The Wabash Courier, Volume 23, Number 16, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 9 December 1854 — Page 2
that there shall not be paid, on the vessels Of the
United
ment
States and their cargoes when
passing through the Sound, higher duties than those of the most favored nations. This may be regarded as an implied agree
to submit to the tolls during the continuance of the treaty, and, consequently, may embarrass the assertion of our right to be released therefrom. There are also other provisions in the treaty which outfit to be modified. It was to remain in force ten years, and until one year after either party should give notice to the other of intention to terminate it. I deem it expedient that the contemplated notice should be given to the government of Denmark.
The naval expedition, despatched about two years since for the purpose of establishing relations with the empire of Japan, has been ably and skillfully conducted to a successful termination, by the officer to whom it was intrusted. A treaty, opening certain of the ports of that populous country, has been negotiated and in order to give full effect thereto, it only remains to exchange ratifications, and adopt requisite commercial regulations.
The treaty lately concluded between the United States and Mexico settled some of our most embarrassing difficulties with that country, but numerous claims upon it for wrongs and injuries to our citizens remained unadjusted, and many new cases have been recently added to the former list of grievances. Our legation has been earnest in its endeavors to obtain, from the Mexican government, a favorable consideration of these claims, but hitherto without success. This failure is. probably, in some measure, to" ascribed to the disturbed condition of tha country. It has been my anxious desire to maintain friendly relations with the Mexican* republic and to aause its rights and territories to be respected, not only by our citizens, but by foreigners, who have resorted to the United States for the purpose of organizing hostile expeditions against some of the States of that Republic. The defenseless condition in which its frontiers have been left, has stimulated lawless adventurers to embark in these enterprises, and greatly increased the difficulty of enforcing our obligations of neutrality. Regarding it as my solemn duty to fulfill, efficiently, these obligations, not only toward Mexico, but other foreign nations, I have exerted all the powers with which I am invested to defeat such criminal proceedings, and bring to punishment those who, by taking a part therein, violated our laws. The energy and activity of our civil and militnry authorities have frustrated the designs of th &c who meditated expeditious of this character, except in two instances. One of these, composed of foreigners, was at first countenanced and aided by the Mexican Government itself, it having been deceived as to their real object. The other, small in nuin
In relation to Central America, perplexing questions existed between the United States and Great Britain at the time of the cession of California. These,*as well as questions which subsequently arose concerning inter-oceanicjcommunication across the Isthmus, were, as it was supposed, adJusted by the treaty of April 19, 1850 but, unfortunately, they havo been re-opened by serious misunderstanding as to the import of BORIC of its provisions, a re-adjustment of which is now under consideration. Our Minister at London has made strenuous efforts to accomplish this desirable object, but has not yet found it possible to bring the negotiations to a termination.
As incidental to these questions, I deem position on ihe part of the town to comply which it proper to notice an occurrence happened in Central America, near the close of the last session of Congress. So noon as the necessity was perceived of establishing inter-oceanic communications across tho Isthmus, a company was organized, under authority of the State of Nicaragua, but composed, for the most part, of citizens of the United States, for the purpose of opening such a transit way, by the river San Juan and Lake Nicaragua, which soon became an eligible and much used route In the transportation of our citizens and their property between tho Atlantic and Pacific. Meanwhile, and in anticipation of the completion and importance of this tranail way, a number of adventurers had taken possession of the old Spanish port at the uiouth of the river San Juan, in open defiance of the State or Slates of Central America, which, upon their becoming independent, had rightfully succeeded to the local sovereiguty and jurisdiction of Spain. These adventurers undertook to change the name of the place from San Juan del Norte'to Greytown, and, though at first pretending to act as the subjects of the fictitious sovereign of the Mosquito Indians, they subsequently repudiated tho control of any power whatever, assumed to adopt a distinct political organisation, and declared themselves an independent sovereign 6tate If, at some time, a faint hope was entertained that they might become a stable and respectable community, that hope soon vanished. They proceeded to assert un founded claims to civil jurisdiction over Punta Arenas, a position on the opposite aide of the river San Juan, which was in possession, under a title wholly independent of them, of citizens of the United States, interested in the Nicaragua Transit Company, and which was indispensably necessary to the prosperous operation of thai route across the Isthmus. The company resisted their groundless claims whereupon they proceeded to destroy some of its build Ings, and attempted violently to dispossess it At a later period they organised a strong force for the purpose of demolishing thf establishment at Punta Arenas, but thU mischievous design was defeated by the in
terposition of one of our ships of war, at I that effect were given to her commander, that time is tbe harbor of San Juan, Sub (And no extreme aet would have been re•aqpmnt^r to this, ia May last, a bodyal qui site had not the people thetoYelres, by
