The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-12-19 00:00:00

AMERICA'

ARRIVAL OF THE C/NAD.S.

The British and North American royal:
steam ship Canada, Captain Stone, arrived 'Pa,
Mersey at midnight, and we received out
patches by her shortly after one o'clock this
ing. She left Boston on the 7th, and 1131if'15
the 9th inst.

Her dates are from New York to the 6th be;
six day later than those previonsly-to'halid'
has brought home 101 passengers, and 7„vfon't
dollars in specie, and also that important'h,
can state document, the President's messageoi
livered at the opening of Congress on the 61111 i
The screw steamer Andes, from LiverP°(%
Boston, put into Halifax for coal on the 5th10.,46

The American steamer Atlantic, from th' F;
with advices to the 16th November, reached
York on the morning of the 29th.
41, 6;1
The Europa arrived off Sandy Hook oil ""e,el
instant, at 10 o'clock, p.m., but did not enterii,ii
York until 9 o'clock on the-morning of the bti
consequence of fog. She made a very long 10'1;1,
having encountered very bad weather the
voyage.
)
Our correspondent at New York writes, t-at, 6
emigrant ships that had arrived were more heap
and that but few additional deaths had
reported,
The American mail steamer Humboldt, 1i;,5
Southampton for New York, was ashore off 11'1`i
and the last report states that she was not
be got off. Her passengers were all safe.
Congress assembled on the sth, when there )1
unusual expedition in the organisation of /l:
House, and L. Boyd was elected Speaker.
estimates for the Army proper are 10,151,000`0j
for the Naval Establishment, 10,234,000
the Steam Mail service, 1,496,000 dollars, _

The Secretary of the Treasury's estimates flit,
next fiscal year, were laid on the desks of 001:11
The entire estimates for- the year ending Julie
1855, are 51,060,277 dols. 12c.

I

°
Gen. Gadsden the United States Minis'',pr je6
Mexico, had arrived at Washington with A
patches. The intelligence he brings coneerfiiiii
the filibustering movements in Lower &life,
is important, but not alarming. Only a5OllO,P'
hundred men are engaged in the expeditioy•
Gadsden had directed measures to be tak9
suppress the expedition, by the aid of the 11".
States troops.
0
bo
The whole character of these dispatches t't
that the expedition will fail, and that pet(
tween. the United States and Mexico will
ttj sei ved.
The movement above referred to was the reP 110
landing of 200 armed Californians from tileccolt,
Caroline, at the port of La Paz, in Lower Call' jov
taking possession of the town, putting 101/0*
governor in prison, and " declaring Lower
nia independent." A
In the Senate Mr. Gwinn had introduce,-
psi
granting land to California for a railroad fr°11:0 ttle
Francisco, via the Valley of the Sacrament°
boundary of Oregon.
v.,,p et
The Washington correspondent of the •-..,,60,11
Commercial Advertiser, writing on the 3rd 1-e, NA,C.
says, in a letter to the State Department lierflsliell
Buchanan acknowledges the receipt of the joyea"
treaty, and says that he thinks it will be eu,e'rcle,e,t
that he has had an interview with Lord Auf3ria,'7
upon the subject, who promised that the 010
Cabinet would act upon it as soon as s' is,
It would have received attention before, heir #
:that Russo-Turkish affairs had occupied
tention.
nce tlO
Havana advices of the 28th ult., aun pezu,er
the new Governor of the Island, Geeel of \l'":„1
was hourly expected. He bears the t.",—
roy of Cuba, and possesses, it is believeu,
,„tie
un
powers. No other news.
Mexican advi ees of lilt , sin n oalnoT
in. the Maclean. provinces.
feas :ot.ovactmehsorpemtaillilem.eapacpeocy:lo.ctivatoiiagnic:at_arimlnysasa.irttgrtteneThsrohetsrsedGcoohaato,oeelbretnisiiaa-mpeherleveaenanadtstr,loytror,,:::!;selielitaret
A a
gone any material change. The Stock /11:13t,,,l'h'i
the early part of the week had been blion v:
towards the close it was scarcely so act
market for foreign exchange is reporteucao%
active than had been anticipated for the usill(efi
The business was chiefly at 1098 for prime iiooo,
names, and from this there was a concessule
on nearly all considerable transactions. loa
for money remained without alteration, ape,
leading stockbrokers were well supplied. ortitt
York paper says : —The increased discountS
past week by the banks, while both theirdgioA",
and individual deposits fell off slightly, is -- or
cation that the country bank balances art 3
improving.
Our correspondent writes :—" In flour, ,91;
,
departure of the last steamer for Europe, t',.-eat,
fell off, and the market became deP`i,otO
while lower prices were submitted to. F°r;10(,
there has been a steady demand, and prices et
an upward tendency. The provision int;•s
firm, and considerable business has been ao'

