The Express.
London, England, 1850-12-18 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 18, 1850.

matter, that out of every hundred who obtain such
divorces in Scotland there are not more than half a
dosen in command of ouch means as could .lore put
them in a position to procure a divorce bill in
England.
If °stevedore Will reeroton the eateatit of misery
'which pitch a denial of right. mast niteessarity ones-
'mien, especieby among the huttibler classes of the
community,. they will enabled to form some ade-
quate estimate of the Fastness_ of the abuse that is
msolvedda the perpetuation of our preseet anomalous
and oppressive system. By what pteutical machi-
nery the amendment of that system might best be
effected, and of what ameliorations the substantive
part of the law is susceptible, are important ques-
tions, the consideration of which must be reserved
for another time.

Iwhich no reflecting man who hes taken the corn-
monist pains to understard their real caters can
' anywhere be found to defend—are yet suffered to
linger on amid the general discontent, irficting year
after year intolerable hardship es the indiviiinfils
who suffer under the it op. ratio:, era • serious 114.
Weal reproach on the community that falls to init
on their extinction.
One of the crowning instance. of this fisibillil
weakness of long sufferingAs tp he found its woe
existing Law of Divoacr. Two banana. gears elm
with eloquence that has never bran surprised, and
with arguments that have never been answered,
lons MILTON pointed out to his countrymen how
' this law "charged the blessings of matrimony not
seldom into • familiar and co-inhabiting mischief, at
least into • drooping and disconsolate household cap-
tivity without refuge or redemptioo." In the many
generations that have shoe passed away no effectual
change has been introduced into the administration of
this department of our law; its anomalies and its op-
pression still continue in all material points as fla-
grant as when they drew forth from our great poet-
'Woman the trumpet-blast of his indignant rebuke.
Of all the many social ameliorations of the day there
is none that better deserves the active support of bold
and earnest reformers than the project of an effectual
and searching reform or rather re-constitution of the
entire fabric of our laws relating to divorce. Ex-
perience has taught us not to be too sanguine PA to
the results of those inquiries, which the State from
time to time directs to be instituted, with a view to
ulterior legislation; they have too often been merely
a cumbrous machinery for relieving men in office
from the responsibilities which office ought to entail.
We cannot, however, be wholly indifferent to the
announcement that a royal commission is about to
issue for the purpose of inctoiring and reporting
upon the whole subject of the law of divorce, and
that amongst the members of the commission are to
be found the names of Lord CAMPBELL, Dr. Luau-
tnaros, and Mr. PAGE WOOD. We would fain trust
that the hops inspired by these names may not prove
illusory, but that the country may really and
speedily derive from the labours of the commission, a
practical and working measure of reform in this
vitally important department of our law. To show
the urgent necessity of such a reform nothing more
is requisite than a clear and succinct statement of what
the law, as it at present stands, actually ie.
In England the marriage contract can only be die-
eolved, either by the death of the parties or by act
of parliament; and the legislature will only interfere
for this purpose in cases where an action for criminal
conversation has been first brought at common law,
and a separation a menui et thorn been afterwards ob-
tained by a separate proceeding in the ecclesiastical
courts ; even this measure of relief is, however, sub-
ject to the further limitations that it will not be
granted on any ground except that of adultery, and
that even in case of adultery it will never be granted
except at the instance of the husband. Three occa.
sloes indeed there have been, and three only, in which
the extreme enormity of the facts proved induced the
House of Lords to depart from the inflexibility of
their general rule, and concede a divorce at the suit of
the injured wife.
The general state of the law, therefore, in this
country is that the wife can never, save under the
most extreme and exceptional circumstances of mari-
tal guilt, obtain an effectual dissolution of the marriage
tie; that the husband may do so, but only on the
ground of adultery, and on condition of his having
first gone through two previous investigations before
two different tribunals, in each of which precisely the
same point is at issue, which he is compelled a third
time to try over again in the House of Lords before
he can procure the act of the legislature which can
alone let him free from the matrimonial bond.