men from Greytown crossed over to Punta Arenas, arrogatingauthority to arrest, on the charge of murder, a captain of one of the steamboats ol the Transit Company.— Being well aware that the claim to exerciu jurisdiction there would be resisted then, a? it had been on previous occasions, they went prepared to assert it by force of arms. Our minister to Central America happened to be present on that occasion. Believing that the captain of the steamboat was innocent, for he witnessed the transaction on which the charge was founded, and believing, also, that the intruding party, having no jurisdiction over the place where they pro posed to make the arrest, would encounter desperate resistance if they persisted in their purpose, he interposed effectually, to prevent violence and bloodshed. The American Minister afterwards visited Greytown, and whilst he was there, a mob, including certain of the so called public functionaries ol the place, surrounded the house in which ha was, avowing that they had come to arrest him, by order of some person exercising the chief authority. While parleying with them he was wounded by a missile from the crowd. A boat dispatched from the American steamer "North Light" to release him from the perilous situation in which he was understood to be, was fired into by the town guard, and compelled to return. These incidents, together with the known character of the population of Greytown, and their excited state, induced just apprehensions that the lives and properly of our citizens at Punta Arenas would be in imminent danger after the departure of the
Mlless
The commission to establish the new line it might be in other respects, the communibetween the United States and Mexico, ac-: ty in question, in power to do mischief, was cording to the provisions of the treaty of not despicable. It wa3 well provided with the 30th of December last, has been orgrfn- ordinance, small arms and ammunition, and ized, and the work is already commenced. .might easily seize upon the unarmed boats,
Our treaties wilh the Argentine Confed-' freighted with millions of property, which cration, and with the Republics of Uruguay! passed almost daily within its reach. It did and Paraguay, secure to us the free naviga- not profess -to belong to any regular govtion of the river La Plate, and some of its ernment, and had, in fact, no recognized larger tributaries but the same success has dependence on, or connection with, any not attended our endeavors to open the Aina-| one to which the United States or their inzon. The reasons in favor oJ' the free use jured citizens might' apply for redress, or of that river, I had occasion to present ful- which could be held respou ible, in any way, ly, in former message and, considering'for ihe outrages commited. Not standing the cordial relations which have long exis-j before the world in the attitude of an orted between this government and llrazil, it'ganized political society, being neither cornmay be expected that pending negotiations petent to exercise the rights nor to diswill, eventually, reach a favorable result. charge the obligations of a government, it
Convcnient means of transit, between the was, in fact, a marauding establishment, several parlB of the country, are not only (too dangerous to be disregarded, and too desirable for the objects of commercial andl guilty to pass unpunished, and yet incapable personal communication but essential to its of being treated in any other way than as a existence under one government. Separa-] piratical resort of outlaws, or a camp of ted as arc the Atlantic and Pacific coasts ofi savages, depredating en emigrant trains or the United States by the whole breadth off caravans and the frontier settlements of civthe continent, still the inhabitants of each ilized slates. are closely bound together by community of origin and institutions, and by strong attach ment to the Union. Hence the constant and increasing intercourse, and vast interchange of commercial productions, between ese remoto divisions of the Republic. At the present time, the most practicable and only commodious routes for communication between them are by the way of the Isthmus of Central America. It is the duty of the government to secure these avenues ogainst all danger of interruption.
earner, with her passengers, for New York, a guard was left for their protection. For ihis purpose, and in order to ensure the safety of passengers and property passing over the route, a temporary force was organized, at considerable expense to the United States, for which provision was made at the last session of Congress.
This pretended commnnity, a heterogeneous assemblage gathered from various countries, and composed, for the most part, of blacks and persons of mixed blood, had previously given other indications of mischievous and dangerous propensities. Early in the same month,* property was clandestinely abstracted froin the depot of the Transit Company, and taken to Greytown. The plunderers obtained shelter there, and their pursuers were driven back by its people, who not only protected the wrong-doers and shared the plunder, but treated with rudeness and violence those who sought to recover their property.
Such, in substance, are the facts submitted to my consideration, and proved by trustworthy evidence, could not doubt Ijiat the case demanded the immediate interposition of this government. Justice required that reparation should be made for so many and such gross wrongs, and that a course of in-
ber, eluded the vigilance of the magistrates! solence and plunder, tending directly to the at San Francisco, and succeeded in reaching! insecurity of the lives of numerous travelMexican territories but the effective mca lcrs, and of the rich treasure belonging to eures taken by this Government compelled our citizens, passing oyer this transit way. the abandonment of the undertaking. should he peremptorily arrested. Whatever
Seasonable notice was given to the people of Greytown that this government required them to repair the injuries they had done to our citizens, and to make suitable apology for their insult to our minister, and that a ship-of-war would he dispatched thither to enforce compliance with these demands. But ihe notice passed unheeded.
