The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-18 00:00:00

LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 18, -1854.

MR. ALBERT SMITH'S MONT BLANC
TO-NIGHT at 8 o'clock, and Every Night (but Saturday).
Stalls,3s. ; Area, 25.; Gallery, ls. The MorninT Representations
will take place every Tuesday and Saturday, at 3 o'clock.— Egyptian
Hall, Piccadilly.

AMERICA.

ARRIVAL OF THE CANADA.

LAURENT'S CASINO, ARGYLL ROOMS.-
During the course of thisweek will be played by Laurent's
Orchestra :—Overture, Geraldine, Balfe—Waltzes Vermahlung's
Toaste (first time), Strauss; La Jardiniere, I abit-ky : Jubilee. Tin-
ney ; Lo Carnaval de Venise (by desire), H. Laurent, with Varia-
tions tor all the principal performers. Quadrilles: Le Paints de l'Al-
cazar, H. Lamotte ; La Guerre, Bos so; i.e hement (first time),
Hameln ;.Lammernror, inney. Schottische: CaricottA (first time),
Zerbini. Polkas : Musen, Strauss ; Bacchus, Strauss ; The New
Anuen (first time), Strauss. Gallops : The Baltic, Wagner. Les
Guides, H. Laurent. Frinclpal Cornet a Piston,' at. Boulcourt. All
information, relative to music, to be obtained at the music reposi-
t,wy under the orchestra Doors open at Eight; commence at half-
past. —Admission, One Shilling.

THE t'RESIDENT'S MESSAGE REPORTED
NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE PACIFIC.

LIVERPOOL, SUNDAY.
The Royal mail steam-ship Canada, James Stone,
Esq., commander, arrived this morning from Bos-
ton and Halifax, with- advices from New York to
the sth instant, 90 passengers, awl 162,172 dollars
in specie.

The. United States Congress commenced its sit-
tings on the 4th instant, when the following.mes-
sage from President Pierce was read :
" Fellow Citizens of the Senate and of the House
of Representatives,
"The past has been an eventful year, and will be
hereafter referred to as a marked epoch in the history of
the world. While we have been happily preserved from
the calamities of war, our domestic prosperity has not •
been entirely uninterrupted. The crops in portions of
the country have been nearly cut off. Disease has pre-
vailed to a greater extent than usual, and the sacrifice
of human life, through casualties by sea and land, is
without a parallel. But the pestilence has swept by, and
restored salubrity invites the absent to their hemes, and
the return of business to its ordinary channels.. If the
earth has rewarded the labour of the husbandman less
bountifully than in preceding seasons, it, has left him
with abundance for domestic wants, and a large surplus
for exportation. In the present, therefore, as in the
past, we find ample grounds for reverent thankftdnesi to
the God of Grace and Providence for his protecting care
and merciful dealings with us as a people. •
"Although our attention has been arrested by.painfal
interest in passing events, yet our country-feelano more
than the slight vibrations of the convulsions which have
shaken Europe. As individuals we cannot repres sytn-
pathy for human suffering, nor regret for the causes
which produce it. As a nation, we are reminded that
whatever interrupts the peace or checks the prosperity
of any part of Curistendom, tends, snore or.less, to in-
volve our own. The condition of states is not unlike
that of ienUviduals. They are mutually dependent upon
each other. Amicable relations between them and re-
ciprocal good-will are essential for the promotion of
whatever is desirable in their moral, social, and political
condition. Hence it has b4en my earnest endeavour to
maintain peace and friendly intercourse with all nations:

",The wisp theory of this government, so early adopted
and steadily pursued, of avoiding all entangling alliances,
has .hitherto exempted it from many complications, in
which it would otherwise have became involved. Not-
withstanding this, our clearly-defined and, well-sustained
caurse of action, and our geographical position so remote
front Europe, iner,asing disposition has been manifested
by some of its governments to supervise: and, in certain
respects, to direct, our foreign policy. In, plans for ad-
justing the balance of power among themselves, they
have assumed to take us into account, and would .con-
strain us to conform our conduct to their views. .One
or another of the powers of Limps has, from time to
time, undertaken t ) enforce arbitrary regulatiims, con-
trary in many respects to establizdied principles of inter-
national law. That law the United States have, in their
foreign intercourse, uniforthly respected -and observed,
and they cannot reoognile any sueh interpolations there-
in as the temporary interests of others may suggest.
