The Nevada Democrat., 1858-12-29
rhs President. Message.

emenated from the Chief Magistrate for many
years. The message starts off with lengthy
review of Kansas affairs, and the arguments
used by the President in his former messages
in favor of the Lecompton Constitution are re-
iterated. In connection with this subject be
recommends that general law be passed by
Congress, authorizing Territories to form
State Constitution and apply for admission
whenever they have sufficient population to
entitle them to a Representative in Congress.
The affairs of Utah Territory are treated of
at some length, and the President congratu-
lates the country upon the success which has
attended his efforts to establish the supremacy
of law, and the publication Of that Territory.
Our relations with the governments Of Eu-
rope, with the exception of England and Spain
are of the most friendly character. The mis-
understanding with England, in regard to the
Central American States is in course Of negoti-
alton, and it would not be proper at present to
make public the condition of the question.
Our relations with Spain are in very unsatis-
factory condition, aud many old and just claims
Of our citizens against that government are
still unliquidated. Cuba is at present con-
slant source Of annoyance to our citizens hav-
ing business to transact there, and the impor-
tance to this country of the acquisition of the
island is urged at length. Whilst the posses
sion of the island would be of vast Importance
to the United States, its value to Spain is COM
paratively unimportant. Before opening ne
gotiations again on the subject the President
suggests that the means be placed in his hands
to make an advance to Spain, as soon as a trea.
ty is signed, without awaiting its ratification
by the Senate.
The present condition Of Mexico is matter
Of deep interest to this country. While We
have refrained fro m interfering with her inter-
nal affairs, it is a duty which we owe to our
selves to protect that country from hostile in
vasion our well settled policy in regard to the
North American continent renders this duty
indispensable. The citizens of the United States
have claims against Mexico, amounting in the
aggregate, to over ten millions of dollars. The
government has not the means TO liquidate
these claims and the President suggests that
the United States take possession of the North
ern States of Mexico, to be held In pledge until
our injuries are satisfied, aud the just claims of
our citizens redressed. He also recommends
that the United States take possession of Sono.
ra and chihuahua, and hold them until the
governments of those States are able to protect
their citizens from the incursons OF hostile
bands of indians.
The commercial nations Of the world all
have deep interest in keeping the transit
routes, from ocean to ocean, open, and our cit
izens neither ask nor expect any rights not
common to the citizens of other nations. The
persons and property of people crossing those
routes should be protected, and the President
recommends that Congress empower the Exec
utive 10 employ the naval and land forces in
preventing the routes from being closed by vi
olence, and in protecting the lives and proper
ty of American citizens travelling thereon.
Our relations with Brazil are of the most
| friendly character. The claims of our citizens
against that government are not large, but
some of these rest upon plain principles justice,
and their settlement should not longer he de-
layed. Our relations with Paraguay are allu-
ded to, and the President trusts that that gov
ernment will make atonement for the wrongs
which they have committed against the United
States, and indemnify our citizens whom they
have forcibly despoiled of their property.
Should negotiations fail, then no alternative
will remain but to employ force to obtain just
satisfaction. 1t is believed that the squadron
already dispatched to Paraguay will be sufi-
cient for that purpose.
The revenue is still inadequate to meet the
demands upon the national treasury, and the
President recommends that the tariff be modi-
fed so as to increase the revenue, and at the
same time afford incidental protection to our
manufacturing interests. He recommends that
specific, instead of dd udlorum duties, be levied
upon such articles as are sold by weight and
measure. On the first ofJuly, 1858, the public
debt of the United States was $54,9l0.777 sc.
To this will be added slO,OOO,OOO during the
present fiscal year, being the remaining half of
the 500, 900, 900 loan, not yet negotiated. The
President recommends economy in the public
expenditures.
For many years it was the policy of govern
ment to make the post Office department sus-
tain itself, aud if this cannot now be accom-
pShed, we ought to make as near an approach
to it as possible. The Postmaster General can
not carry existing laws into effect without ma
king heavy demands upon the treasury, over
and above the amount received for postage,
and 1t is estimated that these will amount for
the present fiscal year to S6,29O, 900, exclusive
of the 100000 annually appropriated for the
transportation of free matter. The remedies
proposed are to increase the rates of postage
upon single letters to five cents, and to substi-
sute for the franking privilege, the delivery of
stamps to those entitled to enjoy it.
The construction of q Pacific Railroad is fa-
vorably alluded to, and the work should be
committed to companies incorporated by the