Thereupon, a commander of the navy, In charge of the sloop-of-war "Cyane," was ordered to repeat the demands, and to insist upon a compliance therewith. Finding that neither the populace, nor those assuming to have authority over them, manifested any disposition to make the required reparation, or even lo offer excise for their conduct, he warned them, by pubUc proclamation, that if they did not give satisfaction within a lime specified, he would bombard the town. By this procedure he afforded them opportunity to provide for their personal safety. To those also who desired to avoid loss ofi property, in the punishment about to be inflicted on the offending town, he furnished the means of removing their effects, by the boa's of his own ship, and of a steamer which he procured and tendered to them for that purpose. At length, perceiving no dis-
with his requisitions he appealed to the commandcr of her Britannic Majesty's schooner "Bermuda," who was Been to have intercourse, and apparently much influence with the leaders among them,—to interpose, and persudo them to tike some course calculated to save the necessity of resorting
save
than to protest ag bombardment. No by the people, to give ired. No individuals, were, who regarded themselves as not responsible for the misconduct of the community, adopted any means to separate themselves from the fate of the guilty. The several charges, on which the demands for redress were founded, had been publicly known to all for some time, and were again announced to them. They did not deny any of these charges they offered no explanation, nothing in extenuation of their conduct but contumaciously refuted to hold any intercourse with the commander of lhe"Cyane." By their obstinate silence they seemed rather desirous to provoke chastisement than to escape it. There is ample reason to believe that this conduct of wanton defiance, on their part, is imputable chiefly to tha delusive idea that the American government would be deterred from punishing them, through fear of dis pleasing a formidable foreign pjwer, which, they presumed to think, looked with complacency upon their aggressive and insulting deportment towards the United States. The "Cyane" at length fired upon the town. Before much injur had been done, the fire was twice suspended, in order to afford op portunity for-an arrangement but this wat declined. Most of the buildings of the place, of little value generally, were, in the *equel, destroyed but, owing to the considerate precautious taken by our naval Commander, there was no destruction of life.
======
to the extreme measure indicated inhisjof the Treasury presents a series of ia proclamation but that officer instead of bles, showing ihe operation of the rove acceding to the request, did nothing more nue sj stem for several successive years,
ainst the contemplated steps of any sort were
taken by the people, to give the satisfaction required. No individuals, if any there
When the "Cyane" was ordered to Cen tnl America, it was confidently hoped a no expected that no occasion would arise for 'a resort to violence aad destruction oi property and loss of life." Instructions
their extraordinary conduct in the affair, frustrated all the possible mild measures for obtaining satisfaction. A withdrawal from the place, the objects of his visit entirely defeated, would, under the circumstances in which the commander of the "Cyane" found himself, have been absolute abandonment of all claim of onr citizens for idemnification, ind submissive acquiescence in national indignity. It would have encouraged in these lawless men a spirit of insolence and rapine most dangerous to the lives and property of our citizens at Punta Arenas, and probably emboldened them to grasp at thfc treasures and valuable merchandise continually passing over the Nicaragua route. It certainly would have been most satisfactory to me if the objects of tbe '"Cyane's" mission could have been consummated without any aci of public force but the arrogant contumacy of the offenders rendered it impossible to avoid the alternative, either to break up their establishment, or to leave them impressed with the idea that they might persevere wilh impunity in a career of insolence and plunder.
This transaction has been the subject of complaint on the pari of some foreign powers, and has been characterized with more of harshness ihan of jusiice. If comparisons were to be instituted, ii would not be difficult to present repeated instances in the history of States, standing iri the very front of modern civiliza lion, where communities, far less offending and more defenceless than Greytown, have been chastised with much greater severity, and where not ciiies only have been laid in ruins, but human life has been recklessly sacrificed, and ihe blood of the innocent made profusely to mingle with thai of ihe guilty.
Passing from foreign to domestic affairs, your attention is naturally directed to tbe financial condition of the country, always a subject of general interest. For complete and exact information regarding ihe finances, and ihe various branches of ihe public service connected therewith, I refer you to ihe report of ihe Secretary of the Treasury from which it will appear, that the amount of revenue during the last fiscal year, from all sources, was $73,549, 705, and that the public expenditures for the same period, exclusive of payments on account of the public debt, amounted to 851,018,249.
