^fessS^lp

teeiii of the Srnalc 

eiia df tin Haute of Rtprescnlalites .- 

Tlie CoasiitutjuH requires that the Presidipt 

jfl, frou lime tu.U:utipon -ddibeia ibo, 

thrink with unaffected I'orrdr frcjm any cI slaughtered populations, and all there is 

'most terrible in-foreign, c mpliÛpS with civil* 1 

and servile war; ari«J that the first step in the 

âttempt is the forcible disruption df a-country 

embracing in its broad bosom a degree of lib- 

qrly, and an amount of iudividuiJ^nd public 

P'osperity, to which-there is no'pPallel in his- 

tory, and substituting in ijs place host'le gov- 

erniflents, driven at once and inevitably into- 

mutual devastation and fraticidal 

transforming the now peaceful airl fulicitpus j It rcmainaten tli 

.brotherhood into a vast permanent camp of i rem;:ins?tliere"-?fB 

armed men like the rival. monarchies of 

1 rope and Asia. Well knowing that such, 

the States may, in their diijcretion, 

"Si to it, solemn compact though it. 

î States pf ihe Unir 

political enactmeBt, 

ppwer or anthorirj 

[•The position assumed 

;ht tp. eiiact snch-re- 

ingularly so m view 

e from those who 

listing laws of the 

lar designation and 

iay, more, "nneqnivo- 

roudcmnecl tbe most positive 

ictions pf the Constitution itself, 

tner.ns within their reach, to 

a porjion of their fellow-citizens pf the equal 

. jrlgni?and:'privileges guarantied 

alike to all by ^fffandataental compaotof on? Uni- 

on. 

The rep-aliin terms of a statute, which was al- 

ready''obsolete, and alsonnll for unconstitutionally, 

could have no influence to olslruft of, to promote 

.the propagation'of conflicting views ofpblitcaj or so" 

cinl institution. .When the act organizing the Ter- 

ritories of Kansas and XtbrasUaj was passed, the in- 

herent effect'upon that portion pf-the public domain 

thus opened to legal settlement;: was to admit set- 

tlers frpm.all the BtaUs of the. Union alike, each 

witb bis cjanvit-tiona of public policy.and private in- 

terest, there to found in itheir discretion, subject tp 

suc!i limitations as t! e Constitntion and acts of 

Congress might prescribe, new States, hereafter to 

be ndHiitted:in tbe.Unioa.' It was a free field, open 

to all, wjhe tber the statute line of assumed re- 

flclipn were repealed or not. That r-peal did not 

pjoii4b free competition of tbe diveree opinions and 

domestic institutions a field, which, without suchl 

, would; have been closed against them: it 

that field of competition already opeffed, in 

fact an din. law. A '1 the repeal did was to relieve 

tbe statute-book of an objectionable enactment, un- 

in effect, and injurious yi'terms to a 

of the States,'-_ 

Soargument against the repeal of the sUtntt3 

liaînjguestion, was accompanied by 'another o^ 

;iCOOigfenTali.cbaracter, and equally v.ilh tlie former 

a "*• ' ^'oundationîn reason-and truth. It was 

t'tHe measnre originated in the concep- 

.lon'Oflertefffling-th'e'-'limits of slave labor beyond 

those previously assignwFfq it, and that suclr was its 

natural as wtll as intended effect; and these baseless. 

r..-?!H^|B^!s were jnade. in the northern States, 

(rround of unceasing'assault !i upon constitutional 

right. . • • • i - 

Is it tlie fact that, in all tbe unsettled regions, of' 

theUnited Stajes, if emigratie-n be left free to-act in' 

thisTespect for] itself.'-withont legal prohibitions on' 

eitl'er side, slaye-.abor will spontaneously po every- 

vbere, in preference to free:labor ? Is, it Jthe fact, 

tlint the peculiar domestic'institntions'.-of the South- 

ern States possess 'relatively so much of vigor, that 

t'heresoever aa avenue is freely open to all 

world, they-will pen-.'irate to tbe exclusion 

of Che nortbern| States? Is U the fa^ that the for- 

ger rnjoy, compare^; with the. .iatter, such irresisti- 

bly, superior vitality,, independent of climate, soil, 

an^. a'n other accidental circumstances, as to be able 

to produce, the supposed result, in spite of the as- 

suiaed mo'al and natural obstacles to its accomplish- 

ment, and of tb'c more numerous population of the 

northern States? X ! 

* The argument of "those^-vvbo advocate the enact- 

mcjif of new laws.of restriction, and condemn tbe 

rcneal of old ones, in effect avers-that their particu- 

lari views of government have no self-extending or 

Ec'f-sustainingWwcr.of their own, and will go -no - ^ 

•nhern Hnl««- ? TW&ed, by acfof Gongres?. And if 

Congress do-put pause fora moment in the policy 

o/ stern coercion; if it venture to -try the ex- 

judge for themselves 

titutions will best suit them, if it be not 

up to pepetuallegislative «.xerlion ons this 

; if Congress pro eed thus to act in the Very 

spirit of lU^^Ûis atjp-ice charged with aiming 

teridjfi HBBbito-all tbe'ncw Territories of 

 

