The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-30 00:00:00

THAI SUN. LONDON, IVEDNESIDAY EYEWINI4. lIECTIMPRFA Brit IAA

naval forces is the Golf, on the 15th day of May last,
only two days after tla, existence of the war hall been
recognised by Congres-,, to place the coasts of Mexico
under blockade, he was directed not to o truct the
passage of Santa Anna to Mexico, should he attempt to

I A revolution took place in Mexico in the early part of
August following, by which the power of Paredes was
overthrown, and he has since been banis d from the
country, and is now in exile. Shortly afterwards Santa
Anna returned. It remains to be seen whether his re-
turn may not yet prove to be favourable to a pacific ad-
justment of the existing difficulties, it being manifestly
his interest not to persevere in the prosecution of a war
commenced by Paredes, to accomplish a purpose so
absurd as the reconquest of Texas to the Sabine. Had
Paredes remained in power, it is morally certain that
any pacific adjustment would have been hopeless.
Upon the commencement of hostilities by Mexico
against the United States the indignant spirit of the
nation was at once aroused. Congress promptly re-
,ponded to the expectations of the country, and, by the
act of the 13th May last, recognised the fact that war
existed, by the act of Mexico, between the United States
and that republic, and granted the means necessary for
its vigorous prosecution. Being involved in a war thus
commenced by Mexico, and for the justice of which, on
our part, we may confidently appeal to the whole world,
I resolved to prosecute it with the utmost vigour.
Accordingly, the ports or Mexico on the Gulf and on
the Pacific have been placed under blockade, and her
territory invaded at several important points. The re-
ports from the Departments of War and the Navy will
inform you more in detail of the measures adopted in
the emergency in which our country was placed, and of
the gratifying results which have been accomplished.
The various columns of the army have performed
their duty under great disadvantages, with the most
distinguished skill and courage. The victories of Palo
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and of Monterey, won
against greatly superior numbers and against most de-
cided anvantages in other respects on the part of the
enemy, were brilliant in their execution, and entitle our
brave officers and soldiers to the grateful thanks of their
country. The nation deplores the loss of the brave
officers and men who have gallantly fallen while vindi-
cating and defending their country's rights and honour.
It is a subject of pride and satisfaction that our volun-
teer citizen soldiers, who so promptly responded to their
country's call, with an experience of the discipline of a
camp of only a few weeks, have borne their part in the
hard-fought battle of Monterey with a constancy and
courage equal to that of veteran troops, and worthy of
the highest admiration. The privations of long marches
through the enemy's country, and through a wilderness,
have been borne without a murmur. By rapid, move-
ments, the province of New Mexico, with Santa FC:, its
capital, has been captured without bloodshed. The
navy has co-perated with the army, and rendered im-
portant services; if not so brilliant, it is because the
enemy had no force to meet them on their own element,
and because of the defences which nature has interposed,
in the difficulties of the navigation on the Mexican coast.
Our squadron in the Pacific, with the co-operation of a
gallant officer of the army, and a small force hastily
collected in that distant country, have acquired bloodless
possession of the Californias, and the American flag
has been raised at every important point of that pro-
vince.

I congratulate you on the success which has thus at-
tended our military and naval operations. In less than
seven months after Mexico commenced hostilities, at a
time selected by herself, we have taken possession of
many of her principal ports, driven back and pursued
her invading army, and acquired military possession of
the Mexican provinces of New Mexico, New Leon,
Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and the Californias—a territory
larger in extent than that embraced in the original thir-
teen states of the Union, inhabited by a considerable
population, and much of it more than a thousand miles
from the points at which we had to collect our forces
and commence our movements. By the blockade the
import and export trade of the enemy has been cut off.
Well may the American people be proud of the energy
and gallantry of our regular and volunteer officers and
soldiers. The events of these few months afford a grati
fying proof that our country can, under any emergency,
confidently rely for the maintenance of her honour, and
the defence of her rights, on an effective force, ready at
all times voluntarily to relinquish the comforts of home
For the perils and privations of the camp. And though
such a force may be for the time expensive, it is in the
end economical, as the ability to command it removes the
necessity of employing a large standing army in the
time of peace, and proves that our people love their
institutions, and are ever ready to defend and protect

