...148 incidental remarks by........... ...419, 420 Jones, John W., a Representative from Vir- incidental remarks by.... King, Thomas Butler, a Representative from incidental remarks by.....................699, 701 remarks on the payment of losses by Indian wars...... remarks on the subject of the currency...338,339 speech on the resolution to restore the duty on L. Leadbetter, Daniel P., a Representative from remarks on a motion to reconsider the vote on nia- remarks on the pension bill....................163 setts- incidental remarks by......................243, 372 speech on the bill to provide for the collection, ...488 Lucas, William, a Representative from Virginia wars....... 285 M. remarks on the pension bill.....................161 Mason, Sampson, a Representative from Ohio- ment.... speech on the bill making appropriations for the Monroe, James, a Representative from New remarks on the pension bill.....................164 speech on the bill to authorize the issue of speech on the appeal of Mr. Vanderpoel from Norvell, John, a Senator from Michigan- speech on the bill to establish a uniform system Pierce, Franklin, a Senator from New Hamp remarks on the bill for the removal of the Red incidental remarks by.......... ....253 Prentiss, Samuel, a Senator from Vermont- wars....... President of the United States, annual message ......7 motion to print the, discussed........ remarks on the armed occupation and settle- incidental remarks by........... .........283 speech on the attempt to organize the House of speech on the New Jersey contested-election case........ ..........733 incidental remarks by...............415, 687, 689 setts- remarks on the pension bill.....................161 .23 Petríkin, David, a Representative from Pennsyl- Report of the Secretary of the Navy vania- ..419 incidental remarks by........ case ............ .....26 Fillebrown, jr..... speech on the Cumberland road bill..........146 .......155 incidental remarks by... speech on the New Jersey contested-election ..............36 case....... speech on amending the rules of the House, 186 speech on the civil and diplomatic appropria tion bill, defining and defending the part he took in the Hartford Convention........... .729 Samuels, Green B., a Representative from Virginia speech on the bill making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenses of the Government for the year 1840....................333 Sergeant, John, a Representative from Pennsylvania remarks on the pension bill.....................161 speech on the Independent Treasury bill....801 Sevier, Ambrose H., a Senator from Arkansas— remarks on the bill for the removal of the Red river raft........... speech on the assumption of the debts of the States by the Federal Government.........182 speech in executive session on the treaty with the New York Indians.......................289 Shepard, Charles, a Representative from North Carolina speech on the resolution that Messrs. Aycrigg, Halsted, Maxwell, Stratton, and Yorke are not entitled to be sworn as members of the House ................14 speech on the bill to provide for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue......... .620 Slade, William, a Representative from Vermontincidental remarks by..........759, 760 speech on the question, who should be allowed to vote from the State of New Jersey on a motion to lay on the table a resolution involving the right of claimants from that State to seats in the House............................32 speech on the right of petition, the power of Congress to abolish slavery and the slave trade in the District of Columbia, the implied faith of the North and the South to each other in forming the Constitution, and the principles, purposes, and prospects of aboli888 tion.... Smith, Albert, a Representative from Maineincidental remarks by................102, 165, 241 Smith, John, a Representative from Vermontspeech on the bill to provide for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public revenue..... ....556 Smith, Oliver H., a Senator from Indianaremarks on the Cumberland road bill.......330, 331, 738 sey-Continued. ment......... remarks on the establishment of the Dade Institute....... .........425 remarks on the expenditures of the Govern438, 441 speech on the bill making appropriations for the continuation of the Cumberland road, 856 Stanly, Edward, a Representative from North Carolina speech on the report and resolutions relative to the assumption of State debts................751 speech on the bill to establish a uniform sys.......876 tem of bankruptcy............................................ Smith, Thomas, a Representative from Indianaspeech on the amendment to the appropriation | bill giving to the President the power to withhold or limit the application of certain appropriations if the condition of the Treasury should demand it..... .........690 Southard, Samuel L., a Senator from New Jersey remarks on the assumption of State debts...114 incidental remarks by......192, 422, 445 Starkweather, David A., a Representative from Ohio speech on the New Jersey contested-election case ..70 Steenrod, Lewis, a Representative from Virginia speech on the bill making appropriations for the civil and diplomatic expenditures of the Government for the year 1840...............401 remarks on the bill extending the charters of the ...............76 W. Wagener, David D., a Representative from Pennsylvania speech on the Independent Treasury bill....641 Walker, Robert J., a Senator from Mississippiincidental remarks by.......... .829 remarks on the Independent Treasury bill, 107, 123, 124 speech on the bill to provide for the collection, safe-keeping, transfer, and disbursement of the public moneys............................... 