tion of the Executive. Bat-itfcliratsfdf actna 

lence or ofbrga'airE'J dba traction of Îa«r,i)ert 

Ibnsljr renewed from time to liniej have beenniet 

jtbeje occnrrtd, by saîi meaEs. as were available and 

las the circnmslaiiccg required; and notbing of this 

itjiafacter i^ remains to affect the general peace of 

tt* U'l'ipn. The attempt of a part pf theinhabiiants 

;°rthe Territorj to erect & rerolnlionary gorernment 

though sedulously encouraged aad supplied with 

pecuniary aid froai active agents of disorder ia some 

of the States, baa completely failed.. Bodies 

men. foreign to the Territory, hira been 

front entering pr compelled tifcleave it. Peredatory 

bands, engaged in acts of ra|B|jnnder cover of tho 

esisting political disturbance^ Hava been arrested 

or dispersed.' And every *^ disposed ; person is 

now enabled once more to devote himself in peace to 

thepursuits of prosperous indust y, for the prosecu- 

:; it being essential to industrial "enterprise 

blic prosperity, aa well as Ibe dictate of ob- 

, that the harden of taxation, be made 

ally as po-eible upon all classes, and 

srests of thQ.coualry.. 

Dmmecded to your conside- 

ration the revlll^Pf, the revenue 1-j.wSf prepared, 

under tbe direction of the Secretary of the Tr 

ry, and also 1-glslation upon soa^special qa< 

affecting the business of that department, moi 

pec'.ally the enactment of a law lo punish the ab? 

stractiots of official books or papers from the files of 

the government, and requiring all such books anc 

papers and till other public property to be 

o vet by the outgoing officer to his successor.; 

law requiring disbursing officers to deposite all 

lie money ia the vaults of the treasury, or in 

•••,.•.-.•-;__£,. '..- * • ' "" '.»•-, f - 

thin of which he undertook to partici pate in the set- 

tlement "of the Territory. * 

It aff,ird3 me nnminglei sati3fi,ction thus,to an.- 

nounceth^peaceful condition of th ng3 in Kansas,. 

esptciallyicpiisJdering the means to which it i»._ Pe- 

ccssary to have recourse for the attainment pf.the 

end, namely, the emplpyment pf a part of the mili- 

tary force of the Un'rted Stat«^.'•; Tae' wi hdrawal of 

that force from its proper duty of.'defending the 

country against foreign foes or tjhe. savages of the | 

frontier,-to employ it for the suppression of domes- 

tic insurrection, is,iwheJPtho exigienoy occurs, a mar 

ter of thejgfgt earMôJititaie.i Oa; this occasi in 

of impen^PneqH 8fc|VtbesD done with the 

best results, and'mjîf-.l'BS^Jn the attainment 

pfsach results by*lJH'i(liiM- s •pjj.greatly enhanced 

by the consiJeratib'Sj B|b the wisdom aad 

energy of the preseMF;ie. Ttmt Kansas, and the 

prudence, firm ness ^K|!i^î« pf the military of- 

ficers on duty there, tranqaifijy has been restored 

without one drop.o/blood hattBg been sbei in its 

accomplishment Bjlitha fwesSf tho .United Slates. 

! The restoration of comparaM'feitranquility hi that 

Territory furnishes the means of observing- calmly i 

and appreciating at;j 

have occurred there^' and^lb.e.-d.Scaaslqiu : .'of which 

tbe government of &e|fe|Sffi^g|a^'-.b%isn Sabjec't. 

\Ve perceive that ' ' 

ture domestic 

humau prudence, 

on the.patt of Congress, c/Juld^hafe prevented fthis. 

j : It is idle to sappos^ tfiat the.pajrticular provisions 

of their organic law werethe. cause of agitation.— 

Those pro visionjtfcere but Sis occasion, or pretest 

of an agiiatiod||^ftcbi waj inherent; in the nature of 

things. Cbngrefef: legislate!!' upon 'iha sabject in 

such terms' as were most consonant with the princi- 

ple of popular sovereignty which underlies our gov- 

ernment. -It could' not .bave legislated otherwise 

without doing violence to'anothr, great principle of j 

our institntions, the inprescriptitjle right of equali- j 

ity-pf the severaliîtes. We perceive, also, "that 

sectional interests aad p:irty pa-sions, have been the 

great impediment to the salutary! operation of the 

.'•"'f. •.-' L - - .2»* ' ! 1— ' • 

fl 

periment of leaving men to 

princLples^^p>ted, anil " : the chief cause e 

tbe successive df^Wroinces in Kansas. , 

i; The assumption tiiat. because in the organization 

of'tiie territories of Kaiisss and -Ifi;l)'asku, Congress 

trained firoto i:nposiu^ rejjirainls upou : thcm to 

•which certain other territorits JhaJ : been -subject, 

therefore, aisorJers occurred in the fornicr lerrttory 

is emphatically co'at^^cted wy .be fact that none 

occurred in the IaV:cr|Hpf. j 

j Those disorders wpre not tbe c^geqnc-nce?, in 

Kansas, of the fi'vedom. of self-gavei unseat conceded 

1^0 that territory by Congivsa, bht of unjrtst inter- 

fererico on i.'uc.part of persons not- fouabitfuits of 

the Territory.. Such interfereuqe, wherever it has 

exhibited itself, by.acts of iusurrcctionary character, 

or of obsiructiou to Iprocesêa of law, i-has been re- 

pelled or .suppressed, 1 b\Mneans which the Constitu- 

tion and the laws-place in the" lands of the Exec- 

'utive. 