Whilst the war was in course of vigorous and success.
,u 1 prosecution, being still anxious to arrest its evils,
and considering that after the brilliant victories of our
arms on the Bth and 9th of May last the national honour
could not be compromised by it, another overture was
made to Mexico by my direction on the 27th of July
last, to terminate hostilities by a peace just and honour.
able to both countries. On the 31st of August follow-
ing the Mexican Government declined to accept this
friendly overture, but I referred it to the decision of a
Mexican Congress to be assembled in the early part of
the present month. I communicate to you herewith a
copy of the letter of the Secretary of State, proposing to
re-open negotiations of the answer of the Mexican Go-
vernment, and of the reply thereto of the Secretary of
State.
The war will continue to be prosecuted with vigour, as
the best means of securing peace. It is hoped that the
decision of the Mexican Congress, to which our last
overture has been referred, may result in a speedy and
honourable peace. With our experience, however, of
the unreasonable course of the Mexican authorities, it is
the part of wisdom not to relax in the energy of our
military operations until the result is made known. In
this view it is deemed important to hold military posses-
sion of all the provinces which have been taken until a
definitive treaty of peace shall have been concluded and
ratified by the two countries.
The war has not been waged with a view to conquest;
but having been commenced by Mexico, it has been
carried into the enemy's country, and will be vigorously
prosecuted there, with a view to obtain an honourable
peace, and thereby secure an ample indemnity for the
expenses of the war, as well as to our much-injured
citizens, Aho hold large pecuniary demands against
Mexico.
By the laws of nations a conquered territory is sub-
ject to be governed by the conquered during his mili-
tary possession, and until there is either a treaty of
peace, or he shall voluntarily withdraw from it. The old
civil government being necessarily superseded, it is the
right and duty of the conqueror to secure his conquest,
and provide for the maintenance of civil order and the
rights of the inhabitants. This right has been exercised,
and this duty performed, by our military and naval
commanders, by the establishment of temporary govern-
ments in some of the conquered provinces in Mexico, assi-
milating them as far as practicable to the free institutions of
our own country. In the provinces of New Mexico, and of
the Californias, little, if any, further resistance is appre-
hended from the inhabitants to the temporary govern-
ments which have thus, from the necessity of the case
and according to the laws of war, been established. It
may be proper to provide for the security of these im-
portant conquests by making an adequate appropriation
for the purpose of erecting fortifications and defraying
the expenses necessarily incident to the maintenance of
our possession and authority over them.
Near the close of your last session, for reasons com-
municated to Congress, I deemed it important, as a
measure for securing a speedy peace with Mexico, that
A sum of money should be appropriated, and placed in
the power of the executive, similar to that which had
been made upon two former occasions, during the ad-
ministration of President Jefferson.
On the 26th of February, 1803, an appropriation of
two millions of dollars was made, and placed at the dis-
posal of the President. Its object is well known. It was
at that time in contemplation to acquire Louisiana from
France, and it was intended to be applied as a part of
the consideration which might be paid fur that territory.
On the 13th of February, 1806, the same sum was in
like manner appropriated with a view to the purchase of
the Floridas from Spain. These appropriations were
made to facilitate negotiations, and as a means to enable
the President to accomplish the important objects in
view. Though it did not become necessary for the Pre-
sid nt to use these appropriations, yet a state of things
might have arisen in which it would have been highly
important for him to do so, and the wisdom of making
them cannot be doubted. It is believed that the
measures recommended at your last session met
with the approbation of decided majorities in both
houses of Congress. Indeed, in different forms, a Bill
making an appropriation of two millions of dollars passed
each house, and it is much to be regretted that it did
not become a law. The reasons which induced me to
recommend the measure at that time still exist ; and I
again submit the subject for your consideration, and
suggest the importance of early action upon it. Should
the appropriation be made, and be not needed, it will
remain in the Treasury : should it be deemed proper to
apply it, in the whole or in part, it will be accounted for
as other public expenditures.
Immediately after Congress had recognised the exist-
ence of the war with Mexico, my attention was directed
to the danger that privateers might be fitted out in the
ports of Cuba and Porto Rico to prey upon the com-
merce of the United States ; and I invited the special
attention of the Spanish Government to the 14th article
of our treaty with that power of the 20th of October,
1795, under which the citizens and subjects of either
nation who shall take commissions or letter of marque
to act as privateers against the other "shall be pueished
as pirates."
It affords me pleasure to inform you that I have re-
ceived assurances from the Spanish Government that
this article of the treaty shall be faithfully observed on
its part. Orders for this purpose were immediately
transmitted from that Government to the authorities of
Cuba and Porto Rico to exert their utmost vigilance in pre-
venting any attempts to fit out privateers in those islands
against the United States. From the good faith of Spain
I am fully satisfied that this treaty will be executed
in its spirit as well as its letter ; whilst the United
States will on their part faithfully perform all the obli-
gations which it imposes on them.
Information has been recently received at the depart-
ment of state that the Mexican Government has sent to
Havannah blank commissions to privateers, and blank
certificates of naturalisation, signed by General Salas,
the present head of the Mexican Government. There
is also reason to apprehend that similar documents have
been transmitted to other parts of the world. Copies of
these papers in translation are herewith transmitted.
As the preliminaries required by the practice of civi-
lised nations for commissioning privateers and regu-
lating their conduct appear not to have been observed,
and as these commissions are in blank, to be filled up
with the names of citizens and subjects of all nations
who may be willing to purchase them, the whole pro-
ceeding can only be construed as an invitation to all
the freebooters upon earth who are willing to pay for
the privilege to cruise against AinericEul commerce. It

