therefore, be a matter of general congratulation, that amidst all the embarrassments arising from surrounding circumstances, the credit of the Government should have been so fully restored that it has been enabled to effect a loan of seven millions of dollars to redeem that amount of treasury notes, on terms more favorable than any that have been offered for many years; and the six per cent. stock which was created in 1842, has advanced in the hands of the holders to nearly twenty per cent. above its par value. The confidence of the people in the integrity of their Government has thus been signally manifested. These opinions relative to the public lands do not, in any manner, conflict with the observance of the most liberal policy towards those of our fellow-citizens who press forward into the wilderness, and are the pioneers in the work of its reclamation. In securing to all such their rights of pre-emption, the Government performs but an act of retributive justice for sufferings encountered and hardships endured, and finds ample remuneration in the comforts which its policy insures, and the happiness it imparts. Should a revision of the tariff, with a view to revenue, become necessary in the estimation of Congress, I doubt not you will approach the subject with a just and enlightened regard to the interests of the whole Union. The principles and views which I have heretofore had occasion to submit, remain unchanged. It can, however, never be too often repeated, that the prominent interest of every important pursuit of life requires, for success, permanency and stability in legislation. These can only be attained by adopting, as the basis of action, moderation in all things; which is as indispensably necessary to secure the harmonious action of the political as of the animal system. In our political organization, no one section of the country should desire to have its supposed interests advanced at the sacrifice of all others; but union being the great interest, equally precious to all, should be fostered and sustained by mutual concessions, and the cultivation of that spirit of compromise, from which the constitution itself proceeded. You will be informed, by the report from the Treasury Department, of the measures taken under the act of the last session, authorizing the re-issue of treasury notes in lieu of those then outstanding. The system adopted in pursuance of existing laws, seems well calculated to save the country a large amount of interest, while it affords conveniences and obviates dangers and expense in the transmission of funds to disbursing agents. I refer you also to that report for the means proposed by the Secretary to increase the revenue, and particularly to that portion of it which relates to the subject of the warehousing system, which I earnestly urged upon Congress at its last session, and as to the importance of which my opinion has undergone no change. In view of the disordered condition of the currency at the time, and the high rates of exchange between different parts of the country, I felt it to be incumbent on me to present to the consideration of your predecessors a proposition conflicting in no degree with the constitution, or with the rights of the States, and having the sanction-not in detail, but in principle—of some of the eminent men who had preceded me in the executive office. That proposition contemplated the issuing of treasury notes of denominations not less than five, nor more than [DECEMBER, 1843. one hundred dollars, to be employed in payment of the obligations of the Government in lieu of gold and silver, at the option of the public creditor, and to an amount not exceeding $15,000,000. It was proposed to make them receivable everywhere, and to establish at various points depositories of gold and silver, to be held in trust for the redemption of such notes, so as to insure their conver tibility into specie. No doubt was entertained that such notes would have maintained a par value with gold and silver-thus furnishing a paper currency of equal value over the Union, thereby meeting the just expectations of the people, and fulfilling the duties of a parental Government. Whether the depositories should be permitted to sell or purchase bills under very limited restrictions, together with all its other details, was submitted to the wisdom of Congress, and was regarded as of secondary importance. I thought then, and think now, that such an arrangement would have been attended with the happiest results. The whole matter of the currency would have been placed where, by the constitution, it was designed to be placed under the immediate supervision and control of Congress. The action of the Government would have been independent of all corporations; and the same eye which rests unceasingly on the specie currency, and guards it against adulteration, would also have rested on the paper currency, to control and regulate its issues, and protect it against depreciation. The same reasons which would forbid Congress from parting with the power over the coinage, would seem to operate with nearly equal force in regard to any substitution for the precious metals in the form of a circulating medium. Paper, when substituted for specie, constitutes a standard of value, by which the operations of society are regulated; and whatsoever causes its depreciation, affects society to an extent nearly, if not quite, equal to the adulteration of the coin. Nor can I withhold the remark, that its advantages, contrasted with a Bank of the United States-apart