NEW YORK MARKETS, DEC. 6Th;. :, 01,
Corrox. —The market for this staple is representej, vbeilfo
official report of the Board of Cotton Brokers, 9:00,1
lightly stocked, and closing quietly, within the
e 6
range of prices. We subjoin the authorised ataWc
the sales effected during the week ending with ' f
and during this day : PI
Week. 610
To Spinners, bales . 3,602 1,1
ITo Shippers, bales
3,327 ,
To Speculators, bales i
/I
To Transitu, bales
li.
Total, bales .9,636
We likewise append the official list of current 06
cording to the

NEW YORK CLASSIFICATION. 14'•
Uplands. Florida. Mob 10. nit
Ordinary, per lb.
Middling, per lb . 101
10-g 101
Middling Fair, per lb _ll 11 11-i
FLOUR—Has
Is
Fair, per lb ll 11 1 111
01 ou
j
Fun—Has improved very little either in e butif
value. The steamer's news is deemed favorable, A, ri
private advices are yet lacking, and, until receivst'A
chants will not operate freely. The day's business ,08`
of 8000 bbls. State, Western, and Southern, at a°
rise of 6ic per bbl., in price. eti'4ol6
GRAlN.—Wheat is held with greater firmness'
in much request, at unchanged rates. Among the olpro
were reported a parcel of choice Genesee white, eOO D,t
at $1 80c; some Michigan do. at $1 72c ; and 8/403/‘O,
Western rAd, part at $1 53c. A lot of Southern
thererej
said to have been purchased at $1 56c. Rye is ruriosere
active, at $l. Barley and Oats are essentially 11%
Corn is seemingly depressed. The day's movernel„l`„ to
exceed 18,000 bush., Western and Southern at 7'„',oo'
the latter price having. been realised only for small 4nof choice yellow, needed by the home trade. 3 tiO
,e`
PROVISIONS.—Pork has continued to favor ovraeoeo.l
the influence of the light stock here and the prelos red;
a very animated inquiry. The day's trausact'°„,eov
1,200 brls. Western at $l3 311 c. to $l3 50c. for 1-1141.
$ll ;for prime, per brl.—both kinds evincing, 311
tenor towards the close. This is an encouragiqd•
after such a long period of depression and lauglitero";:'
meats and dressed hogs manifest no essential go,
Lard is a little more sought after, but does not
higher. so-
FRElGHTS.—Business, in this line, displays con el4f
activity, though restricted by the scarcity of ve,ol,
the lack of later European accounts. For Livergd,;_p
were engaged 700 brls. Flour, to fill up, at 3s• .at jg
lots do. at 3s. 9d. ; and 20,000 bushels Wheat, fithetsit
bulk, and 13d. in ship's bags. For London 00 b
been taken 3,000 brls. Flour, at 4s. 9d. ; 1°,.9°.t 60.;
Wheat, in ship's bags, at 16d. ; some lots Bee'
100 brls. .Lard, at 455. per ton.
• BY 'TELEGRAPH. the 0?)/
.14
ALBANY, Monday, Dec. S.—Receipts during, 000 b
twenty-four hours—Flour, 19,000 brls.; wheat, 3`',o4cetittl:
corn, 11,000 bush.; oats, 22,000 bush. Our ~1*
09' •
dull, and the only sales worth noting are 17,000000
ley at 12c. to 83c. for two-rowed : 831-e for 16,11(1
end 84c. for four-rowed. Oats dull at 51. Ron P:417,,,
NEW-ORLEANS MONDAY, DEC. s.—Our art/ td
is without animation—dealers awaiting the ffor°P3lsr,ie,/,‘,„ef
CHARLESTON, MONDAY, DEC. s.—Our Cotton and
day has declined :1-,c to lc principally on middliliz
to
descriptions. The sales were 1,100 bales at
300 bales fair Georgia brought ate:

A

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

aro '
0

.Z'ellow-citizens of the Senate and of the House of
Reptesentatioes :
~The interest with which the people of the Republic anti-
Xte the assembling of Congress, and the fulfilment on that
41861, of the duty imposed Upon a new President, is one
v 2 e best evidences of their capacity to realise the hopes of
,',..e founders of a political system, at once complex and
Pornetrical. While the different branches of the govern-
taent are to ii certain extent, independent of each other,
the duties
130... of all alike, have direct reference to the source of
%ler, Fortunately, Under this system, no man is so high,
ty"loble so humble in the scale of public station, as to es-
e' front the scrutiny, or to be exempt from the responsibi-
-4 Which all official functions imply.
, upon the justice and intelligence of the masses, in a Go-
element thus organised, is the sole reliance of the Con-
t'eraey, and the only security for honest and earnest de-
..etion to its interests, against the usurpations and encroach-
:Q:l43 of power on one hand, and the assaults of personal
ambit• ion on the Other.
lhe interest, of which I have spoken, is inseparable from
b
inquiring, self-governing community ; but stimulated,
doubtless at the present time, by the unsettled condition of
cer relations with several foreign powers; by the new obli-
gations resulting from a sudden eater sion of the field of
enterprise ; by the spirit with which that field has been
:ctered, and the amazing energy with which its resources
6 '°r meeting the demands of humanity have been developed.
••&lthough disease, assuming at one time the characteristics
"t' a Wide-spread and devastating pestilence, has left its sad
most
• upon some portions of our country, we have still the
'cst abundant cause for reverent thankfulness to God for an
ticumulation of signal mercies showered upon us as a na-
cumulation
It is well that a consciousness of rapid advancement
,Q,.nd increasing strength be habitually associ.ted with an
'tlitling sense of dependence upon Him who holds in his hands
'e destiny of men and of nations.
Recognizing the wisdom of the broad principle of abso-
-14
e religious toleration proclaimed in our fundamental law,
lud rejoicing in the benign influence which it has exerted
'Pon our social and political condition, I should shrink from
a clear duty did I fail to express my deepest conviction that
fe can place no secure reliance upon any apparent progress
it be not sustained by national integrity, resting upon the
r'eat truths affirmed and illustrated by divine revelation.
the midst of our sorrow for the afflicted and suffering, it
has L
, oeen consoling to see how promptly disaster made true
neighbours of districts and cities separated widely from each
"ther and cheering to watch the strength of that common
bond'of brotherhood which unites all hearts in all parts of
rna Union when danger threatens from abroad, or calamity
I,,Poods over us at home.
'J •
ar diplomatic relations with foreign powers have under-
t'olle no essential change since the adjournment of the last
et tigress. With some of them questions of a disturbing
ii"aracter, are still pending, but there are good reasons to be-
eve that these may all be amicably adjusted.
, Per some years past, Great Britain has so construed the
nt article of the Convention of the 20th of April, 1818, in
`'bard to the fisheries on the north-western coast, as to ex-
ude . •
ti, e our citizens from some of the fishing grounds, to which
h„.'°Y freely resorted for nearly a quarter of a century subse-
„went to the date of that treaty. The United States have
ger
, er acquiesced in this construction, but have always
ett4inied for their fishermen all the rights which they have
k°lll°ll. ft enjoyed without molestion. With a view to remove
t difficulties on the subject—to extend the rights of our
t'hermen beyond the limits fixed by the Convention of 1818,
'V to regulate trade between the United States and the
British Forth American Provinces, a negotiation has been
t°Pened, with a fair prospect of a favorable result. To pro-
v et our fishermen in the enjoyment of their rights, and pre-
eat collision between them and the British fishermen, I
deemed it expedient to station a naval force in that quarter
ding the fishing season.
G -r-atobarrassing questions have also arisen between the two
o..'"ernments in regard to Central America. Great Britain
A-.4‘ PrOPOSed to settle them by an amicable arrangement,
..pd . .
ti , our Minister at London is instructed to enter into nego-
Qttons on that subject.
-A• commission for adjusting the claims of our citizens
against Great Britain, and those of British subjects against
the United States, organised under the Convention of Feb-
-121:Y last, is now sitting in London for the transaction of
,siness.
bolt is in many respects desirable that the ,boundary line
4,'W,een the United States and the British provinces in the
4'44,4-west, as designated in the Convention of the 15th of
ter`", 1846, and especially that part which separates the
tioi4,t°rY of Washington from the British possessions in the
th ''a) should be traced and marked. I therefore present
e a •
abject to your notice.
Vi"
tou.,_. all Prance our relations continue on the most friendly
lZg,_ • The extensive commerce between the United States
iik.l"aat country, might, it islconceived, be relased from some
I)att7eessary restrictions, to the mutual advantage of both
Oikie3. With a view to this object, some progress has. been
\!.ill negotiating a treaty of commerce and navigation.
km-N., pendently of our valuable trade with Spain, we have
1 1260,N:t political relations with her, growing out of our
o4bourhood to the Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico. 1
Icil
tern happy to announce that since the last Congress no at-
k Pas have been made, by unauthorised expeditions within
