The New York herald., 1851-12-03

III 800 10.
Ths expenditures, for the same period, (sxcludins
2bs9 49, paid under award Of the Auditor in pur
suancs Of resolution Of the last Congress for mail SER
snd the amount paid to the British Post for a1S
postages collected for and payable to that ofacel
amounted to 70; leaving balance Of revenue
the proper expenditures Of the $7O 2e9 90
The receipts fer postages during the year (exc!udns
the foreign postages collected for and payable to the
increase Of sSs1 SS 70 Is Der cent over ths s
receipts for the preceding year.
The reduction Of postage under the sot Of March last
did not take effect until the Of the pre-
sent fiscal year. The accounts for the first quarter un-
der the operation Of the reduced rates. will not be set
tied before January next and no reliable estimate Of
the receipts for the present yet be made 1t e
believed however that they win fall far short those of
the Last year. The surplus Of the revenues hand
the treasury in aid the revenues Of the Department.
required for the current fiscal year. but additional
appropriation for the year ending June 90 1853 win pro-
naby bs found when the receipts Of the first
TWO quarters OF the fiscal year fully asoertained
In his last annual report the Postmaster General re-
deemed Is low could be prudenty lunsss Con-
eress was prepared to appropriate from the for
.ne support OF the D. .psrtment sum more than equi
ernment The recommendations Of the Postmaster Gem
in respect to letter postage except letters from
by the last Congress He recommends adherence 10
the present letter rates. and advises against further
reduction until justified BY the revenue Of the Dspar
ment.
He also recommends that the rates Of postage on print
ed matter be so revised to render them simple
and more uniform In their operation ell classes Of
printed matter. submit the recommendation of the
report TO your favorable consideration.
te accumulanr for more than sixtv years asS ;nte
spersed with private acts scattered through nume
volumes and from the of the whole have be-
slmost inaccessible to the great the COM
munity. They also exhibit much Of the incongruity
and mperfection Of hasy legislation As seems to be
the United States to supply the defects Of their isris
tion is most importsn that that egaton should be
as perfect possible defining every power intended
be conferred every crime intended to be made punish
able and prescribing the punishment TO be infict!
ed In addition to some particular cases. SPOKEN
mentally defective Some offences are imperfectly de-
scribed and others entirely omtted that sgrsnt
crimes may be committed With impunity The scale Of
punishment not In all cases graduated according to
the degree and nature Of the offence is often rem
dered more unequal by the different modes Of mprison-
States.
Many lawe Of permanent character have been intro
duced into appropriation bills and is often difficult to
determine whether the particular clause expires With
the temporary act of which 1t part continues in
force 1t has also frequently happened that enactments
with the title general subject of which they have little
connection relation. In this mode of legislation
many have been hesped upon each othsr
stances, it difficult to search out and determine what
Is the law
government Of written laws. The statutes should,
therefore al far as practicable not only be
sibe to all but be expressed in language plain and
simple to be understood BY all and arranged in such
method as to give perspicuty to every subject Many
of the States have revised their public acts with great
and manifest benefit; and recommend that provision
be made by law for the appointment of commission to
evfe the public statutes Of the United States arran
ing them in order .uPpiyDs deacienoes correcting in
them to Congress for its action.
An act Of Congress approved Goth September 1850
cordpg to such plan might be approved by the Pres
dent and appropriated hundred thousand dellars to
be expended under his direction, BY such as he
should appoint to execute the On examining the
various plans which had been submitted by different
chitects in Of advertisement by commit
Of the Senate found to be entirely salts
factory and 1t was therefore deemed advisable TO CON-
bine and adopt the advantages Of several
The great object to be accomplished to make such
addition would afford ample and convenient halls
for the deliberations Of the two Houses Of Congress With
sufficient accommodation for spectators and suitable
apartments for the committees and officers Of the two
brs nches Of the Legislature It also desirable not
TO the harmony and beauty Of the structure
which, specimen Of architecture is universally
admired Keeping these objects In view, concluded to
make the addition by wings detached from the present
building yet connected with BY corridors This Of
enlarge will leave the Capitol unnured and
afford great advantages for ventilation and the admission
OF light and will enable tae work to progress without
interruptng the deliberations Of Congress To carry
this plan into effect have appointed experienced
and competent architect The stone laid
the 4h day Of July as with suitable ceremonies since
which time the work has advanced with commend dsbe
rapidity, and the foundations OF both wings now
again commend to your favorable regard the inter-
es the District of Columbia and deem IL only
saIy to remind you, that although its inhasut have
voice in the choice of Representatives In Congress
they are not the less entitled to Just and liberal consd
Grafton in your legislation MY opinions this subject
fully expressed Ia my last annual coumunica-
ton
Other subjects were brought to the attention Of Con-
eress In my last annual messsgc, TO which would
spectfuy refer But there of than ordinary
aude to the recommendation for the sppontmsst Of
commission TO settle private claims against the United
staes Justice to ndivdua as well a. to the govern
ment mperatvely demands that come more convenient
and expeditions mode than An appeal to Congress should
II deeply to be regretted that In several instances
officers Of the government in attempting execute the
law for the return Of fugves from labor, have beer
openly rested and their efforts frustrated and defeated
BY lAwless and violent mobs; that In such
stanse resulted In ths death Of estimable citizen
and In others serisus injury enfued to those ocers
and to ipdyidus , sno ws.s using their snde.yGrs 70
against the alleged offenders 80 far they could be deu
tifed and are still pending have regarded 1t o. my
TO the enforcement Of the Laws and shall sontnue to
do wherever and whenever their execution may he
reeisted
The act OF Congress for th. return OF fgtivcs from
labor is one required and demanded By the expires.
words Of the constitution.
The constitution declares That person he'd to
service labor In State under the laws thereof
escaping into another shall In consequences Of any w
or labor but shall be devsre mn on claim Of the party
to whom sseh service labor may be due" This con-
stitutonal provision Is equally obligatory upon the lie
gsative the Executive and Judicial Depart meuts OF
the government and upon every citizen Of the United
States.
Congress however must, from necessity. first act
upon the subject by prescribing the proceedings
eessary TO ascertain that the person Is a fugitive and
the to be used for his restoration 70 the claim
ant. This was dcne By sc: passed during
the hrst term OF President Washington which
was amended By that enacted by the last Congress
and 1t now remains for the Executive and Judicial De-
partments TO take that these laws be faithfully
cuted This injunction 81 the constitution Il AZ
tory and a. binding as sIy other It stands exastiy
ON the same foundation ss that clause which
provides for the return of fusitives from Justice
or that which declares that no bill Of sttaiuder
or ex post facto Law shall be passed ths. whict
provides for equality Of taxation accordi.c 10 rbs
census or the clause declaring that all suties .ha be-
uniform throughou. the United State Or the important
provision that the trial OF ell crimes shall be by Jury
Thee several arcles an clauses Of the constitution al
resting on the same authority must stand fl toge
.nsr some Icecions have been urged against the de
ae act for the return OF fugitiyes from labor
but - s worthy Of remark that the main opposition IL
aimed against the constitution itself and from
persons and cases Of persons many Of whom declare