---
The expense of there preliminary proceedings is so
great, that dissolution of marriage in case of proved I
adultery, which, on theory, is the common right of all,
is, in point of fact, a privilege which none but the
comparatively wealthy can purchase. Even under
the mist favourable circumstatces, that is, in cases
where no defence is made to the action at law, and
no
opposition offered to the prcc.:( dings in the Zoete-
tiasticil Court, or to the passage of the divorce bill
through parliament, the necessary expenses of the
prcceture can hardly be reckoned at leas than 1,0001.
In the case of Mr. blyrroau's divorce, where, from
various causes, the expenses were more moderate than
in any other which has yet c mte to our knowledge,
the charges actually itcarred were—
£ s. a.
emu of action
Proci dings is D Atore COMMIOBO 263 14 0
Parliamentary oasts

£983 3 1

If any opposition takes place the amount, of course,
is much larger; aid instances tare been known, as
in the case of Lord ELLENBOROUOII.B divorce, where
the sums expended have been very little short of
6,000/. It is thus obvious that in a community
whom chief boast is that its laws are equal to the
rich and poor, one of the most clearly admitted rights
of citizenshir—one of the rights whose denial may
cause the bitterest misery and the deepest serge of
wron—is virtually denied to at least nine-tenths of
the English people. With regard to all except a
email fraction of the wealthier cusses of Englishmen
the law which proclaims the equal right of all to
break off the intolerable yoke of an adulterous mar-
riage, is a mockery and a delusion. Kr the vast
majority effectual divorce, even in the worst of cases,
is as completely a practical impossibility now as it
was when MILTON wrote : of them it is still true that
the Law rather than " break by divorce that which is
much more broken by undue and forcible keeping,"
oftentimes compels " the whole worship of a Chris-
tian's man's lite to languish and fade away beneath
the weight of an uumeaaurable grief and discourage-

If we ask why the law thus rigorously insis.a
on making so costly a privilege of this natural
right, we are met by one of the most singular
instances of that unreasoning reverence for antiquity
which is the root of so much that is most faulty in our
legislation. The principle os which the whole of our
divorce system rests is the doctrine of the absolute
indissolubility of the marriage tie, a doctrine, be it
always remembered, not of the common law of Eng-
land, but of the canon law of Rome; a doctrine which
wits first established as an article of faith by the
Council of Trent, and which, though it may be bitd-
Mg in countries where marriage is regarded as a
sacrament, can have neither meaning nor authority in
a country where the sacramental character of marriage
is expressly denied by the articles of the church, and
I the institution is treated by the laws of the land as a
mere civil ceremony, to whose legal validity the pre-
sence even of a minister of religion is by no means
necessary. So oompletely, however, did this doctrine
of indissolubility survive the Reformation, that it was
not till towards the close of the 17th century that
marriages were first rescinded by act of parliament.
That which upon the true principles of our protestant
faith and our free constitution should from the first
have been regarded as a common right, was thus for
a long period treated sa an act of special favour, and
even now, when the practice of granting parliamen-
tary divorcee has become comparatively fee quent,
dis-
solution of marriage is still looked upon not so much
as an ordinary step in legal procedure, as an excep-
tional exaction of legislative power.
It is high time that an end should be put to this
mischievous and absurd state of the law—this prac-
tical solecism which starting from a false premise has
led us to the most anomalous conclusions. The doc-
trine at the indissolubility of marriage must be
wholly renounced as a principle of law ; the cases in
which its dissolution is permitted must be ac-
curately defined; above all, one uniform tribunal,
and one inexpensive mode of procedure, must
be established by means of which Englishmen
shall be enabled, as Scotchmen are now, to procure a
complete and effectual liberation from the intolerable
burden of an adulterous wedlock, at a oast not ex-
ceeding one-fortieth of what they are now compelled
to pay. The average expense of disannulling a mar-
riage in Scotland is about 301., but in cases where the
claim for divorce is unlitigated it is not much more
than half that amount. The consequence is, that,
although the morality of the Scotch in all that relates
to the marriage tieis universally admitted to be at
least ea high as oar own, there is nothing to preclude
the poorer classes of the community from availing
themselves of the privilege of dissolving the
marriage bond in all caste where its forced
eionticuance most necessarily be regarded as
the grab:test of hardship.. In such eases, accordingly,
we find that small ehopkeepre, farmers, labourers,
and servants are smug the number of those to whom
divorce,. Uncut° mairessoreii, is habitually granted on
the other aide the Tweed, and we have been assured,
by • mamma prestically conversant with the