from the fact that a bank was esteemed obnoxious to the public sentiment, as well on the score of expediency as of constitutionality-appeared to me to be most striking and obvious. The relief which a bank would afford by an issue of $15,000,000 of its notes, (judging from the experience of the late United States Bank,) would not have occurred in less than fifteen years; whereas, under the proposed arrangement, the relief arising from the issue of $15,000,000 of treasury notes would have been consummated in one year; thus furnishing, in one-fifteenth part of the time in which a bank could have accomplished it, a paper medium of exchange, equal in amount to the real wants of the country, at par value with gold and silver. The saving to the Government would have been equal to all the interest which it has had to pay on treasury notes of previous as well as subsequent issues; thereby relieving the Government, and, at the same time, affording relief to the people. Under all the responsibilities attached to the station which I occupy, and in redemption of a pledge given to the last Congress, at the close of its last session, I submitted the suggestion to its consideration at two consecutive sessions. The recommendation, however, met with no favor at its hands. While I am free to admit that the necessities of the times have since become greatly ameliorated, and that there is good reason to hope that the country is safely DECEMBER, 1843.] The President's Message. and rapidly emerging from the difficulties and embarrassments which everywhere surrounded it in 1841, yet I cannot but think that its restoration to a sound and healthy condition would be greatly expedited by a resort to the expedient in a modified form. [28TH CONG. port the feelings of pride and confidence, which brilliant deeds and heroic valor have heretofore served to strengthen and confirm. I refer you particularly to that part of the Secretary's report which has reference to recent experi ments in the application of steam, and in the construction of war steamers, made under the superintendence of distinguished officers of the navy. In addition to other manifest improvements in the construction of steam-engines, and application of the motive power, which has rendered them more appropriate to the uses of ships of war, one of those officers has brought into use a power which makes the steam-ship most formidable, either for attack or defence. I cannot too strongly recommend this subject to your consideration, and do not hesitate to express my entire conviction of its great importance. The operations of the treasury now rest on the act of 1789, and the resolution of 1816, and those laws have been so administered as to produce as great a quantum of good to the country as their provisions are capable of yielding. If there had been any distinct expression of opinion going to show that public sentiment is adverse to the plan, either as heretofore recommended to Congress, or in a modified form,-while my own opinion in regard to it would remain unchanged, I should be very far from again presenting it to your consideration. The Government has originated with the States and the people, for their own benefit and ad- I call your particular attention, also, to that porvantage; and it would be subversive of the foun- tion of the Secretary's report which has reference dation-principles of the political edifice which they to the late act of the session of Congress, which prohave reared, to persevere in a measure which, inhibited the transfer of any balance of appropriation their mature judgments, they had either repudiated or condemned. The will of our constituents, clearly expressed, should be regarded as the light to guide our footsteps; the true difference between a monarchical or aristocratical government and a republic being, that in the first, the will of the few prevails over the will of the many; while in the last, the will of the many should be alone consulted. The report of the Secretary of War will bring you acquainted with the conditions of that important branch of the public service. The army may be regarded, in consequence of the small number of the rank and file in each company and regiment, as little more than a nucleus around which to rally the military force of the country in case of war; and yet its services in preserving the peace of the frontiers are of a most important nature. In all cases of emergency, the reliance of the country is properly placed in the militia of the several States; and it may well deserve the consideration of Congress, whether a new and more perfect organization might not be introduced, looking mainly to the volunteer companies of the Union for the present, and of easy application to the great body of the militia in time of war. The expenditures of the War Department have been considerably reduced in the last two years; contingencies, however, may arise, which would call for the filling up of the regiments with a full complement of men, and make it very desirable to remount the corps of dragoons, which by an act of the last Congress was directed to be dissolved. I refer you to the accompanying report of the Secretary for information in relation to the navy of the United States. While every effort has been, and will continue to be made, to retrench all superfluities, and lop off all excrescences which from time to time may have grown up, yet it has not been regarded as wise or prudent to recommend any material change in annual appropriations. The interests which are involved