of President was under consideration. Outbreaks of the most serious character had certainly occurred in different states of Mexico. Nearly one half of the Mexican army had revolted, and declared against Santa Anna, if the reports brought by these vessels are correct. The Government were put to the greatest trouble to obtain money to prosecute the war against Texas, and every thing was at odds and ends. Congress had voted unanimously an approval of Senor Rejon's correspondence with Mr. Shannon and it was thought that Sant.i Anna, through the impending war, might be able, by obtainiug command of the purse, keep possession of the rword of State. The British Minister is said to be in favour cf such a result. Meantime, General Paredes has placed himself at the head of a revolt, and has publicly de nounced Santa Anna, complaining of the disorgani zation of the army, the abuses of the Tnasury de partment, the disorder existi!•g in the public offices, alleged breaches of law a id violations of right on the part of the Dictatt.r, and the invasion of Texas, not on the score of right on the part of the Texians, but on that of the mismanagement of the proceedings against that province. We give here an extract from the money article of the New York American, of the 14th inst.:— " The meeting of Congress, and the development con sequent thereon of our political relations with foreign countries, exercise naturally considerable influence upon the money market. " The effect thus far has been unfavourable, owing to the embroiled state of our relations with Mexico, and the very extraordinary dispatch from the State Depart ment to our Minister in France, a dispatch of which the country will be loth to accept the responsibility or endorse the sentiments. " There is, however, no change of any moment in the price of the dividend-paying stocks since our last ; but the market generally is feverish, and so is the state of the public mind. " The assurance may, nevertheless, be hazarded, without much risk, that no important measure will be carried through the present Congress. There will be no war—no annexation of Texas—no modification of the tariff—no occupation of Oregon—no establishment of military posts to the Rocky Mountains and the Columbia river, and no other essential or material legislation. " Thus much it would be safe to assume from the, it is believed, unvarying fact that at the short session (and this must terminate on the 4th of March) no important Acts are ever matured and passed. " But in addition to this, there is that in the present condition of parties which renders the adoption of any great change in the position, or in the policy of the coun try, extremely improbable. It seems, therefore, quite safe to say, that until the 4th of March next, whin the newly-elected President will take the reins, things will remain in statu quo. " Into the futare, after that, it were useless now to at tempt any insight. •` Money is easy, notwithstanding a very large diminu tion of discounts by the banks of this city within the last sixty days, equal, probably, to $2,500,000. The fact of such a diminution being insensibly effected, and without any shock to the business or obvious influence on the stock market, would seem to prove the strength and stability both of the banks and the general business transactions. " Exchange on England rules at from 10 to 10 14. At this rate gold cannot be exported, and most of the silver has gone." THE MESSAGE TO THE surplus greatly exceeds in amount what shall be re-- quired by a wise and prudent forecast to meet unfore seen contingencies, the Legislature itself may come to be seized with a disposition to indulge in extravagant approprietions to objects, many of which may, and most probably would, be found to conflict with the Constitution. A fancy expediency is elevated above constitutional authority ; and a reckless and waste ful extravagance but toy certainly follows. The important power of taxation, which, when exercised in its most restricted form, is a burden on labour and pro duction, is resorted to, under various pretexts, for pur poses having no affinity to the motives which dictated its grant, and the extravagance of Government stimulates individual extravagance, until the spirit of a wild and ill regulated speculation involves one and all in its uilfor tunate results. In view of such fatal consequences, it may be laid down as an axiom, founded in moral and political truth, that ?no greater taxes should be imposed than are necessary for an economical administration of the Government ; and that whatever exists beyond, should be reduced or modified. This doctrine does in no way conflict with the exercise of a sound discrimination in the selection of the articles to be taxed, which A due regard to the public weal would at all times suggest to the legislative mind. It leaves the range of selection un defined ; and such selection should always be made with an eye to the great interests of the country. Composed as is the Union, of separate and independent States, A patriotic Legislature will not fail in consulting the in terests of the parts, to adopt such course as will be best calculated to advance the harmony of the whole ; and thus insure that permanency in the policy of the Govern