During ihe same period, the payments made in redemption of the public debt, including interest and premium, amounted to §24.336,380. To the sum total of ihe receipts of that year is to be added a balance remaining in the Treasury at the commencement thereof, amounting to $21,942,892 and at the close of the same year, a corresponding balance amounting to $21,137,967, of receipts a bove expenditures, also remained in the Treusury. Although, in the opinion of the Secretary of the Treasury, the receipts of the current fiscal year ore not likely to equal in amount those of the last, yet ihey will undoubtedly exceed th^ amount of expenditures by at least $15,000,000. I shall, tbereforo, continue to direct that ihe surplus revenue be applied, so far as ii cjn be judiciously and economically done, to the reduction of the public debi, the amount of which, at the commencement of ihe last fiscal year, was 867,340,628 of which there had been paid on the 20th day of November, 1854, the sum of $22,365,172 leaving a balnnce of outstanding public debt of only S44.975.456, redeemable at different periods within fourteen years. There are also remnants of other government stocks, most of which ore already due, and on which the interest has ceased, but which have not yet boen presented for payment, amounting to $233-,179. This statement exhibit* the fact, that the annual income of the government greatly exceeds the amount of its public debt, which latter remains unpaid, only because the time of paymont has not yet*matured, and it cannot be discharged at once, except at the opflon of public creditors, who prefer to retain the securities of the United States und the other fact, not less striking, that the annual revenue from all sources exceed? by many millions of dollars, the amount needed for a prudent and economical administration of the Government.
The estimates presented to Congress from the different Executive Departments. at the last session, amounted to 838,406,581 and the appropriations made, to the sum of 858,116,958. Of this excess of appropriations over esti mat'JS, however, more than twenty millions was applicable to extraordinary objects, having no reference to thd usual annual expenu,'lures. Among these ob jecis, was embraced en millions Jo meet the third articleof the treaty between tfie United States and Mexico so that, in fact, for objects of ordinary expenditure, the appropriations were limited to considerably less than forty millions of dollars. 1 therefore renew my recommendation for a reduction of the duties on imports. The report of tho Secretary
and as the general principle of rcduc lion of duties with a view to revenue and not protection may now bo regarded as the settled policy of the country, 1 trust that little difficulty will be encountered in settling the details of a measure to that effect.
In connexion with this subject, I recommetnl change in the laws, which recent experience has shown to be essential to the protection of the government. There is no express provision of law, requiring the records and papers of a public character, of the several officers of the government, to be left in their offices for the use of their successors, nor any provision declaring it felony on their part to make false entries in the books, or return false accounts. In the absence of such express provision by law, the outgoing officers, in many in stances, have claimed and exercised the right to take into their own possession, important books and papers, on the ground that these wero their private property and have placed them beyond the reach of the government. Conduct of this character, brought in several in stances to the notice of the present Secretary of the Treasury, naturally awakened his suspicion, and resulted in the disclosure that at four ports, namely, Oswego, Toledo. Sandusky and Milwau kie, the treasury had, by false entries, been defrauded, within the four years next preceding March, 1853. of the sum $198,000. The great difficulty with which the detection of these frauds has been attended, in consequence of the ab •traction of books and papers by the ro-
tiring officers, and the facility with which simitar frauds in the public service»may be perpetrated, render tho ne» cessity of new legal enoctments, in the respects abave referred to, quite obvious. For other material modifications of the revenue laws which seem to me desira' ble, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. That report and ihe tables which accompany it, furnish ample proofs of the solid foundation on which ihe financial security of the country rests, and of the salutary influence of the independent treasury sys tem upon commerce and all monetafy operations.
The experience of the last year fur nishes additional reasons, I regret to say, of a painful character, fot the recommendation heretofore made, to provide for increasing the military force employed in the territory inhabited by the Indians. The settlers on the frontier have suffered much from the incursions of predatory bands, and large par* ties of emigrants to our Pucific possessions have been massacred with impunity. The recurrence of such scenes can only be prevented by teaching these wild tribes the power of, and their re sponsibiliiy to, the United States. From the garrisons of our frontier posts, it is only possible to detach troops in small bodies and though these have on ell occasions displayed a gallantry, and a stern devotion to duty, which on a larger field would have commanded universal admiration, they have usually suffered severely in these conflicts with superior numbers, and have somotimes been entirely sacrificed. All the disposable force of the army is already em ployed on this service, and is known to be wholly inadequate to the protection which should be nfForded. The public mind of the country has been recently shocked by savage atrocities committed upon defenceless emigrants and border settlements, and hardly less by the un necessary dest ruction of valuable lives, where inadequate detachments of troops have undertaken to furnish the needed aid. Without increase of the military force, these scenes will be repeated, it is to be feared, on larger scale, and with more disostrous consequences. Congress, I am sure, wiil porceive that the plainest duties and responsibilities of government are involved in this question and 1 doubt not ihat prompt action may be confidently anticipated when delay must bo attended by such fearful hazards.
