The Sun.
London, England, 1833-01-02 00:00:00

ME SSA GE.

" Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of
Representatives,
" It gives me pleasure to congratulate you upon
your return to the Seat of Government, for the
purpose of discharging your duties to the people of
the United States. Although the pestilence which
has traversed the Old World has entered our limits,
and extended its ravages over much of our land, it
has pleased Almighty God to mitigate its severity,
and lessen the number of its victims, compared with
those who have fallen in most other countries over
which it has spread its terrors. Notwithstanding
this visitation, our country presents, on every side,
marks of prosperity and happiness unequalled,
perhaps, in any other portion of the world. If we
fully appreciate our comparative condition, existing
causes of discontent will appear unworthy of atten-
tion, and with hearts of thankfulness to that Divine
Being who has filled our cup of prosperity, we shall
feel our resolutions strengthened to preserve, and
hand down to prosperity that liberty and that union
which we have received from our fathers, and which
constitute the sources and the shield of all our
blessings.

" The relations of our country continue to present
the same picture of amicable intercourse that I had
the satisfaction to hold up to your view at the
opening of our last session. The same friendly pro-
fessions, the same desire to participate in our flou-
rishing commerce, the same disposition to refrain
from resenting injuries unintentionally offered, are,
with few exceptions, evinced by all nations with
whom we have any intercourse. This desirable
state of things may be mainly ascribed to our un-
deviating practice of the rule which has long guided
our national policy, to require no exclusive privi•
leges in commerce, and to grant none. It is daily
producing its beneficial effect in the respect shown
to our flag, the protection of our citizens and pro-
perty abroad, and in the increase of our navigation
and the extension of our mercantile operations.
The returns which have been made out since we
last met, will show an increase during the last pre-
ceding year of more than 80,000 tons of our ship-
ping, and of near forty millions of dollars in the
aggregate of our imports and exports.
" Nor have we less reason to felicitate ourselves
on the position of our political, than of our com-
mercial, concerns. They remain in the state in
which they were when I last addressed you—a state
of prosperity and peace, the effect of a wise atten-
tion to the parting advice of the Rev. Father of his
country, on this subject, cendensed into a maxim for
the use of posterity by one of his most distinguished
successors—to cultivate free commerce and honest
friendship with all nations, and to make entangling
alliances with none. A strict adherence to this
policy has kept us aloof from the perplexing ques-
tions which now agitate the European world, and
have more than once deluged those countries with
Should those scenes unfortunately recur.
the parties to the contest may count on a faithful
performance of the duties incumbent on us as a
neutral nation, and our own citizens may equally
rely on the firm assertion of their neutral rights.
" Wi:h the nation that was our earliest friend and
ally in the infancy of our political existence, the
most friendly relations have subsisted through the
late revolutions of its government, and, from the
events of the last, promise a permanent duration.
It has made an approximation in some of its political
institutions to our own, and raised a Monarch to
the throne who preserves, it is said, a friendly re-
collection of the period during which he acquired
among our citizens the high consideration tbat could
then have been produced by his personal qualifica-
tions alone.

" Our commerce with that nation is gradually
assuming a mutually beneficial character, and the
adjustment of the claims of our citizens has re-
moved the only obstacle there was to an inter-
course not only lucrative, but productive of literary
and scientific improvement.
" From Great Britain I have the satisfaction to
inform you that I continue to receive assurances of
the most amicable disposition, which have, on my
part, on all proper occasions, been promptly and
sincerely reciprocated. The attention of that Go-
vernment has latterly been so much engrossed by
matters of a deeply interesting domestic character,
that we could not press upon it the renewal of ne-
gotiations which had been unfortunately broken off
by the unexpected recdl of our Minister, who had
commenced them with some hopes of success. My
great object was the settlement of questions which,
though now dormant, might hereafter be revived
under circumstances which would endanger the good
understanding which it is the interest of both parties
to preserve inviolate, cemented as it is by a corn-
munity of language, manners, and social habits, and
by the high obligations we owe to our British an-

(PRICE 7D.)

restors for many of our most valuable institutions,
And for that system of Representative Government
which has enabled us to preserve and improve them.
" The question of our North-Eastern boundary,
still remains unsettled. In my last annual Message,
I exgltined to you the situation in which I found
ihat tusiness on my coming into office, and the
measures I thought it my duty to pursue for assert-
ing the rights of the United States, before the So-
vereign who had been chosen by my predecessor to
,letermine the question ; and also the manner in
which he had disposed of it. A special Message
to the Senate in their executive capacity, afterwards
brought before them the question, whether they
would advise a submission to the opinion of the so-
vereign arbiter.. That body having considered the
award as not obligatory, and advised me to open a
further negotiation, the proposition was immediately
made to the British Government, but the circum-
stances to which I have alluded, have hitherto pre-
vented any answer being given to the overture.
Early attention, however, has been promised to the
subject, and every effort on my part will be made for
a satisfactory settlement of this question, interesting
to the Union generally, and particularly as to one of
its members.