; In those • parts of the 'United 'States where, by 

reason of the inflamed, state df the^publicj mind, 

false rumors and misrepresentations bave thegreat- 

»est currency, it hasbeen assumed that it was the du- 

ty of the Executive not only to suppress insurrec- 

tioriary movements in Kansas buit also to see to tbe 

regularity of local elections. It needs little argu- 

ment Co show that the President has no such powe 

!' •• I ' • ' '" i y.tjh« inttiiision 

lawful votesj.or the exclusi n c 

improper influences, by Tiolence, 

• l'.'o Âr>-T- ««• tt,~ TT-i.-J Pt-i--' 

legal; depositories, ffhe'rp the same we conveniently 

accessible; and a law to extend existing penal pro- 

visions to all persons «rho may become possessed of 

public money by deposite, aad who shall refuse or 

neglect, on due demand to jay, the same into the 

^treasury. I invite your|atteationane.v la each of 

these objects. 

.The army during-the pas" t year baa been so'-con- 

s-anjlly employed against hostile Indians in various 

quarters,.that it can scarcely be said with propriety 

pf lapgnage tp bave been a peace establishment.— 

i-i Its duties have been satisfactorily performed, and, 

; we have reasan to expect, as a result pf the year's 

opera ions, greater security to- the^fcoatier iahabi- 

! , tants; than baa been hitherto enjoS 

: Extensive combinat : ons among-M. B^ Indians 

of the territories of i Washington a9 / IJL at one 

1 time threatened the devastation of tlB e Hbr me d 

Isettleineata of that por'tion > %f- the couOT^^From 

receat infurmation we are permitted to hope that 

the energetic and successful operations conducted 

there will prevent such combinations in future, and 

secure to those territories an opportunity to make 

lily progress in the developmsa t of their agricul- 

(1 and mineral'res cwrces. .; ' 

: .legislatioa fias been recon»mended by me on pre- 

fviOua occasions .to Cure defects in.the existing organ 

ization, and toJncrease |the efficiency pf.the army 

and further observation, has but served to confirm 

•me ihi the views then expressed, and to enforce on. 

.; my- mitd tbe conviction jthat such measures are not 

only projper-'but necessary. 

I bave, in addition, to invite the attention of Con- 

gress !to a- change of "policy in tbe -distribution pf 

troops, and to. the necessity of providing a more ra 

pid increase of. the-military armament. For de- 

tails of these "and pther subjects •• relating to the ar* 

.my, I refer tp the report pf tbe Secretary of Wa 

; The condition of the ndyy is not merely sntisfac' 

• ey., but exhibits the mOst gratif ing evidences 

;>igor. As it is comparatively small, it 

of controversy on this point hasbesn removed by 

an additional treaty, whiclt Our mfnister at London 

has concluded, and which will be Irameâtely sub- 

mitted to the Senate for its consideration. Should 

the proposed supplemental arrangement be concur- 

red in by aH tlre.-partiei to be affected by it, the 

objects cpolemplated by the original cpavention 

Irave been fully attained. ". 

,e treaty between the United States arid Great 

i, of tbe 5tB* of June, 1854, which wecl into 

fre opejaMpn in 1355, i nt an end to causts of 

irritation beW|Kn the two countries, by securing to 

United States the right offishery on the cou§t 

the British North American prov^scos, with 

advantageous -equal to those 'enjoyed by iSritish- 

subjects. Besides the signal bencSis ofthij treaty 

to a Iarsff;pras3 afoar tiiizens engaged ia apursui 

connected to no iaconsiderable degree with-our na 

national protperity and strength, it has bad a fa? 

orable effect upon other interest in the provision it 

made for reciprocal freedom of trade betweea tbe 

United Stales and the British provinces in [Ameri- 

ca- •.:,'.:•- . ,'_ : 

The fetportiof domestic articles.lo those provin" 

cerduring 1 : the-hut year ,cm)niLttd to more than 

t?ren|y;two millipna of dollar*,' exceeding those of | 

•:ttief*prieceding' year by nearly seven million j of dol- ! 

lars ; and.tbe imports therefrom, ^djring .i6es.Sma i 

pe'riod, amounted to more than twenty-rone Uiilliuna • 

an increase of six millions 

vious year^ ; 

.The improved condition of this jirjiuch ofoa 

commerce is mainly attributable to tbe.abavj man- 

tioned treaty. 

' Provision was, made, in the .firsfarticle ofib.it i 

treaty, foe a commission lo designate the mouths o 1 1 

rivers to whicb tbe common right of ^hsry,-'pa the | 

coast of tbe United States and British Proyinie'j-' 

was not io extend. This coma.isaion has beer, j 

employed a. part of two seasons, b%t \viihout much ' 

"progress in-accomplishing the object for which it was 

instituted, iu constquenee of a. serious dif&rencV P 1 

opinion between ibe coniuissioners, not only 03-10 

the precise ppint where the rivers terminate,i|but in 

many instances 'as to what ecustitales a river_ 

These iTifScuUies, however, may be overcome by re- 

sort to ampirage provi'ded for by treaty. .. i 

The effort pers^veringly prosecnted since tli i com- 

casiondly our 

wrongj which our ci 

whi,-h they «e*fow to 

La fonunately h fc 

" 

V re *»o of 

hilads ' "» 

underetanding, that, such 

ami although 

the wrongs of onr 

dispensable to the 

the two republics. 