%ti „
united States, against either of' those Oolonico. Should
bj Movement be manifested within our limits, all the
1t'5141 at my command will be vigorously exerted to repress
►4,1 Several annoying occurrences have taken place at Ha-
et• a, or in the vicinity of the Island of Cuba,. between our
i' 7.eas and the Spanish authorities. Considering the
.prox-
4ut
tta of that Island-to our shores—lying, as it does, in the
IC; '' of trade between some of our principal cities—and
tie„'"icious vigilance with which foreign intercourse, par-
t. 'arty that with the United States, is there guarded, a
11;Petition of such occurences may well be ap-
tgel'eenoded. As no diplomatic intercourse is allowed be-
ha., our Consul at Havana and the Captain General of Cuba
aff°Y explanations cannot be made, or prompt redress
crded, where injury has resulted. All complaint on the part
tOlir citizens, under the present arrangement, must be, in
fear first place, presented to this government, and then re-
ticie,(l to Spain. Spain again refers it to her local authori-
till Cuba for investigation, and postpones an answer
it •She had heard from those authorities. To avoid these
tjltating and vexatious delays, a proposition has been made
li
,Provide a direct appeal for redress to the Captain Ge-
li!.al by our Consul, in behalf of our injured fellow-citizens.
tol therto, the government of Spain has declined to enter
,
e, any such arrangement. This course on her part is
‘l43' regretted; for, without some arrangements of this
hit,' the good understanding between the two coun-
°Or may be exposed to occasional interruption.
net i
Minister at Madrid is instructed to re-
ticle the. proposition, and to press it again upon the con-
zoNtion of her Catholic Majesty's Government. ,
thiso„r several years Spain has been calling the attention of
ect Government to a claim for losses, by some of her sub-
, hB, in the case of the schooner A rmistad. This claim is
titre tied to rest on the obligations imposed by our existing
di sty With that country. Its justice was admitted, in our
qt:italiatic correspondence with the Spanish Government, as
4e 4Y as March, 1847; and one of my predecessors, in his
4ho aal Message of that year, recommended that provision
kt,,,!thi be made for its payment. In January last it was
erl submitted to Congress by the Executive. It has re-'.
th" a favorable consideration by Committes of both bran-
tr,`,3, but as yet there has been no final action upon it. I
I itqcoive that good faith requires its prompt adjustment, and
vtesent it to your early and favorable consideration.
lik4 artin Basta, a Hungarian by birth, came to this country
d5O, and declared his intention, in due form of law, to
lle a citizen of the United States. After he remained
h, 1 nearly two years he visited Turkey. While at Smyrna
'Tas forcibly seized, taken on board an Austrian brig of
eftlien lying in the harbor of that place, and there con-
-0(77 in irons, with the avowed design of taking him into the
litni•nions of Austria. Our consul at Smyrna and legation
ftt,, Co ions
interposed for his release, but their efforts
gr;ke ineffectual. While thus imp
risoned, Commander In-
kti:j'atia, with the United States ship of war, St. _Louis,
ktkjed at Smyrna, and, after inquiring into the eircum-
eiq,e,es of the case, came to the conclusion that Kosta was
eae`"ed to the protection of this government, and took
krt'getic and prompt measures for his release. Under an
It 41, geMent between the agents of the United States and
ioto'lastria, he was transferred to the custody of the
lie-",eh Consul General at Smyrna, there to remain until
the 'oould be disposed of by the mutual agreement of
plat Consuls of the respective Governments at that
atid'' Pursuant to that agreement he has been released
ha., 4 now in the United States. The Emperor of Austria
tr•44°lade the conduct of our officers who took part in this
as ,j.etion a subject of grave complaint. Regarding Kosta
the l'.ll his subject, and claiming a right to seize him within
01,,,,1111its of the Turkish empire, he has demanded of this
'llgllnlent its consent to the surrender of the prisoner, a
allea-':°wal of the acts of its agents, and satisfaction for the
11,ed- outrage. After a careful consideration of the case,
1 'ehre to the conclusion that Kosta was seized without
I'll b enthority at Smyrna ; that he was wrongfully detained
441 B°e9rd of the Austrian brig of war ; that, at the time' of
katetzure he was clothed with the nationality of the United
tt4ties; and' that the acts of our officers, under the circum-
'tell 1.8,,0f the case, were justifiable. and their conduct has
';11 deuitY approved by me, and a compliance with the seve-
,, Or akands of the Emperor of Austria has been declined.
nekartitnore full account of this transaction, and my views in
'll, st„ t°, it, I refer to the correspondence between the
`tt4icir cv Affairs of Austria and the Secretary of State,
11,teteiP herewith transmitted. The principles and policy,
he,4tnaintained on the part of the United States, will,
'tbe er a proper occasion occurs, be applied and enforced.
thatl socondition of China, at this time, renders it probable
Thleh "L'.° important changes will occur in that vast Empire,
, he e will lead to a more unrestricted intercourse with it.
;`,llioi4c4tet!iissioner to that country, who has been recently
uNI 4:11, is instructed to avail himself of all occasions to
topi,eu extend our commercial relations, not only with the
/11 °f China, but with other Asiatic nations.
m 52
4d. 18
of , , an expedition was sent to Japan, under the corn-
te retai Commodore Perry, for the purpose of opening coin-
toeei,edultercourse with that island. Intelligence has been
),he °f his arrival there, and of his having made known
kiee_Mlieror of Japan the object o f his visit; but it is not
rtained how far the Emperor will be disposed to aban-