FRANCE.
PARIS, MONDAY Eves's°.
T 4 pressed' ings of the Assembly to-day sere more
thins orefisarily iaterestiog. After the passing of a
'bill relative to the exchange of some landed peonerty
between M.De Seger and the State, M. Jules De
Lasteyrie reed the report of the committee appointed
to examine the proposition of M. Victor Lefranc for
the revision of the new electoral law. M. Lefraso's
proposition was to the effect, that a committee should
be appointed to inquire into the effects produced by
the electoral law paned on the 31st of May, 1850;
and to suggest sse.h modifications as it might con-
sider necessary. M. De Lasteyrie in his report en-
deavours, in the first place, to establish that the new
electoral law has had the effect of consolidating social
order on a sound basis, and he contended that it
would be both impolitic and dangerous to adopt the
proposition brought forward by M. Lefranc. He
declared that if such a proposition were taken into
consideration the effect would be to bring the law
into suspicion and discredit, to revive the alums of
the last two years, and to lay the Assembly open to
the charge of weakness and inconsistency. In con-
cluding his report he stated that the law was
not nearly so restrictive as bad been pretended
by the adversaries of the meuure I for that it
appeared from official documents that the number
of electors inscribed on the lists already drawn
up amounted to nearly 7 millions of voters, and that
that number would be considerably increased in 1831.
The report was received by the conservatives with
loud expressions of approbation. The Montagnards
murmured occasionally, but on the whole they were
more calm than usual or than was expected.
The bill granting the credits necessary for the sup-
port of the new colonial bishoprios, wu then brought
forward. M. A. Esquires opposed it with great vio-
lence, but the bill was carried by a majority of 449 to
165.
The debate on the bill relative to the law of
hyppothee, was then resumed, and is still going on.
Toe committee on the Western Railway met to-
day. The discussion was confined entirely to the
question of the formation of a branch line from
Chartres to Alencon. M. Darn supported the branch
line with great vigour, and M. Gouin opposed it.
Ultimately the committee, without coming to any de-
cision, adjourned till Wednesday, to give the Minister
of Public Works an opportunity of giving some ex-
planations on the subject.
It is supposed that the notation Bill will be
Nought forward within the next mouth, but the mi-
nistry hesitate in consequence of the serious opposi-
tion which will be made to it by the republicans and
legitimist& It is said that MM. de Valsmesnil, de
Lucy, and Berryer, are determined to oppose it. It
is uncertain what part M. de Falloux will take, but it
is supposed that he will abstain from voting. The
legitimists state that the Comte de Chambord has
written a letter to one of his adherents in Paris, in
which he expresses a hope that all his friends will
oppose the dotation. The parties are so nearly ba-
lanced for and against the measure, that the fate of
the measure will probably rest ultimately upon the
decision of General Caysignao and M. Dufaure. It
is said to be already ascertained that 200 republicans
de is 'milk, 100 legitimists, and 30 Orleaniate, have
expressed their determination to oppose the measure.
The Chronigve of Courtrai announces that the Bel-
gian and French commission, which was appointed to
examine into certain difficulties raised by the custom-
house at Lille, relative to the admission of Belgian
linens into France, has effected an arrangement which
will be satisfactory to both countries.

V NITED STATES.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The Niagara, Captaia Stone, which sailed from
New York on the atm instant, arrivid in the Mersey
yesterday, with the President's speech, of which an
abstract, forwardedby electric telegraph,wu published
in the same day's impression. We now give the deca-
-1 sisat-entire.