The bill of the Inst session, providing for on increase of the pay of the rank and file of the army has had beneficial results, not only in facilitating enlistments, but in obvious improvement in the clsss of men who enter the service. I regret that corresponding consideration was not bestowed on ihe officers, who, in view of their character and services, and the expenses to which they are necessarily subject, receive at present what is, in my judgment, inadequate compensation.
The valuable services constonily rendered by the Army, and its inestimable importance, as the nucleus around which the volunteer forces of the-nation can promptly gather in the hour of dunger, sufficiently attest the wisdom of maintaining a military peace, establishment but the theory of our system and the wise practice under it, require that any proposed augmentation, in time of peace, be onl^r commensurate with our extended limits and frontier relations While scrupulously adhering to this principle, 1 find, in existing circumstan ces, necessity for increase of our military force, and it is believed, that four new regiments, two of infantry, and two of mounted men. will be sufficient to meet ihe present exigency. If it were necessary carefully to weigh the cost in a case of such urgency, it would be shown that the additional expense would be comparatively light.
With tho increase of ihe numerical force of the army should. I think,* be combined certain measures of reform in its organic arrangement otid odminisiration. The present organization is ihe result of partial legislation often directed to special objects and interests and the laws regulating rank and command, having been adopted many years ago from the British code, are now always applicable to our service. It is not surpHsing, thetefore, ihat the system should be deficient in the symmetry and simplicity essential to ihe harmonious working of its several parts, and require a
The present organization, by maintaining large staff corps or deportments, seporates many officers from that close connection with troops, and,those active duties in the field, which are dee» ?d requisite to qualify them for the varied responsibilities of high command. Were the duties of the army staff mainly discharged by officers detached from iheir regiments, it is believed thai the special
service would be equally well performed, und the discipline and instruction of the army be improved. While due re gard to the security of the rights of offi cers, and to the nice sense of honor which should be cultivated among them, would seem to exact compliance with the established rule of promotion in ordinary cases, still it can hardly be doubted thai the range of promotion by selection, which is now practically confined to the grade of general officers, might be somewhat extended with benefit to the public service Observance of the rule of seniority sometimes leads, especially in time of peace, to the promotion of officers, who, after meritorious and even distinguished service, may have been rendered by age or infirmity incapable of performing active duty, and whose advancement, therefore, would tend to impair the efficiency of the army. Suitable provision for this class of officers, by the creation of a retired list, would remedy the evil, without wounding the just pride of men who, by past services have established a claim to high consideration. In again commending this measure to the favorable considers tion of Congress, I would suggest that the power of placing officers on the re tired list be limited to one year. The practical operation of the measure would thus be tecied, and if, after tbe lapse of years, there should be occasion to renew the provision, it can be reproduced witfa any improvements which experience may indicate. Tbe present organize* lioo of tbe artillery into regiments is lia-l
ble to obvious objections. The service of artillery is that of batteries and an organization of the batteries into a corps of artillery would be more consistent with ihe nature of their duties. A large part of the troops now called artillery are, and have been on duty as Infantry the distinction between the two arms being merely nominal. This nomnal artillery in our service is entirely disproportionate to the whole force, and greater than the wants of the country demand. I thereforo commend the discontinuance of a distinction, which has no foundation in either the arms used or the character of the service expected lo be performed,
In connection with the proposition for the increase of the army, I have presented these suggestions with regard to certain measures of reform, as the complement of a system, which would produce the happiest results from a given expenditure, and which I hope may attract the early attention and be deemed worthy of the approval of Congress.
The recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy, having reference to more ample provisions for the discipline and general improvement in the character of seamen, and for the re-organization and gradual increase of the navy, I deem eminently worthy of yourfavorable consideration. The principles which have controlled our policy in relation to the permanent military force, by sea and land, are sound, consistent with the theory of our system, and should by no means be disregarded. But limiting the force to the objects particularly set forth in the preceding part of this message, we should not overlook the present magnitude and prospective extension of our commercial marine, nor fail to give due weight to the fact that besides the two thousand miles of Atlantic sea-board we have now a Pacific coast stretching from Mexico to the British possessions in the north, teeming with wealth nnd enterprise, end demanding the constant presence of ships-of-war. The augmentation of the navy has not kept pace with the duties properly and profitably assigned to it in lime of peace, and it is inadequate for the large field of its operations, not merely in the present, but still more in the progressively increasing exigencies of the wealth and commerce of the United States. I cordially approve of the proposed apprentice system for our national vessels, recommended by ihe Secretary of the Navy.