don his restrictive policy; and open that populotis country to
a commercial intercourse with the -United States.
_ _

It has been niy earnest desire to maintain friendly inter-
course with the
.governments upon this continent, and to aid
theta in preserving good understanding among themselves.
With Mexico, a dispute has arisen as to the true boundary
line between our territory of New;MexicO and the ,exit aii
State of Chihuahua. A fotnier Cotiiiiiissioner of the United
States, employed in running that line, pursuant to the treaty
of Guadaloupe Hidalgo, made a serious mistake in determin-
ing the initial point on the Rio Grande ; but, inasmuch as
his decision was clearly a departure from the directions for
tracing the boundary contained in that treaty, and was not
concurred in by a surveyor appointed on the part of the
United States, whose concurrence was necessary to give va-
lidity to that derision, this Government is not concluded
thereby; but that of Mexico takes a different view of the
sub' ect,
There are also other questions of considerable magnitude
pending between the two republics. Our minister in Mexico
has ample iustructions to adjust them. Negotiations have
been opened, but sufficient progress has not been made
therein to enable me to speak of the probable result. Im-
pressed with the importance of maintaining amicable rela-
tion with that Republic, and yielding with liberality to all
her just claims, it is reasonable to expect that an arrange-
ment mutually satisfactory to both countries may be con-
cluded, and a lasting friendship between them confirmed
and perpetuated.
Congress having provided for a full mission to the States
of Central America, a minister was sent thither in July last,
As yet he has had time to visit only one of these States,
(Nicaragua,) where he was received in the most friendly
manner. It is hoped that his presence and good offices wll
have a benign effect in composing the dissentious which
prevail among them, and in establishing still more intimate
and friendly relations between them respectively, and be-
tween each of them and the United States.
Considering the vast regions of this continent, and the
number of States which would be made accessible by the
free navigation of the river Amazon, particular attention
has been given to this subject. Brazil, through whose
territories it passes into the ocean, has hitherto persisted in
a policy so restrictive, in regard to the use of this river, as
to obstruct, and nearly exclude, foreign commercial inter-
course with the States which lie upon its tributaries and
upper branches. Our minister to that country is instructed
to obtain a relaxation of that policy, and to use his efforts
to induce the Brazilian government to open to common use,
under proper safeguards, this great natural highway for
international trade. Several of the South American States
are deeply interested in this attempt to secure the free
navigation of the Amazon, and it is reasonable to expect
their co-operation in the measure. As the advantages of
free commercial intercourse among nations are better under-
stood, more liberal views are generally entertained as to the com-
mon rights of all to the free use of those means which nature
has provided for international communication. To these
moral, liberal, and enlightened views, it is hoped that Brazil
will conform her policy, and remove all unnecessary restric-
tions upon the free use of a river which traverses so many
states, and so large a portion of the continent. lam happy
to inform you that the republic of Paraguay and the Argen-
tine Confederation, have yielded to the liberal policy still
resisted by Brazil, in regard to the navigable rivers within
their respective territories. Treaties embracing this subject
among others have been negotiated with these governments,
which will be submitted to the senate at the present session.
A new branch of commerce, important to the agricultural
interests of the United States, has, within a few years past,
been opened with Peru. Notwithstanding the inexhaustible
deposits of guano upon the islands of that country, conside-
rable difficulties are experienced in obtaining the requisite
supply. Measures have been taken to remove these difficul-
ties, and to secure a more abundant importation of the ar-
ticle. Unfortunately there has been a serious collision be-
tween our citizens, who have resorted to Chincha islands for it,
and the Peruvian authorities stationed there. Redress for
the outrages committed by the latter was promptly demanded
by our minister at Lima. This subject is now under con-
sideration, and there is reason to believe that Peru is dis-
posed to offer adequate indemnity to the aggrieved parties.
We are not only at peace with all foreign countries, but,
in regard to political affairs, are exempt from any cause of
serious disquietude in our domestic relations,
The controversies, which have agitated the country here-
tofore, are passing away with the causes which produced
them and the passions which they had awakened ; or, if any
trace of them remains, it may be reasonably hoped that it
will only be perceived in the zealous rivalry of all good citi-
zens to testify their respct for the rights of the States, their
devotion to the Union, and their common determination that
each one of the States, its institutions, its welfare, and its
domestic peace shall be held alike secure under the sacred
aegis of the Constitution.