" The claims of our citizens on Spain are net yet
acknowledged. On a closer investigation of them
Than appears to have heretofore taken plaee, it was
discovered that some of these demands, however
strong they might be upon the equity of that Go-
vernment, ‘‘ ere not such as could be made the sub-
ject of national interference. And faithful to the
principle of asking but what was clearly right, ad-
ditional instructions have been sent, to modify our
demands so as to embrace those only on which, ac-
cording to the laws of nations, we have a strict right
co insist. As inevitable delay in procuring the do-
cuments necessary for this review of the merits of
these claims, retarded this operation, until an unfor-
tunate malady which has afflicted his Catholic Ma-
jesty prevented an examination of them. Being now
for the first time presented in an unexceptionable
form, it is confidently hoped the application will be
successful.

" I have the satisfaction to inform you, that the
application I directed to be made for the delivery
of a part of the archives of Florida, which had been
carried to the Havana, has produced a royal order
for their delivery, and that measures have been
taken to procure its execution."
" By the report of the Secretary of State, com-
municated to you on the 25th of June last, you are
informed of the conditional reduction, obtained by
the Minister of the United States at Madrid of
the duties on tonnage levied on American shipping
in the ports of Spain. The condition of that re-
duction having been complied with on our part, by
the Act passed the 13th of July last, I have the
satisfaction to inform you that our ships now pay
no higher or other duties in the continental ports
of Spain than are levied on their national vessels.
" The demands against Portugal for illegal cap-
tures in the blockade of Terceira, have been al-
lowed to the full amounts of the accounts presented
by the claimants, and payment was promised to be
made in three instalments. The first of these has
been paid—the second, although due, had not, at
the date of our last advices, been received; owing,
it was alleged, to embarrassments in the finances,
consequent on the civil war in which that nation is
engaged.

"The payments stipulated by the convention
with Denmark, have been punctually made, and the
amount is ready for distribution among the claimants
as soon as the Board now sitting shall have per-
formed their functions.

" I regret that by the last advices from our
Charge d'Affaires at Naples, Government had still
delayed the satisfaction due to our citizens; but, at
this date, the effect of the last instructions was not
known. Despatches from thence are hourly ex-
pected, and the result will be communicated to you
without delay.
" With the rest of Europe, our relations, political
and commercial, remain unchanged. Negotiations
are going on to put on a permanent basis the li-
beral system of commerce now carried on between
us and the Empire of Rusda. The treaty con-
cluded with Austria is executed by his Imperial
Majesty with the most perfect good faith; and, as
we have no diplomatic agent in this Court, he per-
sonally inquired into and corrected a proceeding of
some of his subaltern officers, to the injury of our
Consul in one of his ports.
" Our treaty with the Sublime Porte is pro-
ducing its expected effects on our commerce. New
markets are opening for our commodities, and a
more extensive range for the employment of our
ships. A slight augmentation of the duties on our
commerce, inconsistent with the spirit of the treaty,
had been imposed ; but on the representation of our
Charge d'Affaires, it has been promptly withdrawn;
and we now enjoy the trade and navigation of the
Black Sea, and all the ports belonging to the
Turkish empire and Asia, on the most perfect
equality with all foreign nations.
" I wish earnestly, that in announcing to you the
continuance of friendship and the increase of a pro-
fitable commercial intercourse with Mexico, with
Central America, and the States of the South, I
could accompany it with the assurance that they all
are blessed with that internal tranquillity and foreign
peace which their heroic devotion to the cause of
their independence merits. In Mexico, a sanguinary
struggle is now carried on, which has caused some
embarrassment to our commerce ; but both parties
profess the most friendly disposition towards us.
To the termination of this contest we look for the
establishment of that secure intercourse, so neces-
sary to nations whose territories are contiguous.
How important it will be to us we may calculate
from the fact, that even in this unfavourable state
of things, our maritime commerce has increased,
and an internal trade by caravans, from St. Louis
to Santa Fe, under the protection of escorts fur-
nished by the Government, is carried on to great
advantage, and is daily increasing. The agents
provided for by the treaty with this Power, to de-
signate the boundaries which it established, have
been named on our part; but one of the evils of
the civil war now raging there has been, that the
appointment of those with whom they were to co-
operate has not yet been announced to ue.
" The Government of Central America has ex-
pelled from its territory the party which some time
since disturbed its peace. Desirous of fostering a
favourable disposition towards us, which has on
more than one occasion been evinced by this in-
teresting country, I made a second attempt in this
year to establish a diplomatic intercourse with them;
but the death of the distinguished citizen whom I
had appointed for that purpose has retarded the ex-
ecution of measures from which I hoped much acir
vantage to our commerce. The union of the three
States, which formed the Republic of Colombia, has
been dissolved; but they all, it is believed, con-
sider thetus3lves as separately bound by the Treaty
which was made in their federal capacity. The
Minister accredited to the Federation continues in
that character near the Govcsiiment of New Gra
nada; and hopes were entertained that a new Union
would be formed between the separate States, at
least for the purposes of foreign intercourse. Our
Minister has been instructed to use his good offices,
whenever they shall be desired, to produce the re-
union so much to be wished, for the domestic tran-
quillity of the parties, and the security and facility
of foreign commerce.
" Some agitations naturally attendant on an in.