ment without which all efforts to advance the public prosperity are vain and fruitless. This great and vitally important task rests with Congress • and the Executive can do no more than recommend the general principles which should govern in its execution. I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War, for ' an exhibition of the condition of the army ; and recom mend to you, as well worthy your best consideration, many of the suggestions it contains. The Secretary in no degree exaggerates the great importance of pressing forward, without delay, in the work of erecting and finishing the fortifications, to which he particlisrly alludes. Much has been done towards placing our cities and roadsteads in a state of security against the hazards of hostile attack within the last four years ,• but considering the new elements which have been of late years employed in the propelling of ships, and the for midable implements of destruction which have been brought into service, we cannot be too active or vigilant in preparing and perfecting the means of defence. I refer you also to his report for a full statement of the condition of the Indian tribes within our jurisdiction. The Executive has abated no effort in carrying into effect the well-established policy of the Government. which contemplates a removal of all the tribes residing within the limits of the several States beyond these limits ; and it is now enabled to congratulate the country at the prospect of an early consummation of this object, Many of the tribes have already made great progress in the arts of civilised life ; and through the operation of the schools established amongst them, aided by the efforts of the pious men of various religious denomina tions who devote themselves to the task of their improve ment, we may fondly hope that the remains of the for midable tribes which were once the masters of this country will, in their transition from the savage state to a condition of refinement and cultivation, add another bright trophy to adorn the labours of a well-directed philanthropy. The accompanying report of the Secretary of - the Navy will explain to you the situation of that branch of the service. The present organisation of the depart ment imparts to its operations great efficiency ; but I concur fully in the propriety of a division of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repairs, into two Bureaux. The subjects, as now arranged, are incongru ous, and require to a certain extent information and gua r lifications altogether dissimilar. The operations of the squadron on the coast of Africa have been conducted with all due attention to the object which led to its organisation ; and I am happy to say that the officers and crews have enjoyed the best possible health, under the system adopted by the officer in com mand. It is believed the United States is the only na tion which has, by its laws, subjected to the punishment of death, as pirates, those who may be engaged in the slave trade. A similar enactment on the part of other nations would not fail to be attended by beneficial results. In consequence of the difficulties which have existed in the way of securing titles for the necessary grounds, operations have not yet been commenced towards the establishment of the Navy Yard at Memphis. So soon as the title is perfected, no further delay will be per mitted to intervene. It is well worthy of your conside ration, whether Congress should not direet the esta blishment of a rope-walk, in connection with the con templated Navy Yard, as a measure not only of eco nomy, but as highly useful and necessary: The only establishment of the sort now connected with the service is located at Boston ; and the advantages of a similar establishment, convenient to the hemp-growing region, must be apparent to all. The report of the Secretary presents other matters to your consideration of an important character in con nexion with the service. In referring you to the accompanying report of the , Postmaster -General, it affords me continued gratification to be able to advert to the fact that the affairs of the de partment, for the last four years, have been so conducted as, from its unaided resources, to meet its large expendi tures. On my coming into office, a debt of nearly 500,000 dollars existed against the department, which Congress discharged by an appropriation from the Treasury. The department, on the 4th of March next, will be found, under the management of the present efficient head, free of debt or embarrassment, which could only have been done by the observance and practice of the greatest vigilance and economy. The laws have contemplated throughout, that the department should be self sustained; but it may become necessary, with the wisest regard to public interests, to introduce amendments and alterations in the system. There is a strong desire manifested in many quarters, so to alter the tariff of letter postage as to reduce the amount of tax at present imposed. Should such measures be carried into effect, to the full extent desired, it cannot well be doubted but that, for the first years of its operation, a diminished re venue would be collected, the supply of which would necessarily constitute a charge upon the