137 Wall, Garret D., a Senator from New Jerseyincidental remarks by....................553, 878 speech on the bill to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy............................. ...450 War, Secretary of, annual report of the.........23 Watterson, Harvey M., a Representative from Tennessee speech on reception of abolition petitions, 102 speech on the bill to secure the freedom of elec tions, and to provide more effectually for the faithful administration of executive patronage......... ....368 speech on the bill to secure the freedom of elections, in reply to Mr. Gentry's charge of inconsistency...... 638 setts banks in the District of Columbia..........628 Strange, Robert, a Senator from North Carolinaincidental remarks by........... .............463 speech on the bill for the armed occupation and settlement of that part of Florida overrun and infested by marauding bands of hos-Webster, Daniel, a Senator from Massachutile Indians..... remarks on prohibiting the circulation of small bank notes.... ...............219, 220, 221 speech on the assumption by the Federal Government of the debts of the States...234, 238 remarks on the assumption by the Federal Government of the debts of the States....318 speech on the bill to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy...... ..........549 Strong, Theron R., a Representative from New York incidental remarks by.................. remarks on the pension bill...............161, 162 remarks on the bill extending the charters of the banks in the District of Columbia....629, 631 speech on the amendment proposed to the bill for the support of the Army, appropriating $300,000 to carry on the military operations in Florida......... V. .706 Vanderpoel, Aaron, a Representative from New York incidental remarks by........................31, 855 speech on the bill authorizing the issue of five million dollars of Treasury notes...........360 remarks on the bill extending the charters of the banks in the District of Columbia...628, 631, 632, 633 incidental remarks by.............................248 remarks on the assumption of State debts, 115 remarks on the repeal of the salt tax.........181 speech on the assumption of State debts....211 remarks on prohibiting the circulation of small bank notes..... ........219 speech on the bill authorizing the issue of Treasury notes. ..304 remarks on the Cumberland road bill........367 speeches on the bill to establish a uniform system of bankruptcy.... ...822,844 Weller, John B., a Representative from Ohioincidental remarks by......... ........352, 375 speech on the New Jersey contested election 402, 413, 419, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481 Wright, Silas, a Senator from New Yorkremarks on the Independent Treasury bill..107, 123, 230 remarks on the assumption of State debts...114, 115, 319 remarks on the repeal of the salt tax...180, 181 remarks on the payment of losses by Indian ..302, 304 remarks on the bill for the continuation of the Cumberland road in the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.......... ................319 speech in executive session on the treaty with the New York Indians........................351 remarks on the establishment of branch mints, 314, 317 APPENDIX TO THE CONGRESSIONAL GLOBE. 26TH CONG.... 1ST SESSION. MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives: I regret that I cannot on this occasion congratulate you that the past year has been one of unalloyed prosperity. The ravages of fire and disease have painfully afflicted otherwise flourishing portions of our country; and serious embarrassments yet derange the trade of many of our cities. But, notwithstanding these adverse circumstances, that general prosperity which has been heretofore so bountifully bestowed upon us by the Author of all good, still continues to call for our warmest gratitude. Especially have we reason to rejoice in the exuberant harvests which have lavishly recompensed well directed industry, and given to it that sure reward which is vainly sought in visionary speculations. I cannot, indeed, view without peculiar satisfaction, the evidences afforded by the past season of the benefits that spring from the steady devotion of the husbandman to his honorable pursuit. No means of individual comfort is more certain, and no source of national prosperity is so sure. Nothing can compensate a people for a dependence upon others for the bread they eat; and that cheerful abund-¦¦ ance on which the happiness of every one so much depends, is to be looked for nowhere with such sure reliance as in the industry of the agriculturist and the bounties of the earth. With foreign countries, our relations exhibit the same favorable aspect which was presented in my last annual message, and afford continued proof of the wisdom of the pacific, just, and forbearing policy adopted by the first Administration of the Federal Government, and pursued by its successors. The extraordinary powers vested in me by an act of Congress, for the defense of the country in an emergency, considered so far probable as to require that the Executive should possess ample