They do not admit that the sovereigns of one continent,
.or of a particUlar community of states, can legislate for
all others.

' Leaving the Transatlantic nations to adjust their
political syste a iu the way they may think best for their
common welfare, the independent powers of this conti-
nent may w ell assert the right to be exe apt from all
annoying interference on their p irt. Systematic absti-
nences fr ,in intimate political connection with distant
foreign nations does nut conflict with giving the widest
range to our foreign commerce. This distinction, so
clearly rnarkedin history, seems to have been overlooked
or disregarded by some leading foreign states. Oar re-
fusal to be brought within, and subjected to, their pecu-
liar system has, I fear, created a jealaus distrust of our
conduct, and, induced on their part occasional acts of
disturbing effect upon our foreign relations. Our pre-
sent attitude and past course give assurances, which
should not be questioned, that our purposes are not ag-
gressive, nor threatening to the safety and welfare of
other nations. Our military establishment,. in times of
peace, is adapted to maintain exterior defences, and to
preserve order among the aboriginal tribes within the
limits of the Union. Our naval force is intended only
for the protection of our citizens abroad, and of our
commerce, diffused, as it is, over all the seas of the
globe. The GoVernment of the United States,' being
essentially pacific in policy, stands prepared to repel
invasion by the voluntary service of a patriotic people,
and provides no permanent means of foreign aggression.
These considerations should allay all apprehension that
we are disposed to encroach on the rights or endanger
the security of other states.
" Some European powers have regarded, with. dis-
quieting concern, the territorial expansion of the United
States This rapid growth has resulted from the legi-
timate exercise of sovereign•rights belonging; alike to all
nations,-and by many liberally exercised. Under such
circumstances, it cou'd hardly have been expected -that
those among them, which have withia,a coinparatively
recent period subdued and absorbed ancient kingdoms,
planted their standards on every continent, and now
possess or claim the control of the islands of every
ocean as their appropriate domain, stould look with un-
friendly sentiments upon the acquisitions of this country,
in every instance honourably obtained, or would feel
themselves justified in imputing our advancement to a
spirit of aggression or to a passion for political predo-
minance.
"Our foreign commerce has reached a magnitude and
extent nearly equal to that of the first maritime power
of the earth, and exceeding that of any other. Over
this great inter st, in which not only our merchants,
but all classes of our citizens, at least indirectly, are
concerned, it is the duty of the executive and legislative
branches of the Government to exercise a careful super-
vision, and adopt proper measures for its protection.
The policy which I have had in view, in regard to this
interest, embraces its future as well as its present secu-
rity.
" Long experience has shown that, in general, when
the principal powers of Europe are engaged in war, the
rights Of neutral nations are endangered. This considera-
tion led, in the proaores of our war of independence,
to the formation of the celebrated confederacy of
armed neutrality, a primary object of which was to
assert the doctrine that free ships make free goods, ex-
cept in the case of articles contraband of war—a doc-
trine which, from the very commencement of our na-
tional being, has been a cherished idea of the statesmen
of this country. At one period or another every mari-
time power has, by some solemn treaty or stipulation, re-
, cognised that
principle ; and it might have been hoped
that it would come to be universally received and re-
spected as a rule of international law. But the refusal
of one power prevented this, and in the next great war
which ensued--that of the French revolution—it failed
to be respected amen ,* the belligerent states of Europe.
Notwithstanding this,* the principle is generally admitted
to be a sound and. salutary one ; so much so, that at the
commencement a the existing war in Europe, Great
Britain and France announced their
it fur the present—not as , however, purpose to observe
a recognised inter-
national right, but as a mere c secession for the time
being. Tile co-operation,
however, of these two power-
ful maritime nations in the interest of ceutral rights ap-
peared to me to afford an occ.asionieviting and justifying,
on the part of the United States, a
make the doctrine in question a renewed effort to
i principle of international
law, by
means of special convections between the several
powers of Europe and America. Accordingly a proposi-
tion, embracing not only the rule that free ships make
free goods, except contraband articles,
but also the less
contested one, that neutral property other than contra-
band,though on board enemy's ships, shall be exempt
e
from confiscation, has been, submitted by this Govern
to those of Europe and America.