will be for our courts of justice to decide whether, under
such circumstances, these Mexican letters of marque and
reprisal shall protect those who accept them, and commit
robberies upon the high seas under their authority, from
the pains and p;•nalties of piracy.
If the certificates of naturalisation thus granted be in-
tended by :Mexico to shield Spanish subjects from the
guilt and punishment of pirates, under our treaty with
Spain they will certainly prove unavailing. Such a sub-
terfuge would be but a weak device to defeat the provi-
sions of a solemn treaty.
I recommend that Congress should immediately pro-
vide by law for the trial and punishment as pirates of
Spanish subjects who, escaping the vigilance of their
Government, shall be found guilty of privateering
against the United States. Ido not apprehend serious
danger from these privateers. Our navy will be con-
stantly on the alert to protect our commerce. Besides,
in ease prizes should be made of American vessels, the
utmost vigilance will be exerted by our blockading
squadron to prevent the captors from taking them into
Mexican ports, and it is cot apprehended that any nation
will violate its nutrality by suffering such prizes to be-
condemned and sold within its jurisdiction.
I recommend that Congress should immediately pro-
vide by law for granting letters of marque and reprisal
against vessels under the Mexican floc?. It is true that
there are but few, if any, commercial vessels of Mexico
upon the high seas; and it is therefore not probable that
many American privateers would be fit! ed out, in case a
law should pass authorising this mode of warfare. It is,
notwithstanding, certain that such privateers may render
good service to the commercial interest of the country
by recapturing our merchant ships, should any be taken
by armed vessels under the Mexican flag, as well as by
capturing these vessels themselves. Every means within
our power should be rendered available for the protection
of our commerce.
The annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury
will exhibit a detailed statement of the condition of the
finances. The imports for the fiscal year ending on the
13th of June last, were of the value of one hundred and
twenty-one million six hundred and ninety-one thousand
seven hundred and ninety seven dollars ; of which the
amount exported was eleven million three hundred and
forty-six thousand six hundred and twenty-three dol-
lars, leaving the amount retained in the country fur
domestic consumption one hundred and ten million three
hundred and forty-fire thousand one hundred and
seventy-four dollars. The value of the exports for the
same period was one hundred and thirteen million four
hundred and eighty-eight thousand five hundred and
sixteen dollars; of which one hundred and two million
one hundred and forty-one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-three dollars consisted of domestic productions,
arid eleven million three hundred and forty-six thou-
sand six hundred and twenty-three dollars of foreign
articles. e-
The receipts into the Treasury for the same year were
twenty-nine million four hundred and ninety-nine thou-
sand two hundred and forty-seven dollars and six cents.,
of which there wag derived from customs twenty-six
millions seven hundred and twelve thousand six hundred
and sixty-seven dollars and eighty-seven cents, from
sales of public lands two million six hundred and ninety
five thousand four hundred and fifty-two dollars and
forty-eight cents, and from incidental and miscellaneous
sources ninety-two thousand one hundred and twenty-
six dollars and seventy-one cents. The expenditure
for the same period were twenty-eight million thirty-
one thousand one hundred and fourteen dollars and
twenty cents, and the balance in the treasury on the first
day of July last was nine million one hundred and
twenty-six thousand four hundred and thirty-nine dol-
lars and eight cents.
The amount of the public debt, including treasury
notes, on the Ist offithe present month, was twenty-four
million two hundred and fifty-six thousand four hundred
and ninety-four dollars and sixty cents ; of which the
sum of seventeen million seven hundred and eighty-
eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine dollars
and sixty-two cents was outstanding on the 4th of
March, 1845, leaving the amount since that time six
million four hundred and sixty seven thousand six hun-
dred and ninety-four dollars and ninety-eight cents.
In order to prosecute the war with Mexico with
vigour and energy, as the best means of bringing it to a
speedy and honourable termination, a further loan will
be necessary to meet the expenditures for the present
and the next fiscal years. If the war should be conti-
nued until the 30th of June, 1848—being the end of the
next fiscal year—it is estimated that an additional loan
of twenty-three million of dollars will be required.
This estimate is made upon the assumption that it will
be necessary to retain constantly in the treasury four
million of dollars, to guard against contingencies. If
such surplus were not required to be retained, then a
loan of nineteen million of dollars would be sufficient.
If, however, Congress should, at the present session,
impose a revenue duty on the principal articles now em-
braced in the free list, it is estimated that an additional
annual revenue of about two million and a-half,
amounting, it is estimated, on the 30th of June, 1848,
to four million of dollars, would be derived from that
source ; and the loan required would be reduced
by that amount. It is estimated also, that should
Congress graduate and reduce the price of such
of the public lands as have been long in the
market, the additional revenue derived from that
source would be annually, for several years to come
between half a million and a million of dollars, and the
loan required may be reduced by that amount also.
Should these measures be adopted, the loan required
would not probably exceed eighteen or nineteen million
of dollars—leaving in the treasury a constant surplus
of four, million of, dollars. The loan proposed, it is
estimated, will be sufficient to cover the necessary ex-
penditures, both for the war and for all other purposes
up to the .30th of June, 1845 ; and an amount of this
loan, not exceeding one-half; may be required during
the present fiscal year, and the greater part of the
remainder during the first half of the fiscal year suc-
ceeding.
In order that timely notice may be given, and proper
measures taken to effect the loan, or such portion of it as
may be required, it is important that the authority of
Congress to make it be given at an early period of your
present session. It is suggested that the loan should be
contracted fur a period of twenty years, with authority
to purchase the stock and pay it off, at an earlier
period, at its market value, out of any surplus which
may at any time be in the treasury applicable to that pur
pose. After the establishment of peace with Mexico, it
is supposed that a considerable surplus will exist, and
that the debt may be extinguished in a much shorter period
than that for which it may be contracted. The period
of 20 years, as that for which the proposed loan may be
contracted, in preference to a shorter period, is sug-
gested, because all experience, both at home and abroad,
has shown that loans are effected upon much better terms
upon long time than when they are reimbursable at short
dates.