04116111.11 set on the 3rd, and after having orga-
nised itself, intimated to the President its readiness to
receive any communication he might have to make.
The message was publifhed in the Washington and
New York journals of the 3d. Of course there had
been no time for any action, or even decided expres-
sion of opinion in either house of the legislature.
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
FELLOW-CITIZINII OP Phi 151111•111, AND OP THE Hooey
OP EllrittialrrialVia,—
Being suddenly eallod, in the midst of the last session of
Congress, by a painful dispensation of Divine Providence, to
the responsible station which I now hold, I contented myself
with such communiutione to the legislature as the exigency
of the moment seemed to require. The country was shrouded
in mourning for the loss of its venerated Chief Msgistrate,
and all hearts were penetrated with grief. Neither the time
nor the occasion appeared to require or to justify, on my
part, any general expression of political opinions, or any
anaouncemeat of the principles which would govern me in
the discharge of the duties to the performance of which I had
been so unexpectedly called. I trust, therefore, that it may
not be deemed inappropriate, if I avail myself of this oppor-
tunity of the re-sasembling of Congress, to make known my
sentiments in a general manner in regard to the policy which
ought to be pursued by the government, both in its Inter-
, course with foreign nations, and in its management and
administration of internal affairs.
Nations, like individuals in • state of nature, are equal
and independent, possessing certain rights, and owing car.
tale duties to each other, arising from their necessary and
unavoidable relations; which rights and duties there is no
common human authority to protect and enforce. Still they
are riahu and duties, binding in morals, in conscience, and
in honour, although there is no tribunal to which an injured
party can appeal but the disinterested judgment of mankind,
and ultimately the arbitrament of the sword.
Among the acknowledged rights of nations is that, which
each possesses, of establishing that form of government
which it may deem most conducive to the happiness and
prosperity of its own citizens; of changing that form as eh,
cnmstaoces may require ; and of managing its internal affairs
according to Its own will. The people of the United States
claim this right for themselves, and they readily concede it
to others. Hence it becomes an imperative duty not to in-
terfere in the government or internal policy of other nations ;
end, although we may sympathise with the unfortunate or
the oppressed, everywhere, in their struggles for free-
dom, our principles forbid us from taking any part in suck
lenign contests. We make no wars to promote or to pre.
seat successions to thrones ; to maintain soy theory of a
balance of power; or to suppress the actual government
which any country chooses to establish for itself. We in-
s/agate no revolutions, nor suffer any hostile military
espediiions to be fitted out in the United States to invade
the territory or provinces of a friendly nation. The great
kw of morality ought to have a national, as well u a
personal and individual application. We should act to-
wards other nations as we wish them to act towards us;
and justice and conscience should form the rule of conduct
between governments, instead of mere power, self-interest,
or the desire of aggrandizement. To maintain a strict
neutrality in foreign were, to cultivate friendly relations.
to reciprocate every noble and generous act, and to perform
punctually and scrupulously every treaty obligation—these
are the duties which we owe to other states, and by the
performance of which we best entitle ourselves to like
treatment from them; or if that, in any case, be refused,
we can enforce our own rights with justice and a clear
csonscience.
In our domestic policy, the constitution will be my guide ;
and in questions of doubt, I shall look for its interpretation
to the judicial decisions of that tribunal which was este.
bashed to expound it, and to the usage of the government,
sanctioned by the acquiescence of the country. I regard all
its provisions at equally binding. In all its parts it is the
will of the people, expressed in the moat solemn form, and
the constituted authorities are but agents to carry that will
into effect. Every power which it has granted is to be
exercised for the public good; but no pretence of utility,
no honest cAtviction, even of what might be expedient, can
justify the assumption of any power not granted. The
powers conferred upon the government and their distribution
to the several departments, are as clearly expressed in that
sacred instrument as the imperfection of human laneueire
will allow; and I deem it my first duty, not to question its
wklons, add to Its provisions, evade its requirements, or
nullify its commands.
Upon you, fellow citizens, as the representatives of the
States sod the people, is wisely devolved the legislative
power. I shall comply with my duty, in laying before you,
from time to time, any information calculated to enable you
to discharge your high and responsible trust, for the benefit
of our common constituents.
My opinions will be frankly expressed upon the leading
subjects of legislation; end it, which I do not anticipate,
say act shoutd pass the two houses of Congress which should
appear to me unconstitutional, er an encroachment of the
just powers of other departments; or with provisions hastily
adopted, and likely to produos consequences injurious and
unforeseen, I should not shrink from the duty of returning it
to you,' ith my reasons, for your t urth. r oonsicieratior . Beyond
the due performance of these constitutional obligations, both
my respect for the legislature and my tense of propriety will
restrain me from any attempt to control or influence your
proceedings.. With you is the power, the honour, and the
responsibility of the legislation of the country.
The government of the United States is a limited govern-
ment. It is confined to the exercise of powers expressly
granted, and such other, as may be necessary for carryirg
those powers into effect ; and it is et all times an especial
duty to guard uainst any infringement on the just rights
of the States. Over the objec:a and subjects intrusted to
congress, its legislative authority is supreme. But here that
authority mum, and every citisen who truly loves the consti-
tution, and desire, the continuance of its existence and its
blessings; will resolutely end firmly resist any interference in
those domestic affairs, which the constitution has clearly and
unequivocally left to the exclusive authority of the States.
And every such citizen will also deprecate useless irritation
among the several members of the Union, and all reproach
and crimination tending to alienate one portion of the coun-
try from another. The beauty of our system of government
consists, and its safety and durability must consist, in
avoiding mutest collisions and encroachments, and in the
regular separate action of all, while each is revolving in its
own distinct orbit.
The constitution has made it the duty of the President to
take care that the laws be faithfully executed. In •
government like ours, in which all laws are plinth by a
majority of the representatives of the people, and thews
representatives are choeen for such short period's, that any
injurious or obnoxious law can very soon be reputed, it
would appear unlikely that any great numbers should be
found ready to resist the execution of the laws. But it
must be borne in mind that the country is extensive, that
there may be local interests or prejudices rendering a law
odious in one part, which is not so in another, and that the
thoughtless and inconsiderate, misled by their passions, or
their imaginations, may be induced madly to resist such
laws as they disapprove. Such persons should recollect
that, without law, there can be no real practical liberty ;
that, when the law is trampled under foot, tyranny rules,
whether it appears in the form of a military despotism or of
popular violence. The law is the only sure protection of
the weak, and the only efficient restraint upon the strung.
When impartially and faithfully administered, none is be-
neath its protection, and noes above its control. You
gentleman, and the country may be assured, that to thi
utmost of my ability, and to the extant of the
power vested in me, I shall at all times, and in all
places, take care that the laws be faithfully executed. Is
the discharge of this duty, solemnly imposed upon ma by the
constitution, and by my oath of aloe, I shad shriek from no
responsibility, and shall endeavour to meet events se they
may arise with firmness, as well u with prudence and dis-
cretion.
The appointing power is one of the most delicate with
which the executive is invested. I regard it as a sacred
trust, to be exercised with the sole view of
prosperity end happiness of the people. It shell be my
fitted
advancingforby
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meets be made, notwithstanding the greatest care. In such
oases, the power of removal may be properly exercised, and
neglect of duty or malfeasance in office will be no more tole-
rated In individuals appointed by myself than in those ap-
pointed by others.
I am happy in being able to say that no unfavourable
change in ear foreign relations has taken place since the
message at the opening of the last amnion of Congress. We
are at pews with all nations, and we enjoy in an eminent
degree tie blessings of that peace, in a prosperous and
growing commerce, and in all the forms of amicable
national intereminse. The unexampled growth of the
country, the ',resent amount of its population, and its
ample mean of pelf protection assure for it the respect of
all nations; while It Is trusted that its character for
judos, and • regard to the rights of other states, will
cause that respect to be readily and obeerfally paid.
A convention wee negeedated between the United States
and Great Britain, In April last, for facilitating and protect-
ing the commotion of a ship ciangl between the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans, and for other WPM'S. This instru-
ment has sine* been ratified by Ike mistreating parties, the
exchange of ratifications has bm effeeted, and proclama-
tion thereof been duly made.
In addition to eke stipulations contained in this maven-