Treasury. Whether such a result would be desirable, it will be for Congress, in its wisdom, to determine. It ma y i n genera l be asserted, that radical alterations in any system should rather be brought about gradually than by sudden changes; and by pursuing this prudent policy in the re duction of letter postage, the department might still sus tain itself through the revenue which would accrue by the increase of letters. The state and condition of the public Treasury has, heretofore, been such as to have precluded the recommendation of any material change. The difficulties upon this head have, however, ceased, and a large discretion is now left to the Government. I cannot too strongly urge the policy of authorising the establishment of a line of steam-ships regularly to ply between this country and foreign ports, and upon our own waters, for the transportation of the mail. The example of the British Government is well worthy of imitation in this respect. The belief is strongly enter tained that the emoluments arising from the transporta tion of mail matter to foreign countries, would operate of itself as an inducement to cause individual ente,:orise to undertake that branch of the task ; and the remune.ras fication of the Senate. One of the'clitiet objections which were urged against it was found to Wet in the fact that the question of annexation had not been submitted to the Ortleel public opinion in the United States. However untenable such an ohjeetion was esteemed to be, in view of the unquestionable poteer of the tAccntive to aego tiatt the treaty; and the great and lasting intefeets in volved in the qileation, felt it to be my duty to submit the whole subject to Congress es the best expounders of popular sentiment. No d e fi n it e ac ti o n hati ng been telten on the subject by Congress, the question referfed itself directly to the decision of the States and the people. The great popular election Which has just terminated, afforded the best opportunity of ascertaining the will of the states and people upon it. Pending that issue, it became the imperative duty of the Executive to inform Mexico that the question of annexation was still before the American people, and that, until their decision was pronounced, any serious invasion of Texas would be re garded as an attempt to forestall their .judgment, and could not be looked upon with indifference. lam most happy to inform you that no such invasion as taken place, and I trust that, whatever your action may be upon it, Mexico will see the importance of deciding the matter by a resort to peaceful expedients in preference to those of arms. The decision of the people and the States on this great and interesting subject has been decisively manifested. The question of annexation has been pre sented nakedly to their consideration. By the treaty itself all collateral and incidental issues, which were calculated to divide and distract the public councils, were carefully avoided. These were left to the wisdom of the future to determine. It presented, I repeat, the isolated question of annexation; and in that for m it has been submitted to the ord ea l o public sentiment. A controlling majority of the people, and a large majority of the States, have declared in favour of immediate annexation. Instruc tions have thus come up to both branches of Congress, from their respective constituents, in terms the most emphatic. It is the will of both the people and the states that Texas shall be annexed to the Union promptly and immediately. It may be hoped that, in carrying into execution the public will, thus declared, all collateral issues may be avoided. Future Legislatures can best decide as to the number of states which should be formed out of the territory, when the time has arrived for de ciding that question. So with all others. By the treaty, the United States assumed the payment of the debts of Texas, to an amount not exceeding 10,000,000 dollars, to be paid, with the exception of a su m f a lli ng short f 400,000 dollars, exclusively out of the proceeds of the sales of her public lands. We could not, with honour, take the lands, without assuming the full pay ment of all incumbrances upon them. Nothing has occurred since your last session to in duce a doubt that the disposition of Texas remains un altered. No intimation of an altered determination on the part of her Government and people, has been fur nished to the Executive. She still desires to throw her self under the protection of our laws, and to partake of the blessings of our federative system, while every , American interest would seem to require it. The ex tension of our coastwise and foreign trade, to an amount almost incalculable—the enlargement of the market for our manufactures—a constantly growing market for our agricultural productions—safety to our frontiers, and additional strength and stability to the Union— these are the results which would rapidly develope themselves upon the consummation of the measure of annexation. In such event, I will not doubt but that Mexico would find her true interest to consist in meeting the advances of this Government in a spirit of amity. Nor do I apprehend any serious complaint from any other quarter ; no sufficient ground exists for such com plaint. We should