The peculiar condilion'of"affai-s 

gtti in the earlvp:irt ul-the phâ, 

dcrcd it important Uiat this ,r. 

he 

i 

of 

t.v 

_ across 

ting North and Swuth A&._„,.„ 

v:ist amount of propf-rty xv;(s tra,,: 

to which our citizens resorttd in o-roal 

in passing hetween the "AiL-mtuf an, 

coasrs of the United Stale*. The pr 

both required that the exWin-r po\v>r Jn. 

state should U .regarded as a i^ricahJWe «£• 

ermi:tnt; aad.its mini-t,r «as a^prolnclfrt 

ccivtd! But he reinaiiuJ i iv Oi.!\- / J l 

ot 

time. Soon thereutW the i'o! t\:il '- tf ;, 

onoa those of the ore- : Xicaragaa underwent tnif(,voral^ ehanl 

; becain^ involved in much uaeertafemtv udcou- 

fnsiou. Diplomatic n-praer.tattves i CQ two 

contending parties h;iva be-'U recentlv a-m ' 

bu', with ih.y 

fonnniion possessed, it was not pVsih!>; :"< 

i-i :'«? which was the government de. fach • anJ 

further devdoptu^tit, 1 

e eithtr. 

a.i\e. 

•-niencemntpf my adtniuistrfttion,'to relieve o\i itrujie 

to the Baltic from the exaction' of sound dues by 

: Denmark,, have not yet l.een attended with âccess. 

Other govermuenis have also sought to oCtaiu ti 

lawful ones, by 

or bv frau'd-.-' But 

representatives from the northern Stales^ who 

regardless of 4he statute jine, insisted ilpbn npj- 

plving restriction'to the new lorri oiy jgenetj 

ally., wfifether lying norjji or spulhor il^tlij 

by repealing it as a !^^jjy-' ve paanon atid secf 

tiooil prejudice, by indoctrinating its people 

.-•ima reciprocal -hatred, and-educating them 

to stand face to face »s enemies, rather: than 

(a friends." 

of such un 

shoulder to shoulder 

It is hy the agency 

interference, foreign nnd -domes:i^Kat the, 

minds of ninny, othcrjwise good c,iMros, h.tri 

1 —'T so inflainwl into'the passionate cor|dern-5 

••n of the domestic instiiutions of iheôuth- 

rem;unsTthere? 

nnd a beacon of TvarbtS! 

the statesman. 

oioa 

NJ 

erf 

iilsCtpr i 

tbe intentions, of 

iir-tbis"rcsp v ect, conceived as they were in 

', and-disseminated in passion .are ; utterly 

destitute of any, justification in the nature of things, 

,ry to all the fundararntal doctrines.ani 

pf-civil liberty and self-governmeiffii, 

:refp/c,4n general, wôpjeof tbejifir-- 

i haVe never, at any .timpj 

al government toe; power to 

Ttbe domestic condition 

bern States^ but on the conj; 

all:such intentions, and have s 

ous!fifBlu*fon with those feWiWhof 

al placet 

In3 pf re vjpldj 

_ac 

land 

BU 

i'bes 

brnpatibje 

stence 

ome xif. t 

Ify the exis 1 

Congress th 

airy was yivited 

»tions for its'repeal ;^ 

ed by reason of the imp? 

3, when thegBlata4-:jeitnc 

S"tai&? b 

" 3î 

, the 

Rn,. and .that 

at wjih its: birtt^Tâ'_foHowedî^Cry 

from theiNorth against impjjfeJ Southern eg|-, 

aehmcnts; which erf sprang in wality from j^jJ State 

ipirit nl revGl-!|i:i:.r*.5^Ck on^the domestic instX IUef« 

tu tions of-the Soathj«na) after a trotfbled 

^f a few months, baa ra* «buke4 ty |!»%TP»?e 

.tiie pipple of the United Stales are themselves the 

ar-sufl» : ent guardians of their okvn righss, and to 

suppose that they \yiil not remedy, in;:due season', 

any such -incidents'of civil freedom, is to- suppose J 

them to baye ceased to be capable of sOlf-govern- 

ment. The President of'the Unijedi.-t.States baa not 

power !o itoterposc in elections,-^ seeito .their free- 

dom, tp canvass their vo. 

legality in the 

United JStafflj 

merit inigh 

onarcby 5 

e it in tlie C 

ly Enbjec^te ; the cha|ge 6 

r sflaPKf '•••'• f>- • 

viplaiioa 

,U^"ted State! 