TORLIDAT MORNING.
In the Legislative Assembly yesterday, atter your
reporter left, the debate on the Mortgage Reform Bill
oocupted the attention of the house till its rising. The
debate was adjourned till this day.
The Vole du Proacrit publishes another manifesto
from the political refugees in London. It is signed
by
.MM. Ledru Rollin, Albert Daruz, Joseph Maz-
atm, and Arnold Ruge, and is addressed to the

Italian, Polish, Oermarit,' Austrian, and Dutch com-
mittees.

Fourteen members of the Left have inscribed them-
selves to speak against the conclusions of the com-
mittee recommending the rejection of the proposition
of M. Victor Lefranc. Among them are MM. Orevy,
!double, Regal, Baune, Pascal, Duprat, Arnaud (de
l'Arriege), Madrie, de Montjau, &c. Only three
members of tie majority are inscribed to support the
report, viz., MM. Haze, de Kerdrel, and Leon
Faucher.

The Armiteur contains an official defence of the
administration of the Forest of Fontainebleau, and
denies that the splendid trees which have acquired
historicel fame have been cut down.

PARIS FUNDS, DEC. 17.
Three per Ceuta.
Five per Cents 9sf. Oc.
Bank Shares 2 325r. Oc.

Our Paris parcel of list evening had not arrived at
the hour of going to pram

SIR EDWARD BULWER LITTON u at present en-
gaged in wrieing the play, which, at the elms of the interest-
ing entertainments recently given at Knebwortb, where Mr.
Charles Dickens and his company of amateurs performed
before the guests of Sir Edward, the latter proposed that he
should write, and Mr. Dickens and his company per-
form, u often es might conduce to profitable and beneficial
results; the proceeds going to die formation of an endow-
ment fund for soma establishment of the nature of a refuge
or retreat fcr destitute literary persons.

- -
RFFORM THE CHARTER-HOUBE.—Mr. Poole, author
of " PILO Pry " and of other works still living and likely to
live, has refused to accept the poet of one of the Poor
Brethren of the Charter House. The reuons for his re.
furl are, it is said, the want of many common comforts ne-
usury for his health, which it was thought by his friends so
rich an institution as Richard Sutton's would have supplied
to all " poor heaths, n " within the walls of the Ceatreuz.
Few commissions more than charity commissions require to
be renewed at short intervals ; and no endowments need
more to be looked after than the noble foundation of the
Charter House. A e.mmissioes of inquiry into the mansge-
meat of Eton and the Charter Hones will we trust follow
pretty closely on the heels of the present Osferd and Cam-
bridge Univeraity Commissions. A master of the Charter
Rouse with a smaller income, and the same number of
Poor Brethren with greater comforts—would be more in
accordance with Sutton's spirit, the objects of his institution,
end the requirements of the age.-4therlawre.