means to meet it, have not been exerted. They have, therefore, been attended with no other result than to increase, by the confidence thus reposed in me, my obligations to maintain, with religious exactness, the cardinal principles that govern our intercourse with other nations. Happily, in our pending questions with Great Britain, out of which this unusual grant of authority arose, nothing has occurred to require its exertion; and as it is about to return to the Legislature, I trust that no future necessity may call for its exercise by them, or its delegation to another department of the Government. || Message of the President. I tiation has been already protracted longer than is prudent on the part of either Government, have led me to believe that the present favorable moment should on no account be suffered to pass without putting the question forever at rest. feel confident that the Government of her Britannic Majesty will take the same view of the subject, as I am persuaded it is governed by desires equally strong and sincere for the amicable termination of the controversy. To the intrinsic difficulties of questions of boundary lines, especially those described in regions unoccupied, and but partially known, is to be added in our country the embarrassment necessarily arising out of our Constitution, by which the General Government is made the organ of negotiating, and deciding upon the particular interests of the States on whose frontiers these lines are to be traced. To avoid another controversy in which a State government might rightfully claim to have her wishes consulted, previously to the conclusion of conventional arrangements concerning her rights of jurisdiction or territory, I have thought it necessary to call the attention of the Government of Great Britain to another portion of our conterminous dominion, of which the division still remains to be adjusted. I refer to the line from the entrance of Lake Superior to the most northwestern point of the Lake of the Woods, stipulations for the settlement of which are to be found in the seventh article of the treaty of Ghent. The commissioners appointed under that article by the two Governments having differed in their opinions, made separate reports, according to the stipulations, upon the points of disagreement, and these differences are now to be submitted to the arbitration of some friendly sovereign or State. The disputed points should be settled, and the line designated, before the territorial government, of which it is one of the boundaries, takes its place in the Union as a State; and I rely upon the cordial coöperation of the British Government to effect that object. SEN. & Ho. OF REPS. those feelings in acts which violate their duty as citizens, endanger the peace of their country, and tend to bring upon it the stain of a violated faith towards foreign nations, If, zealous to confer benefits on others, they appear for a moment to lose sight of the permanent obligations imposed upon them as citizens, they are seldom long misled. From all the information I receive, confirmed to some extent by personal observation, I am satisfied that no one can now hope to engage in such enterprises without encountering public indignation, in addition to the severest penalties of the law. Recent information also leads me to hope that the emigrants from her Majesty's Provinces, who have sought refuge within our boundaries, are disposed to become peaceable residents, and to abstain from all attempts to endanger the peace of that country which has afforded them an asylum. On a review of the occurrences on both sides of the line, it is satisfactory to reflect, that in almost every complaint against our country, the offense may be traced to emigrants from the Provinces who have sought refuge here. In the few instances in which they were aided by citizens of the United States, the acts of these misguided men were not only in direct contravention of the laws and well-known wishes of their own Government, but met with the decided disapprobation of the people of the United States. I regret to state the appearance of a different spirit among her Majesty's subjects in the Canadas. The sentiments of hostility to our people and institutions, which have been so frequently expressed there, and the disregard of our rights which have been manifested on some occasions, have, I am sorry to say, been applauded and encouraged by the people, and even by some of the subordinate local authorities of the provinces. The chief officers in Canada, fortunately, have not entertained the same feeling, and have probably prevented excesses that must have been fatal to the peace of the two countries. There is every reason to believe that disturb- I look forward anxiously to a period when all ances like those which lately agitated the neigh- the transactions which have grown out of this boring British Provinces will not again prove the condition of our affairs, and which have been sources of border contentions, or interpose obsta- made the subjects of complaint and remonstrance cles to the continuance of that good understand-by the two Governments respectively, shall be ing which it is the mutual interest of Great Britain and the United States to preserve and maintain. Within the provinces themselves tranquillity is restored, and on our frontier that misguided sympathy in favor of what was presumed to be a general effort in behalf of popular rights, and