Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-14
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bers. Notices were given by several MEM
bers, Of intentions to bring forward i'm
portant bills, and after passing a resolution
in favor of having two Chaplains, the Senate
adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives, Lynn
Boyd, the old Speaker, was reelected J.
w. Forney re elected Clerk, and all the old
officers were re-chosen.
The members were sworn in, and soon
after tho House adjourned.
On Tuesday the Presidents Message was
handed in. Being unable to give it entire,
owing to its length, we have prepared the
following sYnspis, which will give our rea-
ders a gene%S9dea Of the character of this
document.
In the Senate, on Wednesday, the Rev.
Henry Slicer was elected Chaplain. In the
House on the same day Robert Armstrong,
Of the Union, was elected public printer
The Rev. Henry Millburn was elected Chap
lain.
On Thursday, the 9Th, in the Senate and
House. resolutions were introduced relative
20 the death Of Vice President King, and If
ter the delivery Of eloquent eulogiums by
several members, the two Houses adjourned
to Monday the 18th.
Outline Of the Presidents Message.
The Message opens with a recognition Of
the dependence Of all departments Of govern
ment upon the people, who are the source Of
power; and that upon the justice and intel
ligenco Of the masses, is the solo reliance of
the confedcracy.
Upon our Foreign relations the Message
states no change has occurred since the adj
iournmont of Congress. Concerning Eng
land, it gives n statement Of the present
aspect Of the Fishery Question, and remarks
that no treaty has been maturcd in regard
60 ii. II calls the particular attention Of
Congress 10 tho Importance, at the present
iuncturc, Of defining, with more accuracy,
the boundary line between the United States
and the British Possessions on the North.
The President proposes, in view Of tho cx-
tensiye between this country and
France, that some unnecessary restrictions
might be removed, 10 the advantage of both
parties.
SPArN.-The President congratulatos the
country that no unauthorized expeditions
have been gotten up in the u. s. since the
adjournment Of Congress, against the Span
lSN COlOuleS, anu says Indt 5HOuiu any
such movement be manifested in our limits,
all the means ut my command will be vigOr-
ously exerted 70 repress it," He deprecates
in moderate but firm forms, the conduct Of
the Spanish authorities in Cuba towards
American citizens, and regrets the tardy and
tedious diplomacy that has to be submitted
to before redress can be secured in such
cases, all complaint, under the present ar
rangement, having first to be submitted, by
our citizens, to this government, and then
referred TO Spain. Authority for redress by
our Consul to the Captain General of Cuba,
is insisted on, and our Spanish Minister is
instructed to press it upon the consideration
Of the Spanish Government. The Message
recommends the payment Of the Spanish
claims for indemnity in the case Of the
schooner Armistad.
AUsrRIA.-Tho Message briefly r~ecapitu.
latcs the facts in the Koszta case, announces
the principles laid down by our Government
in connection with it, AMI proclaims that the
President is determined to stand by them.
MgxICO.-A clear account is given Of the
state of our relations with Mexico, and thu
favorable aspect Of existing diplomatic ncgo
tiutions with that nation.
S1uru AMERfcA.-The President allrde'
tO the immense commercial advantage
WHICH VIII htCIut W our NpNilll1 II blbhl
can be induced 30 throw that fruitful an
wonderful river, the Amazon, open to til
free competition Of the world, and oxpresse
an expectation Of accomplishing this end
Allusion is also made to the Chincha Island
alfiir, and a belief expressed that Peru wi
offlr adequate indemnity for the wrong CON
mitted against American citizens.
THE TARRIFF.-Allusion is simply mad
TO the fact that the Secretary Of the Treas
ury will recommend the reduction of dutit
on certain articles, and to add to the FIRE
list many articles now taxed, and asks tn
candid and careful consideration ofCongre,
TO these recommendations.
Some congratulatory remarks are indulge
in under the heads Of " domestic peace" an
the growth Of the country upon tn
former, observing that, Notwithstanding pr
vious threatened difficulties Of domestic gu
otu1e, there Is now ga common determine
ton that each one of the States, its institu
tons, its welfare and its domestic pcac,
shall be held alike secure under the ngis
the constitution"
THE TREAsuRY.-On the 30th June las
there remained in the U. S. Treasury n ba
auce Of near fifteen millions of dollars, nm
in view Of this largo surplus, steps had bee
taken to discharge the public debt so far
it could be done, and to devise means fer I'll
gradual reduction Of the revenue to the stai
dard oF tho public eXigencics.
The President recommends a large increa,
OF the Navy and considerable augmentatio
to the Army departments ofthe government
Allusiou is simply made to the fact tn
tho current revenue of the Post Office d
pArtm9ut had failed to meet it's expenses. b
the sum OF two millions and forty thousar
dollars, without any recommendations fro
the President further than asking the INN
diato attention Of Congress to the suggestion
Of tho Postmastor General.
In view Of the numerous frauds COMM
ted on the Pension Bureau, and the defec
IN the law providing for the punishment f
such, Congress is called on to provide
speedy remedy.
An extension Of the land system, wi
somo notifications, over the new t%erritoriC
Utah and New Mexico and in regard to Il
general system Of the Public Lands, alter
tons in favor of actual settlers and e~xtonsir
Of the presumption principles, is recol
mcndcd.
The President rather takes ground again
the too common custom Of bestowinr grar
Of public lands for building rail roads. n
refers to the report 81 the Secretary Of t
Interior. "a to the practical operations
such Grants, &c.
Important improvements in the pate
laws, Designed to encourage and prot
American inventors, is proposed.
A change in the present Judicial syst
of tho United Stltos is recommended, on
ground that tho present organization