Tin COLLECTION OP THE 1848 Hop Dtrry.—The
Board of Inland Rcvenue has, during the past week, issued
writs of wire facia. against • large nnraber of the hop
planters, who have not yet paid the last moiety of the 1848
hop duty ; and we learn, from undoubted authority, that
similar proceedings will be at once commenced against all
defaulters. We shall be doing a ureic, to al, those plasters
who can raise the mosey, by recommending them to says
further expenses (Exchequer processes are always costly) by
getting out of thi. difficulty at once. We are convinced that
the stoney will have to be paid, and that the sooner it is paid
the better. We learn that the Collector of Inland R
at Diaidat as will, probably, be all this week at his office ;
and we sincerely hope that at the end of that period there
will be few payments remaining to be collected by summary
process.—Maidstone Gazette.

POPULAR PROTESTANT DEMONSTRATION AT CROY-
DON.—Lest night the inhabitants of Croydon signified their
feelings on the late acts of the Pepe and his cardinal, by a
demonstration of an extraordinary character. At a mode-
rate calculation nom 8,000 to 10,000 persons must have ben
present to wheelie the proasedings. About 5 o'clock a grand
procession was formed, consisting of seven men in armour,
eseh having a battle-axe, or a cross is his hand, a vast
number of Romish: priests, each couple being preceded
by a number of men carrying flambeaux; then came a
similar muster of men deemed as stooks, and some dozen
other parties carrying links; these were succeeded by six
men in the garb Grey Friars, and a person wearing the
coatame of a Sister et Mercy, who was mounted on a jack-
us. The members of the splendid bend belonging to the
Addiscombe cadets were interspersed at equal distances in
the proorsaion, whilst two vans followed fa the leer, one
contalaing a representation of the Pope 12 feat high, and the
other °attaining a likeness of his seenes the Cardinal sin
feet is height. Large Mann, nearly the width of the oar
riageroad, were borne by men, eostalning the following in-
sorfrions God Save the Queue," " No Pme7iest,"
" No Pepin," "No Mummeries," " England expects that
this day every man will do his duty." Several hun-
dred torch-bearers having joined the procession, it
started towards the railway statics, and then pined
through the principal thoroughfares to the extreme
end of the town, end finally made for Duppe's Hill,
a piece of ground similar to Epsom nee mine. In the
middle of the hill a gallows thirty fast high was erected.
Rader end round which 4,000 faggots li• I** placed and
nearly 100 tar barrels. The effigies of the Pope and Car-
dinal Wiseman were this hoisted into the air, whilst the
I shouting and clapping of hassle was gaits deafening. The
et es then struck up "God save the gamut" which was
rasp,: did to by the assay thousands present joining in the
diorama; Sc.. twisty or thirty men applied their burning
licks to rZte combustibles under the two efigiee, and in en
instant Agorae& • Mane shot forth that lighted up the
ruunfr7 fir Use rand. Is II very brief period the two
figura brume limited, when eangemerel cry of "Bravo"
resounded *mum Me district. The diem having been
ore umed, the End Omsk up "Ike the eesqueiej hero

eacFshehont",:ddtrohfseretdhgarrescaniregaelamtli:antanfindi:ithe dieteme from ,heiriht:
within which belligerent maritime openrions sits!:
ca no he
carried on. On these points there is little onubt that tut. twn governments will crime to an un terrsaling,
The company of citizens of the lint ed 3.tes who hire acquired from the State of Nicaragua the priv.lege Of ec.,
sir uc-ing a ship canal between the twn oceans, thrnsitt thi territory of that State, have made progrem in :heir r.o.
misery arrangement*. The treaty bet wren IL, L, itm
States end Great Britain, of the 19th of April last, ehrie;
referred to, being now in operation, it is to be hlperl gu thee
the arantees which it offe a- nt to 110.
ore the completion of thers work —•