Necessary as this measure is, to sustain the honour
and the interests of the country, engaged in a foreign
war, it is not doubted but that Congress will promptly
authorise it.
The balance in the treasury on the Ist of July last ex-
ceeded nine million of dollars, notwithstanding consi-
derable expenditures, had been made for the war during
the months of May and June preceding. But for the
war, the whole public debt could and would have been
extinguished within a short period; and it was a part of
my settled policy to do so, and thus reliev4 the people
from its burden, and place the Government in a position
which would enable it to reduce the public expenditure
to that economical standard which is most consistent
with the general welfare, and the pure and wholesome
progress of our institutions.
Among our just causes for complaint against Mexico,
arising out of her refusal to treat for peace, as well
before as since the war so unjustly commenced on her
part, are the extraordinary expenditures in which we
have been involved. Justice to our own people will make
it proper that Mexico should be held responsible for
these expenditures.
Economy in the public expenditures is at all times a
high duty which all public functionaries of the Govern-
ment owe to the people. This duty becomes the more
imperative in a period of war, when large and extraor-
dinary expenditures become unavoidable. During the
existence of the war with Mexico all our resources should
be husbanded, and no appropriations made except such
as are absolutely necessary for its vigorous prosecution
and the due administration of the Government. Objects
of appropriation which in peace may be deemed useful
and proper, but which are not indispensable for the public
service, may, when the country is engaged in a foreign
war, be well postponed to a future period lily the ob-
servance of this policy at your present session, large
amounts may be saved to the treasury, and be applied
to objects of pressing and urgent necessity, and thus the
creation of a corresponding amount of public debt may
be avoided.

It is not meant to recommend that the ordinary and
necessary appropriations for the support of Government
should be withheld, but it is well known that at every
session of Gmgress appropriations are proposed for
numerous objects which may or may not be made, with..
out materially affecting the public interests; and these it
is recommended should not be granted.

The Act passed at your last session " reducing the
duties on imports" not haring gone into operation until
the Ist of the present month, there has not been time for

its practical effect upon the revenue, and the business of
the country, to be developed. It is not doubted, how-
ever, that the just policy which it adopts will add largely
to our foreign trade, and promote the general pros-
' perity. Although it cannot be certainly foreseen what
amount of revenue it will yield, it is estimated that it
will exceed that produced by the Act of 1842, which it
superseded. The leading principles established by it
are, to levy the taxes with a view to raise revenue, and
to impose them upon the articles imported according to
their actual value.
The Act of 1842, by the excessive rates of duty which
it imposed on many articles, either totally excluded them
from importation, or greatly reduced the amount im-
ported, and thus diminished instead of producing revenue.
By it the taxes were imposed not for the legitimate pur-
poses of revenue, but to afford advantages to favoured
classes, at the expense of a large majority of
their fellow-citizens. Those employed in agriculture,
mechanical pursuits, commerce and navigation, were
compelled to contribute from their substance to swell the
profits and overgrown wealth of the comparatively few
who had invested their capital in manufactures. The
taxes were not levied in proportion to the value of the
articles upon which they were imposed ; but widely de-
parting from this just rule, the lighter taxes were, in
many cases, levied upon articles of luxury and high
price, and the heavier taxes on those of necessity and
low price, consumed by the great mass of the people. It
was a system the inevitable effect of which was to relieve
favoured classes and the wealthy few from contributing
their just proportion for the support of Government, and
to lay the burden on the labour of the many engaged in
other pursuits than manufactures.