nt reign freti preiiiitad ;n the steplie of
which have had the usual effect upon commercial
operations ; and while they suspended the conside-
ration of claims created on similar occasions, they
have given rise to new complaints on the part of
our citizens. A proper consideration for calamities
and difficulties of this nature has made us less urgent
and peremptory in our demands for justice than
duty to our fellow-citizens would, under other cir-
cumstances, have required. But their claims are
not neglected, and will, on all proper occasions, be
urged, and it is hoped with effect.
" I refrain from making any communication on
the subject of our affairs with Buenos Ayres, because
the negotiation communicated to you in my last an-
nual message was, at the date of our last advices,
still pending, and in a state that would render a
publication of the details inexpedient.
" A Treaty of Amity and Commerce has been
formed with the Republic of Chili, which, if ap-
proved by the Senate, will be laid before you.
That Government seems to be established, and at
peace with its neighbours; and its ports being the
resort of our ships which are employed in the highly
important trade of the fisheries, this commercial
Convention cannot but be of great advantage to our
fellow-citizens engaged in that perilous but profit-
able busineEs.

" Our commerce with the neighbouring State of
Peru, owing to the onerous duties levied on our prin-
cipal article of export, has been on the decline, and
all endeavours to procure an alteration have hitherto
proved fruitless. With Bolivia we have yet no di-
plomatic intercourse, and the continual contests car-
ried on between it and Peru have made me defer,
until a more favourable period, the appointment of
any agent for that purpose.
" An act of atrocious piracy having been com-
mitted on one of our trading ships, by the inha-
bitants of a settlement on the west coast of Su-
matra, a frigate ,vas despatched with orders to
demand satisfaction for the injury, if those who com-
mitted it should be found members of a regular Go-
vernment, capable of maintaining the usual rela.
tions with foreign nations ; but if, as it was sup-
posed, and as they proved to be, they were a band
of lawless pirates, to inflict such a chastisement as
would deter them and others from like aggressions.
This last was done, and the effect has been an in-
creased respect for our flag in those distant seas, and
additional security for our commerce.
" In the view I have given of our connection with
foreign Powers, allusions have been made to their
domestic disturbances or foreign wars, to their revo-
lutions or dissensions. It may be proper to observe
that this is done solely in cases where these events
affect our political relations with them, or to show
their operations on our commerce. Further than
this it is neither our policy nor our right to interfere.
Our best wishes on all occasions, our good offices
when required will be afforded to promo'e the do-
mestic tranquillity and foreign peace of all nations
with whom we have any intercourse. Any inter-
vention in their affairs further than this, even by the
expression of an official opinion, is contrary to our
principles of international policy, and will always be
avoided.