" Russia acted promptly in this matter, and a conven-
tion was concluded between that country and the United
States, providing for the observance of the principles
announced, not only as between themselves, but also as
between themselves and all other nations. which shall
enter into like stipulations. None of the other powers
have as yet taken final action on the subject. lam not
aware, however, that any objection to the proposed
stipulations has been made; but, on the contrary, they
are acknowledged to be essential to the security of neu-
tral commerce ; and the only apparent obstacle to their
general adoption is in the possibility that it may be en-
cumbered by inadmissible conditions. ,
"The King of the Two SiollieS has expressed to our
minister at Naples his readiness to concur in our pro-
position relative to neutral rights, - and to-enter into a
convention on that subject.
" The King of Prussia entirely approves of the pro-
ject of a treaty to the same effect submitted to him, but
proposes an additional article providing for the renunci-
ation of privateering. Such an article, for most obvious
reasons, is much desired by nations having naval estab-
lishments large in proportion to their foreign commerce.
If it were adopted as an international rule the commerce
of a nation having comparatively
,a small naval fore*
would be very much at the mercy of its enemy in case
of war with a power of decided naval superiurity. The
bare statement of the condition in which the United
States would he placed, after haying surrendered the
right to resort to privateers, in the event of war with a
belligerent of naval supremacy, evil show that this Go-
vernment could never listen to such a proposition. The
power in Europe is at least
navy of the first maritime
ten times as large as that of the United States. The
foreign commerce of the two countrits is nearly equal,
and about equally exposed to -'ostl il
,e depredations. In
war between that power and the United States, without
resort on our part to our mercantile marine, the means
of our enemy to inflict injury upon our commerce would
be tenfold greater than ours to retaliate. 'We could not
extricate our country from this untqual condition with
such an enemy unless we at once departed from our pre-
sent peaceful policy, and became a great naval power.
great
Nor would this country be better Situated in war with
tmheonreaveaxl
, donisepaorfittyhewoseuciodudbaeryl ens
sa, v
tahl e pgor :evz et
tr s
e. , tTe
nh
to nagubd

Icm :ed condition of our wide-spread commerce would of commercial and personal communication, but essentia
give any of them a like advantage over us. to its existence under one Government. Separated as
"The proposition to enter into engagements to forego are the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States
resort to privateers, in case this country should be forced by the whole breadth of the Continent, still the inhabi-
into war with a great naval power, is not entitled to more tar.ts of each are closely bound together by community
favourable consideration than would be a proposition to of origin and institutions, and by strong attachment to
agree not to accept the services of volunteers for opera- the Union. Hence the constant and increasing inter-
tions on land; When the honour or the rights of our course and vast interchange of commercial productions
country reqiiire it to assume a hostile attitude, it conti. between these remote divisions of the Republic. At the
dentler relies upon the patriotism of its citizens, not ordi- present time the most practicable and only commodious
fierily devoted to the military profession, to augment routes for communication between them are by the way
the army and the navy, so as to make them fully ade- of the Isthmus of Central America. It is the duty of the
quate to the emergency which calls them into action. Government to secure these avenues against all danger
The proposal to surrender tie right to employ privateers of interruption.
is professedly founded upon the .principle that private "In relation to Central America, perplexing questions
property ef unolfending noncombatants, though enemies, existed between the United States and Great Britain, at
should be exempt, from the ravages of war ; lint the pro- the time of the cession of California. Thee; as well as
posed surrender goes but little way in carrying out that questions which subsequently arose, concerning inter-
principle, which equally requires that such private pro- oceanic communication across the Isthmus, were, as it
perty should not be seized or molested by national ships was supposed, adjusted by the treaty of April 19, 1850;
of war. Should the leading powers of Europe concur but unfortunately they have been re-opened by serious
in' proposing, as a rule of international law, to exempt misunderstanding as to the import of some of its pro-
private property upon the ocean from seizure by public visions, a readjustment of which is now under con-
armed- cruisers, as well as by privateers, the United sideration. Our minister at London has made strenuous
States will readily Inset them upon that broad ground. efforts to accomplish this desirable object, but has not
"Since the adjournment of Congress, the ratifications yet found it possible to bring the uegociations to a
of the treaty between the United States and Great termination.