which, in some instances, misled a few of our more inexperienced citizens, has subsided into a rational conviction strongly opposed to all intermeddling with the internal affairs of our neighFor the settlement of our northeastern boundary, bors. The people of the United States feel, as it the proposition promised by Great Britain for a is hoped they always will, a warm solicitude for commission of exploration and survey, has been the success of all who are sincerely endeavoring received, and a counter project, including also a to improve the political condition of mankind. provision for the certain and final adjustment of This generous feeling they cherish towards the the limits in dispute, is now before the British most distant nations; and it was natural, thereGovernment for its consideration. A just regard fore, that it should be awakened with more than to the delicate state of this question, and a proper common warmth in behalf of their immediate respect for the natural impatience of the State of neighbors. But it does not belong to their characMaine, not less than a conviction that the nego-ter, as a community, to seek the gratification of fully examined, and the proper satisfaction given where it is due from either side. Nothing has occurred to disturb the harmony of our intercourse with Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Naples, Portugal, Prussia, Russia, or Sweden. The internal state of Spain has sensibly improved, and a well-grounded hope exists that the return of peace will restore to the people of that country their former prosperity, and enable the Government to fulfill all its obligations at home and abroad. The Government of Portugal, I have the satisfaction to state, has paid in full the eleventh and last installment due to our citizens for the claims embraced in the settlement made with it on the 3d of March, 1837. I lay before you treaties of commerce negotiated with the King of Sardinia and the Netherlands, the ratifications of which have been exchanged since the adjournment of Congress. The liberal principles of these treaties will recommend them 26TH CONG....1ST SESS. to your approbation. That with Sardinia is the first treaty of commerce formed by that kingdom, and it will, I trust, answer the expectations of the present sovereign, by aiding the development of the resources of his country, and stimulating the enterprise of his people. That with the Netherlands happily terminates a long existing subject of dispute, and removes from our future commercial intercourse all apprehension of embarrassment. The King of the Netherlands has also, in further illustration of his character for justice, and of his desire to remove every cause of dissatisfacton, made compensation for an American vessel captured in 1800 by a French privateer, and carried into Curaçoa, where the proceeds were appropriated to the use of the colony, then, and for a short time after, under the domin ion of Holland. The death of the late Sultan has produced no alteration in our relations with Turkey. Our newly appointed minister resident has reached Constantinople, and I have received assurances from the present ruler that the obligations of our treaty, and those of friendship, will be fulfilled by himself in the same spirit that actuated his illustrious father. I regret to be obliged to inform you that no convention for the settlement of the claims of our citizens upon Mexico has yet been ratified by the Government of that country. The first convention formed for that purpose was not presented by the President of Mexico for the approbation of its Congress, from a belief that the King of Prussia, the arbitrator in case of disagreement in the joint commission to be appointed by the United States and Mexico, would not consent to take upon himself that friendly office. Although not entirely satisfied with the course pursued by Mexico, I felt no hesitation in receiving in the most conciliatory spirit the explanation offered, and also cheerfully consented to a new convention, in order to arrange the payments proposed to be made to our citizens, in a manner which, while equally just to them, was deemed less onerous and inconvenient to the Mexican Government. Relying confidently upon the intentions of that Government, Mr. Ellis was directed to repair to Mexico, and diplomatic intercourse has been resumed between the two countries. The new convention has, he informs us, been recently submitted by the President of that Republic to its Congress, under circumstances which promise a speedy ratification; a result which I cannot allow myself to doubt. Instructions have been given to the Commissioner of the United States under qur convention with Texas, for the demarkation of the line which separates us from that Republic. The commissioners of both Governments met in New Orleans in August last. The joint commission was organized, and adjourned to convene at the same place on the 12th of October. It is presumed to be now in the performance of its duties. The new Government of Texas has shown its desire to cultivate friendly relations with us, by a prompt reparation for injuries complained of in the cases of two vessels of the United States. With Central America a convention has been concluded for the renewal of its former treaty with the United States. This was not ratified before the departure of our late chargé d'affaires from that country, and the copy of it brought by him was not received