" The Report, which the Secretary of the Trea-
sury will in due time lay before you, will exhibit
the national finances in a highly prosperous state.
Owing to the continued success of our commercial
enterprize, which has enabled the merchants to fulfil
their engagements with the Government, the re-
ceipt from the customs during the year will exceed
the estimate presented at the last Session; and
with the other means of the Treasury, will prove
fully d i t
ure adequate,n o on
resulting
t
appropriationsx-
e
made by Congress, but to provide for the payment
of all the public debt which is at present redeem-
able. It is now estimated that the customs will
yield to the Treasury, during the present year, up-
wards of 28 millions of dollars. The public lands,
however, have proved less productive than was an-
ticipated, and, according lb present information,
will not much exceed two millions. The expendi-
tures for all objects other than the public debt are
estimated to amount during the year to about 1G
millions and a half, while a still larger sum—viz.,
eighteen millions of dollars—will have been applied
to the principal and interest of the public debt.
" It is expected, however, that in consequence of
the reduced rates of duty, which will take effect
after the 3d of March next, there will be a consi-
derable falling off in the revenue from customs in
the year 1833. It will, nevertheless, be amply suf-
ficient to provide for all the wants of the public
service, estimated even upon a liberal scale, and for
the redemption and purchase of the remainder of
the public debt. On the Ist of January next, the
entire public debt of the United States, funded anti
unfunded, will be reduced to within a fraction of
seven millions of dollars ; of which 2,227,363 dol-
lars are not of right redeemable until the Ist of
January, 1834, and 4,735,296 dollars not until the
2d of January, 1835. The Commissioners of the
Sinking Fund, however, being invested with full
authority to purchase the debt at the market-place,
and the means of the Treasury being ample, it may
be hoped that the whole will be extinguished with-
in the year 1833.
" I cannot too cordially congratulate Congress
and my fellow-citizens on the near approach of that
memorable and happy event—the extinction of the
public debt of this great and free nation. Faithful
to the wise and patriotic policy marked out by the
legislation of the country for this object, the pre-
sent Administration has devoted to it all the means
which a flourishing commerce has supplied, and a
prudent economy preserved for the public treasury.
Within the four years for which the people nave
confided the executive power to my charge, 58
millions of dollars will have been applied to the
payment of the public debt. That tbis has been
accomplished, without stinting the expenditures for
all other proper objects, will be seen by referring to
the liberal provisions made during the same period
for the support and increase of our means of mari-
time and military defence, for internal improvements
of a national character, for the removal and preser-
vation of the Indians, and, lastly, for the gallant
veterans of the revolution.
" The final removal of this great burden from our
resources affords the means of further provision for
all the objects of general welfare rand public defence
which the constitution authorizes, and presents the
occasion for such further reduction in the revenue
as may not be required for them. From the report
of the Secretary of the Treasury, it will be seen that
after the present year such a reduction may be made
to a considerable extent; and the subject is earnestly
recommended to the consideration of Congress, in
the hope that the combined wisdom of the represen-
tatives of the people will devise such means of ef-
fecting that salutary object, as may remove those
burdens which shall be found to fall unequally upon
any, and as may promote all the great interests of
the commuuity.
" Long and patient reflection has strengthened
the opinions I have heretofore expressed to Con-
gress on this subject; and I deem it my duty on
the present occasion again to urge them upon the
attention of the Legislature. The soundest maxims
of public policy, and the principles upon which Our
republican institutions are founded, recommend a
proper adaptation of the revenue to the expend'.
cure, and they also require that the expenditure
shall be limited to what, by an economical admini.
stration, shall be consistent with the simplicity of
the Government, and necessary to an efficient public
service. In effecting this adjustment, it is due, in
justice to the interests of the different States, and
even to the preservation of the Union itself, that
o
the protection afforded bye elexgisistiinatgivelaws t
protection any
branches of the national industry should not exceed
what may be necessary to counteract the regula-
tions of foreign nations, and to secure a supply of
those articles of manufacture essential to the na.
tional independence and safety in time of war. If,
upon investigation, it shall be found, as it is be-
lieved it will be, that th
granted to any particular interest is greater than is
indispensably requisite for those. objects, I recom-
mend that it be gradually dauinished; and that, at

. far as may be consistent with those objects, the
whole scheme of duties be reduced to the revenue
standard, as soon as a just regard to the faith of the
Governinent, and to the preservation of the large
capital invested in establishments of domestic In-
dustry, will permit.
" That manufactures adequate to the supply of
our domestic consumption would, in the abstract,
be beneficial to our country, there is no reason to
doubt; and to effect their establishment, there is,
perhaps, no American citizen who would not for
a while be willing to pay a higher price for them.
But for this purpose, it is presumed that a tariff of
high duties, designed for perpetual protection, has
entered into the minds of but few of our statesmen.
The most they have anticipated is a temporary and
generally incidental protection, which, they main-
tain, has the efft ct to reduce the price by domestic
competition below that of the foreign article. Ex-
perience, however, our best guide on this, as on
other subjects, makes it doubtful whether the ad-
vantages of this system are not counterbalanced by
many evils, and whether it does not tend to beget
in the minds of a large portion of our countrymen
a spirit of discontent and jealousy dangerous to the
stability of the Union.

"What then shall be done ? Large interests
have grown up under the implied pledge of our na-
tional legislation, which it would seem a violation of
public faith suddenly to abandon. Nothing could
justify it but the public safety, which is the supreme
law. But those who have vested their capital in
manufacturing establishments cannot expect that the
people will consent to pay permanently higher taxes
for their benefit when the money is not required for
any legitimate purpose in the administration of the
Government. Is it not enough that the high du-
ties have been paid as long as the money arising
from them could be applied to the common benefit
in the extinguishment of the public debt
" Those who take an enlarged view of the condi-
tion of our country must be satisfied that the policy
of protection must be ultimately limited to those
arts of domestic manufacture which are indispensa-
ble to our safety in time of war. Within this
scope, on a reasonable scale, it is recommended by
every consideration of patriotism and duty, which
will, doubtless, always secure to it a liberal and ef-
fective support. But beyond this object we have
already seen the operation of the system productive
of discontent. In some sections of the Republic it-
influence is deprecated as tending to concentrate
wealth into a few hands, and as creating those germs
of dependence and vice which, in other countries,
have characterised the existence of monopolies, and
proved so destructive of liberty and the general good.
A large portion of the people in one section of the
Republic declares it not only inexpedient on these
grounds, but as disturbing the equal relations of pro-
perty by legislation, and therefore unconstitutional
and unjust.