have been 

"fe- 

usurpation, /and oif 

fights of jtlib people of the 

• • . ' «5 - • - 

Jually with irregularities' at elec- 

Hods !of great excijjBfcit, .the oeca- 

fints of even tto freestjaWrbest political 

s. -But alfiexpmence demonstrates that 

» -' • • - -r-i - : - ' • } : • 

r i|tke onrSj.^bere tbe| right oC self-cqn- 

fists ieicoin'pletest-form. the attempt 

by resort tb revolution, 

apt an 

• trust Ihit how, . whei 

ansas affords opportunit 

rnorejimôrtant that it should be as complete 

possible in all tbe elements ^pf strength-^ that it j 

iho.uld be efficient in the'Character o f its officers, in 

: 'the ; zeal and.discipline of'its men,, inihe reliability:, 

' ^ it^ ordinance, and ini the capacity of its ships ' 

|p all these various, qualities the navy has made 

great!progress within .tbe last few years; The ex- 

ecution pf the law of Congress,of February 23,1855, 

''la promote the efficiency of tbe.navy,' : has been at" 

tendejd by =tbe most advantageous results. ; ^^"" 

•j Tbp law for .promoting! discipline among tbe men 

K found convenient and. salutary. The System of 

granting an honorable dischnrû to faithful seamen 

.:-on t5e expiratjoh of -the period of their enlistment 

permitting them. 16. re-enlist- -after a leave ofab- 

feence of a few months, without cessation of pay is 

high)/ beneficial in its influence." the apprentice 

system recently adopted ils evidently destined to in- 

' corporate into the seivice a large number of our 

countryman hitherto so diffi ml t to procure.'' Several 

hundred American boys'Are now on a throe years 

-.cruise' in the national vessels, and will return .welj 

frainojd seamen. I 

:f In tbe ordinance department ther,e is a-decided 

and gratifying indication of progress creditable to 

it and! to the country.; Tli e suggestion of tbe Secre" 

tary of the Navy, in regard to further improvemcn 

in thtjt.branch of the service, I commend : to j-pur 

favorable cction. • . • ; " > / 

1 The ne\v frigates Ordered by Congress are now 

afloatj and two oftbe)|» inj active service. They are 

Superibt models.of naval architcctaje, aad with their 

t rmiaable battery add largely to; pub lie strength 

id security. . . 

' I concur in the views expressed by tbe secretary 

of the department hi fayorsof a still further increaa. 

of our naval force. j^gL" 

The report of the^Bretary of-the - Inter^rf 

ents facts ani views in relation to ialerc 

over whicKthestipervisiooi o^Bffi 

of much infta-est and irapar.tanc*. 

public ian«,-during 

ainouat.to nine ^million-.two Imn- 

"vep thousand eight hundred and 

Tor wWch has been recehe"d : 'the 

rillion eightpunrired andjtwenty-one 

'lundrcd and fourteen dollars, 

i.same period there bave «been located 

'njiijitary scrip an-i land-wan^n'ts, and for otl.- 

er purposes , thirty millidjpjne huudred "'thousand 

twobundred and thirty acres thus makâgâ toli'I 

aggregate of thirty-nine million three hundred and 

twenty eight thousand pne hundred and «eigb', 

^rn I • ' .^ L -' "' 

been 

'-.I'- , 

On die 30th of September last, -survey^ hi 

made ojf sixteen million eig[ht hundred and s 

three thousand sixjBjuoa 

large 'portion of wjiich is 

• Thef uggestionsr in this 

complication and progress 

•«d ninety-nine ; acres, a 

ready for market. '• 

report in regard tp tbe 

ve expansion ofthebns- 

incss jw tfic different bureaux of the department; to; 

the pension system ; to tbe colonization ofrfndian 

tribes, pnd the recommendation in relation to 

tnewone, 

3 to 

ita-J 

establis 

to assure toiits 

rtheTerritorîor^ 

jemain op ilajjat 

fps of 

objects for^wbich tfi 

.; and 

ad its i rest 

United Stal 

'allinf 

atitntioni 

i of thte 

aic law- 

events 

r.in 

ons improvements 'in the:District of Columbia agt 

.especially commended lo your consideration.. H 

'he]rflport of the Postmaster General 'presenfll 

condition of that department of the govern. 

expenditures for the 

ur hundred and s'e 

dollars 

million six hundred 

t hundred and pne 

excess jof expenditures over receipts 

.seven'hundred and eigbty-seven, tb. 

ty-six {dollars. Tbe defic iency 

seven hundred and forty- 

lan forrlbeyear endiu 

three Imndrcd and 

ttributed to tbe additional 

osl-niesters by ihe act of Congress 

'ilike relietTo*their commerce, and Denmark was 

thus induced to propose an arrangemeut to all the 

Europpun Powers interested io the subject; and 

the.munner in which her proposition was rtteive 

warranting her. to bcliev^&ai a satisfactory ,»i[raDE 

could scijfebe conefuded, sb'-- maJ 

nmeut for temporary 

nîts part, in 

hi usuit 

tate H 

States. 

ridiiionth: 

^ sums coUS^BJ (|^# {be lijih of Jan.; List, 

rand from tho ^srxi^PPP^' Jane next •! fro 

vessels and axrôes belonging to otir mert-hants, are 

lo be considered as paid under protest, and subject to, 

: fnture adjustment. 

, There i3 reason to believe that, an arrangement 

between Denmark-and tbe maritime powers of 

Europe on the :subjcct ivillbe soou conclude.^ and 

that the pending negotiation with the United ^States 

may then be resumed and terminnttU in a a:\ti3'ac- 

tory'manner. .•• -. 