This new league of amity and of mutual confi-
dence and support into which the people of the Republic have
entered, happily affords inducement and opportunity for the
adoption of a more comprehensive and unembarrassed line of
policy and action, as to the great material interests of the
country, whether regarded in themselves or in connection
with the powers of the civilised world.
The United States have continued gradually and steadily
to expand, through acquisitions of territory, which, how
much soever some of them may have been questioned, are
now universally seen and admitted to have been wise in
pnlioy, just in character, and. great element in the actvance-
meht of our country, and, with it, of the human race, in
freedom, in prosperity, and in happiness. The thirteen
States have grown to be thirty-one, with relations reaching
to Europe on one side, and on the other to the distant realms
of Asia.

I am deeply sensible of the immense responsibility which
the present magnitude of the Republic, and the diversity
and multiplicity of its interests, devolves upon me ; the alle-
viation of which, so far as relates to the immediate conduct
of the public business is, first, in my reliance on the wisdom
and patriotism of the two Houses of Congress; and secondly,
in the directions afforded me by the principles of public polity
affirmed by our fathers of epoch of 1798, sanctioned by long
experience, and consecrated anew by the overwhelming voice
of the people of the United States.
Recurring to these principles, which constitute the organic
basis of union, we perceive that vast:as the functions and
duties of the Federal Government, vested in, or entrusted to,
is three great departments, the legislative, executive, and
judicial, yet the substantive power, the popular force, and
the large capacities for social and material development
exist in the United States, which, all being of themselves
well constituted republics, as preceded, so they alone are
capable of maintaining and perpetuating the American Union.
The Federal government has its appropriate line of action
in the specific and limited powers conferred on it by the
Constitution, chiefly as to those things in which the
States have a common interest to one another, and to foreign
governments; while the great mass of interests which be-
long to cultivated men, the ordinary business of life, the
springs of industry,all the diversified personal and domestic
affairs of society, rest securely upon the general reserved
powers of the people of the several States. There is the
effective Democracy of the nation, and there the vital es-
sence of its being and its greatness.
Of the practical consequences which flow from the nature
of the Federal Government, the primary one is the duty
of administering with integrity and fidelity the high trust
reposed in it by the Constitution, especially in the applica-
tion of the Public Funds, as drawn by taxation from the
people, ani appropriated to specific objects by Congress. Hap-
pily I have no occasion to suggest any radical
changes in the financial policy of the Government.
Ours is almost, if not absolutely, the solitary power of
Christendom, having a surplus revenue, drawn immediately
from imports on commerce, and therefore measured by the
spontaneous enterprise and national prosperity of the coun-
try, with such indirect relation to agriculture, manufaqures,
and the products of the earth and sea, so as to violate no
constitutional doctrine, and yet vigorously promote the ge-
neral welfare. Neither as to the sources of the public trea-
sure, nor as to the manner of keeping and managing it, does
any grave controversy now prevail, there being a general
acquiescence in the wisdom of the present system.
The Report of the Secretary of the Treasury will exhibit
in detail the state of the public finances, and the condition of
the various branches of the public service administered by
that department of the Government.
The revenue of the country, levied almost insensibly to the
tax-payer, goes on from year to year, increasing beyond either
the interests or the prospective wants of the Government.
At the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1852, there in the Treasury a balance of- fourteen million, six
hundred and thirty-two thousand, one hundred and thirty-
six dollars. The public revenue, for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1853, amounted to fifty-eight million nine hundred
and thirty-one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-five dollars
from customs, and to two million, four hundred and five
thousand, seven hundred and eight dollars from public lands
and other miscellaneous sources, amounting together to
sixty-one million, three hundred and thirty-seven thousand,
five hundred and seventy-four dollars ' • while the public ex-
penditures for the same period, exclusive of payments on
account of the nublic debt, amounted to forty-three million,
five hundred and fifty-four thousand, two hundred and sixty-
two dollars--leaving a balance 'of thirty-two million, four
hundred and twenty-five thousand, four hundred and forty-
seven dollars of receipts above expenditures.
This fact, of increasing surplus in the Treasury, became
the subject of anxious consideration at a very early period of
my Administration, and the path of duty in regard to it
seemed to me obvious and clear—namely, first, to apply the
surplus revenue to the discharge of the Public Debt, so far
as it could judiciously be done ; and, secondly, to devise
means for the gradual reduction of the revenue to the stan-
dard of the public exigencies.
Of these objects the first has been in the course of accom-
plishment in a manner and to a degree highly satisfactory.
The amount of the public debt of all clams was, on the 4th
of March, 1853, sixty-nine millions one hundred and ninety
thousand and thirty-seven dollars ; payments on account of
which have been made, since that period, to the amount of
twelve millions seven hundred and three thousand three
hundred and twenty-nine dollars—leaving unpaid, and in
the continuous course of liquidation, the sum of fifty-six
millions four hundred and eighty-six thousand seven hun-
drad and eight dollars. These payments, although made at
the market price of the respective classes of stocks, have
been effected readily, and to the general advantage of the
Treasury, and have at the same time proved of signal utility
iu the relief they have incidentally afforded to the money