Britain amlative to coast fisheries and to reciprocal trade "As incidental to these questions I deem it proper to
with the British North American provinces haie been notice an occurrence which happened in Central Arne-
exchanged, and some of its anticipated advantages are rica near the close of the last session of Congress. So
already enjoyed by us, although its full execution was soon as the necessity was perceived of establishing inter-
to abide certain acts of legislation not yet fully per- oceanic communication across the Isthmus a company
formed. So soon as it was ratified Great Britain opened was organised, under authority of the state of Nicaragua,
to our commerce the free navigation of the River St. but composed for the most part of citizens of the United
Lawrence, and to our fislieemn unmolested access to. States, for the purpose of opening such a transit way,
the shores and bays, from which they had been pre- by the river San Juan and Lake Nicaragua, which soon.
viously exc:uded on the coasts of her North American became an eligibleand much-used route in the transportae
provinces ; in. return for which she asked for the intro- tion of our citizens and their property between the
duction, free of duty, into the ports of the United States Atlantic and Pacific. Meanwhile, and in 'anticipation
of the fish caught on the same coast by British fisher- ef the completion and importance of the transit way, a
men. This being the compensation stipulated in the number of adventurers had taken possession of the old
treaty for privileges of the highest importance and value Spanish port at the mouth of the River San Juan, in
to the United States, which were thus voluntarily open defiance of the State or States of Central America,
yielded before it became effective, the request seemed to which, upon their becoming independent, had right-
me to be aereasoneble one ; but it could not be acceded fully succeeded to the local sovereignty and jurisdic-
to, from want el• authority to suspend our laws imposing tion of Spain. These adventurers undertook to change
duties upon all foreign fish. In the meantime the Tree,- the name of the place from San Juan del Norte to
sury Department issued a regulation-for ascertaining the. Greytown, and, though at first Fetending to act as• the
duties paid oe secured by bonds on fish caught on the subjects of the fictitious sovereign= of the Mosquito-In-
coasts of the. British provinces, and brought to our mar- diens, they subsequently repudiated the control of any
kets by British subjects, after the fishing grounds had power whatever, assumed to adopt a distinct political
been made fully accessible to the citizens of the United organisation, and declared themselves an independent
States. I recommend to yourlevourable consideration a sovereign state. If at some time a faint hope was en-
proposition
which will be submitted to you for authority tertained that they might become a stable and respects-
to refund the duties and cancel the bonds thus received. ble community that hope soon vanished. They pro-
The provinces of Canada and New Brunswick have ceeded to assert unfounded claims to civil jurisdiction
also anticipated the full operation of the treaty by over Punta Arenas, a position on the opposite side of the
legislative arrangements, respectively, to admit, free of River San Juan, which was in possession, under a title
duty, the products of the United States mentioned in wholly independent of them, of citizens of the United
the free list of the-treaty; and an arrangement similar to States, interested in the Nicaragua Transit Company,
that regarding Pr tish fish has been made for duties now and which was indispensably necessary to the prosperous
chargeable on the products of those provinces enumerat- operation of that route across the isthmus.' The corn-
ed in the same free list, and introduced therefrom into pany resisted their groundless claims, whereupon they
the United States, a proposition for refunding which proceeded to destroy some of its buildings, and attempted
will, in my judgment, be in like manner entitled to your violently to dispossess it.