interfere in no respect with the rights of any other nation. There cannot be gathered from the act any other design on our part to do so with their possessions on this continent. We have interposed no impediments in the way of such acquisitions of ter ritory, large and extensive as many of them are, as the leading powers of Europe have made, from time to time, in every part of the world. We seek no conquest made by war. No intrigue will have been resorted to, or acts of diplomacy essayed, to accomplish the annexation of Texas. Free and independent herself, she asks to be re ceived into our Union. It is a question for our own de cision whether she shall be received or not. The two Governments having already agreed through their respective organs on the terms of annexation, I would recommend their adoption by Congress in the form of a joint resolution, or act, to be made binding on the two countries, when adopted in like manner by the Government of Texas. In order that the subject may be fully presented in all its bearings, the correspondence which has taken place in reference to it, since the adjournment of Con gress, between the United States, Texas, and Mexico, is herewith transmitted. The amendments proposed by the Senate to the con vention concluded between the United States and Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, have been transmitted through our Minister, for the concurrence of the Mexican Government ; but, although urged thereto, no action has yet keen had on the subject, nor has any answer been given which would authorise a favourable conclusion in the future. The decree of September, 1843, in relation to the re tail trade, the order for the expulsion of foreigners, and that of a more recent date in regard to passports—all of which are considered as in violation of the treaty of amity and commerce between the two countries, have led to a correspondence of considerable length between the Minister for Foreign Relations and our Representa • tive at Mexico, but without any satisfactory result. They remain still unadjusted, and many and serious in conveniences have already resulted to our citizens in con sequence of them. Questions growing out of the act of disarming a body of Texian troops under the command of Major Snively, by an officer in the service of the United States, acting under the orders of our Goverment; and the forcible entry into the Custom-house at Bryarly's Landing, on Red River, by certain citizens of the United States, and taking away therefrom the goods seized by the collector of the customs, as forfeited under the laws of Texas, have been adjusted, so far as the powers of the Execu tive extend. The correspondence between the two Go vernments, in ;reference to both subjects, will be found amongst the accompanying documents. It contains a full statement of all the facts and circumstances, with the views taken on both sides, and the principles on which the questions have been adjusted. It remains for Congress to make the necessary appropriation to carry the arrangement into effect, which I respectfully recom mend. The greatly improved condition of the Treasury af fords a subject for general congratulation. The para lysis which had fallen on trade and commerce, and which subjected the Government to the n ecess ity o f resorting to loans and the issue of Treasury notes, to a large amount, has passed away; and after the payment of up wards of 7,000,000 dollars, on account of the interest, and in redemption of more than 5,000,000 dollars of the public debt, which falls due on the Ist of January next, and setting apart upwards of 2,000,000 dollars for the payment of outstanding Treasury notes, and meeting an instalment of the debts of the corporate cities of the dis drict of Columbia—an estimated surplus of upwards of 7, 000,000 dollars, over and above the existing:appropria tions, will remain in the Treasury at the close of the fiscal year. Should the Treasury notes continue out standing, as heretofore, that surplus will be considerably augmented. Although all interest has ceased upon them and the Government has invited their return to the Treasury, yet they remain outstanding, affording great facilities to commerce and establishing the fact that under a well-regulated system of finance the Government has resources within itself, which render it independent in time of need, not only of private loans, but also of bank The only remaining subject of regret is that the re maining stocks of the Government do not fall due at an earlier day ; since their redemption would be entirely within its control. As it is, it may be well worthy the consideration of Congress, whether the law establishing the sinking fund—under the operation of which the debts of the Revolution and last war with Great Britain were, to a great extent, extinguished—should not, with proper modfications (so as to prevent an accumulation of sur plusses, and limited in amount to a specific sum), be re enacted. Such provisions, which Would authorise the Government to go into the market for a purchase of its own stock, on fair terms, would serve to maintain its cre dit at the highest point, and prevent, to a great extent, those fluctuations in the price of its securities which might, under other