The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-21
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT
FIRE III II e p BLIC.

Gentlemen Representatives constitution obligcs
the President Of the republic to lay before you every
yeara statement Of the general affairs Of the country
conform with this obligation, which allows me, while
submitting to you the truth in ali its simplicity and
facts so far Us they are instructive to speak to
both Of my past conduct and of future Intentions.
My election to the first magistracy Of the republic
the cause Of hopes all Of which could not yet be
allied To the very day when you are assembled with
in these walls the executive power has not enjoyed its
constitutional prerogatives to their full extent In
such position it was difficult to take very decided
course Nevertheless, remain faithful to my mani
festo. Indeed, to what have pledged myself in
ceptng the sufrages Of the nation! TO defend soce
ty so audaciously assaied. To secure wise great,
and honorable republic. To protect family religion,
aud property. To promote all possible Improvement
ana economy 10 protect the press against caprice
zaion To eIace the marks OF our civil discords. And
finally with respect to foreign relations to adopt po
icy alike without arrogance and without weakness
Times and circumstances have not yet allowed to
fulfil all these engagements but important steps have
nevertheless been taken in this direction. The first
duty Of the government direct all it's efforts to
the re-establishment Of that confidence which could
notb be complete without a definite power. The want
of security in the present. and of faith in the future,
destroys credit stops labor, diminshes both
public and private renders loans impossible, and dries
up the sources Of wealth Before confidence
stored it would have been vain to have to
all the systems of credit to the most revolutionary
expedents Abundance could not be created when
fear and dstrust Of the morrow had produced sterity
Even foreign policy could not rise to the level Of
our former power, excepting when had restored at
home that which cons tutes the strength of nations
viz the union of the citizens and financial prosperity
To attain this end the government could only follow
firm and resolute course showing to all that without
departing from the prescriptions law 1t would adopt
the most energetic measures for the security Of
ciety 1t generally endeavored therefore, to reestab
IN snS = 9, no oy emphg al It's care
most honorable and competent without regard their
political antecedents. Lest the public mind should be
disturbed the government has deferred the project of
libcrating the victims Of our civil discords At
the very word amnesty public opinion is moved
in different directions and it has feared the return
Of fresh troubles Nevertheless, have used clemen-
cy where it has not been misplaced The pri-
sons are already open for $40 convcts of June aud
the others will soon be set at liberty without any
comprehension to society As for those who are con-
demned to the galeys BY councils & war, some Of
criminals, shall be placed in penitentiaries The
we have adopted soon restored confidence; business
gained new impulse; the savings banks were filled
Since the end of January the produce Of the indirect
contributions and the customs has necessarily In
creased; and In April nearly equal to that Of the
most pros porous times The Treasury has retained
the credit of which 1t stood in need, and the city Of
Paris has been able to contract loan almost at para
negotiation which reminds us of the time when con-
fdence was most securely established. The petitions
for fanctioning joint stock panes (ociees anony
have been multiplied; the number Of pa .uts has In.
creased from day to day the price OF Offices the sale
OF all those values which h. 20 suffered heavy depre-
c,auon have grad.""aliy improved; and finally, in all
the us,s,uring towns work has recommended, aud
Foreigners have again visited Paris. This felictous
movement interrupted Tor n moment by fthe agta-
ton Of the eections will resume its course through
the aid which you will afford to the government
FINANCES.
Although our commercial and Industrial affairs have
been greatly restored the state of finances Is far
from satisfactory. The weight of hazardous engage
mehts contracted by the late has caused
In the Of the year 1S4S expenditure which
has increased the public debt by sol S0ef additional
renes MoreoveY. the extraordinary expenses caused
by the February revolution have produced increase
Of charges, which, after every compensation, amounts
to 26 4S 42S for the year 1S4S In spite Of the add.
tional owing to the tax Of 45c and to the
loans which have been negotiated there will be deficit
Of 0O0f According to the budget the lS49
to leave only deficit Of 25 600 00f but facts have
not agreed with calculations and considerable changes
have arisen from unforeseen circumstances New taxes
the produce Of which has been valued at more than
10000 OOOf, have not been voted; while on the other
hand, not only has the salt been reduced two
thirds but the from the tax letters has fall
en- ar below the amount expected and the estimated
deficit Will be equal to lS0000000f Another unexpect-
ed circumstances has made situation worse. The
tax on liquors the produce Of which exceeds 10 000
required to be modified and simpli6ed by q form,
which should harmonize II with the spirit of our nsti-
buttons. An amendment added to the budget Of
1S4s has abolished 1t from the LIST Of January and
has prohibited its re-mposition IL has nevertheess
been necessary to restore the equilibrium between re-
cepts and expenses and this end only be attained
by reducing the expenses and opening sources of
This state Of our finances deserves serious
confederation What ought nevertheless, to console
and encourage us, Is to set forth the elements Of
strength aud riches contained In our country