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

service, have established a claim to high consideration.
In again corameniiing this measure to the favourable
consideration of Congress, I would suggest that the
- - power of pleeieg officers ee the retired list be limited to
- - one year. The practical operation of the measure would
thus !:e tested, end if, afrer the lapse it years, there
- sheolit he occasion to renew the provision, it can be re-
produced with any improvements which experience may
indicate. The present organisation of the artillery into
regiments is liable to obvious objections. The service of
artillery is that of batteries, and an organisation of bat-
teries into a corps of artillery would be more consistent
with the nature of their duties. A large part of the troops
now called artillery are, and have been, on duty as in-
fantry—the distinction between the two arms being
merely nominal. The nominal artillery in our service is
entirely disproportionate to the whole force, and greater
than the wants of the country demand. I therefore com-
mend the discontinuance of a distinction which has no
foundation in either the arms used or the character of
the service expected to be performed.
"In connection with the proposition for the increase of
the array, I have presented these suggestions
withregard
of a
to certain measures of reform, as the complement
system which would produce the happiest results from a
given expenditure, and which, I hope, may attract the
early attention, and be deemed worthy of the approve
of Congress.
" The representation of the Secretary of the Navy,
having reference to more ample provisions for the dis-
cipline-end gen.etal improvement iu the character of sea-
men, and fin the reorganisation and gradual increase in
the navy, I deem eminently worthy of your favourable
consideration_ The principles which have controlled our
policy in relation to the permanent military force, by
sea and land, are sound, consistent with the theory of
our system, and should by no means be disregarded.
But, limiting the force to the objects particularly set
forth in the preceding part of this Message, we should
not overlook the present magnitude and prospective ex-
tension of our commercial marine, nor fail to give due
weight to the fact that, besides the 2,000 miles of At-
lantic seaboard we have now a Pacific coast, stretching
from Mexico to the British possessions in the north,
teeming with wealth and enterprise, and demanding the
constant presence of ships of war. The augmentation
of the navy has not kept pace with the duties properly
and profitably assigned to it in time of peace, and it is
inadequate for the large field of its operations, not
merely in the present, but still more in the progres-
sively increasing exigencies of the wealth and commerce
of the United States. I cordially approve of the pro-
posed apprentice system for our national vessels, recom-
mended by the Secretary of the Navy.
" The occurrence, during the last few months, of ma-
rine disasters of the most tragic nature, involving great
loss of human life, has produced intense emotions of
sympathy and sorrow throughout the country. It may
well he doubted whether all these calamitous events are
wholly attributable to the necessary and inevitable dan-
gers of the sea. The merchants, mariners, and ship-
builders of the United States, are, it is true, unsurpassed
in far-reaching enterprise, skill, intelligence, and courage
by any others-in the world. But with the increasing
amount of our commercial tonnage in the aggregate, and
the larger size- and improved equipment of the ships
now constructed, a deficiency in the supply of reliable
seamen begins to be very seriously felt. The inconve-
nience may perhaps be met in part by due regula-
tion for the introduction into our merchant ships of in-
dentured apprentices, which, while it would afford use-
ful and eligible occupation to numerous young men,
would have a tendency to raise the character of seamen
as a class. And it is deserving of serious reflection
whether it may not be desirable to revise the existing
laws for the maintenance of discipline at sea, upon which
the security of life and property on the ocean must to
so great ten extent depend. Although much attention
has already been given by Congress to the proper con-
structio n and arrangement of steam-vessels and all pas.
senger- ships, still it is believed that the achievements of
science and mechanical skill in this direction have not
been exhausted. No good reason exists for the marked
diet raction which appears upon our statutes between the
laws for protecting life and property at sea and those for
pteetecting them on land. In most of the states severe
p znalties are provided to punish conductors of trains,
etngineers, and others, employed in the transportation of
persons by railways, or by steam-boats on rivers. Why
should not the same principle be applied to acts of in-
subordination, cowardice, or other misconduct on the
part of masters os- mariners, producing injury or death
to passengers on the high seas, beyond the jurisdiction
of any of the states, and where such delinquencies can
be reached only by the power of Congress! The whole
subject is earnestly recommended to your consideration.