circumstance s, affect its credit. No apprehension of this sort is at this moment entertained, since the stocks of the Government which but two years ago were offered for sale to capitalists at home and abroad, at a depreciation, and could find no purchasers, are now greatly above par in the hands of the holders; but a wise and prudent forecast admonishes us to place beyond the reach of contingency the public credit. It must also be a matter of unmingled gratification that, under the existing financial system—resting upon the Act of 1789 and the resolution of 1816—the currency of the country has attained a state of perfect soundness; and the rates of exchange between different parts of the Union, which in 1841 denoted, by their enormous amount, the great depreciation, and, in fact, worthless • ness of the currency in most of the States—are now re duced to little more than the mere expense of transport ing specie from place to place, and the risk incidental to the operation. In a new country like that of the United States, where so many inducements are held out for spe culation, the depositories of the surplus revenue, con sisting of banks of any description, when it reaches any considerable amount, require the closest vigilance on the part of the Government. All banking institutions, un der whatever denomination they may pass, are governed by an almost exclusive regard to the interest of the stock holders. That interest consists in the augmentation of profits, in the form of dividends, and a large surplus re venue entrusted to their custody, is but too apt to lead to excessive loans and to extravagantly large issues of paper. As a necessary consequence, prices are nomi nally increased, and the speculative mania everywhere seizes upon the public mind. tion of the Government would consist in the additiorti readily made to our steam navy, in case of emergency by' the ships so employed. Shotiid this suggestion meet your approval, the propriety of pla,c;:lg such ships under the command of experienced officers of the navy will not escape your observation. The application of steam to. the purposes of naval warfare cogently recommeioB an extensive steam marine as important in estimating the defences of the country. Fortunately this may be at tained by us to a great extent without incurring any large amount of expenditure. Steam-vessels to be en gaged in the transportation of the mails on our principal water courses, lakes, and parts of our coast, c o uld also be so constructed as to be efficient as war vessels wheir needed ; and would of themselves constitute a formid able force, in order to repel attacks from abroad. We cannot be blind to the fact that other nations have already added large numbers of steam-ships to their naval arms. ments, and this new and powerful agent is destined to re volutionise the condition of the world. It becomes the' United States, therefore, looking to their security, to adopt a similar policy ; and the plan suggested will en able them to do so at a small comparative cost. I take the greatest pleasure in bearing testimony to the zeal and untiring industry which has characterised the conduct of the members of the Executive Cabinet.. Each, in his appropriate sphere, has rendered me the most efficient aid in carrying on the Government ; and it will not, I trust, appear out of place for me to bear this. public testimony. The cardinal objects which should ever be held in view by those entrusted with the admi nistration of public affairs, are rigidly, and without favour or affection, so to interpret the national will, ex pressed in the laws, as that injustice should be done to none—justice to all. This has been the rule upon which they have acted ; and thus it is believed that few cases if any, exist, wherein our fellow-citizens, who from time to time have been drawn to the seat of Government for the settlement of their transactions with the Govern.. ment, have gone away dissatisfied. Where the testi mony has been perfected, and was esteemed satisfactory, their claims have been promptly audited, and this in the absence of all favouritism or partiality. The Govern ment which is not just to it s own peop l e can neither claim their affection nor the respect of the world. At the same time the closest attention has been paid to those matters which relate more immediately to the great concerns of the country. Order and effi ciency in each branch of the public service have prevailed, accompanied by a system of the most rigid se t , sponsibility on the part of the receiving and disbursing agents. The fact, in illustration of the truth of this re mark, deserves to be noticed that the revenues of the Governmemt, amounting in the last four years to up wards of 120,000,000 dollars, have been collected and disbursed through the numerous Governmental agents, without the loss, by default, of any amount worthy of serious commentary. The appropriations made by Congress for the im proveinent of the rivers of the west, and of the harbours on the lakes, are in a course of judicious expenditure under suitable agents, and are designed, it is to be hoped, to realise all the benefits designed to be accomplished by Congress. I cannot, however, sufficiently impress upon Congress the great importance of