Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-08-23
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES.

On Thursday the President in Congress the TO.
lowing Message
Fego,r-csea. Of 1das, or Representatives.
In consequencc of the failure of Congress recent
session. TO make provision for the support Of the
it became impera;ivey incumbent exercise the
power which the Constitution confers the Executive
Tor extraordinary occasions and promptly To the
Houses in order afford them opportunity OF re-
considering subject OF such vital interest the peace
aud welfare of the Union.
With exception OF partial authority vested 10y Law in
the Secretary of War to contract for supply Of clothing
aud subsistence, the army Is wholly dependent the
preparations annually made by Congress. The omission
Of Congress TO act, in this respect before the termination
OF the fiscal year. had already caused
the service, which only in expectation Of
appropriations before the close OF the present month II
the requisite funds be not speedily provided the Execu.
tive will no longer be able to furnish the transportation
equipments and munitions, which essential To tile ef.
tectiyrness of military force in the field With no pro-
vision Tor the pay oi roops the contracts OF enlistment
would be broken and the army in effect be disban-
ded the consequence OF which would be disastrous
Ia demand all possible efforts TO avert che calamity
IL is merely that the officers and enlisted men OF
the army to be thus deprived of the pay and emou-
which they entitled by standing laws that
tue construction Of at the public armores the repair
and construction OF ordnance the srsens and the
uiacture OF military clothing and camp equpage he
discontinued; and the persons connected with this branch
OF the public service thus be deprived suddenly of the
pOyment essential 10 their subsistence. Nor it
te consequent the forced abandonment OF the
seaboard Notifications aud Of the interior military posts and
Ohcr establishments and the enormous Expense OF
ing aud recognizing the army, aud again distributing
the regions which it occupies. These
evils which may is true be repaired hereafter by taxes
imposed the county
But other evils are involved which no expenditures
however lavish could remedy Yin comparison with which
local and personal injuries interests sink into usgnh
canoe.
great part army situated the remote frontier
IN the deserts aud mountains Of the interior 70 d~
charge large bodies OF ia such places without the
means OF resa"ing there homes, and where lew it any,
could obtain substance by honest industry would be
subject them to suffering and temptation, with disregard
OF justice and night most derogatory 10 the Government
la the Territories Of Washington and Oregon, numerous
bands ct Indians in arms and wagmg of ex
termination against the white inhabitants and although
our troops actively carrying the Campaign, have
40 Intelligence yet OF successful result On the We--
tern plans notwithstanding the imposing display of mill
tary force recently made there and the chastsenent in
ctei the rebeous tribes Others far from being dis
mayed have manifested hostile Intentions and been guilty
OF Outrnges which, If not designed 10 provoke conflict
tn show that the apprehension OF it ID insufficient
wholly To restrain their vicious propenstes. strong
ioce ia the State Of Texas has produced the temporary
suspension of hostes there but in New Mexico inces
activity the part of the troops is required keep
check the marauing tribes which iniest that Territory
The hostile Indians have been removed from the State
of Florida; and the Withdrawal Of the troops therero
leaving that object unacconplshed would be m ur-
Gus To the inhabitants and breach OF positive engage
ment of the General Government.
To refuse supplies To the army, therefore. is compel
the complete cessation of all it, operations and it, pac
savages from the Western plains aud the Rocky mountains
To spread devastation along frontier of than
thousand miles in extent aud to deliver up the sparse
population OF vast tract Of country to npne and
der
Such, in substance would be the direct and immediate
effects OF the refusal Of Congress for the rst time in the
history Of the Government IN grant supplies for the ma
tenance Of the armythe inevitable of millions
public trcasure-the infection Of extreme wrong upon
all persons connected with the kary establishment by
service employment contracts-the recall OF our for
ces from the hcldte fearful sacrifice Of life and meal
cuahc destruction OF property the remote frontiers
the striking Of national flag the battenents OF the
ortresses which defend maritime cities against foreign
invnsion-the violation OF public honor aud good faith
anil the 'credit Of the United States in the eyes OF the
| civilized world.
confidently trust that these considerations aud others
pertnniug to the domestic peace Of the country which
cannot fail To suggest themselves every patriotic ind
will, reflection, be duly appreciated 10y but Houses
Congress and induce the enactment Of the requisite pro
visions Of law for the support Of the army Of the United
! States FRANELIN PIERCE
Washington, August 81, 1850.