With Spain no new difficulties bnve arisen, r.or 

LaS much progress been iuad« iu the.adjuitaaeut of 

pending oac-s. 

Negotiations entered' into for the puTposeof reli y 

ing our commercial intercourse jvith the Jfiuod of 

Cuba of some of its burdens, and providing the;moie 

speedy settlement of local disputes growing out of 

that intercourse, have not yet bwn attcuTlcd with 

any results. 

' Soon at>er the cii.nimeacempnt of.the hitc war in 

Europe, this goverurafnttub«itted gto the consider- 

ation of all n aritime fuwers, two principles iur the 

security of neutral commerce: one tha.t .1 he neiitr.. 1 

flag should cover enemies' goods except ar'titJ*-i con- 

trsiband of war nnd the other that neutral pi jperty 

on board merchants vessels 'of belligerent jjhould 

•be exempt from conJemn:ition, with the exeejf '-tin of 

contraband artirli-s.- '"Theje-were not prestr'-'d us 

ne\v rules of"international law having been pentr;il- 

ly cjaimed by neutrals, though not always ud riilteU 

by buligerents. One of :he ]>;irtie# to tho ffa-r—• 

Russia—as vvell as several neutril powers pnynjitly 

acceded to those propositions aud the two other 

principal belligerents; Great LJrituin And Frani-p, 

having consented to objc-rve them . for ; the prtsmt 

occasion, a'le opportunity scc'infl to fi« |'te- 

seated for obtaining a. fiiniriil rcrbguition ot them 

both, in Europe ;ind A-iaerica. 

r But Great Britain iinil France, in rommpiV.with ' 

most of the States ofKuro:;e. while.furl-en:iu$T to re- 

ject, did nqt aiEruiauvjly Uct upon the overtt » ; es of 

the United 'States.. 

into consideration th 

put forth a. dec arat 

gC«6t( : f mariii.ne rig'its,j a ,d 

' ning the two (»rini:i;tiis 

which this goverunieatjhzid fiib.niued, ne.triy f.- 0 

years before, tor r lhe con'sidoniticiij uf^mr.iii;ut'ii.jv,- 

ers, and adding 'hereto th*i following pro|)«si;'ii>ns : 

•Privateering- is and remaias al 

ades, in 

is tosayi'lfiaintained by'a force, sufficient re.n^y, to 

prevent-access to^tbe coast of tha enemy ; : 'and io 

the declaration thus composed of lour |>oiiit.*, two 

of which had already been |||BJpj5etl l-y the Ucittd 

Stale?, tbia gSvernment hasb^S 5 !^. i':d'toa*.-ede l->- 

all the powers 

B:i:ain and 

d.tional 

there uia 

tae defi'nitt 

"(Ml v 

for which 

aed, • j;l 

iLad-S 

est'ntect 

To -tl/e 1'isr -.'if tUo 

—that iu ie'aupa to 

.be no , -m^^^m 

bat s!iixiruonsliiute tlit c-!!'cJ- 

biook idter- pfffi-, a rltfi tition 

government b.is ul'.vay?" ctaiteu- 

^^^ indemnity for loisejf \\here 

a practicarfBlation of the rule thus ilffined j h:-.s 

Keen injurious to onr commerce. 

As to the; remaining article of the declaration of 

the conferencCSof Piris, -'that privaietring- is .and 

remains abolished,''—I certainly ifinnot ascribe to 

the powersiispreje.ated in the cotife ence.of. 'Paris, 

any b¥tlilê;al and philanthropic views' iu tli't at- 

temp^tp tbange tte uquestionable rule of maritime 

law mêgard to pjjvaieei iuiir-H)--e 

lia^ been recently revived, on t!,e part o* Ne-.v Urcn- 

ad;i, by t e enactment of a la\v 1^1 suhject vrsscis vis- 

iting her pnrts to the tonnuj;e duty . cif tortv CCTJ 

per toti: nuJ, although tht- law h.u not hoi :i ;.»[ j,, 

force, yet the right to enJor.es it is sittl ittsvriril. Antl 

may at any lime, ;be acted o • by th.; iovfram-ni uf 

tfuit republic. 

wThe Congress-of Sew Gramnl.i li-is a!.-n fr. i.-:,-\ ,\. 

jgjSi-, during the hist vear, which !evii-'< atax ur ro ti.o I-t!>r.i s. Tin- .-;;.: 

to be puitl on l.'u- niîls . f tin- 

lie u'e 

ilionglb the lari smn pavuMe !>v.;• >I,.TI. t 1,1 

ia;na Riiilri.ail t'oaiuanv. if'rhc DH!-, niiifc- 

to this exaction werp the exorli': - :.nrv i.: i:/ ,. 

punt.it could not-be submitted to l>>- ilic t'ii.:-.! 

ates. X 

The imposition of it, however] would o^vi,-,::-'-.- 

contravene our trt-a'y wi?bS».;\\ 

was. l>y its terms, to tnke eiFecfon tf.i- Ut uf St-iM.-ii, 

iier liist, t'Ut the local authorities uu the is limia 

Have been induced to-anspcnd its exi t-iitiun". -ainl i ,\ 

await further inslructi-ins oa the sti)j't:t cum i!.f 

govt-rnment of the republic. I am ut \i-r ,nh i.-'eif if-. 

the t'ettriniivation of that goveruir.t-n!. l|a iiiva.-iir« 

so extraordinary iu its riiarac er, an^ [icr-iisttij in. i: \\-.-\ ' 

bt: the Uafy-of the CiiitciJ Jstates to resist i:j exi-i.-n-' 

ttdn. 