withholding appro priations from improvements which are not ascertktined by previous examination and survey to be necessary for the shelter and protection of trade from the dangers of storms and tempests. Without this precaution, the ex penditures are but too apt to inure to the benefit of in dividuals, without reference to the only consideration which can render them constitutional—the public in terests and the general good. I cannot too earnestly urge upon you the interest of this district, over which, by the Constitution, Congress has exclusive jurisdiction. It would be deeply to be regretted should there be, at any time, ground to corns. A fictitious state of prosperity for a season exists ; and, in the language of the day, money becomes plenty. Contracts are entered into by individuals / resting on this unsubstantial state of things, but the delusion speedily passes away, and the country is overrun by an in debtedness so weighty as to overwhelm many, and to visit every department of industry with great and ruinous embarrassment. The greatest vigilance becomes neces• sary on the part of the Government to guard against this state of things. The depositors must be given dis tinctly to understand that the-favours of the Govern ment will be altogether withdrawn, or substanstially di minished, if its revenues shall be regarded as additions to their banking capital, or as the foundation of an en larged circulation. The Government, through its re venue, has, at all times, an important part to perform in connexion with the currency; and it greatly depends upon its vigilance and care whether the country be in volved in embarrassments similar to those which it has had recently to encounter ; or, aided by the action of the Treasury, shall be preserved in a sound and healthy condition. The dangers to be guarded against are greatly aug mented by too large a surplus of revenue. When that SUMMARY OF NE -S N f.publit f4.Pptatort. " Who runs may read." rionExale. On Thursday evening their Majesties the King and Queen of the French received the Minister of Justice, the Hanoverian Minister, the Charge d'Affaires of Russia, the Duke de Praslin, and the Duke de la Force. The Minister of Justice and Public Worship has ad dressed a circular to the bishops, requesting them to en gage priests of their dioceses to be indulgent in the case of persons who die without having received the offices of religion. The Moniteur publishes royal ordonnances for the re organisation of the Ministries of Marine and the Colonies and Justice and Public Worship. The Journal des Chemins de Fer says that the Rouen Railway Company has resolved to become candidates for the branch railway proposed to be made between Rouen and Dieppe. The same paper mentions that a new company has been formed for the establishment of a railway between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The com pany, which is a mixed English and French one, is com posed of the English administrators of the Orleans and Bordeaux Railway. The length of the railway is 260 kilomet, es; the capital of the company 75 millions of francs. Some of the journals having announced that Maj.ir- General Delarue had been appointed chef du Cabinet of the Minister of War, the Moniteur l'arisien contradicts the statement, and says it is informed that M. Delarue is to set out immediately for Algeria on a new mission. The Minister of Commerce has addressed a circular. to all the Chambers of Commerce, announcing that the Spanish Government has ordered that the manure called guano shall be admitted into Spanish ports duty free under the flag of whatever nation. Mr. Balfe, the composer, has arrived in Paris for the winter, for the purpose of superintending the bringing out of his new opera at the Academie Royale. According to a letter from Warsaw in the Augsburg Gazette, of the 24th, the recent arrests on the Prussian frontier arose out of the discovery of a secret correspon dence from Paris, by which it was ascertained that the agents of the French propaganda kept up relations with secret societies in Poland. A Polish schoolmaster, who has been arrested, is stated to have been the medium of intercourse between the parties. A Mulhouse journal states that the demand for calico goods in that town is so great, that the manufacturers are all actively employed, and that within a short period 3,000 new hand-looms have been set up in the neigh bourhood. Letters from Athens of the 10th state that affairs re main very tranquil in Greece. The Chamber of Repre sentatives was still occupied in examining the qualifica tions of the members. A letter from Constantinople of the 4th, in the Leipsic Gazette, informs us that the relations between the Turkish and Greek Governments are becoming much more friendly. M. Coletti has declared that his Govern ment is prepared to pay at once a portion of the in demnity due to the Porte, and that a Greek Ambas sador will be sent to Constantinople to negotiate a treaty of commerce. 