" The report of the Postmaster General to which you
are referred nor many interesting details in relation to
this important and rapidly-extending branch of the
public sere-ice, shows that the expenditure of the year
ending Jane 30, 1854, including $133,483 of balance
due to fcreign offices, amounted to $8,710,907. The
gross receipts during the same period amounted to
$6,95,5,.58n, exhibiting an expenditure over income of
$1,70r,321, and a diminution of deficiency as compared
with the last year of $361,758. The increase of the
reve.'..ve of the department for the year ending June 30,
185' a, over the preceding year was $970,399. No proper-
tio aate increase, however, can he anticipated for the cur-
re at, year, in consequence of the act of Congress of June
2 3, 1854, providing for increased compensation to all pest-
r .resters. From these statements it is apparent that the
post-office department, instead of defraying its expenses,
according to the design at the time of its creation, is
now, :aid-under existing laws -must continue to be, to no
small exteat, a charge upon the general treasury. The
cost of mail transportation during the year ending June
:30, 135 i, elcesds ail the cost of the preceding year by
$495,074. I again call your attention to the subject of
mail trarspoaation by ocean steamers, and commend
the .I:ggesti:mis of the Postinaster-General to your early
attention.

FRANKLIN PIERCE.
" Washington, Dec. 4, 1854."

CALIFORN lA.
The steam-ship Star of the West had arrived at
New York, with Californian advises to the 9th
olt., and upwards of three-quarters of a million of
dollars.
THE ANGLO-FRENCH SQUADRON.
The following report of the movements of the
Anglo-French fleet, and of a rumoured engage-
ment in the Pacific, we extract from the Placer
Times and Transcript of Nov. 29 :
" Since the repulse of the allied fleet at Petropau-
lovski, the movements of the respective vessels have be-
come a matter of interest. The greater portion of the
combined squadron now lie at anchor in our harbour.
They comprise her Britannic Majesty's frigates Presi-
dent and Pique, sloop of war Amphitrite, and steamer
Virago ; and the French frigates Foite and Eurydice.
They are accompanied by their prize, the Russian ship
Sitka. Her Britannic Majesty's discovery-ship Plover
is also in port. The French brig-ofiwar Obligado, which
constituted a portion of the squadron in its attack upon
Petropauloyski, sailed from this pert on Saturday last,
for Guaymas, to make inquiry into the circumstances at-
tending the death of Count de Raousset Boulbon. The
brig Henry William, which arrived on Monday night
from Sydney, reported a heavy cannonade outside the
Heads, resembling a sea-fight, and last night there was
a flying report through the city, said to have been
In-ought by a pilot-boat, to the effect that the Obligado
had encountered a IZuBsiaii frigate. Tne report, how-
ever, needs confirmation.
" In addition to the vessels above enumerated her Bri-
tannic Majesty's sloop of war '1 rinconndee, and the French
corvette L'Artemise, from the Sandwich Islands, arrived
within a few days. The whereabouts of the Russian
frigate Diana is not known, although it is presumed she is
in wising somewhere in our waters--perhaps at no great
distance from some of her antagonists. The Russian
frigate Aurora, ant sloop of war Dwina, were left by the
a:lies at Petropaulovski, but where they may now be is
a matter of speculation. The United States steam-frigate
Susquehanna was reported at the Sandwich Islands, and
is hourly expected in our harbour, she having put into
Honolulu merely for a supply of coal. The steam-frigate
Mississippi was to have left Hong Kong three days after
the Susquehanna, and may also be hourly expected.
The United States sloops of war St. Mary's and Ports-
mouth were at Honolulu on the 20th of October, and
will probably pay us a visit in the course of the winter.
The English and French squadrons, it is understood,
will winter at Monterey.
"Her Britannic Majesty's frigate Amphitrite arrived
at San Francisco on Nov. 8, 16 days from Honolulu.
