American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-01-05

lion three hundred and forty two thousand
one hundred and thirty six dollars, NAL king an
excess Of expenditure over receipts OF two
million six hundred and twenty six ,housand
two hundred aud six dollars { and that the
cost of mail transportation during that year
xyas six hundred and seventy fur thousand
nine hundred and fifty two dollars greater
Than The precious year. Much OF the heavy
expenditures to which tho Treasury is thus
subjected, is to be asCribed to the large guam
ti,y of printed matter conveyed by the mails
either irsnked or liable 10 no postage by the
law. or to very low rates OF postage compa.
red with that charged on letters; and to the
erea, cost Of mail service on railroads aud by
ocean steamers. The suggestions of the Post
Master General on the subject deserve tho
consideration Of Congress.
INTERIOR.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Interior
will engage your attention, as well for uss-
full suggestions il contains, as for The interest
and Importance Of the subjects to whichlhsy
refer.
The aggregate amount of the public land
sold during the last fiscal year, located with
military scyip-or land wsrrants, taken up
under grants for roads, and selected as swamp
lands by States, is twenty four million five
hundred and fifty thousand four hun
dred and nine acres, Of which the portion
sold was fifteen million seven hundred and
rwenty. nine thousand five hundred & twenty
four acres, yielding in receipts the sum of
eleven million four hundred and eighty five
Thousand three hundred and eighty dollars.
In The same period Of time eight million So
ven hundred and twenty three thousand
eight hundred and fifty four acres have been
surveyed; but in consideration Of the guam
tity already subjec, to entry, no additional
tracts have been brought into market.
The peculiar relation of the general gov
eminent to the District OF Columbia renders
it proper to commend TO your care not only
lis material, but also its moral interests, in
Cudiug cation, more especially in those
parts of the District outside of the city of
Washington and Georgetown.
The commissioners appointed TO revise s.
'codify the laws Of the District have made
such progress in the performance of their
task, as to insure its completion in the time
prescribed by the act of Congress.
Information has recently been received,
that the peace Of the settlements in the Ter
r,tories OF Oregon and Washington is dis
turbed by hosulities OH the part Of the lnd-
ans, with indications Of extensive combiua-
lions OF a hostile character among the tribes
in that quarter, the more serious in their pos
sble effect b, reason Of the undetermined
foreign interests existing in those Terrific
res, to which your attention has already been
been taken, which it is believed will restore
quiet and afford protection to our citizens.
In the territory OF Kansas there have been
acts prcjudicial TO good order, but as ye;
none have occurred under circumstances 10
Justify the inteTposition Of the federal execu-
i've That could only be in case OF obstruc
ton to federal law or OF organized resistance
to territorial law, assuming the character Of
nsunectiop, which. if it should occur, it
would be my duty promptly TO overcome &
suppress. | cherish the hone, however that
the occurrence of any such untoward event
will be prevented by the sound sense of the
people Of the territory, who, by its organic
law, possessing the right to determine their
own domestic institutions, are entitled while
depor,ing themselves peacefully, 10 the free
exercise OF that right, and must be protected
IN the enjoyment OF il, without interference
on the part OF citizens of any of the States.
The southern boundary Of this Territory
has never been surveyed and established. =
The rapidly extending settlements in that
region and the fact that the main ronte be-
tween Independence, in the State of Nilsson.
ri, and New Mexico, is contiguous TO this
line, suggest the probability that embarrass-
ing questions may consequently arise. For
these and other consde atoms commend the
subject TO your attention.
CONSTITUTIONAL THEORY OF THE GOVERN
MENT.
| have thus passed in review the general
state of the Union, including such particular
concerns OF the federal government, whether
of domestic or foreign relation, as il appear
ed TO mo desirable and useful To bring to the
special notice of Congress. Unlike the great
states of Europe and Asia, & many Of those
0! America. these United States are wasting
their strength neither in foreign war nor do
nestle strife. Whatever of discomfort or
public dissatisfaction exists, is attributable
the mpsrle clions OF human nature, or is in
eden, TO all governments, however perfect.
which human wisdom can devise. Such SUBJ
jccs of political agitation. as occupy the
public mind, consist, 10 a great extent, Of
exaggera,ion of the inevitable evils, or over
zeal in social improvement, or mere imagin.
alton Of grievance, having but remote con-
necton with any of the constitutional func.
tons or duties Of the federal government. -
TO whatever extent these ques tons exhibit a
tendency meuacing 10 the stability Of the
constitution. or the integrity Of the Union
and no farther. they demand the consldera-
ton Of the Executive, and require to be
presented BY him to Congress.
Before the Thirteen Colonies became
confederation OF Independent States, they
were associated only by community Of trans
atlantic origin by geographical position and
by the mutual tie of common dependence on
Great Britain When that tie was sunGered
they severaly assumed the power & rights
OF absolute self government. The municipal
and social institutions Of each, its laws Of
property and of personal relation, even its
political organization, were such only as
each one may choose TO establish. wholly
without interference from any other. IN the
language Of the Declaration of independence
each State had full power To levy war,
conclude peace, contract alliances, establish
commerce, and TO do all other acts & things
which Independent States may of right do"
The several colonies differed in climate, in
soil, in natural productions, in religion, in
systems of educaiions, in legislation. and in