A system so unequal and_ so unjust has been super-
seded by the existing law, which imposes duties, not for
the benefit or injury of classes or pursuits, but distri-
butes, and, as far as practicable, equalises tho public

, burdens among all classes and occupations. The
fisvoured classes who, under the unespird and
unjust system which has been repealed, have hereto-
fore realised large profits, and ninny of them amassed
large fortunes. at the expense of the many who have
been made tributary to them, will have no reason to
I complain if they shell be required to bear their just
proportion of the taxes necessary for the supeort of
government. So far from it, it will be perceived, by an
examination of the existing law, that discriminations in
the rates of duty imposed, within the revenue principle,
have been retained in their favour. The incidental aid
against foreign competition, which they still enjoy, gives
them an advantage which no other pursuits possess; but
of this none others will complain, because the duties
levied are necessary for revenue. These revenue duties,
including freights and charges, which the importer must
pay before he can come in competition with the home
manufacturer in our markets, amount, on nearly all our
leading branches of manufacture, to more than one-
third of the value of the imported article, and in some
cases to almost one-half its value. With such advantages,
it is not doubted that our domestic manufacturers
will continue to prosper, realising in well-conducted
establishments even greater profits than can be de-
rived from any other regular business. Indeed, so far
from requiring the protection of even incidental revenue
duties, our manufactures in several leading branches
are extending their business, giving evidence of great
ingenuity and skill, and of their ability to compete,
with increased prospect of success, for the open market
of the world. Domestic manufacturers, to the value of
several millions of dollars, which cannot find a market at
home, are annually exported to foreign countries. With
such rates of duty as those established by the existing
law, the system will probably bo permanent ; and capi-
talists who have made, or shall hereafter make, their in-
vestments in manufactures, will know upon what to
rely. The country will be satisfied with these rates, be-
cause the advantages which the manufacturers still en-
joy result necessarily from the collection of revenue for
the support of Government. High protective duties,
from their unjust operation upon the masses of the
people, cannot fail to give rise to extensive dissatis-
faction and complaint, and to constant efforts to change
or repeal them, rendering all investments in manufac-
tures uncertain and precarious. Lower and more per-
manent rates of duty, at the same time that they will
yield to the manufacturer fair and remunerating profits,
will secure him against the danger of frequent changes
in the system, which cannot fail to ruinously affect his
interests.
Simultaneously with the relaxation of the restrictive
policy by the United States, Great Britain, from whose
example we derive the system, has relaxed hers. She
has modified her corn-laws, and reduced many other
duties to moderate revenue rates. After ages of expe-
rience, the statesmen of that country have been con-
strained by a stern necessity, and by a public opinion having
its deep foundation in the sufferings and wants of
poverished millions, to abandon a system the effect of
which wassto build up immense fortunes in the hands of
the few, and to reduce the labouring millions to pauperism
and misery. Nearly in the same ratio that labour was
depressed, capital increased and concentrated by the
British protective policy.
The evils of the system in Great Britain were at length
rendered intolerable, and it has been abandoned, but not
without a severe struggle on the part of the protected
and favoured classes to retain the unjust advantages
which they have so long enjoyed. It was to be expected
that a similar struggle would be made by the same
classes in this United States, whenever an attempt was
made to modify or abolish the same unjust system here.
The protective policy had been in operation in the
United States for a much shorter period, and its perni-
cious effects were not therefore so clearly perceived and
felt. Enough, however, was known of these effects to
induce its repeal.
It would be strange if, in the face of the example of
Great Britain, our principal foreign consumer, and of
the evils of a system rendered manifest in that country
by long and painful experience, and in the face of the
immense advantages which, under a more liberal com-
mercial policy, we are already deriving, and must con-
tinue to derive, by supplying her starving population
with food, the United States should restore a policy
which she has been compelled to abandon, and thus
diminish her ability to purchase from us the food and
other articles which she so much needs, and we so much
desire to sell. By the simultaneous; abandonment of the
protective policy by Great Britain and the United States,
new and important markets have already been opened
for our agricultural and other products; commerce and
navigation have received a new impulse; labour and trade
have been released from the artificial trammels which
have so long fettered them; and to a great extent reci-
procity, in the exchange of commodities, has been intro-
duced at the same time by both countries, and greatly
for the benefit of both. Great Britain has been forced,
by the pressure of circumstances at home, to abandon
a policy which has been upheld for ages, and to open her
markets for our immense surplus of bread stuffs; and it
is confidently believed that other Powers of Europe will
ultimately see the wisdom, if they be not compelled by
the pauperism and sufferings of their crowded popula-
tion, to pursue a similar policy.
Our farmers are more deeply interested in maintain-
ing the just and liberal policy of the existing law than
any other class of our citizens. They constitute a larMe
majority of our population; and it is well known that
when they prosper all other pursuits prosper also. They
have heretofore not only received none of the bounties
or favours of Government, but by the unequal operations
of the protective policy, have been made by the burdens
of taxation, which it imposed, to contribute to the boun-
ties which have enriched others.
When a foreign as well as a home market is opened to
them they must receive, as they are now receiving, in-
creased prices for their produce. They will find a
readier sale, and at better prices for their wheat, flour,
rice, Indian corn, beef, pork, lard, butter, cheese, and
other articles which they produce.
The home market alone is inadequate to enable them
to dispose of the immense surplus of food and other
articles which they are capable of producing, even at
the most reduced prices, for the manifest reason that
they cannot be consumed in the country. The United
States can, from their immense surplus, supply not only
the home demand, but the deficiencies of food required
by the whole world.
That the reduced production of some of the chief
articles of food in Great Britain and other parts of
Europe may have contributed to increase the demand for
our bread stuffs and provisions, is not doubted ; but
that the great and efficient cause of this increased de-
mand, and of increased prices, consists in the removal of
artifice' restrictions heretofore imposed, is deemed to be
equally certain. That our exports of food already in-
creased and increasing beyond former example, under
the more liberal policy which has been adopted, will be
still vastly enlarged, unless they be checked or prevented
by a restoration of the protective policy, cannot be
doubted. That our commercial and navigating interests
will be enlarged in a corresponding ratio with the in-
crease of our trade is equally certain ; while our manu-
facturing interests will still be the favoured interests of
the country, and receive the incidental protection
afforded them by revenue duties, and more than this
they cannot justly demand.
In my annual message of December last, a tariff of re-
venue duties, based upon the principles of the existing
law, was recommended, and I have seen no reason to
change the opinions then expressed. In view of ths pro-
bable beneficial effects of that law, I recommend that the po-
licy established by it be maintained. It has but just com-
menced to operate, and to abandon or modify it without
giving it a fair trial would be inexpedient and unwise.
Should defects in any of its details be ascertained by
actual experience to exist, these may be hereafter cor-
rected ; but until such defects shall become manifest,
the Act should be fairly tested.
It is submitted for your consideration whether it may
not be proper, as a war measure, to impose revenue
duties on some of the articles now embraced in the free
list. Should it be deemed proper to impose such duties,
with a view to raise revenue to meet the expenses of the
war with Mexico, or to avoid to that extent the creation
of a public debt, they may be repealed when the
emergency which gave rise to them shall cease to exist,
and constitute no part of the permanent policy of the
country.
The Act of the 6th of August last "to provide for
the better organisation of the Treasury, arid for the col-
lection, safe keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the
public revenue," has been carried into execution as
rapidly as the delay necessarily arising out of the ap-
pointment
of new officers, taking and approving their
bonds, and preparing and securing proper places for the
safe keeping of the public money, would permit. It
is not proposed to depart in any respect from the princi-
ples of policy on which this great measure is founded.
There are, however, defects in the details of the measure,
developed by its practical operation, which are fully set
forth in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury, to
which the attention of Congress is invited. These defects
would impair, to some extent, the successful operation
of the law at all times, but are especially embarrassing
when the country is engaged in a war, when the expen-
ditures are greatly increased, when loans are to be
effected, and the disbursements are to be made at points
many hundred miles distant, in some cases, from any
depository, and a large portion of them in a foreign
country. The modifications suggested in the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury are recommended to your
favourable consideration.