" Since the arrival of the British frigates in our har-
bour, 5 marines and seamen have deserted from the
President and Pique. Their names are Charles Bulky,
Isaac Dove, James Williams, James Tavey, ,R. Elder,
and Peter Wilso* (attached to the Pique.) For the
apprehension of Wilson a reward of 25 dole, is offered,
and for the others 15 dole. The French fleet has not
suffered as yet by desertion."

"During the last fiscal year 11,070,935 acres of the
pubic lands hove been surveyed,. and 8,190,017 acres
bron4tit into market. The number of acres sold is
7,03,735, and the :unount received therefore 0,235,533
Tb., aggr,gate amount of lands sold, located under mili-
tary- scrip and laud warrants, selected as swamp lands
by states and by locating under grants for reads, is tio-
wassh of 23,000,000 of acres. The increase of lands
sold over the previous year is about 6,000,000 of acres ;
and the sales during the first quarters of the current
)ear present the extraordinary result of 5,500,000 sold,
exceeding by nearly 4,000,000 acres the sales of the cur-
reepoadieg quarters of the last year, thus increasing to
an extent unparalleled (luting any like period in our past
history the amount of revenue provided from this source
for the Federal Treasury.
"The commendable policy of the Government, in re-
lation to setting apart a public domain for those who have
served their country in times of war is illustrated by the
fact, that since 1700 no less than 3,000,000 of acres have
been applied to this object.
"The suggestions which I submitted in my annual
Message of last year, in reference to grants of land in
aid of the construction of railways, were less full and
explicit than the magnitude of the subject and subsequent
developments would seem to render proper
and desirable
Of the soundness of the principle then asserted with re-.
gard to the limitation of the power of Congress I
entertain no doubt ; but in its application it is not
enough that the value of lands in 4 particular loca-
lity may be enhanced ; that, in fact, a larger amount
of money may probably be received in a given time
for alternate sections, than could have been rea-
lised for all the sections, without the impulse and
influence of the proposed improvements. A prudent
proprietor looks beyond limited sections of his domain,
beyond present iesults, to the ultimate effect which a par•
ticular line of policy is likely to produce upon all his pos-
sessions and interests. The government, which is trus-
tee in this matter for the people of the States, is boiled
to take the same wise and comprehensive view. Prior
to and during the last session of Congress, upwards of
30,000,000 of acres of land were withdrawn from public
sale with a vievr to applications for grants of this cha-
racter pending before Congress. A careful review of
the whole subject led me to direct that all such orders be
abrogated, and the lands restored to market ; and in-
structions were immediately given to that effect. The
applications at the last session contemplated the con-
struetion of more than 5000 miles of road, and grants to
the amount of nearly 20,00%000 of acres of the public
domain. Even admitting the right on the part of Con-
gress to be unquestionable, is it quite clear that.the pro- From the space occupied by the President's
posed grants would be productive of good and not evil ? message, the items of intellience by this arrival
Tee different projects are confined, for the present, to may be briefly stated.
11 states of this Union and oneter!it?ry. The reasons The message was considered in Washton as an
assigned for the grants show that it is proposed to put exceedingly tame document. Mr. Bright was
the works speedily in process of construction. When spoken of as likely to be elected President of the
we reflect that since the commencement of the construe- Senate.
thin of railways in the United States, stimulated as they
This news, however, was received with caution
have been by the largedividende realised from the earlier
to New York.
rho steam-sh Star of the West had arrived at
works over great thoroughfares, and between the most
, bringing over
important points of coaaruerce and population, encouraged
N,.._e_w, York from San -Fran '
thth:tßtrha
by state legislations and pressed forward by the anr.tz.
i 6Leowoo
_dollars ind
.specie.