00Tra i r—FALSEXONABS311. Lord and Lady Francis Egerton are entertaining a circle of friends at Hatchford, near Cobham. Mr. Lyons, son of Sir Edmund Lyons, our Minister at the Court of Greece, joined the party at the close of the preceding week. Lord and Lady John Russell ana their youthful family, are passing the holidays at his Lordship's villa at Stan stead, near Godalming, and are not expected to return to town until the end of the ensuing month. Her Lady ship continues in rather delicate health. His:Excellencv Count Reventl Div, the Danish Miaister, has taken one of the new mansions in Wilton-crescent, adjoining the Marquis of Blandford, and has removed from his late residence. The Hon. and Rev. Mr. and Lady Elizabeth Grey have arrived at Castle Howard, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Carlisle. The Hon. Mrs. Norton, who has been indisposed at St. Leonard's-on-the-Sea, is now convalescent. Mr. Brinsley Sheridan has been staying on a short visit to her, The Earl and Countess of Harewood have been en tertaining a succession of guests at Harewood House. His Lordship has recently had the farms on the family estates revalued, and reduced the rents to the extent of several thousand pounds per annum. eKt381)10411.111YSOMI. The will of his Royal Highness Louis Antoine Comte de Marnes, heretofore Dauphin of France, has just been proved in Doctors'-commons, by Jean Francois Baron Billot, one of the executors, a power of proving hereafter being reserved for the Duc de Blacas, and G. Isidore Montabel, the other executors. The personal property is sworn under 250,0001. The deceased begs of his wile forgiveness for any involuntary wrongs he may have done her, and desires to be buried wherever he may die, in the simplest manner, and leaves 25,000 francs for masses to be said for th e repose of his soul. He also leaves 25,000 francs to the poor. The various legacies amount to about 22,000 francs ; and he then bequeaths the whole of his property (with the exception of these legacies) to his wife, and at her death directs that two thirds shall go to his nephew, and the remainder to his niece. He directs that, in the event of a new restoration, his wife should " look to those who had been always kind to him." The will, which is dated in 1840, is short, and certainly a very singular document, The valuation jury in the case of the Cashel Railway have already adjudicated upon most of the claims. They have adjourned until Saturday, and in all probability the valuation of the lands required by the Company in the county of Dublin will be finished on that day. That will complete the first lot, comprising ten miles, which will then be delivered up to the contractors, and the works will be commenced in the ensuing month of Ja nuary. A - memorial has been presented from the merchants, shipowners, shipmasters, and pilots of Hartlepool, to the Trinity Corporation of Deptford-Stroud, praying the board to take into consideration the neces sity for a light on some part of Hartlepool, Heugh, and proposing the levy •f a tax in order to supply aa income for the maintenance of the work. The Commissioners of the Customs have also, on further consideration, approved of the roadstead south of the town of Hartlepool as a station, on and after the sth of January next, for all vessels coming to or departing from the said port, to bring to for the boarding or landing of officers of the Customs, instead of the roadstead to the west of the town mentioned in the order and notice of the 12th of November last. A commission de lunatico inquirendo was held at the Crown Inn, Twickenham, on Friday, by Francis Barlow, Esq., to investigate as to the sanity of Miss Barbara White, a maiden lady, 55 years of age, the sister of Lieut.-Colonel White. The jury found " That Miss Barbara White was of unsound mind and incapable of managing her own affairs, and had been so since the Ist of January, 1844." The eminent French actor, Mons. Frederick Lemaitre, has been engaged by Mr. Mitchell for the month of Fe bruary, for the approaching season of French plays at the St. James's Theatre. The Earl of Lonsdale caused four splendid car cases of prime beef, together with a supply of good warm clothing, to be distributed on St. Thomas's day amongst his labourers, and the poor classes in Lowther and the adjacent parishes. The Earl of Powis, Mr. Ackers, M.P. and the Hon. R. N. Clive, M.P., hare contributed 201. each for the relief the poor of Ludlow. The Earl of Cardigan has given garden allotments to the poor of Cranoe and Slawstown ; and, where a cow can be grazed, three acres of ground. His Lordship has also had a large quantity of the best coals provided for them at half price. Lord Feversham during last week distributed a large quantity of beef and mutton to upwards of 160 families in Helmsley and the adjoining townships of Rivaulx, Sproxton, Carlton, Pockley, and Beadlam. Lord Middleton has recently reduced the rents of his tenantry in Nottinghamshire, from five to te.i per cent. Lord Monteagle, the Hon. Mr. Pery, Mr. Russell, and Mr. M. Barrington, are the executors named by the late Earl of Limerick. Lord Prudhoe kindly ordered to be distributed, on Christrnas• day, his Lordship's annual donation of coal, blankets, and comfortable clothing to the poor of Ald brougb, Stanwick, and Gaylos. DEATH OF LADY CHARLOTTE AUGUSTA DALZELL, —We have to announce the demise of - the above lady, which took place at Leamington Spa on Friday morning. The decased lady was youngest daughter of the late Earl of Carnwath by his second marriage with Andalusia, daughter of Lieut.