Washington telegraph., 1850-12-25

Congress has so much. business of public ;haIac
tern that il is impossible it should give much a.
tenton to mere private claims, and their accumta
laion is now great that many claimants mns'
despair of ever being able to obtain hearing. II
may we'll be doubted whether Congress, from the
nature OF its organization is properly const'tutee
To- decide upon such cases. 1t is impossible that
each member should examine the mesits oil every
claim upon which he is compeiIed to vote and It If
preposterous to ask judge to decide Case which
he has never heard. Such decisions may, and
frequently must, do injustice, either tofhe Claimant
or the government; and perceive no better rem
! eGy for this growing evil than the establishment
/ of some tribunal to adjadicate on such claims. l
beg leave, therefore, most respectfully, to recon-
mend that provisions be made by law for the ap-
pointment Of Commission to- settle all private
claims against the United States; and as an eE
4 pafte hearing must in all contested cases. be very
unsatisfactory, also recommend the appointment
of Solicitor, whose duty it shall be TO represent
| the government before such Commission, aud pro-
tect it against all illegal, fraudulent or unjust
claims, which may be presented for their adJud-
| cation.
This District which has neither voice vote
in your deliberations, looks to you for protection
and aid. commend all its wants TO your favor
able consideration, with full confidence that you
will meet them not only with justice but with
liberaty. Ii should be borne in mind that in this
city, laid out by WASHINGTON, and consecrated
by his name. is located the Capitol Of the Nation
1.-The emblem of our Uuion and the symbol OF our
greatness. Here, are situated all the public build
ings necessary for the use of the Government, aud
all these exempt from taxation. 1t should be
the pride of Americans to render this place arac-
tive to the people Of the Whole Republic, and
convenient and safe for the transaction Of the
public business, and the preservation Of the public
records. The government should. therefore, bear
LIBERAL portion of the burthens of all necessary
and useful Improvements, and as nothing can COLI
tribute more to the health, comfort and safety Of
the city, aud the security Of the public buildings
and records, than an abundant supply of pure
water, respectfully recommend that you make
such provisions for obtaining the same, as. in your
wisdom, you may think proper.
The act passed at your last session, making
certain propositions to Texas for settling the dis
puted boundary between that State and New
Mexico, was, Immediately on its passage, trans
miited by express to the governor Of Texas, to be
laid by him before the General Assembly, for its
| agreement thereto. Its receipt was duly ac-
knowledged, but no official Information has yet
been received Of the action Of The General As
sembly thereon. 1t may, however, be very soon
expected, as by the terms Of the proposition sub
Initted, they were to have been acted upon on OF
before the first day Of the present month";
| 1t was hardly to have been expected that the
series of measures passed at your las: session,
with the view of healing the sectional differences
which had sprung from the slavery and territorial
questions should at once have realized their be ne
| fcent purpose All mutual concessions in the
nature of compromise must necessarily Dr. un-
/ welcome to men Of extreme opinions. Without
+ such concession, this government could not have
| been formed and cannot be permanently sustained
| Yet we have seen them made the subject of bitter
controversy in the Republic. Ii required many
months of discussion and deberation to secure
the concurrence Of majorty of Congress in their
favor. 1t would be strange if they had been re-
ceived with immediate appreciation by the people
and States, prejudiced, and heated BY the exciting
controversies of their Representatives. / believe
I they were necessary to allay asperitles and ami
iaosi!ies that were rapidly alternating one section
Of the country from another, and destroying those
/ fraternal sentiments which the strongest suP-
| ports of the Constitution. They were adopted ia
the spirit Of concession and for the purpose Of
Cancellation.
believe that great majority Of our fellow
citizans syn,p.ts.g in that spirit and that Pur-
pose-in the main approve, and are prepared in
! all respects to sustain their enactment ! cannot
doubt, that the American people, bound together
| by kindred blood and common traditions, still
cherish paramount regard for the Union of their
! fathers, and that they ready to rebuke any
attempt to violate its integrty-to disturb its COM
t promises, upon which it is based, or 10 resist the
laws which have been enacted under its au
| tiiur.ty.
The series of measures TO which have alluded
are regarded by me a settlement, in principle
! and substance-a final settlement-of the dang er-
Gus and exciting subjects " hich they embraced;
most Of those subjects, indeed, are beyond your
reach, as the legislation which disposed of them
was, in its character, final and imnut able 1t
may be presumed, from the opposition they all
encountered, that none of these measures were
free from imperfections, but in their mutual de-
! pendence and connection, they formed system
Of compromise most cOnciliatory, and the best for
the entire country that could be obtained from
conflicting sectional interests and opinions.
For this reason, recommend your adherence
10 the adjustment established ov these measures,
until time and experience shall demonstrate the
necessity Of further legislation to guard against
evasion or abuse. By that adjustment. we have
been rescued from the wide and boundless agta-
ton that surrounded Us, and have firm, distinct
and legal ground to rest upon. And the occasion
trust, will justify me in exhortng my country
men to rally upon and maintain that ground, as
the best if not the only means of restoring peace
and quiet to the country, and maintaining invio-
late the integrity Of the Union
] And now, fellow citizens, ! cannot bring this
communication to a close without inviting you to
! join me in humble and devout thanks to the Great
Ruler of nations for the multiplied blessings which
He had graciously bestowed upon us. His hand,
so often visible in our preservation, has stayed the
pestience, saved US from foreign aud do
mestic disturbances, and scattered plenty through
| the land.
Our Liberties. religious and civil, have been
maintained. The fountains of knowledge have
all been kept open, and means of happiness widely
spfead and generally enjoyed. greater than have
fallen to the lot of any other nation; and while
deeply penetrated with gratitude for the past, let
us hppe that this Al-wise Providence will so gnard
our councils as that they shall result in giving
satisfaction to our constiiuents-securingt the peace
of the country, and adding strength to the
united government in which we live.
! MILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, Dec. 3, 1850.