the 0 steam-ships, bringing
ing energy of private enterprise, only 17,000 miles
NaNutilu?rhleaadnsararivviecdes
from
mte
have been completed in all the States in a quarter of a
eeotury—when we see the crippled condition of many
works commenced and prosecuted upon what were 555,000 dollars in specie. Unusual excitement was
AAeined to be sound principles and safe calculations ; prevailing along the frontier of Mexico, but nothing
e'en we contemplate the enormous absorption of capital beyond mere talking was going on. A large force
"Itlidrawn from the ordinary' channels of business, the of Mexican troops had gathered at Matamoros, and
Zat_rwsagant rates of interest at this moraeat paid to con- General Wall had summoned the Seminole chief
hutl:Peritions,. the bankruptcies not merely in money Wild Cat and his followers there, and it was sup-
generally racier, and the inevitable effect upon finances posed that they were wanted for some secret wed
- to exoeEts-i-nt
.it be doubted that the tendency is to run sion. A vigilance committee had been appointed
cess by en owls matter ? Is it wise to augment this ex-
at Point Isabel. Our Galveston dates are te the
flow from magZigehhtopes of sudden wealth expected to
25th ult. General Rusk sustains Governor Pease
-than of Congrctoll D
eseleenies dependent upon the ac
his refusal to receive Messrs. Walker and King's
such results need t ioles
sthe spirit which has produced in
depredations were continuing,
not the better 'rule_ to le"etimulated or checked ? Is it securities. Indian .
had been killed.
Davis
all these works to private en- and three soldiers from Fort
-terprise, regulated, and, wh
co-operation of states ? If
coon expeflient, aided by the Winter has fairly set in, and a considerable quan.
the stimulant and check ge nt,s,gtreutcted by private capital, tity of snow has fallen iu various parts of the
- tart' restraint against speculative I,land furnish a Bahl- Union.
But it is manifest that seijhiernes and extrava- Mr. Joseph Blount, a member of the New York
wince.
the most '
do there is dariger cf Ving unit f• effective Ile•t•t t had asserted that is convinced there
goer „ ,
before fast and too fey, iu e, he
We ma well pause a proposition cont .1)1 ~ was a concerted plan entered into by the crew of
rug a simultaneous inovemeet- for to
ee eon t elln• 'a". the lost Arctic to lower
one end of a boat partly
s ruction of
railrde !st, whh;h, in extent, will equal, exclusive fdown for the purpose of throwing out the women
Great Paci9c It rad An 1 all its b 1
rafteacs, nevi; the
'.
' Captain Luce so that
Xi 110 were placed in it by ,
' ' f su^h works now c"; -t "e'
third of the entire -lenzth o • -,
rnp.eted, there miobt be room for the crew.
in the United. States, owl which cannot cost, with Mr . J•J.L. Norton, resident of New Yoe-k, re-
equipment, lese than $1,50,000,000. The dangers Ilkely ported •
to result from combinations of interests of this character tl- to be worth 500,000 dollars, was
cars hardly lie over-estimated. Bet, independently of reovsn and killed by a car. The body not being
these considerations, where is the accurate knowledge, tackoegnised received a pauper's funeral. The mis-
the comprehensive intelligence, which shall discriminate rouctailynas not discovered for some time, when the
between the relative claims of these 28 proposed roads
Californian disinterred.
In II states and one territory ? Where will you begin, , state thantiatit accounts to the 9th of November
and where end ? If, to enable these companies to ex.e- I
squadron lay e
in portion of the combined
ole their proposed works, it is necessary that the 1(1
Her at anchor. San Francisco harbour.
of the general policy
government be primarily given, the
also in port. Britannic Aitaies ' •
ty s discovery-ship Plover was
will present a problem se comprehensive in its bearings, ,
i The French b '
and so important to our political and social well-being, rig of war Obligado,
, tutee rt f
apa o the s which c t.
as to claim, in anticipation, the severest analysis. En-que.dron in the °IIB
1-
tertaini„- .
sthese views, I recur with satisfaction to the P
i tro aulovski, had sailed fo attack on Pe-
r Guaymas, to make in-

CUBA.
The steam-ship Black Warrior had arrived at
New York with adrices from Havanuah to the
28th ult.