The occurrence, during the last few months, of marine disasters of the most tragic nature, involving great loss of human life, has produced intense emotions of sympathy and sorrow through the country. It may well be doubted whether all these calamitous events are wholly attributable to the necessary and inevitable dangers of the sea. The merchants, mariners and ship-builders of the United States, ore, it is true, unsurpassed in farreaching enterprise, skill, intelligence and courage, by any others in the world. But with the increasing amount of our commercial tonage in the aggregate, nnd the larger size and improved equipment of the ships no^ constructed, a deficiency in ihe supply of reliable seamen begins 10 be very seriously felt. The inconvenience may, perhaps, be met, in part by due regulation for the introduction, into our merchant ships, of intended apprentices which, while it would afford useful and eligible occupation to numerous young men, would have a tendency to raise the character of seamen as a class. And it is deserving of serious reflection, whether ii may not be desirable to revise the existing lows for the maintenance of discipline at sea, upon which the security of life and property on the ocean must to so great an extent depend. Although much attention has already been given by Congress to the proper construction and arrangement of steam vessels and all passenger ships, still it is believed that the achievements of science and mechanical skill in this direction have not been exhausted. No good reason exists for the marked distinction, which appears upon our statutes between ihe laws for protecting life nnd property at sea, and those for protecting them on land. In most of the States severe penalties are provided to punish conductors of trains, engineers, and others employed in the transportation of persons by railway, or by steamboats on rivers. Why should not the some principle be applied to acts of insubordination, cowardice, or other misconduct on the part of masters and mariners, producing injury or death to passengers on the high seas, beyond the jurisdiction of any of the States, and where such delinquencies can be reached only by the power of Congcess? The whole subject is earnestly commended to your consideration.
The report of the Postmaster General, to which you are referred for many interesting details in relation to this important and rapidly extending branch of
the public service, shows that the expenditure of the year ending. June 30, 1854, including one hundred and thirtythree thousand four.hundred and eightythree dollars of balance due to foreign offices, amounted to eight million seven hundred and ten thousand" nine hundred and seven dollars. The gross receipts during tho same period amounted to six million nine hundred aud fifty-five thousand three hundred and twenty-one dollars and a diminution of deficiency, as compared wilh the last year of three hundred and sixty one thousand seven hundred and fifiy-six dollars. The increase of revenue of the department, for the year ending June 30, 1854. over the preceding year, was nine hundred and seventy thousand three hundred and ninety-nine dollars. No proportionate increase however, can be anticipated for the current year, in consequence of the act of Congress of June 23, 1854, providing for increased compensation to all postmasters. From these statements it is apparent that the Post Office Department, instead of defraying its expenses, according to the design at the time of its creation, is now and under existing laws must continue to be, to no small extent, charge upon the general treasury. The cost of mail transportations during the year ending June 30. 1854, exceeds the cost of the preceding year by four hundred and ninety-five thousand and seventy-four dollars.— I again call your attention to tbe subject of mail transportation by ocean steamers, •od oommead tho, suggestions of th*
Postmaster General to your early auen ifon. During the last fiscal year eleven million seventy thousand nine hundred and thirty-five acros of the public lands have been surveyed, and eight million one hundred and ninety thousand and seventeen acres brought into market. The number of acres sold is seven million thirty five thousond seven hundred and thirty-five, and the amount received therefor nine million two hundred and eighty five thousand five hundred and thirty-three dollars. The oggregate amount of lands sold, located under military scrip and land warrants, selected as swamp lands by States, and by locating under grants for roads, is upwards of iwenty-three millions of acres. The increase of lands 6old over the previous year is about six millions of acres and the sales during ihe two^irst quarters of the current year present the extraordinary result of five and a half millions sold, exceeding by nearly four millions of acres the sales of the corresponding quarters of ihe last year, thus increasing to an extent unparalleled during any like period in our post history the amount of revenue provided from this source for the Federal Treasury.
The commendable policy of the gov. ernment, in relation to setting apart public domain fot those who have served their country in time of war, is illustrated by the fact, that since 1790 no less than thirty millions of acres have been applied lo this object.