favourable consideration. "At a later period they organised a strong force for
"There is difference of opinion between the United the purpose of demolishing the establishment at Punta
States and Great Britain as to the boundary line of the Arenas, but this mischievous design was defeated by the
territory of Washington, adjoining the British posses- interposition of one of our ships of war, at that time
sions on the Pacific, which lets already led to difficulties in the harbour of San Juan. Subsequently to this,
on the part of the citizensand local authorities of the two in May last, a body of men from Greytown creased
Governments. I recommend that provision be made for over to Punta, Arenas, arrogating authority to arrest,
a commission, to he jellied by one on the part of her on a charge of murder,' a captain of one of the steam-
Britannic Majesty, fur the purpose of running and este- boats of time Transit Company. Being well aware
bushing the line in controversy. Certain stipulations of that the claim to exercise jurisdiction there would be
the third and ,fourth articles of the treaty concluded by resisted then, as it bad been on previous occasions,
time United States and Great Britain in 1546, regarding they went prepared to assert it by force of arms. Our
possessory rights of the ltudson'e Biy Company, and minister to Central America happened to be present on
property of the Puget's Sound Aericultural Company, that occasion. Believing that the captain of the steam-
have given rise to serious disputes, and it is important boat was innocent, for he witnessed the transaction en
to all concerned that summary means of settling them which the charge was founded, and believing also that
amicably should be devised. I have reason to 'believe the intruding party, having no jurisdiction over the
that an arrangement can be made on just terms for the place where they proposed to make the arrest, would
extinguishment of the rights in question, embracing also encounter desperate resistance if they persisted in their
the right of the Hudson's Bay Company to the naviga- purpose, he interposed effectually to prevent violence
tion of the River Columbia ; and I therefore suggest to and bloodshed. The American Minister afterwards
your consideration the expediency of making a contin- visited Greytown, and while he was there a mob, includ-
gent appropriation for that purpose. ing certain of the so called public functionaries of the
" France was the early and efficient ally of the United Place, surrounded the house in which he was, avow-
States in their struggle for independence. From that ing that they had come to arrest him by order of
time to the present, with occasional slight interruptions, some person exercising the chief authority. While
cordial relations of friendship have existed between the parleying with them he was wounded by a missile from
Government and people of the two countries. The the crowd. A
.boat, despatched from the American
kindly sentiments cherished alike by bath nations have steamer Northern tight to release him from the perilous
led to an extensive social and commercial intercourse, situation in which he was underitood to be, was fired
Which, I trust, will net be interrupted or checked in any into by the town guard and compelled to return. These
casual event of an apparently unsatisfactory character. incidents, together with the known character of the
The French Consul at San Francisco was, not long since, population of Greytown and their excited state, induced
brought intothe United States District Court at that just apprehensions that the lives and property of our
place, by compulsory process, as a witness' in- favour eef citizens at Punta Arenas would be in imminent danger
another foreign consul, in violation, as the French Go- after the departure of the steamer with her passengers
vernment conceives, of his privileges under our consulary for New York, unless a guard was left for their pre-
convention with France. There being nothing in the tection. For this purpose, and in order to insure the
transaction which could imply any disrespect to France safety of passengers amid property passing over the route,
or its consul, sue& explanation has been made as I hope a temporary force was organised at considerable expense
will be satisfactory. Subsequently, misunderstanding to the United States, for which provision was made
arose on the subject of the French Government basing, at the last session of Congre-s.
as it appeared, abruptly excluded the Amsrican Minister "This pretended community, a heterogeneous assem-
to Spain from passing through France, on his way from blage, gathered from various countries, and composed,
London to Madrid. But that Government has unequi- for the most pain of blacks and persons of mixed
vocally disayowed any design to deny the right of transit blood, had previously given other indications of mis-
to the Minister of the United States ; and after explana- chievous and dangerous propensitiis. Early in the
Lions to this effect, he has resumed his journey, and same month property Was clandestinely abstracted from
actually -returned through France to Spain. I herewith the depot of the Transit Company, and taken to Grey-
lay before Congress the correspondence on this subject town. The plunderers obtained shelter there, and their
between our envoy at Paris and the Minister of Foreign pursuers were driven back by its people, who not only
Relations sf the French Government. protected the wrong-doers and shared the plunder, but
" The position of our affairs with Spain remains as at treated with rudeness and violence those who sought
the close of your last session. Internal agitation, as- to recover their property.
suming very nearly the character ef political revolution, " Such, in substance, are the facts submitted to my
has recently convulsed that country. The late ministers consideration, and proved by trustworthy evidence. I
wore violently expelled from power, and men of very could not doubt that the case demanded the interposition
different views in relation to its internal affairs have sun- of this Government. Justice required that reparation
ceeded. Since the change there has been no propitious should be made for so many and such gross wrongs, and
opportunity to resume, and press on, negotiations for the that a course of insolence and plunder, tending directly
adjustment of serious questions of difficulty between the to the insecurity of the lives of numerous travellers, and
Spanish Government and the United States. There is of the rich treasure belonging to our citizens, passing
reason to believe that our minister will find the present over this transit-way, should be peremptorily arrested.