Government officers had searched the American
schooner lately arrested at Baraeon and found her freighted
with cutlasses, dirks, pistols, sabres, carbines, and other
munitions of war ; so that the fact of whether she was
fitted out as a slaver, a pirate, or a filibustero vessel, re-
mains in a glorious state of uncertainty. The United
States war ship Princeton had returned from a fruitless
search for the missing sloop Albany. It, was feared in
ilavannah that the vessel was lost, as no tidings of her
had beer, heard from any of the channels which cross
the track of the British West India steamers. General
Coscha had entertained Messrs. Eames and Robertson
at dinner ; but we learn, at the latest moment, that the
effect of the courtesy was nearly effaced by the Govern-
ment delays given to the passengers of the Black War-
rior from New Orleans. It was hoped that Louis Napo-
leon would have compromised himself in the Souls quar-
rel with the United States.

experience and action of the last session of Congress, as
furnishing assurance that the subject will not fail to
elicit a careful re-examination and rigid scrutiny.

I 7'l was-my intention to present on this occasion some
in;gestimis regarding internal improvements by the
fleieielarasit
sessiongv plr
government,
which want ri time at the close of
ented my subinitting on the return
to the House of Representatives -with objections, of the
bill entitled An Act making appropriations for the re
pair, preservation, and completion of certain public
works heretofore commenced under authority of law ;'
but the space of this communication already occupied
with other matter of immediate public exigency con-
strains me to reserve that subject for a special message,
which will be transmitted to the two Houses of Congress
at an early day,
" The judicial establishment of therUnited States re-
quires modification, and certain reforms in the manner
of conducting the legal business of the government are
also much needed ; but as I have addressed you upon
both of these subjects at length before, I have only to
call your attention to the suggestions then made.
"My former recommendations, in relation to suitable
provision for various objects of deep interest to the in-
habitants of the district of Columbia, are renewed.
Many of these objects partake largely of a national cha-
racter, and are important, independently of their rela-
tion to the prosperity of the only considerable organised
community in the Union entirely unrepresented iu Con-

..
. press. .
" I have thus presented suggestions on such subjects
as appear to me to be of particular interest or import-
, ance, and, therefore, most worthy of consideration during
the short remaining period allotted to the labours of the
present Congress.
" Our forefathers of the 13 united colonies, in acquir-
ing their independence, and in founding this republic of
the United States of America, have devolved upon us,
their descendants, the greatest and the most noble trust
ever committed to the hands of men, imposing upon all,
and especially such as the public will may have invested
for the time being with political functions, the most
sacred obligations. We have to maintain inviolate the
great doctrine of the inherent right of popular self-go-
vernment ; to reconcile the largest liberty of the indivi.
dual citizen with complete security of the public order ;
to render cheerful obedience to the laws of the land, to
unite in enforcing their execution, and to frown indig-
nantly on all combinations to resist they ; to harmonise a
sincere and ardent devotion to the institutions of religions
faith with the most universal religious toleration ; to pre-
serve the rights of all by causing each to respect those of
the other ; to carry forward every social improvement
to the uttermost limit of human perfectibility, by the
free action of mind upon mind,---not by the obtrusive in-
tervention of misapplied force; to uphold the integrity
and guard the limitationaof our organic law ; to pre-
serve sacred from all touch of usurpation, as the very
palladium of our political salvation, the reserved powers
of the several states and of the people ; to cherish with
loyal fealty and devoted affection this Union, as the
only sure foundation on which the hopes of civil liberty
rest ; to administer government with vigilant integrity
and rigid economy ; to cultivate peace and friendship
with foreign nations, and to demand and exact equal
justice from all, but to do wrong to none; to eschew in-
terraeddling, with the national policy and the domestic
repose of other governments, and to repel it from
our own ; never to shrink from war when the rights and
the honour of the country call us to arms, but to culti-
vate in preference the arts of peace, seek enlargement of
the rights of neutrality, and elevate and liberalise the
intercourse of nations, and by such just and honourable
means, and such only, while exalting the condition of the
Republic, to assure to it the legitimate influence and the
benign authority of a great example among all the powers
of Christendom.
" Under the solemnity of these convictions, the bless-
ing of Almighty God is earnestly invoked to attend upon
your deliberations, and upon all the counsels and acts of
the government, to the end that with common zeal and
common efforts, we may, in humble submission to the
Divine will, co operate for the promotion of the supreme
good of these United States.