Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-12-08
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Tho Presidents Message was delivered to Congress
at so lato un hour on Monday, TINT we had not time
for even the slightest notice Of S contents III our
paper Of yesterday. We propose now to atone tor
the omission, by brief recital Of the main facts and
suggestions in tho Message.
Adverting, in the irst place, to the condition OF of
foreign relations the President athrms 1t TO be hir
constant desire aud policy to avoid involving Tic
country in the struggles among the Powers oi Eu
rope; and to this end, he recommends an attitude o
impartial and unyieldus neutrality. Tic clelma Tor
his country the praise Of faithful observance OF The
principlcs Of equity and tho rules OF international
law, in it's intercourse with other governments Ne
verthelcss some European Powers regarding with
concern the commercial Importance and territorial
expansion of the United States, have exhibited to-
words this country jealous and unfricndy spirit.
Tho President has avaed himself OF the present
struggle in Europe to PROFOUND to the leading gov
ernnents the doctrine of ncurar rights and with some
effect for Russia has obligated itself by solemn treaty
to adhere to the principle that free ships make free
goods, and that neutral goods in an cnemy's vessel
arc exempt from conGscation, unless cortraband of
war. England and France too have signiiicd their
acqucsccnce in these propositions for the present.
Russia is willing to recognise them by treaty If the
United States will abandon the right Of fprvnteering
condition to which for satisfactory reasons, the Presi
dent refused 10 submit. The King of the Two Scilics
is ready to concur in our proposition respecting nett
,ral rights
Since the adjournment of Congress, ratidcatons OF
tae reciprocity treaty have been exchanged. There
is dispute between this government and Great Bri
l. lina a,fW Tor
ritorv aud certain rights Of tho Hudson's Bay
Company, which the President recommends to the
arbitra,nent OF Joint Commission. We have apollo
ri1ei to France for the ndignity to Consul Dillon IN
San Francisco aud France has apologizcd to us for
the indicny to Mr. Soulc and we arc good friends
again. The position of affairs with Spain remains
MS at tho close of last sessionho internal conVul-
sons in that country not admitting of diplomatic ne
| gotiatons. Tho President has reason to "bclicve
that our Minister will find the present government OF
SPUN more favorably inclined than the preceding ia
comply with our just demands" negotiations arc
pending with Denmark 10 discontinue the practice o
evyins tolls on our vessels and their cargocs passing
throu. n the Sound"
TIL, '.ccess Of the Japan expedition is announced
Tho President refers to fbuser expeditions against
,hcm.--By treaty with the argentine Confederation
end the Republics Of Uruguay aud Paraguay, W"
have secured the free navigation If the river La
riata. bu; Brazil is irapracticnblc, and the AcaSon j.
-;i!l closed against Us.
The President a.lvcr,s TO tho Central American
question: and regrets the inability o; our Minister in
London, 10 adjust the disputes which have grown out
Of it. He gives an elaborate and conclusive dcicnc,
Of the bombardlncnt OF Greytown.
Passing from foreign to domestic utfuilr. attention
is directed to the financial condition OF the country
which is represented unusually sound and prosper
ous The income Of the government largely exceeds
its expenditure, and the surplus is applied TO ;ho tx
tiugui>h,ncnt OF the public debt. The President re-
| com amends a reduction os sh- r-"'"'
"Ihc Report of the Secretary OF the Treasury, we
IRE ns.ured furnishes ample proof OF tho so!ld i"n
da,ion ON which the financial security n! IN" country
rests aud of the sauary Influence OF the independent
treasury system upon commerce ant al! monetary oP
crntons." The President recommends nn increase ol
the military force on Western frontier, for the re-
re.sion of the ncursiols of the Indians. lie refers
with satisfaction to the effcc, OF tho bill of last ses
sion providing an increase of the pay Of the rank and
Gle of the army. lie repeats his recommendation OF
a reorganization OF the nuvy.
Tho rcpor, of the Post Master General eAhons
the fact tha. the revenue of the service Inadequate
TO its support but the President makes no suggestion
of remedy The sales Of public lands during the ias
yeur exceed the Gales Of tho preceding year by ''1
millions Of acres The President discusses the policy
of granting the public lands to purposes OF intelna
Improvement, and concludes that there is danger cs
the thing be carried far He proposes to present
his views on the subject OF internal Improvement b!
tho General Government in subsequent message.
This is brief synopsis OF the second annual mes
eago Of President Pierce In style, simple aud straight
forward, itis less ornate and ambitious, and much
better adopted to the purposes Of State paper thai
any preceding performance OF the sumo pen. Int
country will receive the message with satisfaction ant
applause. The Democratic party will sec in it III
answering fidelity to the principles OF their creed.
.