" Doubtless the effects are, in a great degree, ex-
aggerated, and may be ascribed to a mistaken view
of the considerations which led to the adoption of
the Tariff system ; but they are nevertheless impor-
tant, in enabling us to review the subject with a more
thorough knowledge of all its bearings upon the
great interests of the Republic, and with a deter-
mination to dispose of it so that none can with jus-
tice complain.
" It is my painful duty to state, that in one
quarter of the United States, opposition to the re-
venue laws has arisen to a height which threatens
to thwart their execution, if not to endanger the
integrity of the Union. Whatever obstructions
may be thrown in the way of the judicial autho-
rities of the general Government, it is hoped they
will be able peaceably to overcome them, by the
prudence of their own officers and the patriotism of
the people. But should this reasonable reliance on
the moderation and good sense of all portions of
our fellow-citizens be disappointed, it is believed
that the laws themselves are fully adequate to the
suppression of such attempts as may be immediately
made. Should the exigency arise, rendering the
execution of the existing laws impracticable, from
any cause whatever, prompt notice of it will be
given to Congress, with the suggestion of such
views and measures as may be deemed necessary to
meet it.

In conformity with principles heretofore ex-
plained, and with- the hope of reducing the general
Government to that simple machine which the
Constitution created, and of withdrawing from the
States all other influence than that of its universal
beneficence in preserving peace, affording an uni•
form currency, maintaining the inviolability of con-
tracts, diffusing intelligence, and discharging unfelt
its other superintending functions, I recommend that
provision be made to dispose of all stocks now held
by it in corporations, whethercreated bythe General
or State Governments, and placing the proceeds in
the Treasury. As a source of profit, these stocks
are of little or no value; as a means in influence
among the States, they are adverse to the purity of
our institutions. The whole principle on which
they are based is deemed by many unconstitutional,
and to persist in the policy which they indicate is
considered wholly inexpedient.
" It is my duty to acquaint you with an arrange-
ment made by the Bank of the United States with
a portion of the holders of the 3 per Cent. Stock,
by which the Government will be deprived of the
use of the public funds longer than was anticipated.
By this arrangement, which will be particularly ex-
plained by the Secretary of the Treasury, a surrender
of the certificates of this stock may be postponed
until October, 1833; and thus the liability of the
Government, after its ability to discharge the debt,
may be continued by the failure of the Bank to per-
form its duties.
" Such measures as are within the reach of the
Secretary of the Treasury have been taken to enable
him to judge whether the public deposits in that
institution may he regarded as entirely safe; but as
his limited power may prove inadequate to this ob-
ject, I recommend the subject to the attention of
Congress, under the firm belief that it is worthy of
their serious investigation. An inquiry into the '
transactions of the institution, embracingthe branches
as well as the principal Bank, seems called for by the
credit which is given throughout the country to
many serious charges impeaching its character, and
which, if title, may justly excite the apprehension
that it is no longer a safe depository of the money
of the people.
" Among the interests which merit the conside-
ration of Congress, after the payment of the public
debt, one of the mest important in my view is that
of the public lands. Previous to the formation of
our present Constitution, it was recommended by
Congress that a portion of the waste lands owned
by the State should be ceded to the United States
for the purpose of general harmony, and ns a fund to
meet the expenses of the war. The recommendation
was adopted, and at different periods of time the
States of Massachusetts, New York, Virginia,
North and South Carolina, and Georgia, granted
their vacant soil for the users for which they had
been asked. As the lands may now be considered
as relieved from this pledge, the object for which
they were ceded having been accomplished, it is in
the discretion of Congress to dispose of thew in
such a way as best to conduce to the quiet, har-
mony, and general interest of the American people.
In exianining this question, all local and sectional
feelings should be discarded, and the whole United
States regarded as one people, interested alike in
the prosperity of their common country.
" It cannot be doubted that the speedy settlement
of these lands constitutes the true interest of the
public. The wealth and ,strength of a country are
its population, and the best part of that population
are the cultivators of the soil. IndepEndent farmers
are every where the basis of society, and trae friends
of liberty.
" In addition to these considerations, questions
have already arisen and may be expected hereafter
to grow out of the public lands, which involve the
rights of the new States, and the powers of the ge-
neral Government ; and unless a liberal policy be
now adopted, there is danger that these questions
may speedily assume an importance not now gene-
rally anticipated, The influence of a great sfctional

inteoet, Vick brut)* into f Lit action, willte found
more dangerous Co the-harmony and Union of the
States than any other cause of discontent ; and it is
the part of wisdom and sound policy to foresee its
approaches, and endeavour, if possible, to coun-
teract them.