In connexion with this subject, I invite your attention
to the importance of establishing a branch of the mint of
the United States at New York. Two-thirds of the re-
venue derived trom customs being collecteA at that part,
the demand for specie to pay the duties will be large;
and a branch taint, where foreign coin and bullion could
be immediately converted into American coin, would
greatly facilitate the transaction of the public business,
enlarge the circulation of gold and silver, and be, at the
same time, a safe depository of the public money.
The importance of graduating and reducing the price
of such of the public lands as have been lung offered in
the market, at the minimum rate authorised by existing
laws, and remain unsold, induces me again to recom-
mend the subject to your favourable consideration.
Many millions of acres of these lands have been offered
in the market for more than thirty years, and lat%,er
quantities for more than ten or twenty years; and, being
of an inferior quality, they must remain unsaleable for an
indefinite period, unless the price at which they may be
purchased shall be reduced. To place a price upon them
above their real value is not only to prevent their sale,
and thereby deprive the Treasury of any income from
that source, but is unjust to the states in which they lie,
because it retards their growth and increase of popula-
tion, and because they have no power to levy a tax upon
them as upon other lands witbin their limits, held by
other proprietors than the United States, fur the support
of their local Governments.
The beneficial effects of the graduation principle have
been realised by some of the states owning the lands within
their limits, in which it has been adopted. They have
been demonstrated also by the United States acting as the
trustee of the Chickasaw tribe of Indians in the sale of
their lands lying within the statee of Diiesissippi and Ala-