before the adjournment of the Senate at the last session. In the mean while, the period limited for the exchange of ratifications having expired, I deemed it expedient, in consequence of the death of the charge d'affaires, to send a special agent to Central America, to close the affairs of our mission there, and to arrange with the Government an extension of the time for the exchange of ratifi cations. The commission created by the States which formerly composed the Republic of Colombia, for adjusting the claims against that Government, has, by a very unexpected construction of the treaty under which it acts, decided that no provision was made for those claims of citizens of the United States which arose from captures by Columbian privateers, and were adjudged against the claimants in the judicial tribunals. This decision will compel the United States to apply Message of the President. to the several Governments formerly united for SEN. & HO. OF REPS. fare; and it is, at the same time, the best preservative of the principles on which our institutions rest. Simplicity and economy in the affairs of State have never failed to chasten and invigorate Republican principles, while these have been as surely subverted by national prodigality, under whatever specious pretext it may have been introduced or fostered. These considerations cannot be lost upon a people who have never been inattentive to the effect of their policy upon the institutions they With the great American Empire of Brazil our have created for themselves; but at the present relations continue unchanged, as does our friendly moment their force is augmented by the necessity intercourse with the other Governments of South which a decreasing revenue must impose. The America-the Argentine Republic, and the Re- check lately given to importations of articles subpublics of Uruguay, Chili, Peru, and Bolivia.ject to duties, the derangements in the operations The dissolution of the Peru-Bolivian Confeder- of internal trade, and especially the reduction ation may occasion some temporary inconve- gradually taking place in our tariff of duties, all nience to our citizens in that quarter; but the tend materially to lesson our receipts; indeed, it is obligations on the new Governments which have probable that the diminution resulting from the arisen out of that confederation to observe its last cause alone will not fall short of $5,000,000 in treaty stipulations, will no doubt be soon under- the year 1842, as the final reduction of all duties stood; and it is presumed that no indisposition to twenty per cent. then takes effect. The whole will exist to fulfill those which it contracted with revenue then accruing from the customs and from the United States. the sale of public lands, if not more, will undoubtedly be wanted to defray the necessary expenses of Government under the most prudent administration of its affairs. These are circumstances that impose the necessity of rigid economy, and require its prompt and constant exercise. With the Legislature rests the power and duty of so adjusting the public expenditure as to promote this end. By the provisions of the Constitution, it is only in consequence of appropriations made by law that money can be drawn from the Treasury; no instance has occurred since the establishment of the Government in which the Executive, though a component part of the legislative power, has interposed an objection to an appropriation bill on the sole ground of its extravagance. His duty in this respect has been considered fulfilled by requesting such appropriations only as the public service may be reasonably expected to require. In the present earnest direction of the public mind towards this subject, both the Executive and the Legislature have evidence of the strict responsibility to which they will be held; and while I am conscious of my own anxious efforts to perform with fidelity this portion of my public functions, it is a satisfaction to me to be able to count on a cordial coöperation from you. The financial operations of the Government during the present year have, I am happy to say, been very successful. The difficulties under which the Treasury Department has labored from known defects in the existing laws relative to the safe-keeping of the public moneys, aggravated by the suspension of specie payments by several of the banks holding public deposits, or indebted to public officers for notes received in payment of public dues, have been surmounted to a very gratifying extent. The large current expenditures have been punctually met, and the faith of the Government, in all its pecuniary concerns, has been scrupulously maintained. The $19,000,000 of Treasury notes, authorized by the act of Congress of 1837, and the modifications thereof, with a view to the indulgence of merchants on their duty-bonds, and of the deposit banks in the payment of public moneys held by them, have been so punctually redeemed as to leave less than the original $10,000,000 outstanding at any one time, and the whole amount unredeemed now falls short of $3,000,000. Of these, the chief portion is not due till next year, and the whole would have been already extinguished could the Treasury have realized the payments due to it from the banks. If those due from them during the next year shall be punctually made, and if Congress shall keep the appropriations within the estimates, there is every reason to believe that all