Weekly Minnesotian and times., 1859-12-31
XXXVIth CONGRESS---First Session.

SYNOPSIS OF THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-The Presidents
Message has been delivered to Congress-
The President, after expressing gratitude to
the Almighty for blessings received through
out the year, refers to the recent bloody oc-
currence at Harper's Ferry These events,
bad and cruel in their nature, derived their
chief Importance from apprehensions that
they are but symptoms of an incurable dis
ease in the public mind, which may break out
in still more dangerous Outrages, and termi-
nate at last in open war between North and
South to abolish Slavery. While he. himself,
entertains no such apprehensions, they ought
to afford a solemn warning to us all to beware
of the approach of danger. He says, let me
implore my countrymen, North and South, to
cultivate their ancient feelings of mutual for
bearance and good will towards each other,
and strive to allay the demon spirit of Sec
tional hatred and strife now alive in the land.
This advice proceeds from the heart of an old
| public functionary, whose service commenced
in the last generation of the wise and cOnser-
vative statesmen of that day, but he INDUCES
in no bloody forebodngs. He thinks the af.
fair at Harper's Ferry will be the means of
allaying the existing excitement and prevent
ing further outbreaks
lie cordially congratulates Congress on the
final settlement by the Supreme Court on the
| question of slavery in the Territories. The
| right has been established of every citizen to
take his property of every kind, including
slaves, into Territories which belong equally
to the whole Confederacy, and to have it pro-
tected there, under the Territorial Legislature;
nor has any human power the right to annul
or impair this vested right. Thus the States
of a Territory, during the intermediate period
+ ON its settlement until it becomes State,
has been irrevocably fixed by the final deci-
sion of the Supreme Court of the United
States.
/ He then describes the mode of admission of
a territory as State into the Union. 1t may
be admitted with or without slavery as their
| constitution may provide. This principal has
been recognized in some form, by almost a
unanimous vote of both Houses of the Legis
lature.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
All lawful means at his command had been
employed and will continue to be employed
against the slave trade. Our history proves
that the fathers of the Republic, in advance Of
all other nations, condemned the slave trade.
THE CHINESE TREATY.
Notifications of the Chinese treaty have
been exchanged Negotiations are, however
pending, relative to rights Of Americans in
China and transit duties.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our difficulties with Paraguay are satsfac-
tOrily ad usted. Our relations with France,
Russia, and all the continental Governments
of Europe, Spain perhaps excepted, continue
to be most friendly. The President recon-
mends that an appropriation be made to meet
the demands of the Amisted claimants.
His opinion in favor of the acquisition of
Cuba by fair MEANS remains unchanged and
therefore he invites the serious attention of
Congress to his important subject.
GREAT BRITAIN.
lie had reasons to believe, until recently,
that he would have been able to announce
that our difficulties with Great Britain as
fairly adjusted, in measure honorably
satisfactory to both parties, from causes, how
ever, which Great Britain had not anticipated.
She had not yet completed her treaty
Arrangements with Honduras and Nicara-
qua, in pursuance Of the understanding of the
two governments. 1t is, nevertheless, conf
dentially expected that this will shortly be &C
complished.
In relation to San Juan he entertained no
doubt of the validity of our title. He was
| happy to state that what was left to Gen.
eral SCOTS discretion could not have been left
to better hands Gen. Scott has successfully
accomplished his mission, and there was no
longer any reason to apprehend the collision
of the respective forces during the pendancy
of negotiations.
He speaks at length with regard to the I'M
improved condition of affairs in Mexico
Outrages of the worst description, he says,
are occurring to persons and property, and
there is scarcely any form of injury, which
has not been endured by your citizens there
during few years past. We are nomnaly
| at peace with Mexico, but so far as the inter-
eStS of our commerce or our citizens in any
private capacity are concerned, we might as
well be at war. Mr.. McLane in August last,
wrote hope the President will feel author
lied to ask from Congress full power to enter
Mexico with military forces, at the call of the
constitutional authority, to protect our citi-
| zens. Unless such power is conferred upon
him, the insults must increase, etc.
The President adds: have been reluct-
antly led to the conclusion and feel bound
to announce this conclusion to Congress, this
is question which relates to the future as
we'll as to the past and present. The aid
which he requires and which interests all
commercial countries, is that which should
| belong to this government to render, not only
| by virtue of our neighborhood to Mexico,
but by virtue also of our established policy,
which, in connection with the Intervention of
any European power in the domestic con-
Germs of that republic, and, for reasons stated,
| the President recommends the express passage
of a law authorizing him to employ such
military force to enter Mexico for the purpose
of obtaining indemnity for future outrages.
| Should volunteers be solicited, such force
could be easily raised in this country among
those who sympathize with the sufferings of
our fellow citizens in Mexico, and with the
unhappy condition Of that country. Such an
accession to the forces of the constitutional
government would enable it soon to reach the
capital. lie recommends the establishment
of military posts across the Mexican lines in
Sonora and Chihuahua, for the protection of
the lives and property of Americans against
Indian depredations.
He recommends the establishment of a
temporary government in Arizona.
i CENTRAL AMERICA.
He thinks the provisions Of the recent trea-
ty with Nicaragua cannot fail to he satisfac-
tory.
He recommends law authorizing the en-
ployment of naval force for the purpose of
protecting Americans passing by the Panama,
Nicaragua and Tehuantepec routes, and again
recommends that authority be given to en-
pIoy the naval force to protect American COM
merce against seizure and confscation in
Mexico and the Spanish American States.
He refers to the failure of the Post Office
appropriation, and recommends the passage Of
a bill at the earliest possible day, to pay the
amount due the contractors, with interest
and also make necessary appropriations for
, the expenses of the department for the cur
rent year.
He recommends railway to the Pacific
for reasons which he has heretofore given.
} He says that it appears from the reports Of