"Of the various schemes which have been
hitherto proposed in regard to the disposal of the
public lands, none has yet received the entire appro-
bation of the National Legislature. Deeply im-
pressed with the importance of a speedy and satis-
factory arrangement of the subject, I deem it my
duty on this eccasion to urge it upon your conside-
ration, and, to the propositions which have been
heretofore suggested by others, to contribute those
reflections which have occurred to me, in the hope
that they may assist you in your future deliberations.
" It seems to me to be our true policy that the
public lands shall cease as soon as practicable to be
a source of revenue, and that they be sold to set-
tlers in limited parcels at a price barely sufficient to
reimburse to the United States the expense of the
present system, and the cost arising under our
Indian compacts. The advantages of accurate sur-
veys and undoubted titles, now secured to purchasers,
seem to forbid the abolition of the present system,
because none can be substituted which will more
perfectly accomplish these important ends. It is
desirable, however, that in convenient time this
machinery be withdrawn from the States, and that
the right of soil, and the future disposition of it be
surrendered to the States respectively in which
it lies.
" The adventurous and hardy population of the
West, besides contributing their equal share of taxa-
tion under our impost system, have in the progress
of our Government, for the lands they occupy, paid
into the treasury a large proportion of forty millions
of dollars, and of the revenues received therefrom,
but a small part has been expended amongst them.
When, to the disadvantage of their situation in this
respect, we add the consideration that it is their
labour alone which gives real value to the lands,
that the proceeds arising from their sale are distri-
buted chiefly among States which had not originally
any claim to them, and which have enjoyed the un-
divided emolument arising from the sale of their
own lands, it cannot be expected that the new
States will remain longer contented with the pre-
sent policy after the payment of the public debt.
To avert the consequences which may be appre-
hended from this cause, to put an end for ever to
all partial and interested legislation on this subject,
and to afford to every American citizen of enter-
prise the opportunity of securing an independent
freehold, it seems to me, therefore, best to aban-
bon the idea of raising a future revenue out of the
public lands.
" In former Messages I have expressed my con-
viction that the Constitution does not warrant the
application of the funds of the General Government
to objects of internal improvement, which are not
national in their character, and both has a means of
doing justice to all interests, and putting an end to
a course of legislation calculated to destroy the
purity of the Government, have urged the neces-
sity of reducing the whole subject to some fixed
and certain rule. As there never will occur a period
perhaps, more propitious than the present to the
accomplishment of this object, I beg leave to press
the subject again upon your attention.
" Without some general and well-defined prin-
ciples, ascertaining those objects of internal im-
provement to which the means of the nation may
be constitutionally applied, it is obvious that the
exercise of the power can never be satisfactory.
Besides the danger to which it exposes Congress of
making hasty appropriations to works of the cha-
racter of which they may be frequently ignorant, it
promotes a mischievous and corrupting influence
upon elections, by holding out to the people the
fallacious hope that the success of a certain candi-
date will make navigable their neighbouring creek
or river, bring commerce to their doors, and in-
crease the value of their property. It thus favours
combinations to squander the treasure of the country
upon a multitude of local objects as fatal to just le-
gislation as to the purity of public men.
" If a system compatible with the Constitution
cannot be devised, which is free from such ten-
dencies, we should recollect that the instrument
provides within itself the mode of its amendment;
and that there is, therefore, no excuse for the as-
sumption of doubtful powers by the general Go-
vernment. If those which are clearly granted shall
be found incompetent to the whole ends of its
creation, it can at any time apply for their enlarge-
ment; and there is no probability that such an
application, if founded on public interest, will ever
he refused. If the propriety of the proposed grant
be not sufficiently apparent to command the assent'
of three-fourths of the States, the best possible
reason why the power should not be assumed on
doubtful authority is afforded; for if more than one-
fourth of the States are unwilling to make the
grant, its exercise will be productive of discontent,
which will far overbalance any advantages that
could be derived from it. All must admit that
there is nothing so worthy of the constant solicitude
of this Government as the harmony and union of
the people.
" Being solemnly impressed with the conviction,
that the extension of the power to make internal
improvements beyond the limit I have suggested,
even if it be deemed constitutional, is subversive of
the beet interests of our country, I earnestly recom-
mend to Congress to refrain from its exercise, in
doubtful cases, except in relation to improvements
already begun, unless they shall first procure from
the States such an amendment of the Constitution
as will define its character and prescribe its bounds.
If the States feel themselves competent to these ob-
jects, why should this Government wish to assume
the power ? If they do not, then they will not
hesitate to make the grant. Both Governments are
the Governments of the people ; improvements must
be made with the money of the people; and if the
money can be collected and applied by those more
simple and economical political machines, the State
Governments, it will unquestionably be safer and
better for the people, than to add to the splendour,
the patronage, and the power of the General
Government. But if the people of the several
States think otherwise, they will amend the Consti-
tution, and in their decision all ought cheerfully to
acquiesce.
" For a detailed and highly satisfactory view of
the operations of the War Department, I refer you
to the accompanying report of the Secretary of
War.