the outstanding Treasury notes can be redeemed, and the ordinary expenses defrayed, without imposing on the people any additional burden, either of loans or increased taxes. To avoid this, and to keep the expenditures within reasonable bounds, is a duty second only in importance to the preservation of our national character, and the protection of our citizens in their civil and political rights. The creation, in time of peace, of a debt likely to become permanent, is an evil for which there is no equivalent. The rapidity with which many of the States are apparently approaching to this condition, admonishes us of our own duties in a manner too impressive to be disregarded. One, not the least important, is to keep the Federal Government always in a condition to discharge, with ease and vigor, its highest functions, should their exercise be required by any sudden conjuncture of public affairs-a condition to which we are always exposed, and which may occur when it is least expected. To this end, it is indispensable that its finances should be untrammeled, and its resources, as far as practicable, unincumbered. No circumstance could present greater obstacles to the accomplishment of these vitally important objects, than the creation of an onerous national debt. Our own experience, and also that of other nations, have demonstrated the unavoidable and fearful rapidity with which a public debt is increased when the Government has once surrendered itself to the ruinous practice of supplying its supposed necessities by new loans. The struggle, therefore, on our part, to be successful, must be made at the threshold. To make our efforts effective, severe economy is necessary. At the time I entered upon my present duties, our ordinary disbursements-without including those on account of the 'public debt, the Post Office, and the trust funds in charge of the Government had been largely increased by appropriations for the removal of the Indians, for repelling Indian hostilities, and for other less urgent expenses which grew out of an overflowing Treasury. Independent of the redemption of the public debt and trusts, the gross expenditures of $17,000,000 and $18,000,000 in 1834 and 1835 had, by these causes, swelled to $29,000,000 in 1836; and the appropriations for 1837, made previously to the 4th of March, caused the expenditure to rise to the very large amount of $33,000,000. We were enabled, during the year 1838, notwithstanding the continuance of our Indian embarrassments, somewhat to reduce this amount; and that for the present year, 1839, will not, in all probability, exceed $26,000,000 or $6,000,000 less than it was last year. With a determination, so far as depends on me, to continue this reduction, I have directed the estimates for 1840 to be subjected to the severest scrutiny, and to be limited to the absolute requirements of the public service. They will be found less than the expenditure of 1839 by over five millions of dollars. The precautionary measures which will be recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury, fluctuations and contingencies to which our reto protect faithfully the public credit under the ceipts and expenditures are exposed, and espe cially in a commercial crisis like the present, are commended to your early attention. On a former occasion your attention was invited to various considerations in support of a preemption law in behalf of the settlers on the public lands; and also of a law graduating the prices for such lands as had long been in the market unsold, in consequence of their inferior quality. The 26TH CONG....1ST SESS. execution of the act which was passed on the first subject, has been attended with the happiest consequences, in quieting titles, and securing improvements to the industrious; and it has also, to a very gratifying extent, been exempt from the frauds which were practiced under previous preemption laws. It has, at the same time, as was anticipated, contributed liberally during the present year to the receipts of the Treasury. The passage of the graduation law, with the guards before recommended, would also, I am persuaded, add considerably to the revenue for several years, and prove in other respects just and beneficial. Your early consideration of the subject is, therefore, once more earnestly requested. The present condition of the defenses of our principal sea-ports and navy-yards, as represented by the accompanying report of the Secretary of War, calls for the early and serious attention of Congress; and, as connecting itself intimately with this subject, I cannot recommend too strongly to your consideration the plan submitted by that officer for the organization of the militia of the United States. In conformity with the expressed wishes of Congress, an attempt was made in the spring to terminate the Florida war by negotiation. It is to be regretted that these humane intentions should have been frustrated, and that the effort to bring these unhappy difficulties to a satisfactory conclusion should have failed. But, after entering into solemn engagements with the commanding general, the Indians, without any provocation, recommenced their acts of treachery and murder. The renewal of hostilities in that Territory renders it necessary that I should recommend to your favorable consideration the plan which will be submitted to you by the Secretary of War, in order to enable that Department to conduct them to a successful