Government more favourably inclined than the preceding Whatever it might be in other respects, the community
to comply with our just demands, and to make suitable in question, in power to do mischief, was not despicable.
arrangements for restoring harmony and preserving It was well provided with ordnance, small arms, and
peace between the two countries, ammunition, and might easily seize on the unarmed
' " Negotiations are pending with Denmark t.) discon- boats, freighted with minimise' property, which passed
tinue the practice of levying tolls on our vessels and almost daily within its reach. It did not profess to be-
their cargoes passing through the Sound. I do not long to any regular government, and had, in fact, no
-doubt that we can claim exemption therefrom as a matter recognised dependence on, er connection with, any one
of right. It is admitted on all hands that this exaction to which the United States or their injured citizens
is sanctioned, not by the general principles of the law of might apply for redress, or which could be held respon-
nations, but only by special conventions which most of sible in any way for the outrages committed. Not
the commercial nations have entered into with Denmark. standing before the world in the attitude of an organised
The fifth article of our treaty ef 1826 with Denmark pro- political society, being neither competent to exercise the
vides that there shall not be paid on the vessels of the rights nor to discharge the obligations of a government,
United States and their cargoes when passing through it was, in fact, a marauding establishment, too dangerous
the Sound higher duties than those of the most favoured to be disregarde3, and too guilty to pass unpunished, and
nations. This may be regarded as an implied ageeemeut yet incapable of being treated in any other way than as a
to submit to the tolls during the continuance of the piratical resort of outlaws, or a camp of savages, depre-
treaty, and consequently may embarrass the assertion dating en emigrant trains or caravans, and the frontier
of our right to be released therefrom. There are also settlements of civilised States.
other provisions in the treaty which ought to be mods- " Seasonable notice was given to the people of Grey-
fied. It was to remain in force for ten years, and until town that this Government required then to repair the
one year after either party should give notice to the injuries they had done to our citizens, and to make suit-
other of intention to terminate it. I deem it expedient able a mology for their insult of our Ministe-, and that a
that the contemplated notice should be given to the ship of war would- be despatched thither to enforce corn-
Government of Denmark. pliance with these demands. But the notice passed un-
" The naval-expedition despatched about two years heeded. Thereupon a commander of the navy, in charge
since for the purpose of establishing relations with the of the sloop of war Cyane, was ordered to repeat the
empire of Japan, has been ably and skilfully conducted demands, and to insist upon a compliance therewith.
to a successful termination by the officer to whom it was Finding that neither the populace, nor those assuming
entrusted. A treaty, opening certain- of the ports of to have authority over them, manifested any disposition
that populous country, has been negotiated ; and in to make the required reparation, or even to offer excuse
order to give Lull effect thereto it now only remains to for their conduct, he warned them, by a public procla-
exchange ratifications, and to adopt requisite commercial illation, that if they did not give satisfaction within a
regulations, time specified he would bombard the town. By this
" The treaty lately concluded between the United procedure lie afforded them opportunity to provide for
States and Mexico settled some of our most embarrass- their personal safety. To those, also, who desired to
ing difficulties with that country, but numerous claims avoid loss of property, in the punishment about to be in-
n on it for wren s andenjuries to our citizens remained flicted on the offending town, he furnished the means of
p ong
removing their effects by the boats of his own ship and
unadjusted, and many new cases have been recently
of a steamer which ho procured and tendered to them for
added to the former list of grievances. Our legation
has been earned in its endeavours to obtain from the that purpose. At length, perceiving no disposition on
the part of the town t) comply with his requisitions, be
Mexican Governments favourable consideration of these
appealed to the commander of her Britannic Majesty's
claims„but hitherto without success. This failure is
schooner Bermuda, who was seen to have intercourse
probably, in some measure to be ascribed to the disturbed
andapparently much influence with the leaders among
condition of that country. It has been my anxious de- them, interpose, and persuade them to take some
sire to maintain friendly relations with the Mexican Re-
cours'e calculated to save the necessity of resorting to
the extreme measure indicated in his proclamation ;
.public, and to cause its rights and territories to be re-
the
that• dof
spected, not only by our citizens, but by foreigners who
nothi more than to protest against the contemplated
officer, instead acceding to the request, did
have resorted to the United States for the purpose of
bombardment.l No steps of any sort were taken by the
organising hostile expeditions against some of the states
of that republic. The defenceless condition in which its
in it.sny they were, who regarded themselves as not respell-
Reop eto give the satisfaction required. No individuals,
frontiers have been left has stimulated lawless adven-
slew for the misconduct of the community, adopted any
turers to embark in these enterprises, and greatly
creased the difficulty of enforcing our obligations of neu-
The several charges on which the demands for redress
trality. Regarding it as my solemn duty to fulfil effici- means to separate themselves from the fate of the guilty.