I re^r t exceedingly, tfiatpccasfoncsfsts io insije 

your attentiyn to a subject of still ^r.ver iinjiart in" 

j)iir rt-Latioiis with il,e HeiMiblic ot N^\v- Urt-ii.i ii, -- 

On the T5tb day of .\jiril last, a. rioti>:;.i-n'-i-nit'n..f • 

of llie iuhaliitaurs ot l\i aina rijni'iiliti .1 .\ vi,j!i-;,( 

'au:l outrageous attack on thp prStuisrs'o! i!,f rajlr a ! . 

company, unJ ll;e p:i3sei!grrs ai.tl other |.c!.-.ini< in" ] 

or near the same, in 1 - olvinpr the ^loath of ji-vrtil rit- ' 

i^.-ns of the L'tiittd Slates, tlie pilla^t- ufnAuif ivt.rr-, ; 

and tlie n of :x tarueaniyuni ct |'ii.;i-r r .- 

belonj;irij. r to tin 1 r;si!ru;n! coits: aay^. 

• I i"lll3Cll fliULInTwiiâttwmrt thai cvrnt tnl I-HCK!", 

un'l tlif rc?iilt shows satlfll'Mrturilr-that ri)iii[ii>-:i' n- 

Sjn'iisil ility fiir'wb:it'acciirrt-il ;tt::u l:< s to rt!ie. pnv-- 

eminent of N.i - w Greiiuila. ,1 lui^r. t!ur.-!ur". .!•- 

• Uiandi-il"o! that j;ovt 4 rniDfiit th.u jhl- jifEjH'mtiirs' Ste n'tâuci *-'".; 

securiljr antf prutectipu of |.fj3• .-i:- 

l7.etia of tfie Un'tcil rit- te? iii rtiose'jMsrt-t. rtn «itii'Jr»« 

the navrtl force, now in tlu>:-«! p'irt.-.. nnti'. hy t!.-- 

spoiitaneans action of the re|:iiblic L>:'•'-^.•* 

my tonjrarutaiiona iu vi-.-.v i,t :lu' JI«H:«. pm* : ".-•:• 

•ity tvliith the Uniteii States no.w possessa:.-l 

T^ point vou to ihe stati- uf the var:"i,s •]•- 

ftn-nits of the tovernmint, i^rijl of ;ill i!-e g:f-«' 

ie public si-rvji-i-, civil :in-l i;i.-l:t.ir;.- ;'i 

or'U-r tasjjealv ot'tue mie! ! i«;( > .iivy that.the.-nation ii- 

;l,.,t 

u-:i 

ihc 

.N»| 

f mails to the Panama 

Railrc ay-'Company , anonmend- to their early 

cp nsideratio'n the suggest* 

ri officer ; i n. relation to trAnsporta tionpon 

.- -• --. • ^ T '" I_ 

sivre, so inadequate to tpe 

the proposed ol-ji.>cl, and' so nin.-ijiml ii; 

erjition, would receive ibe assent of all 

time powers. Private" property would le 

left tjhe depretf'alious of the public" armed 

Consti 

tulion. Ardontly attached to liberty ^tU>e 

abstract, they d not stop to consider |Rr*R|$: 

'caliy bow the oi'jec^s they would attain can 

be nocnmpHshed, nor to reflect that, ev^n if 

the evil were as great as they dt-cm if, jtltcy 

liarejin remedy to nppty,' and thut it cap be 

only »ffgro rat ^' hy their violence and uiicojK 

point, ish 

encc 

]?ut i-nf wj 

enactment; 

petuitr ai 

comunct ? 

No 

oulitediy bindiii 

j i ' •• - •• 

(-good jcUJisen 

tise ean'it to 

uestlonjjvas it 

h^mostrepf 

eat 

Ofe-t 

: conntenance from 

' payment] 

twill i; 

unJ statesrnansJrip, thcv ireat 

with unreawninjj intemperanca of thought and; 

* -.:-_»• -:*-*ata«f . l .-...i—-!- 

flictiiig Opinions 

Congress But if it 

- 

finds itfs inevi 

wtlj-of 

ie : jpsop'le'l»f 

jpFoe numlier nn3" ; 

Bwltbeea magnified 

ot; 

e teen" 

, 

'of f 

- 

aboni 

economical 

/when" the 

en,;greater 

lands l 

inting 

_. upon the TVhuantepec 

> ' !. 

•Ontjnues in the;r: enjoy ment of' 

a|t foreign-powers, 

my last message was ' trans,mitre< 

i subjects pf cpattorersy 

t men t of soldiers in this cbuptry-ifo 

thaJjctbertoCentrari ' 

r ed to distarb-gpod understanding- 

ted States and (Great Britain. Of 

termination of the-'formerjqnesfion 

ed:^l; tb^ time-—and the ojher is 

isfactory. Adjustment. 

• ...- "••- : ; ;• --• •-,'-•- •'. 