issue. Having had an opportunity of personally inspecting a portion of the troops during the last summer, it gives me pleasure to bear testimony to the success of the effort to improve their discipline, by keeping them together in as large bodies as the nature of our service will permit. I recommend, therefore, that commodious and permanent barracks be constructed at the several posts designated by the Secretary of War. Notwithstanding the high state of their discipline and excellent police, the evils resulting to the service from the deficiency of company officers, were very apparent; and I recommend that the staff officers be permanently separated from the line. Message of the President. recommend to your early attention a careful revision of these laws, so that, without impeding the freedom and facilities of our navigation, or impairing an important branch of our industry connected with it, the integrity and honor of our flag may be carefully preserved. Information derived from our consul at Havana, showing the necessity of this, was communicated to a committee of the Senate near the close of the last session, but too late, as it appeared, to be acted upon. It will be brought to your notice by the proper Department, with additional communications from other sources. The latest accounts from the Exploring Expedition represent it as proceeding successfully in its objects, and promising results no less useful to trade and navigation than to science. The extent of post-roads covered by mail service on the 1st of July last, was about 133,999 miles, and the rate of annual transportation upon them 34,496,878 miles. The number of post offices on that day was 12,780, and on the 30th ultimo, 13,028. The revenue of the Post Office Department for the year ending with the 30th of June last, was $4,476,638-exhibiting an increase over the preceding year of $241,560. The engagements and liabilities of the Department for the same period are $4,624,117. The excess of liabilities over the revenue for the last two years has been met out of the surplus which had previously accumulated. The cash on hand on the 30th ultimo, was about $206,701 95, and the current income of the Department varies very little from the rate of current expenditures. Most of the service suspended last year has been restored, and most of the new routes established by the act of 7th July, 1838, have been set in operation at an annual cost of $136,963. Notwithstanding the pecuniary difficulties of the country, the revenue of the Department appears to be increasing; and unless it shall be seriously checked by the recent suspension of payment by so many of the banks, it will be able not only to maintain the present mail service, but in a short time to extend it. It is gratifying to witness the promptitude and fidelity with which the agents of this Department in general perform their public du ties. Some difficulties have arisen in relation to contracts for the transportation of the mails by railroad and steamboat companies. It appears that the maximum of compensation provided by Congress for the transportation of the mails upon railroads is not sufficient to induce some of the companies to convey them at such hours as are required for the accommodation of the public. It is one of the most important duties of the General Government to provide and maintain for the use of the people of the States the best practicable mail establishment. To arrive at that end it is indispensable that the Post Office Department shall be enabled to control the hours at which the mails shall be carried over railroads, as it now does over all other roads. Should serious incon The Navy has been usefully and honorably employed in protecting the rights and property of our citizens, wherever the condition of affairs seemed to require its presence. With the exception of one instance, where an outrage, accompanied by murder, was committed on a vessel of the United States while engaged in a lawful commerce, nothing is known to have occurred to impede or molest the enterprise of our citizens on that element where it is so signally displayed.veniences arise from the inadequacy of the comOn learning this daring act of piracy, Commodore Reed proceeded immediately to the spot, and receiving no satisfaction, either in the surrender of the murderers or the restoration of the plundered property, inflicted severe and merited chastisement on the barbarians. pensation now provided by law, or from unreasonable demands by any of the railroad companies, the subject is of such general importance as to require the prompt attention of Congress. In relation to steamboat lines, the most efficient remedy is obvious, and has been suggested by the Postmaster General. The War and Navy Departments already employ steamboats in their service, and although it is by no means desirable that the Government should undertake the trans It will be seen by the report of the Secretary of the Navy respecting the disposition of our ships of war, that it has been deemed necessary to station a competent force on the coast of Africa, to prevent a fraudulent use of our flag by for-portation of passengers or freight as a business, eigners. there can be no reasonable objection to running boats, temporarily, whenever it may be necessary to put down attempts at extortion, to be discontinued as soon as reasonable contracts can be obtained. The suggestions of the Postmaster General relative to