ently these obligations, not only towards Mexico, but
other foreign nations, I have exerted all the powers with were founded had been publicly known to all for
which lam invested to defeat such criminal proceedings, some time, and were again announced to them. They
and to being to punishment those who, by taking a part did not deny any of these charges ; they offered no
therein, violated our laws. The energy and activity of explanation—nothing in extenuation of their conduct ;
our civil and military authorities have frustrated the de- but contumaciously refused to hold any intercourse with
signs of those who meditated expeditions of this charac- the commander of the Cyane. By their obstinate
ter, except in two instances. One of these, composed of silence they seemed rather desirous to provoke chastise-
foreigners, was at -first countenanced and aided by the ment than to escape it. There is ample reason to believe
Mexican Government itself, it ham ing been deceived as that this conduct of wanton defiance on their part is in-
to their real object. The other, small in number, eluded Put able chiefly to the delusive idea that the American
of the magistrates at San Francisco, and Government would be deterred from punishing them
iegdileadnicen reaching the Mexican territories ; but the through fear of displeasing a formidable foreign power,
tie vigilance
measures taken by this Government compelled which they presumed to '-think looked with compla-
the abaudonment of the undertaking, cency upon their aggressive and insulting deportment
~ The commission to establish the new line between toward the United States. The ()Tana at length fired
the United States and Mexico, according to the provisions upon the town. Before much injury had been done the
of the treaty of the 30. h December last, has been fire was twice suspended, in orde,r to afford opportunity
organised, and the work is already commenced. for an arrangement ; but this w!..Ls declined. Most of the
,s Our treaties with the Argentine Confederation, and buildipgs of time place—of little value generally—. were,
with the Republics of Uruguay and Paraguay, secure in the sequel, destroyed; but, owing to the
to us the free navigation of the river Le Plata, and see precautions taken by our naval commander , e
of its larger tributaries ; but the same success has notincotnhstrdeerwaatee
no destruction of life.
attended our e'exvours to open the Amazon. The " When the Cyane was ordered to Central America,
rr
reasons in favour of the free use of that rivet I had occa- it was confidently hoped and ex pected that no occasion
glen to present fully in a former Message • and con-
' ,life.' It istructions to that di ct
sidering the cordial relations which have long existed of property and loss of d
would arrise for ' a resort to violence and destruction
between this Government and Brazil, it may be expected were given to her comtuan. r ee, And no extreme act
that pending negotiations will eventually reach a would have been requisite enad not the people them-
that result. I selves, by their extraordrarzy conduct in the affair,
" Conveeient means of transit between the several lug

"In connection with this subject, I recommend a
change in the laws, which recent experience has shown
to be essential to the protection of the Government.
There is no express provision of law requiring the 1 e-
cords and papers of a public charadter of the several of-
ficers of the Government to be left in their offices for the
use of their successors, nor any provision declaring it
felony on their part to make false entries in the books or .
return false accounts. In the absence of such express
provision by law, the outgoing officers in many instances
have claimed and exercised the right to take into their
own possession important books and papers, on the
ground that these were their private property, and have
placed them beyond the reach of the Government. Con-
duct of this character, brought in several instances to
the notice of the present Secretary of the Treasury, na-
turally awakened his suspicion, and resulted in the dis-
closure that at four ports—namely, Oswego, Toledo,
Sandusky, and Miiwa,ukee, the Treasury had, by false
entries, been defrauded, within the four years next pre-
ceding March, 1853, of the sum of $198,000. The .
great difficulty with which the detection of these frauds
has been attended, in consequence of the abstraction of
books and papers by the retiring officers, and the facility
with which similar frauds in the public service may be
perpetrated, render the recessity of new legal enactments
in the respects above referred to quite obvious. For
other material modifications of the revenue laws which
seem.to me desirable I refer you to the report of the Se- '
cretary of the Treasury. That report, and the tables
which accompany it, furnish ample proofs of the solid
foundation on which the financial security of the country
rests, and of the salutary influence of the independent
Treasury system upon commerce and all monetary ope-
rations.