The suggestions, which I submitted in my annual message of last yeor, in reference to grams of land in aid of the construction of railways, were less full and explicit than the magnitude of the subject and subsequent developments would seem to render proper and desirable. Of the soundness of the principle then asserted with regard to the limitation of the power of Congress, I entertain no doubt but in its application it is not enough that the value of lands in a particular locality may be enhanced that, in fact, a larger amount of motroy may probably be received in a given time, for alterr,aio sections, than could have been realized for all the sections, without the impulse and influence of tho proposed improvements. A prudent proprietor looks beyond limited sections of his domain, beyond present results, to the ultimate effect which a particular line of policy is likely to produce upon all his possessions and interests. The government, which is trustee in this mouer, for the people of the States, is bound to take the same wise nnd comprehensive view. Prior to. and during the lost session of Congress, upwards of thirty millions of acres of land were withdrawn from public sale with a view to applications for grants of this character pending before Congress. A careful review of the whole subject led mo to direct that all such orders be abrogated, and ihe lands restored to morket and instructions were immediately given 10 that effect. The application at ihe last session contemplated the construction of more than five thousand miles of rand, and grants to the amount of nearly twenty millions of acres of the public domain. Even admitting the right on the part of Congress to be unquestionable is it quite cleorthat the proposed grants would be productive ol
jecis aro confined, for the presont to eleven States of this Union, and one Territory. The reasons assigned for the grants, show that ii is proposed to put the works speedily in construction When we reflect that sinco ihe commencement of the construction of roil woyr in the United States stimulated as they have been by the largest dividends realized from tho earlier works over the great thorouhgfares, and between the most important point* of commerce nnd population, encouraged by State legislation, and pressed forward by the amazing energy of private enterprise, only seventeen thousand miles have been completed in all the States in a quarter of a century —when wo soe the crippled condition of many'works commenced and prosecuted upon what were deemed to be sound principles, and safe calculations —when we contemplate the enormous absorption of capital withdrawn from the ordinary channels of business, the extravagant rates of interest at this moment paid to continue Operations, the bankruptcies not merely in money but in character, and the inevitable effect upon finonces generally can it be doubted that the tendency is to run to excess in this matter? Is it wise^'to augment this excess by encouraging hopes of sudden wealth expected to flow from schemes dependent upon Congress? Does the spirit, which has produced such result need to be stimulated or checked! Is it not the better rule to leave all these works to private enterprise, regulated, and, when expedient, aided, by the co-operation of States? If constructed by privato capital, the stimulant and the check go together, and furnish a salutary restraint against speculative schemes^and extravagance. But it is manifest, that, with the most effective guards, there is danger of going too fast and too for. We may well pause before a proposition contemplating asimultane ous movement for the construction of railroads, which, in extent will equal exclusive of ihe great Pacific road and all in branches, nearly one-third of the the entire length of such works now com pleted in the United States, and which cost cannot with equipments, less than one hundred and fifty millions of doll ars. The dangers likely to result .from combinations ot interests of this character, can hardly be over estimated. But, independently of these considerations, where is the accurate knowledge, the comprehensive intelligence, which shall discriminate between the relative claims of these twenty-eight proposed roads, in eleveo States and one Territory? Where will you begin, and where end? If to enable these companies to execute their proposed works, it is necessary that the aid of the general government bo primarily given, the policy will present a problem so comprehensive in its bearing and so important to our political and so« cial well being, as to claim, in aoticipa* tion, the severest analysis. Entertaining these views, I recur with satisfaction, to the experience and action of the last session of Congress, as furnishing assurance that the subject will not fall to
good and not evil 1 Tho different pro-, to shrink from war when the rights and tho
elicit a careful re~examination and rigid scrutiny. It was my intention to present, on this occasion some suggestions regarding internal improvements by the general government, which want of time yt at the close of last session, p-evonted my submitting on tho return to tho/1 House of Representatives with objections of the bill entitled, **an act making ap« propriations for ti'9 repair, preservation and completion of certain public works heretofore commenced under authority of law," but the space, in this communi* cation already occupied with other mat* ter of immediate pulJTic exigency, constrains me to reserve thai subject for a special message, which will be transmitted to the two houses of Cungress at on early day.
The judicial establishment of tho United States requires modification, and certain reforms in the manner of conducting the legal business of the government, are also much needed but as I have addressed you upon both of these subject at length before, 1 have only to call your attention to the suggestions then made.
My former recommendations, in re* lation to suitable provision for various objects of deep interest to the inh&bi* touts of ihe District of Columbia, are renewed. Many of these objects partake largely of national character, and are important, independently of their relotion'tothe prosperity of the only considerable organized community in the Union, entirely unrepresented in Congress. 1 have thus presented suggestions on such subjects as appear to me to be of particular interest or importance, and therefore mosi worthy of consideration during the short remaining period allot-* ted to the labors of the present Con* gress.