' barna. The Chickasaw lands, worth would :sit c .nsmand
in the, market the minimum price estehlished by the
laws of the United States fur the sal,. of their
were, in pursuance of the treaty of lee-1 with that
tribe, subsi quently offered for sale at graduated end re-
reduc, d rates for limited periods. The result was, that
large quantities of these lands were percha-ed which
would otherwise have remained unsold. The lands were
disposed of at their real value, and many persons of
limited means were enabled to purchase small tracts,
upon which they have settled with their families. That
similar results would be produced by the adoption of the
graduation policy by the United States, in all the states
in which they are the owners oflargetractsoflands which
have been long in the market, cannot be doubted. It
cannot be a sound policy to withhold large quan-
tities of the public lands from the use and occupation
of our citizens, by fixing upon them pricos which
experience has shown they will not command. On the
contrary, it is a wise policy to afford facilities to our ci-
tizens to become the owners, at low and moderate rates,
of freeholds of their own, instead of being the tenants
and dependents of others. If it be apprehended that
these lands, if reduced in price, would be secured in large
quantities by speculators or capitalists, the sales may be
restricted, in limited quantities, to actual settlers, or per-
sons purchasing for purposes of cultivation.
In my last annual Message I submitted for the consi-
deration of Congress the present system of managing
the mineral lands of the United States, and recom-
mended that they should be brought into market and
sold, upon such terms and under such restrictions as
Congress might prescribe. By the Act of the 11th of
July last, " the reserved lead mines and contiguous
lands in the states of Illinois and Arkansas, and terri-
tories of Wisconsin and lowa," were authorised to be
sold. The Act is confined, in its operation, to " lead
mines and contiguous lands."
A large portion of the public lands, containing copper
and other ores, is represented to be very valuable, and I
recommend that provision be made authorising the sale
of these lands, upon such terms and conditions as their
supposed value may, in the judgment of Congress, be
deemed advisable, having due regard to the interests of
such of our citizens as may be located upon them.
It will be important, during your present session, to
establish a territorial government, and to extend the
jurisdiction and laws of the United States over the terri-
tory of Oregon. Our laws regulating trade and inter-
course with the Indian tribe east of the Rocky Mountains
should be extended to the Pacific Ocean ; and for the
purpose of executing them, and preserving friendly re-
lations with the Indian tribes within our limits, an addi-
tional number of Indian agencies will be required, and
should be authorised by law. The establishment of custom-
houses, and of post-otlices and post-roads, and provision
for the transportation of the mail on such routes as the
public convenience will suggest, require legisla-
tive authority. It will be proper, also, to establish
a surveyor-general's office in that territory, and to make
the necessary provision for surveying the public lands
and bringing them into market. As our citizens who
now reside in that distant region have been subjected to
many hardships, privations, and sacrifices, in their emi-
gration, and by their improvements have enhanced the
value of the public lands in the neighbourhood of their
settlements, it is recommended that liberal grants be
made to them of such portions of these lands as they
may cccupy, and that similar grants or rights of pre-
emption be made to al who may emigrate thither within
a limited period, to be prescribed by law.
The report of the Secretary of War contains detailed
information relative to the several branches of the public
service connected with that department. The operations
of the army have been of a satisfactory and highly grati-
fying character.
I recommend to your early and favourable considera-
tion the measures, as proposed by the Secretary of War,
for speedily filling up the rank and file of the regular
army, for its greeter efficiency in the field, and for
raising an additional force to serve during the war with
Mexico.

Embarrassment is likely to arise from want of legal
provision authorising compensation to be made to the
agents employed in the several states and territories to
pay the revolutionary and other pensioners the amounts
allowed them by law. Your attention is invited to the
recommendations of the Secretary of War on this sub-
ject. These agents incur heavy responsibilities and per
form important duties, and no reason exists why they
should not be placed on the same footing, as to compen-
sation, with other disbursing officers.
Our relations with the various Indian tribes continue
to be of a pacific character. The unhappy dissensions
which have existed among the Cherokees for many years
past have been healed. Since my last annual Message,
important treaties have been negotiated with some of the
tribes, by which the Indian title to large tracts of valu •
able land within the limits of the states and territories
has been extinguished, and arrangements made for re-
moving them to the country west of the Mississippi.
Between three and four thousand of different tribes have
been removed to the country provided for them by treaty
stipulations, and arrangements have been made for others
to follow.
In our intercourse with the several tribes particular
attention has been given to the important subject of
education. The number of schools established among
theca has been increased, and additional means provided,
not only for teaching them the rudiments of education,
but of instructing them in agriculture and the mecha-
nic arts.
I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Navy
for a satisfactory view of the operations of the depart-
ment under his charge during the past ear. It is gra-
tifying to perceive that while the war with Mexico has
rendered it necessary to employ an unusual number 01
our armed vessels on her coasts, the protection due to
our commerce in other quarters of the world has not
proved insufficient. No means will be spared to give
efficiency to the naval service in the prosecution of the
war ; and lam happy to know that the officers and men
anxiously desire to devote themselves to the service of
their country in any enterprise, however difficult of exe-
cution.