" The hostile incursions of the Sac and Fox
Indians, necessarily led to the interposition of the
Government. A portion of the troops, under Ge-
nerals Scott and Atkinson, and of the militia of the
States of Illinois, were called into the field. After
a harassing warfare, prolonged by the nature of the
country, and the difficulty of procuring subsistence,
the Indians were entirely defeated, and the dis-
affected band dispersed or destroyed. The result
,has been creditable to the troops engaged in the
seryice. Severe as is the lesson to the Indians, it
was rendered necessary by their unprovoked aggrea.
sions ; and it is to be hoped that its impression will
be permanent and salutary.
" This campaign has evinced the efficient orga•
nization of the army and its capacity for prompt
and active service. Its several departments have
performed their functions with energy and despatch,
and the general movement was satisfactory.
Our fellow-citizens upon the frontiers were al-
ready, as they always are in the tender of their ser-
vices in the ho,nr of danger. But a more efficient
organization of our militia system is essential to that
security which is one of the principal of jects of all
Governments. Neither our situation nor our insti-
tutions require or permit the maintenance of a large
regular force. History offers too many lessons of
the fatal result of such a measure not to warn us
against its adoption here. The expense which at•
tends it, the obvious tendency to employ it because
it exists, and thus to engage in unnecessary wars,
and its ultimate danger to public liberty, will lead
us, I trust, to place our principal dependence for
protection upon the great body of the citizens of the

republic. If, in asserting rights or in repelling
wrongs, war should come upon us, our regular force
should be increased to an extent proportioned to the
emergency, and our present small army is a nucleus
around which such force could be formed and em-
bodied. But for the purposes of defence under or-
dinary circumstances we must rely upon the electors
of the country. Those by whom, and for whom
the Government was instituted and is supported,
will continue its protection in the hour of danger, as
they do its check in the hour of safety.
" But it is obvious that the militia system is im-
perfect. Much time is lost, much unnecessary ex-
pense incurred, and much public property wasted,
under the present arrangement. Little useful know-
ledge is gained by the musters and drills as now
established, and the whole subject evidently re-
quires a thorough examination. Whether a plan of
classifications, remedying these defects, and provi•
ding for a system of instruction, might not be
adopted, is submitted to the consideration of Con-
gress. The Constitution has vested in the general
Government an independent authority upon the
subject of the militia, which renders its action essen-
tial to the establishment or improvement of the
system. And I recommend the matter to your con-
sideration in the conviction that the state of this im-
portant arm of the public defence requires your
attention.