the inadequacy of the legal allowance to witnesses in cases of prosecutions for mail depredations, merit your serious consideration. The Recent experience has shown that the provisions in our existing laws which relate to the sale and transfer of American vessels while abroad, are extremely defective. Advantage has been taken of these defects to give to vessels wholly belonging to foreigners, and navigating the ocean, an apparent American ownership. This character has been so well simulated as to afford them comparative security in prosecuting the slave-safety of the mails requires that such prosecutions trade, a traffic emphatically denounced in our statutes, regarded with abhorrence by our citizens, and of which the effectual suppression is nowhere more sincerely desired than in the United States. These circumstances make it proper to shall be efficient, and justice to the citizens whose time is required to be given to the public demands not only that his expenses shall be paid, but that he shall receive a reasonable compensation. The reports from the War, Navy, and Post SEN. & Ho. OF REPS. Office Departments will accompany this communication, and one from the Treasury Department will be presented to Congress in a few days. For various details in respect to the matters in charge of these departments, I would refer you to those important documents, satisfied that you will find in them many valuable suggestions, which will be found well deserving the attention of the Legislature. From a report made in December of last year by the Secretary of State, to the Senate, showing the trial docket of each of the circuit courts, and the number of miles each judge has to travel in the performance of his duties, a great inequality appears in the amount of labor assigned to each judge. The number of terms to be held in each of the courts composing the ninth circuit, the distances between the places at which they sit, and from thence to the seat of Government, are represented to be such as to render it impossible for the judge of that circuit to perform, in a manner corresponding with the public exigencies, his term and circuit duties. A revision, therefore, of the present arrangement of the circuits seems to be called for, and is recommended to your notice. I think it proper to call your attention to the power assumed by Territorial Legislatures to authorize the issue of bonds by corporate companies on the guarantee of the Territory. Congress passed a law in 1836, providing that no act of a Territorial Legislature incorporating banks should have the force of law until approved by Congress, but acts of a very exceptionable character previously passed by the Legislature of Florida, were suffered to remain in force, by virtue of which bonds may be issued to a very large amount by those institutions upon the faith of the Territory. A resolution intending to be a joint one passed the Senate at the same session, expressing the sense of Congress that the laws in question ought not to be permitted to remain in force unless amended in many material respects, but it failed in the House of Representatives for want of time, and the desired amendments have not been made. The interests involved are of great importance, and the subject deserves your early and careful attention. The continued agitation of the question relative to the best mode of keeping and disbursing the public money, still injuriously affects the business of the country. The suspension of specie payments in 1837, rendered the use of deposit banks, as prescribed by the act of 1836, a source rather of embarrassment than aid, and of necessity placed the custody of most of the public money afterwards collected in charge of the public officers. The new securities for its safety, which this required, were a principal cause of my convening an extra session of Congress; but in consequence of a disagreement between the two Houses, neither then, nor at any subsequent period, has there been any legislation on the subject. The effort made at the last session to obtain the authority of Congress to punish the use of public money for private purposes as a crime, a measure attended under other Governments with signal advantage, was also unsuccessful, from diversities of opinion in that body, notwithstanding the anxiety doubtless felt by it to afford every practicable security. The result of this is still to leave the custody of the public money without those safeguards which have been for several years earnestly desired by the Executive; and as the remedy is only to be found in the action of the Legislature, it imposes on me the duty of again submitting to you the propriety of passing a law providing for the safekeeping of the public moneys, and especially to ask that its use for private purposes by any officers intrusted with it, may be declared to be a felony, punishable with penalties proportioned to the magnitude of the offense. These circumstances, added to known defects in the existing laws, and unusual derangement in the general operations of trade, have, during the last three years, much increased the difficulties attendant on the collection, keeping, and disbursement of the revenue, and called forth corresponding exertions from those having them in charge. Happily these have been successful beyond expectation. Vast sums have been collected and disbursed by the several departments with unexpected cheapness and ease; transfers have been |