I recommend to your favourable consideration the
proposition to add to each of our foreig❑ squadrons an
efficient sea steamer, and, as especially demanding atten-
tion, the establishment at Pensacola of the necessary
means of repairing and refitting the vessels of the navy
employed in the Gulf of Mexico.
There are other suggestions in the report which de-
serve, and, I doubt not, will receive your consideration.
The progress and condition of the mail service for the
past year are fully presented in the report of the
Postmaster -General. The revenue for the year ending
on the 30th of June last amounted to three million
four hundred and eighty-seven thousand one hundred
and ninety-tune dollars, which is eight hundred
and two thousand six hundred and forty-two dol-
lars and forty .five cents less than that of the pre-
ceding year. The payments for the department
during the same time amounted to four million eighty-
four thousand twf3 hundred and ninety-seven dollars
and twenty-two cents. Of this sum five hundred and
ninety-seven thousand and ninety-seven dollars and
eighty cents have been drawn from the treasury. The
disbursements for the year were two hundred and thirty-
six thousand four hundred and thirty-four dollars and
seventy•seven cents less than those of the preceding
year. While the disbursements have been thus di-
minished, the mail facilities have been enlarged by new
mail routes of five thousand seven hundred and thirty-
nine miles ; an increase of transportation of one million
seven hundred and sixty-four thousand one hundred and
forty-five miles, and the establishment of 418 new post-
offices. Contractors, postmasters, and others engaged
in this branch of this service, have performed
their duties with energy and faithfulness de-
serving commendation. For many interesting details j
connected with the operations of this establishment,
you are referred to the report of the Postmaster Ge-
neral; and his suggestions for improving its revenues
are recommended to your favourable consideration. I
repeat the opinion expressed in my last annual mes-
sage, that the business of this department should be
so regulated that the revenues derived from it should
be made equal to the expenditures; and it is believed
that this may be done by proper modifications of the
present laws as suggested in the report of the Post-
master-General, without changing the present rates o
postage.

With full reliance upon the wisdom and patriotism
of your deliberations, it will be my duty, as it will be
my anxious desire, to co-operate with you in every
constitutional effort to promote the welfare and main-
tain the honour of our common country.
Washington, Dec. 8, 1846. JAMES K. POLK.

POLICE INTELLTGENCE.
111 A NSION-HOUSE.
HOUSE-BREAKER'S DETECTED.—Mary Green was
brought before the Lord Mayor.
John Spittle (policeman 671) stated that as he was on
duty, in plain clothes, opposite to the theatre, in Norton
Folgate, at a quarter-past five on Monday evening, he
noticed the prisoner near several ladies, and keowing
her to be a thief he watched her. She endeavoured to
pick the pockets of several females at the doors. At last
she attempted to rub a lady, who was ascending the stair-
case to the boxes, after which she suddenly retreated,
and made her way to Bishopsgate-street. Another
policeman (White, 667) then followed her by direction
of witness, who returned to the theatre and learned that
the lady, to whom he had alluded, had been robbed of
her purse. In the meantime White dogged the prisoner
to No. 5, Skinner-street, Bishopsgate; apprehend,ll her
as she was going in at the hall•door, and upon searching
the spot found behind a shutter a purse containing four-
teen shillings and two penny pieces, which proved to be
the property that had been stolen from the lady at the
theatre.
Miss S. Wells statedthatd h
sheruhnad
that
te
shtoe had
theCitbyeeonf
L.-indon Theatre with some friends, and after being
spoken
rrobbedtoof by
thepurse,policeman, containing silver under the value
of a pound. (The purse found under the shutter was
here produced and identified by the witness.)
The LORD MAYOR having ordered that the prisoner
should be committed for trial,
Spittle said that he had another cl.arge to prefer
against the prisoner in cinjunction with a man called
James Green, with whom she had been living for some
time.

James Green, a tall, well dressed, resolute-looking
young man, was then put to the bar next to the female.
The officer said he charged the two prisoners with
having in their possession a quantity of housebreaking
implements, consisting of crowbars, files, pick-lock keys,
&c. He had after the woman's apprehension watched
at the door of the house, and at an early hour next
morning apprehended James Green unlocking the door
to go in. In the back room of the second floor the wit-
ness found the articles already described, and nine silk
handkerchiefs, fifteen duplicates (most of them relating
to silk handkerchiefs), and a new silk umbrella.
Elizabeth Nicholl stated that she owned the house
No. 5, Skinn( r-street, and let out several rooms of it
to lodgers ; that she knew both the prisoners well, they
having lodged in the house as man and wife about
twelve tooths; that they Appeared to be very quiet peo-

10,
and Ivo takitny the e,,cto thy tt:,,6eirieo to
which, howeyer, witness had not tBtzen the trouble to
app!y. The wttnes,, as she w•clit early to bed
did not t.now what 13“urs they kept.
Spittle said he beneved he showd be able to proquee
the oNticr of some of the property found on the man.
The case was acc.irdin4y rennuided. The commit-
ment of the woman for stealing the purse of hiss ielhs
was then made out, and both orisun-rs were ordered to
be brought up again on Friday.
The whole of the conduct of policeman Spittle, in fol-
lowing up both parties, was much commended.