" I am happy to inform you that the wise and hu-
mane policy of transferring from the Eastern to the
Western side of the Mississippi the remnants of our
aboriginal tribes, with their own consent, and upon
just terms, has been steadily pursued, and is ap-
proaching, I trust, its consummation. By reference
to the Report of the Secretary of War, and to the
documents submitted with it, you will see the pro-
gress which has been made since our last Session in
the arrangement of the various matters connected
with our Indian relations. With one exception,
every subject involving any question of conflicting
jurisdiction, or of peculiar difficulty, has been hap-
pily disposed of, and the conviction evidently gains
ground among i he Indians, that their removal to the
country assigned by the United States for their per-
manent residence, furnishes the only hope of their
ultimate prosperity.
" With that portion of the Cherokees, however,
living within the State of Georgia, it has been found
impracticable, as yet, to make a satisfactory adjust,.
ment. Such was my anxiety to remove all the
grounds of complaint, and to bring to a termination
the difficulties in which they are involved, that I
directed the very liberal propositions to be made to
them which accompany the documents herewith sub-
mitted. They cannot but have seen in these offers
the evidence of the strongest disposition on the part
of the Government to deal justly and liberally with
them. Au ample indemnity was offered for their
present possessions, a liberal provision for their future
support and improvement, and full security for their
private and political rights. Whatever difference of
opinion may have prevailed respecting the just claims
of the people, there will probably be none respecting
the liberality of the propositions, and very little re-
specting the expediency of their immediate accept-
ance. They are, however, rejected, and thus the
position of these Indians remains unchanged, as do
the views communicated in my Message to the
Senate of February 1831.
"I refer you to the Annual Report of the Secre-
tary of the Navy which accompanies this Message,
for a detail of the operations of that branch of the
service during the present year.
" Besides the general remarks on some of the
transactions of our navy presented in the view which
has been taken of our foreign relations, I seize this
occasion to invite to your notice the increased pro-
tection which it has afforded to our commerce and
citizens on distant seas, without any augmentation
of the force in commission. In the gradual improve-
ment of its pecuniary concerns, in the constant pro-
gress in the collection of materials suitable for use
during future emergencies, and in the construction I
of vessels and the buildings necessary to their pre-
servation and repair, the present state of this branch
of the service exhibits the fruits of that vigilance and
care which are so indispensable to its efficiency.
Various new suggestions contained in the annexed
report, as well as others heretofore submitted to
Congress, are worthy of your attention; but none
more so than that urging the renewal, for another
term of six years, of the general appropriation for
the gradual improvement of the navy.
" From the accompanying report of the Post-
master-General, you will also perceive that this de-
partment continues to extend its usefulness without
impairing its resources, or lessening the accommoda-
tions which it affords in the secure and rapid trans- I
portation of the mail.
" I beg leave to call the attention of Congress to
the views I heretofore expressed in relation to the
mode of choosing the President and Vice-President
of the United States, and to those respecting the
tenure of office generally. Still impressed with the
justness of those views, and with tile belief that
the modifications suggested on those subjects, if
adopted, will contribute to the prosperity and har- 1
moil of the country, I earnestly recommend them
to your consideration at this time.
" I have heretofore pointed out defects in the law
for punishing official frauds, especially within the
District of Columbia. It has been found almost
impossible to bring notorious culprits to punish-
ment, and according to a decision of the Court for
this District, a prosecution is barred by a lapse of
two years after the fraud has been committed. It
may happen again, as it has already happened, that
during the whole two years all the evidence of the
fraud may be in the possession of the culprit him-
self. However proper the limitation may be in re-
lation to private citizens, it would seem that it
ought not to commence running in favour of public
officers until they go out of office.
" The Judiciary System of the United States re-
mains imperfect. Of the nine Western and South
Western States, three only enjoy the benefits of a
Circuit Court. Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee,
are embraced in the general system; but Indiana,
Illinois, Missouri, Alabama, Mississippi, and Lou-
siana, have only district courts. If the existing
system be a good one, why should it not be ex-
tended ? If it be a bad one, why is it suffered to
exist? The new States were promised equal II
rights and privileges when they came into the
Union, and such ate the guarantees of the Constitu-
tion. Nothing can be more obvious than the obli-
gation of the General Government to place all the
States on the same footing in relation to the admi-
nistration of justice, and I trust this duty will be
neglected no longer.
" On many of the subjects to which your atten-
tion is invited in this communication, it is a source
of gratification to reflect, that the steps to be now
adopted are uninfluenced by the embarrassments en-
tailed upon the country by the wars through which
it has passed. In regard to most of our great in.
terests, we may consider ourselves as just
starting in our career, and after a salutary expe-
iience, about to fix on a permanent basis the policy
best calculated to promote the happiness of the peo.
ple, and facilitate their progress towards the most
complete enjoyment of civil liberty. On an occa-
sion so interesting and important in our history, and
of such anxious concern to the friends of freedom
throughout the world, it is our imperious duty to
lay aside all selfish and local considerations, end be
guided by a lofty spirit of devotion to the great prim
ciples on which our institutions are founded.
" That the Government may be so administered
as to preserve its efficiency in promoting and se-
curing these general objects should be the only aim
of our ambition, and we cannot, therefore, too care.
fully examine its structure, in order that we may
not mistake its powers, or assume those which the
people have reserved for themselves, or have pre-
ferred to assign to other agents. We should bear
constantly in mind the fact, that the considerations
which induced the framers of the Constitution to
withhold from the General Government the power to
regulate the great mass of the business and concerns
of the people, have been fully justified by experience;
and that it cannot now be doubted that the genius
of all our institutions prescribes simplicity and eco-

nomy as the characteristics of the reform which is
yet to be effected in the present and future execu-
tion of the functions bestowed upon us by the
Constitution.

" Limited to a general superintending power to
maintain peace at home and abroad, and to prescribe
laws on a few subjects of general interest, not cal-
culated to restrict human liberty, but to enforce
human rights, this Government will find its strength
and its glory in the faithful discharge of these plain
and simple duties. Relieved by its protecting shield
from the fear of war and the apprehension of oppres-
sion, the free enterprise of our citizens, aided by
the State Sovereignties, will work out improvements
and ameliorations which cannot fail to demonstrate
that great truth, that the people can govern them-
selves, is not only realized in our example, but that
it is done by a machinery in government so simple
and economical as scarcely to be felt. That the
Almighty Ruler of the Universe may so direct our
deliberations and overrule our acts as to make us
instrumental in securing a result so dear to man-
kind, is my most earnest and sincere prayer.
" Dec. 11, 1832. " ANDREW JACKSON."