(or the purpose* of harc.onising cull chug"
bitoberesqte ineilidtwotirdlynoit:i°llnnl:isthp"aultrtienar:otieb'rviibefouahssonautylhdiaoth:ewhwtiliadorth
ited7teo'ke:etulm.:"iT4"-^:,-
consequently, be my endeavour to cause any, limps!-
p
negotiations on the part of this government, which- ;:
themh
rom dfetaap
ath
anSdtutgnottWfeeziudaiincsilltra7dcauogildtulyaabeo;lnfebddiusnetutl easirciumettainui;..int
ocw..efnedahn, ":171,,tsethirpne.'iriabrfr
of the appointment of an envoy extraordinary snd
pluipoteatiery of that government to reside
whose arrival may soon be expected, it is hoped
tile.
further impedimenta will be experienced in the promo trta°
action of business between the two government.. .
Citizens of the Milted States have undertaken et,
npeeexperioneotifeteh,eftetwdototceerseaise by
ev
Isthmus of Tehuantepec, under grates of the el:'.-„n s
vernment to a citizen of that republic. It under.
oad
a thorough survey of the course of the commutievi in is--"i„
: that it win
uoeryprtosoeic.upteadrtwaiith.oic.hgeroarfeLeputruiartiiintcy
that government shell Lave consented to such ;Von"'
with the government of the United Stet. s may be aces,.
to those who rr .y a mirk
their property in the enterprime. Negotietions
e t.eodicg
for the accomplishment of that object, and • h'io's i
dently entertained that, when the pommel. ntl're•
shall become duly sensible of the &drainage, es 1-", i
coot the uengtorvye
sovereigntyiinnineont
ibt ttail o
thete. derivei
United.,Mexico
i . fromthe
Stai ttethshmeduwesla;e enl ern b
li—tt
paired, the stipulations referred to will tie agreed tol rpm. is ''w,--re;
alacrity.Dy I last advice. from Mexicowthihitsowro;pplerdouelltp.,putariri,ii:,
that that government entertains strong objections
the stipulations which the eof
ct
of the railroad deem necessary for their prot.
curity. Further consideration, it is to be hoped,
a.
dification of menu, may yet reconcile the dffieree'Ci '
o.
Fresh instructions have recently been given to the reioi
ofbe tt.het'Un tnhiteentwSotagtesoveinaMmeeznitscoi,n
jut with promptitude and ability.
Although the negotiations with Poruitel for the pay-
ment of claims of citizens of the Uatted Stu
government have not yet resulted in a tericiO irece,'sei
• propreition made by the government of I..ru foral she
-
final adjustment god payment of those claims In, neently
been accepted on the part of the United Bt.it... It
me preemies to say that Mr. Clay, to whom the n 1".7,
tion on the part of the United State had h-en err:rus:led,
discharged the duties of his appointment with a'.l ey net
discretion, acting always within the instructions of hte go.
unmeant.
It is expected that a regular colleen' ion *E; he item-
diately negotiated for carrying the agreement !,etee• n tee
two governments into effect.
The commissioner appointed under the act of eeriness for
carrying into effect the convention with Broil the
of January, 1b49, has entered upon the periorce,,,c,, of ;he
duties imposed upon him by that act. It i• to ;.et aro:lne
duties may be completed within the time weld, r pr. eci ;Ws,
The document., however, which the imperial ,roe, fttpt2;
by the third article of the convention, st.; ~u..t. o• furnish
to the isrvernment of the United Suites, have no. ye: en
received. As it is pro, wave that those doci.m,ao, to% be
essential for the correct disposition of the it may
become necessary for congress to extend the pen lonted
fur the duration of the commission. The sum, d
the 4th article of the convention to be paid to it,. g.vere.
meat has been received.
The collection in the ports of the United S'ate s of ...on-
o:notating duties upon the vessels of Celli and their woes
tag been suspended, pursuant is the provisions of tie idol
congress of tee 24th of May, 1628. leis to be Impel the: this
measure will impart a fresh impulse to the comm.,. hetreen
the two countries, which,ot late, and espeeialis bIi.CP our
acquisition of California, has, to the mutual auv.aatage of
the parties, been much augmented.
Peruvian guano has become so desirable an art.c:c to the
agricultural interest of the United B:.tr, that it i.. the duty
of the government to employ all the means pr,ptrly in its
power tor the purpose of ceasing that article Lk tampered
into the coustry at a reasonable price. Beehive wOl be
omitted on my part towards accomplithing the desirable
end. lem persuaded that in removing gay restraints oa
this traffic the Peruvian government will prom e vs own
best interests, while it will afford a prcot of a friendly
disposition toward. this country, which will be duly appre-
ciated.
The treaty between the United States and his blrjerry
the King of the Hawaiian Islands, which has r r.t.tly been
made public, will, it is believed, have • bent Mill ulna
the relations between the two countries.
The relations between thou parts of the ~l-ml it St.
Domingo, which were formerly colonies of Spain sod kraus
respectively are still in an unsettled condo:. a. The
proximity of that island to the United States, :.el ihe
cats questions involved in the entering controversy there,
reader it desirable that it should be permanently sod
speedily adjusted. The interests of humanity and of ?nerd
commerce also demand this; sod, as intiontioas of he ...me
untie:mut have been received from other erovereee ate, it is
hoped that some plan may soon be devised to edict the
object in • manner likely to give general sssbfacuon. The
government of the United Stotts will not fail, by the en.