Our forefathers of the thirteen United Colonies, in acquiring their iridepe ndence, and in founding this Republic of the United States of America, have devolved upon us, their descendants, the* greatest and most noble trust ever committed to the hands of man, imposing upon all, and especially such as the public will may have invested, for the time being, with political functions, the most sacred obligations. We have to maintain inviolate the great doctrine of the inherent right of popular self-government to reconcile the largest liberty of the individual citizen, wilh complete security of the public order to render cheerful obedience to the laws of the land, to unite in enforcing their execution, and to frown indignantly on all combinations to resist them to harmonize a sincere and ardent devotion to the in* Btitutions of religious faith with the most universal religious toleration to preserve the rights of all by causiug each to respect those of the other to carry forward every social improvement to the uttermost limit of human perfectnbility by the free action of mind upon mind, not by the obtrusive intervention of misapplied force to uphold the integrity and guard the limitations of our organic law to preserve sacred from all touch of usurpation, as th£ very palladium of our political salvation, the reserved powers of several States and of the people lo cherish with loyal fealty and devoted affection, this Union, as the only sure founda. tion on which the hopes of civil liberty rests to administer the government with vigilant integrity and sigid economy to cultivate peace and friendship with foreign nations, and to demand and exact equal justice from all, but to do wrong to none to eschew intermerddling with the national policy and the domestic rep ISC of other governments, ond to repel it from our own never
honor of the country call us to arms, but to cultivate in preference the arts of peace, seek enlargement of tbe rights of neutrality, and ehvate ond liberaliza the intercourse of nations and by such jn-t and honorable means, and such only, whilst exalting the condition of the Republic, to assure to it the legitimate influence and the benign authority of a great example amongst all the powers of Christendom.
Under the solemnity of these convictions, the blessing of Almighty God is earnestly invoked to attend upon your deliberations, and all the counsels and acts of the government, to the end that, with common zoal and common efforts, we may, in humble submission to tbe Divine will, co-operate for the promotion of the supremo good of tbese United States.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
WA8HIM0T0S, December 4, 1864.
DR.. GUVSOTTS IMPROVED EXTRACT OF YELLOW DOCK AND SARSAI'ARILLA is a sure remody for Hereditary Taint.
Thousands of individuals arc curcd with grievous coifiplaints which they inherit from their parents. The use of the Yellow Dock and Sarsaparilla will prevent all this and stvo a vast amount of misery, and many valuable lives, for it thoroughly expels from the system the latent taint, which is the teed of disease, and so takeoff the curse by which the sins or misfortune of the parentis are so often visited upon the innocent offspring.
Parents owe it to their children to guard them against the effects of maladies that may be communicated by descect, and children of parents that have at any time been affected with Consumption, Scrofula or Syphilis, owe it to themsolves to take precaution against the disease being revived in them. Guysott's Extract of Yellow Dock and Sarsaparilla is a sure antidota in such cases. fcr See advertisement.
October 28,1854— lm.
SELLERS' COUGH SYRUP
CkVXOt BE RECOMtf£.YtED TOO WAPSWOBTH, Medina Co., O. Feb. 29,185#. MR- R. K. ScLfcEits I have sold all tbelmpe^ perial Cough Syrup your agent left with me and should like to have more of it. We have used your syrup in our families, and cm safely pronounce it the best Cough Medicine we have ever known and cannot recommend it too highly to all those who are afflicted with coughs, 0( colds, as a speedy and certain cure
S. BLOCKER, Post Master.
J. M. Beach, J. Slutter, J. R. Lit'le, D. Geisingor. The above is strong testimony and offered without solicitation, in behalf of the beat cough medicine of ihisday.
Prepared and sold by R. E. SELLE7ISSt Co. Thu article is presented to the afHicted as the cheapest, mostpUatant and reliable cough remody now before the public.
Mr Price, 25 ccnts per bottle" For sale by^P. M. DONNELLY,Terre-Haute, and by Druggists and Medicine dealers gener* oily.
Dec 2.185*—15-lm
TCRA WOITDERRUIVDISCOVERY has recently been nade by Dr Curtis, of this city in the treatment of Consumption, Asthma, and ali diseases of the lungs. We refer to "Dr. Curtis's Hygeana. or Inhaling nygean Vapnrand Cherrv Syrup." With his new method J)r. C. has restored many afflicted ones to perfect health as an evidence ol which he hns innumerable certificates. 'Speaking of the treatment a physician remarks It in evident that Inhaling—constantly breaUiinz an agrreablce. healing vapor, the medicinal properties must come in direct con«aot with the whole of the arial cavity of tho iongs, and thus escape the many and varied changes produced upon them when-in-troduced-into the stomach, and subjected to the process of digestion. The Hygeana is for saje at tbe druggists throughout the country. (From oNew York Dutchman of Jan. 15th.)
See advertisement of Medicated Inhalation ia another column of this paper. June 17, '54-43ly