market, and to the industrial and commercial pursuits of the
co entry.
The second of the _above,mentioned objects, that of the
tariff, is of that importance, and the plan suggested by the
Secretary of the Treasury, which is to reduce the duties on
certain articles; and to add to the free lists many articles
now taxed; arid espedialiy such 0 enter in,nianufactures,
and are not largely, or at all, piodtided in the country, is
commended to your candid and careful consideration.
You will find in the Report of the Secretary of the Trea-
sury, also, abundant proof of the entire adequacy of the
present fiscal system to meet all the requirements of the
public service, and that, while properly administered, it
operates to the advantage of the community in ordinary
business relations.

I respectfully ask your attention to sundry suggestions of
improvements in the settlement of accountsj especially as
regards the large sums of outstanding arrears due to the
Government, and of other reforms in the administrative
action of his department, which are indicated by the sec-
retary; as also to the progress made in the construction of
Marine Hospitals, Custom-houses, and of a new Mint in
California, and Assay Office in the City of New York, here-
tofore provided for by Congress ; and also the eminently
successful progress of the Coast Survey, and of the Light-
house Board.

Among the objects meriting your attention will be impor-
tant recommendations from tihe Secretaries of War and
Navy. lam fully satisfied t(hat the navy of the United
States is not in a condition of strength and efficiency com-
mensurate with the magnitude of your commercial and other
interests ; and commend to your especial attention the sug-
gestions on this subject made by the Secretary of the Navy.
I respectfully submit that the army, which, under our sys-
tem, must always be regarded with the highest interest, as a
nucleus around which the volunteer forces of the nation
gather in the hour of danger, requires augmentation or mo-
dification, to adapt it to the present extended limits and
frontier relations of the country, and the conditions of the
Indian tribes in the interior of the continent ; the necessity,
of which will appear in the communications of the Secre-
taries of War and the Interior.

In the administration of the Post-office department for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1853, the gross expenditure was
seven million nine hundred and eighty-two thousand seven
hundred and fifty-six dollars ; and the gross receipts, during
the same period, five million nine hundred and forty-two
thousand seven hundred and thirty-four dollars; showing
that the current revenue failed to meet the current expenses
of the department by the sum of two million forty-two thou-
sand and thirty-two dollars. The causes which, under the
present postal system and laws, led inevitably to this result,
are fully explained by the report of the Postmaster-General;
one great cause being the enormous rates the department
has been compelled to pay for mail service rendered by rail-
road companies.
During the last fiscal year, nine million, eight hundred
and nineteen thousand, four hundred and eleven acres of
the public lands have been surveyed, and ten million, three
hundred and sixty-three thousand eight hundred and ninety-
one acres brought into market. Within the same period
the sales by public purchase And private entry amounted to
one million, eighty-three thousand, four hundred and
ninety-five acres ; located under military bounty land war-
rants, six million, one hundred and forty-two thousand three
hundred and sixty acres ; located under other certificates,
nine thousand four hundrel and twenty-seven acres; ceded
to the State as swamp-lands, sixteen million six hundred
and eighty-four thousand two hundred and fifty-three acres ;
selected for railroad and other objects, under acts of Con-
gress, one million four hundre i and twenty seven thousand,
four hundred and fifty-seven acres. Total amount of
lands disposed of within the fiscal year, twenty-five
million three hundred and forty-six thousand nine hundred
and ninety-two acres—which is an increase in quantity
sold and located under land warrants and grants, of twelve
million two hundred and thirty-one thousand eight hundred
and eighteen acres over the fiscal year immediately preced-
ing. The quantity of land sold during the second and third
quarters of 1852, was three hundred and thirty-four thou-
sand four hundred and fifty one acres. The amount re-
ceived therefore, was six hundred and twenty-three thousand
six hundred and eighty-seven dollars. The quantity sold
the second and third quarters of the year 1853, was one
million six hundred and nine thousand nine hundred and
nineteen acres ; and the amount received therefore, two
million two hundred and twenty six thousand eight hundred
and sevt nty six dol ars.

You will perceive, from the report of the Secretary of the
interior, that opinions, which have often been expressed in
relation to the operation of the land system, as not being a
soiree of revenue to the Federal Treasury, were erroneous.
The net profits from the sale of the public lands to June 30,
1853, amounted to the sum of fifty-three million two hun-
d-ed and eighty-nine thousand four hundred and sixty-five
dollars.

