Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1856-01-12
The Presidents Message.

to Congress on Monday the 3lst ult.
notwithstanding the failure of the House
to elect a speaker. The Message is toe
lengthy for our columns entire, but we
give below a synopsis Of lis contents from
the Baltimore american. The Amer.
can says the usual course pursued by the
two Houses in first organizing and then
appointing joint Committees TO inform the
President officially Of the fact, is the pro-
duct of custom and not of positive law,
and The President, therefore, in the usual
course pursued has not violated any Con-
slitulional enactment, though he has utter
ly defed long established usage, and pIs-
ced both himself and Congress in an an
omoous position
The message opens with reference to
our fore On relations, and TO Central Amer
lea as specialize in those relations. The
assumptions of Great Britain in regard to
her rights in Honduras and the prOtecto-
rate she claims over Nicaragua and Costa
Rica, all of which the President contends
it was the intent of the convention cOnClu-
ded in 1850 TO abolish, it is declared can
not remain long undetermined without IN
volving in serious danger the friendly re-
laiions existing between the TWO countries,
and the grave intlmatlon is thrown out
that the Presidents anliclpaliOns of the
success Of the endeavors 10 preserve peace
between Inc two countries are not OF san
guine character. This is the only war
like paragraph in the message. The
view taken By Great Britain that the Con-
venlion of 1850 was designed to be pros
peclive only in its action, and not TO in
lerlere with any rights of jurisdiction she
might previously have had in Central A
merica, appears to be so utterl y ridiculous
that we can scarcely credit the reality that
that it has been grave y put forth. 1t ig-
nores the very difficulty that gave exist
ence to the Convention, and makes This
Government acknowledge the legality of
British authority in Central America
which il has persislenlly denied and earn
estly protested against.
The subject of The British recruitment
in the United States is also referred 10 as
one of The questions on which the two
Governments are at issue. The tone OF
the message on this sub ect does not lndl-
cate that any serious difficulties are likely
to rise out Of it. Ii is still under discus
sion. No reference Is made to the recall
of the British Minister, though "repara-
,ion" for The wrong done has been de-
manded.
Provision is recommended TO be made
for the appointment of Commlssloner,In
connection with Great Britain, 10 survey
and establish the boundry line which sep
arales the territory of Washington from
the contiguous British possessions.
In relation to the Sound Dues, we learn
tina, while our Government MAINTAINS lis
determination not TO submit TO The pay
mcnl Of those dues after the expiration oI
The period named in he Convention with
Denmark, and has refused 10 take part IN
the Convention of Nations 20 which Den
marx referred the question, that yet the
President has expressed, on The part OF
the United States, willingness to share
literally win, other powers III c"mPensa'
ing Denmark for any advantage "hlch
commerce shall hereafter derive from ex-
pendilures made by her for The improve
men, and safety Of the navigation OF The
Sound or Belts.
Pursuing the subject Of our foreign rela-
lions, we learn that outstanding Difficult
ties with France and Greece have been
amicaby and satisfactorily settled. With
Spain peaceful relations still exist, and
some progress has been made in securing
the redress Of wrongs complained OF by
this government Complaints have been
made against Mexico by our citizens Tor
injuries done, bu, until a stable govern
ment is established there it will be lmpos-
sible 10 obtain redress.
The message next refers to The domes'
tic affairs of our country. The condition
of the treasury is recapitulated, the mode
of administering the financial affairs OF the
government exloIed, and an early reVIs-
ion and reduction of The tariff, so as to-
bring it down 10 a revenue standard, rec
commended.
The recommendations of the previous
message for reorganization of the army
are renewed. The increase OF naval force
authorized by Congress at its last session.
the President thinks, still leaves the navy
inadequate TO the contingent exigencles OF
the protection of The extensive sea coast
and vast commercial interests of the Uni
ted States. In view of this fact and of the
acknowledged wisdom of The policy of a
gradual and systematic increase of the ma
Wy, an appropriation is recommended for
The construction Of six steam sloops Of