-Col. A. Brown; and sister of the present Earl. Her Ladyship was born July 24, 1812. The Earl and Countess of Beauchamp have been entertaining a succession of guests at Macclesfield Court, Worcester, and there has been excellent sport in phea sant shooting in his Lordship's preserves. The Countess Dowager of Carnwath has left her residence in Gloucester-place, Portman-square, for Can terbury. We regret much to learn that Lord Ward is in disposed at Paris with the tertian ague. Some accounts represent his Lordship's illness to be of an alarming character. Among the costly presents sent by the Emperor of Russia to Sir Robert and Lady Peel was a •uperb chimney-piece of Siberian jasper. CONSEQUENCES OF INTOXICATION.—On Friday Mr Baker held an inquest, at the London Hospital, on the• body of Bridget Magrath, aged eleven years. Ellen Buckley, sister of deceased, said that the latter resided with her. Witness ? on Tuesday evening last, had been out drinking, and on her return home at night, she sat down on a chair and went to sleep. Deceased also went to sleep on a chair. Shortly afterwards she was awakened by loud screams, which she found arose from deceased calling out for help, in consequence of her clothes taking fire, but how she knew not. There was a; candle in the room, but no fire. James Doane, a lodger, stated that having been awakened by the cry of tire proceeding from the last witness's room, he burst open the door, and saw deceased enveloped in flames. He extinguished them as speedily as possible, and she was conveyed to the above hospital, where she expired shortly afterwards. The Coroner, at the request of the jury, severely admonished the woman Buckley on her habits of intoxication, which had resulted in the death of her sister. Verdict—Accidental death. Early on Friday porning two newly-erected houses fell in with a great crash, in Note-street, Camberwell. Fortunately, the men engaged in completing the inside had not gone to work, otherwise they could not have escaped being crushed to death beneath the ruins, SENATE AND lIOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES. We have continued cause for expressing our gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the benefits and blessings which our country, under his kind Provi dence, has enjoyed during the past year. Notwith standing the exciting scenes through which we have passed, nothing has occurred to disturb the general peace, or to derange the harmony of our political sys tem. The great moral spectacle has been exhibited of a nation, approximating in number to 20,000,000 of people, having performed the high and important function of electing their Chief Magistrate for the term of four years, without the commission of any acts of violence, or the manifestation of a spirit of insubordina tion to to the laws. The great and inestimable right of suffrage has been exercised by all who were invested with it under the laws of the different States, in a spirit dictated alone by a desire, in the selection of the agent, to advance the interests of tho country, and to place be yond jeopardy the institutions under which it is our happiness to live. That the deepest interest has been manifested by our conntrymen in the result of the elec tion is not less true than highly creditable to them. Vast multitudes have assembled from time to time, at various places, for the purpose of canvassing the merits and pretensions of those who were presented for their suffrages ; but no armed soldiery has been necessary to restrain, within proper limits, the popular zeal, or to prevent violent outbreaks. A principle much more controlling was found in the love of order and obedience to the laws which, with mere individual exceptions, every where possesses the American mind, and controls with an influence far more powerful than hosts of armed men. We cannot dwell upon this picture without recognising in it that deep and devoted attachment on the part of the people to §ise institutions under which we live, which proclaims their perpetuity. The great objection which has always prevailed against the election, by the people, of their Chief Executive officer, has been the apprehension of tumults and disorders, which might involve in ruin the entire Government. A security against this is found, not only in the fact before alluded to, but i n ;le additional fact that we live under a confederacy r4rnbracing already twenty-six States ; no one of which has the power to control the election. The popular vote in each State-is taken at the time appointed by the laws, and such vote is announced by the Electoral College, without reference to the deci sions of other States. The right of suffrage, and the mode of conducting the election, is regulated by the laws of each State ; and the election is distinctly fede rative in all its prominent features. Thus it is that, un like what might be the results under a consolidated system, riotous proceedings, should they prevail, could only affect the election in single States, without disturb ing, to any dangerous extent, the tranquillity of others. )75 2 ~lL_ -------- - i/ . . .W. . - -, . . . . . . • • • . - oc ia n" tow irPar" )vell 3 " Led O from Igor e 013 )Id I ° dir litt 3 ; .e 0°