I recommend the extension of the land system over the
Territories of Utah and New-Mexico, with such modifica-
tions as their peculiarities may require.
Congress, representing the proprietors of the territorial
domain, and charged especially with power to dispose of
territory belonging to the United States, has, for a long
course of years, beginning with the administration of Mr.
Jefferson, exercised the power to construct roads within the
territories, and numerous applications have been, and no
d&ubt will continue to be made for grants for land, in aid of
tho .1:.-..d
intent and meaninF of die Constitution, that the power to
dispose of the public domain should be used otherwise than
might be expected from a prudent proprietor, and, therefore,
that grants of land to aid in he construction of roads should
be restricted to cases where it would be for the interest of
a proprietor, under like circumstances, thus to contribute to
the construction of these works. For the practical opera-
tion of such grants thus far, in advancing the interests of
the States in which the works are located, and at the same
time the substantial interests of all the other States, by en-
hancing the value and promoting the rapid sale of the
public domain, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of
the Interior.

I commend to your favorable consideration the men of
genius of our country, who by their inventions and dis-
coveries in science and art, have contributed largely to the
improvements of the age, without in many instances, secur-
ing for themselves anything like an adequate re card.
The present judicial system of the United States has now
been in operation for so long a period of time, and has, in its
general theory and much of its details, become so familiar
to the country, and acquired so entirely the public confi-
dence, that if modified in any respect, it should only be in
those particulars which may adapt it to the increased extent,
population, and legal business of the United States. In this
relation, the organisation of the courts is now confessedly in-
adequate to the duties to be performed by them, in
consequence of which, the states of Florida, Wisconsin,
lowa, Texas, and California, and districts of other states, are
in efect excluded from the full benefits of the general sys-
tem, by the functions of the circuit court being devolved on
the district judges in all those states, or parts of states.
The spirit of the constitution, and a due regard to justice,
require that all the states in the Union should be placed on
the same footing, in regard to the judicial tribunals. I
therefore commend to your consideration this important sub-
ject, which, in my judgment, demands the speedy action of
Congress. I will present to you, if deemed desirable, a plan
which I am prepared to recommend, fot the enlargement and
modification of the present judicial system.
I have omitted to ask your favorable consideration for the
estimate of works of a local character in twenty-seven of the
thirty-one States, amounting to one million seven hundred
and fifty-four thousand five hundred dollars, because, inde-
pendently of the grounds which have so often been urged
against the application of the Federal Revenue for works of
th s character, inequality with consequent injustice is i ,herent
in the nature of the proposition, and because the plan has
proved entirely inadequate to the accomplishment of the
objects sought.
The subject of mental improvements, claiming alike the
interest and good will of all, has, nevertheless been the
subject of much political discussion, and has stood as a deep
graven line of division between statesmen of great ability
and patriotism. The rule of strict construction of all pow-
ers delegated by the States to the General Government, has
arrayed itself, from time to time, against the rapid progress of
expenditure from the National Treasury, on works el a
character within the States. Memorable as an epoch in
the history of this subject is the Message of General Jack-
son, of the 27th May, 1830, which met the system of internal
improvements in its comparative infancy; but so rapid had
been its growth, that the projected appropriations in that
year, for works of this character, had risen to the alarming
amount of more than one hundred millions of dollars.

In that Message the President admitted the-difficulty of
bringing back the operations of the Government to the con-
struction of the Constitution, set up in 1798, and marked it
as an admonitory proof of the necessity of guarding that
instrument with sleepless vigilance against the authority of
'preced ents, which had not the sanction of its most plainly
defined powers.
Without perceiving any sound distinction, or intending to
assert any principle as opposed to improvements needed for
the protection of internal commerce, which does not equally
apply to improvements upon the seaboard for the protection
of foreign commerce, I submit to you whether it may not
be safely anticipated that, if the policy were once settled
against appropriations by the General Government for local
improvements for the benefit of commerce, localities requir-
ing expenditures would not, by modes and means clearly
legitimate and proper, raise the fund necessary for such con-
struction as the safety or other interests of their commerce
might require.
If that can be regaaded as a system which, in the exPe-
rience of more than thirty years, has at no time so commanded
the public judgment as to give it the character of a settled
policy—which,.though it has produced some works of con-
ceded importance, has been attended with an expenditure
quite disproportionate to their value—and has resulted in
squandering large sums upon objects which have answered
no valuable purpose —the interests of all the States require
it to be abandoned, unless hopes may be indulged for the
future which find no warrant for the past.
With an anxious desire for thr completion of the works
which are regarded by all good citizens with sincere in-
terest, I have deemed it my duty to ask at your hands a
deliberate reconsideration of the question with a hope that,
animated by a desire to promote the permanent and sub-
stantial interests of the country, your wisdom may prove
equal to the task of devising and maturing a plan, which,
applied to this subject, may promise something better than.