"The experience of the last year furnishes additional
reasons, I regret to say of a painful character, for the re-
commendation heretofore made to provide for increasing
the military force employed in the territory inhabited by
the Indians. The settlers on the frontier have suffered
much from the incursions of predatory bands, and large
parties of emigrants to our Pacific possessions have
been massacred with impunity. The recurrence of such
scenes can only be prevented by teaching these wild
• tribes the power of, and the responsibility to, the
United States. From the garrisons of our frontier
posts it is only possible to detach troops in small
bodies ; and although these have on all occasions dis-
played a gallantry and a stern devotion to duty, which
on a larger field would haVe commanded universal ad-
miration, they have usually suffered severely in these
conflicts with sup rior nsimbers, and have sometimes
been entirely sacrificed. All the disposable force of the
army is already employed on this service, and is known
to be wholly inadequate to the protection which shosild
be afforded. The public mind of the country has been
recently shocked by savage atrocities committed upon
defenceless emigrants and border settlements, and hardly
less by the unnecessary destruction of valuable lives,
where inadequate detachments of troops have under-
taken to furnish the needed aid. Without increase of
the military :orce these scenes will be repeated, it is
to be feared, on a larger scale, and with more disas-
trous consequences. Congress, lam sure, will per-
ceive that the plainest duties and
fearful hazards.
government are ineolved in this question, andnictlili duated,
not that prompt action may be confidently anticipated,
when delay must b.l attended by such hasards.
" The hill of the ~ast session, providing for an increase
of the pay of the rank and file
i of the .rmy,
rhas.
had beneficial results,- not only
n facilitating en ust
noents, but in obvious iinprovement in the class of men
who enter the service. I regret that corresponding- con-
sideration was not bestuwed on the officers, wino.. in
view of their character and services, and the expos. see
to which they are nt cessarily subject, receive at
present what is, in m, judgment, inadequate coitS•
pensatiors
,‘ The valuable servicos constantly rendered by the
army and its inestimable importance, as the nucleus\
around which the voluisfeer forces of the nation can
promptly gather in the hone of ,'.anger, sufficiently at-
test the wissiom of mainteining a military peace esta-
blishment ; but the theory of our system and the wise
practice under it, require that any proposed augmenta-
tion in time of peace be only coma) ensurate with oar
extended limits and frontier relatilpK- While scrupu-
lously adhering to this principle, I Lind, in existing cir-
cumstances, a necessity for increase of .gyp r military force;
and it is believed that feur new regiment's —two of infan-
try and two of mounted men—will be suticient to meet.
the present exigency. If it were neceas ary carefully
to weigh the cost in a case of such urgency.. it would he
shown that the additional expense would: ,be compara-
tively light.
" With the increase of the numerical force of the
army should, I think, be combined certain n
reform in its organic arrangement
The present organisation is the result. of partial Jegisla
and ad al
-and
tion often directed to special objects and
manadndi,nrarveisin:s7;b
the laws relating to rank an( . .
adopted many years ago from the Drittisishneootdseu,rpatriesinneat,
always applicable to our service.
therefore, that the system should be deficient in the
symmetry and simplicity essent_tianld[torecitbueirehaarmeaoarito,fnusi
working of its several parts, .

revision.
"The present organisation, by maintaining latve
staff corps or departments, separates many office,',l
from that close connection with troops, and those'
active duties in the field, which are deemed re-
quisite to qualify them for the varied respon-
sibilities of high command. Were the duties of the
army staff mainly discharged by officers detached from
their regiments, it is believed that the special service
would be equally well performed, and the discipline and
instruction of the army be improved. Whilst doe re-
gard to the security of the rights of officers, and to the nice
sense of honour which should be cultivated are"gthem'
would seem to exact compliance with the established
rule of promotion in ordinary cases, still Actin hardly be
doubted that the range of promotion by selection, which
is non practically confined to the grade of general of&
cers, might be somewhat extended with benefit to the
public service. Observance of the rule of seniority
sometimes leads, especially in time of peace, to the pro-
motion of officers who, after meritorious and even dis-
tinguished service,
may have been rendered by age or in-
firtnity incapable of performing active duty, and whose
advancement therefore would tend to impair the efficiency
of the army. Suitable provision for this class of officers,
by by the creation of a retired list, would remedy t
without wounding the Just pride of men, who, by past