"' ; |#§pe con^tioJpbjStireea '|he TTmted 

Sre^t Britain p#ê Wth ii»f a^ril, 1850 

re for tlie/êfit -of »U rpajtlohi^ the ntn! 

the. cpmm6n,:'dSfcflt;Bn> transit way Cr 

wtbraus of 

, . . vo,limits of 

.... • 

byiQreat, 

& r o : 

coan 

I have expressed a readinesr on tLe rarf of this 

government, to at-cede to all the prin«iplescont&ni- 

ed in tbe declaration of the cpn r rrenceof Paris, 

provided that relating to '.heul-aailonmentof prira- 

teerinjj can be*so amended as to effect jievpbject for 

which, as is presumed, it svns iiitr-ndeS,3tSe nnmn- 

nity Of private property un the ocean from" hu '' 

capture. To effect this object it'is proposed to 

to the declaration thaf "privateering island 

•Abolished," the following ameitianient. "And flwt 

the private property of subject^wjil citizen 

bellêrcnt on tbt-high seas; shall be exei 

seizure by the public armed vessels oft! 

ligerent, except it be.contraband. 1 '' 

The amendment has bten presented 

Jherpptlera whicM have asked onr 

"eclaratipn. to abojisfi privateering, t 

-"'•-ie states. Thua far it has not 

"and iiJTarnrably en:ertai 

mcic-atioo in 

iromenta, regar- ___ 

e Uni ted States, hav* 

it/only-fortbe purpose of 

j parlies to the cpnference of 

Parb^FlKi''e : fiifr satisfaction pf staling;" bowei^f, 

the emperor of RtflKn baa entirely and esplia- 

oved of that modification, and will, co-op- 

--voring to obtain the assfnt of otfter 

that • assurances of similar pnrp ar t 

•ceiveil-in relation to the dispositior of 

e pf thePrericli. 

•nt aspect of this important subiectVl- 

us to cherish the hope that a principal so bu- 

maJieib"i|8!cbaracteTusp just and eqnal in its opo-i 

ration, so essential to toe prosperity of comtaercjal 

nations, and so consonant the, aentimenta of tbis 

enlighteneil period pf^heivoridi will comma.id tbe 

approbation of all maratiiue powers, and thus be in- 

corporated'into the code c f interaatioaal law-. •;-i 

My Tieôitthesdêct are'âoml-'filfy set fjbr^h 

a the ifÎy"^ thai S«?rBtary .pf State,.» copirof 

whlg^jbiieiKrfjfcb bajanJitted^ to the eotomuniîr 

iiPfls en" 

eW 

,.- -. --T-—^-i to thfefe gorernment, ^ 

:icorajndnt?at5pnHJf-France. 

it Qf tbe.Ufifted Slates, has at 

I: wi!bbjaaiQ f;intemt tbabth«r ?-. 

" i country, 

tnuJjaiffilfenf of " 

•sd^conai 

. e»t r« 

awfnrm 

at pe-.ice at horae aa '\ f 

.bloodless .cocquest of the '.nnlinen! : flia: ci'i-n: :in-l 

populoyj States are spriuîaij ii;', aji' • -y •" •''"" 

mcnt, fretn tbe b'osjm of «.iiV wt-n-rn' n i. is. ••".•! • lt 

tlic cqn-hgeong energy of qiw- jicople is i:j,^ "••••: un!ry 

entirely from tiie influences of conflicting tra 

larttic partialities or antipathirs, which :iH>'^ r 

cnr coli-.nini aad revolutionary history, = anJ s 

ganize the practicaLopenttjoD of the '' 

' * 

7 

'' ' 

u o: ~ 

- '" 

•Delves in tbe ea!i:u 

_ .t by: 

wealibteat of tbe empires of Eurij 

tic relations, we have to,;piard( 

the ambit io' s, 

therefore, soim 

or opinion, or of action, 

present political 

the restlwsjpirii of »nf 

peopiBWfte United Stfl 

•I.shall prepare to anfNtadcr tbe 

te^roy sorcessor, and retire toj 

tiinents of profound gratity * 

d^nce whic*!. durjajj the pL ^__. 

tion, bas voucasMp to.rarrjl ' MBmaoy di 

ties, domesjic airaforeijm, an ^P c n>e l ^. ? 0a 

teu)|.Lite tbespectarl • of arairtWpBd rcspectwi re- 

lations batweeu onrvand all olfier govcmments, ana 

the âblUhmcnt of coaftitmiotwl order and traa 

quiliwibroughout the Union. 

FBA5KLIN PIERCE. 

, December 2,1S5S. 

FRIOBTJ-UL ACCJDKNT—FAU.INS or TUB Itur.*-* 

BCIMK OTS« THB SaVtASDOtB RlVSS—To'«I« 

- D?e.,.l.-A frighifuf acctdenji c 

curred 0:1 the M«rnawa» G»p Railroad o*.Sat* 

day Dighj, «t River Ssatioh, in Warren 

Va. Th< bridge OTet tne Sh . M?doah Rl 

waj, precipiMHiag ihe engine *nd fi»« caw, a , u 

pf fprif.Sve feet into the river. The 

firzdwo aa* cootfaeior were ki! 

Buck, iwss-nScr, of Warrs a counijr, '

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