er ise of all proper friendly offices, to do all in its power to
put an end to the destructive war which hes rased between
the ditf rent ports of the island, and to secure to them bath
the bent(' s of peace and commerce.
The tots' receipts into the treasury for the year ea hog
30th of June last, were forty seven millions tour hundred
and twenty-one thousand seven hundred and forty-sight
dollars end ninety mnte. (47,421,748 doe. 90c).
The total expenditures, during the same period, were fat!
three millions two thousand one hundred and sixty.eight
dollars and ninety cents. (43,002,165 dal-., 90: )
The public debt has been reduced, since the tut annul
report from the Treasury Department, four-hundred and
nii.ety-five thousand two hundred and seventy-six dollars and
seventy nine cent'. (495,276 dole. 79m )
By the 19th section of the act of 28th January, 1847, tie
proceeds of the sale. of the public lands were pledged fur the
interest and principal of the public debts. Too great
amount of thou lands subsequently granted by Congreu for
military bounties will, it is believed, very nearly supply
the public demand for several years to come, and, but Little
reliance can, th, retore, be placed on that hitherto fruitful
source of revenue.
Aside from the permanent annual expenditures, which
have necessarily largely increased, a portion of the public
d. bt, amounting to eight million steeply five thousand nisi
hundred and eighty sex dollars and fitte.ntoe cents.
(8,075,986 dots. 69c.) must be provided fir within the
two next fiscal years. It is most desirable that these seem
ing demands should be met. without moiling to new
loans.
All experience has demonstrated the wisdom and policy of
raising a large portion of the revenue for the sunport of
government from daub@ on goods imported. The power to
lay these duties is unquestionable, and its chief object, of
course, is to replenish the treasury. But if, in doled; the, an
inci,ental advantage may be gained by encouraging ti.e in.
dustry of our own citizens, it is our duty to avail ourselves of
that advantage.
A duty laid upon an article which cannot bo produced in
this country—such as tea or coffee—adds to the coot of ths
article, and is chiefly or wholly paid by the osusumee But
a duty laid upon an article which may be produced hare
stimulates the skill and industry of our own country to
produce the same article, which ia brought into the market
in competition with the foreign article, and the importer is
domesticthusc'm article Pend
et: n
continuance of this proceu creates the skill, and invites the
the duty upon the reduce
producerduoc
sold, thereby
hisot
of the
yft
foreign
thatr)go
rat, which..p part
tTt rte
capital, which finally enables us to produce the article meth
cheaper than it could have been procured p.m abroad,
thereby benefiting bath the producer and the consumer at
home. The consequence of this is, that the artisan and
the agriculturist are brought tegetber ; club affords a
ready market for the produce of the other ; the whole
country becomes prosperous; and the ability to produce
every newsier, of lite renders us independent in war es well
u in peace.
A high tariff can never be permanent. It will cause die.
satisfaction, and will be changed. It excludes competition
and thereby invites the investment of capital in maculae,
tures to such excess, that when changed it brier distress',
bankruptcy, end ruin, upon all who have been misled by
its faithless protection, What the manufamorer wants is
uniformity and permanency, that he may feel a confidence
that he is not to be ruined by sudden changes. But to make
• tariff uniform and permanent, it is not only luminary Out
the law should not be altered, but that the duty should not
fluctuate. To effect this, all duties should be specific,
wherever the nature of the article is such as to admit alt.
Ad valorem duties fluctuate with the price, aad offer strap
temptations to fraud and perjury. Specific duties, on the
contrary, are equal and uniform in all ports, and at all
times, and offer a strong inducement to the importer to
bring the best article, u he pays no more duty
upon that than upon one of inferior quality.
therefore strongly recommend • modification of fM
present tariff, which bas prostrated some of oaf
most important and necessary manufactures, and [hit
specific duties bs imposed sufficient to rules the re-
gobbet revenue, making such discrimination in favour
of the industrial pursuits of our own country
to encourage home production, without exclaffioll
foreign competition. It is also important that an unfortunate
provision in the present tariff, which imposts a much
higher duty upon the raw material that enters into our ma-
nufactures than upon the manufactured article, should be
remedied.
The papers accompanying the report of the Secretary of
the Trautay will disclose frauds attempted upon the re-
venue, in variety and amount aCt great, u to justify the
conclusion that it is impossible, under any system of
ad
retirees duties, levied upon the foreign cost or value of the
article, to secure an honest obeervanco and an effectual
administration of the laws. The fraudulent devices to evade
the law, which have been detected by the vigilance of the
- -or. leave no room to doubt that similar impoeitioill

aiw
lion, two other obiootO ;Main he otoolopliehed between I asPoPtrdisectoers'reditoi- largo am— -ons—i, have been meow- 7,11/
the metreeting powers. Prattled dim the enactment of the low wow in force. Ilse