Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-16

and pnnistment Of foreign contuls residing
ia the United States 10 revive with cersais
notifications the oct Of 10th March, 1898, TO
restrain unlawful military expeditions sgAins,
the InlabitanIs of contentious Htates or ter.
riiories for the preservation and protection
from mntllation or theft of the papers, rec
ords and archives oil the nation.
For authorizing the surplus revenue to b.
applied 10 the payment Of the public deb, in
advance of the time when il will become
due; for The establishment Of land of'ices Tor
the sale of the public land in California aud
the Territory Ut Oregon for the constfue-
slon Of road from the Mississippi valley to
the Pacific ocean; for the establishment OF q
bureau Of agriculture for the promotion Of
lhat Interest, perhaps the most important 10
the country.
FOR me prevention offrauds upon the gov.
..""Ieh. 10 application for pensions aud
oo""'y iannsi ior the establishment Of a IN.
"o.m zee oiii, prescribing a specific compen-
sation Tor every service required Of clerks.
district attorneys, and marshals; for author.
iz'ng an additional regimeu; Of mounted
men.
For the defence Of our frontiers seains, The
Indians, and for fulfilling our treaty slipulA-
lions with Mexico to defend her cilzeus
against the Indians with equal diligence and
ChSiSy No uuI OWu} ucteTWlninG tile
relative rank between The naval and civil
officers in ocr public ships. and between the
different officers of the Army and Navy in
the various grades Of each
For organizing the naval establishment hy
fixing the number Of officers in each grade,
and providing for retired list upon reduced
pay OF those unfit for active duty for pre-
scribIng and regulating punishment in tho
navy.
For the appointment Of q commission 10
revise the public statutes Of The U. States,
ny arranging them in order, supplying def
cIences, correcting incongrtiities, simplifying
their language. and reporting them 10 Con-
gress for lis finnl action; and for the estnb-
lishment OF a commission TO adjud cato
anc settle private claims against the United
States.
am not aware however, that any of thcse
subjects have been finally acted upon by con.
gress. Without repeating the reasons for
legislat on on these subjects which have been
assigned in former messages, respectfully
recommend them sgain to your favorable
| consideration.
think it.lue to the several Executive De-
partments of this Government 10 bear testi-
mony to the efficiency and integrity with
which they are conducted. With all the
careful superint endence which il is possible
for the Heads of those Departments 10 exer-
else, sIIl the due administration and guard.
anship of the public money must very much
depend on the vigilance, intelligence. and
fidelity Of the subordinate officers aud clerks,
and especially on those entrusted with tho
settlement and adjustment of claims and ac-
counts. l am gralfied 10 believe that they
have generally performed their duties faith.
fully and well.
They are appointed to guard the approach
es to the public Treasury, and they occupy
positions that expose them to all the iempta-
lions. and seducIions which the cup,dity of
pecuators aad fraudulent claimants can
prompt them TO employ. 1t will he bur a
wise precautun 10 protect the Government
against that source Of mischief and corruption
us far as it can be doDe by the enactment Of
all proper legal penalties. The laws in ;his
respect, are supposed 10 be defective, aud
therefore deem il 10 he my duty 10 call your
attention to the subject, and 10 recommend
that provision be made by law for the punish
ment not only of those who shall accept hribes,
but also OF those who shall either promise,
give. or offer TO give TO amy Of those officers
or clerks bribe or reward touching or rela-
ting to uny mailer Of their official action Ur.
duly.
Ii has been the uniform policy OF this gov.
ernmeut from The foundation TO the present
day To abstain from all interference in the
douIesi~ fairs of other naIions. The con-
seq has been that while the nations of
En- ,ave been engaged in desoating
wars, u"r country has pursued its peaceful
course To unexampled prosperity and linppi-
ueSs. The wars IN which we have been
compelled to engage, in defence OF the rights
, and honor OF the country, hnye heen fortu-
natey Of short duration. During the terrific
contest of nation against nation, winch sue.
ceeded the French revolution, we were EN-
! abed by the wisdom and frmness OF Pres
ident Washington to mainrain our neuiral-
lty.
While other nations were drawn into this
wide sweeping whirlpool, we sat quiet and un.
: moved upon our own shores While the flow
er of their numerous armies was wasted by dis
ease or perished by hundreds of thousands up
on the battlefield, the youth of this favored land
, were permitted to enjoy the blessings of peace
!, beneath the paternal roof. While The States
, of Europe incurred enormous debts under the
i burden of which their subjects still groan, and
which must absorb no small part Of the product
:. of the honest industry of those countries for
generations to come. the United States have
once been enabled to exhibit the proud specta.
Gle of nation free from public debt; and, il
:, permitted to pursue our prosperous way for .
few years longer in peace, we may do the same
. again.
!. But il is now said by some that this policy
S mus, be changed. Europe is no longer sepa.
rated from US by voyage Of months, but steam
5 navigation has brought her within few days
sail of our shores. We see more of her move
j ments, and take deeper interest in her contro-
, versies. Although no one proposes that we
should join the fraternity of polentates who
: have for ages lavished the blood and treasure
of their subjects in maintaining the balance of
power yet it is said that ought to interfere
f between coEtending sovereigns and their sub
. jects, for the purpose of overthrowing the nom
arches of Europe and establishing in their
place republican institutions. Ii is alleged that
o we have heretofore pursued different course
from sense of our weakness, but that now our
conscious strength dictates a change of policy,
and that il is consequently our duty to mingle
4 in these contests and aid those who are strug-
Cling for liberty.
I, This is most seductive but dangerous ap-
r peal TO the generous sympathies of freemen.-
: Enjoying as we do the blessings of free gov
: ernment, there lie no man who has an Ameri-
: can heart that would not rejoice to see these
}. blessings extended TO all other nations. We
o cannot witness the struggle between the op-
# pressed and his oppressor anywhere without
4 the deepest sympathy for the former, and the
i most anxious desire for his triumph. Never.
l.l.- l. -. - 10 so vnIv