are of too important a character to lead to the recommendation of any other than a liberal policy. Adequate appropriations ought to be made, to enable the Executive to fit out all the ships that are now in a course of building, or that require repairs, for active service in the shortest possible time, should any emergency arise which may require it. An efficient navy, while it is the cheapest means of public defence, enlists in its sup from other heads of appropriation to that for building, equipment, and repair. The repeal of that prohibition will enable the department to give renewed employment to a large class of workmen, who have been necessarily discharged, in consequence of the want of means to pay them-a circumstance attended, especially at this season of the year, with much privation and suffering. It gives me great pain to announce to you the loss of the steamship "The Missouri," by fire, in the Bay of Gibraltar, where she had stopped to renew her supplies of coal, on her voyage to Alexandria, with Mr. Cushing, the American Minister to China, on board. There is ground for commendation of the officers and men for the coolness, and intrepidity, and perfect submission to discipline, evinced under the most trying circumstances. Surrounded by a raging fire, which the utmost exertions could not subdue, and which threatened momentarily the explosion of her well-supplied magazines, the officers exhibited no signs of fear, and the men obeyed every order with alacrity. Nor was she abandoned until the last gleam of hope of saving her had expired. It is well worthy of your consideration, whether the losses sustained by the officers and crew in this unfortunate affair should not be reimbursed to them. I cannot take leave of this painful subject without adverting to the aid rendered upon the occasion by the British authorities at Gibraltar, and the commander, officers, and crew, of the British ship-ofthe-line" The Malabar," which was lying at the time in the bay. Every thing that generosity or humanity could dictate was promptly performed. It is by such acts of good-will by one to another of the family of nations, that fraternal feelings are nourished, and the blessings of permanent peace secured. The report of the Postmaster General will bring you acquainted with the operations of that department during the past year, and will suggest to you such modifications of the existing laws as in your opinion the exigencies of the public service may require. The change which the country has undergone of late years in the mode of travel and transportation, has afforded so many facilities for the transmission of mail-matter out of the regular mail, as to require the greatest vigilance and circumspection in order to enable the officer at the head of the department to restrain the expenditures within | the income. There is also too much reason to fear that the franking privilege has run into great abuse. The department, nevertheless, has been conducted with the greatest vigor, and has attained, at the least possible expense, all the useful objects for which it was established. [DECEMBER, 1843. favorable circumstances, are always embarrassing,) but at the same time important and high principles of maritime law-border controversies between the citizens and subjects of the two countries had engendered a state of feeling and of conduct which threatened the most calamitous consequences. The hazards incident to this state of things were greatly In regard to all the departments, I am quite heightened by the arrest and imprisonment of a happy in the belief that nothing has been left un- subject of Great Britain, who, acting (as it was aldone which was called for by a true spirit of econ-leged) as a part. of a military force, had aided in omy, or by a system of accountability rigidly enforced. This is, in some degree, apparent from the fact, that the Government has sustained no loss by the default of any of its agents. In the complex, but, at the same time, beautiful machinery of our system of government, it is not a matter of surprise that some remote agency may have failed for an instant to fulfil its desired office; but I feel confident in the assertion, that nothing has occurred to interrupt the harmonious action of the Government itself; and that while the laws have been executed with efficiency and vigor, the rights neither of States nor of individuals have been trampled on or disregarded. In the mean time, the country has been steadily advancing in all that contributes to national greatness. The tide of population continues unbrokenly to flow into the new States and Territories, where a refuge is found not only for our native-born fellowcitizens, but for emigrants from all parts of the civilized world, who come among us to partake of the blessings of our free institutions, and to aid by their labor to swell the current of our wealth and power. It is due to every consideration of public policy that the lakes and rivers of the West should receive all such attention at the hands of Congress as the constitution will enable it to bestow. Works in favorable and proper situations on the lakes would be found to be as indispensably necessary in case of war to carry on safe and successful naval operations, as fortifications on the Atlantic seaboard. The appropriations made by the last Congress for the improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi River have been diligently and efficiently applied. I cannot close this communication, gentlemen, without recommending to your most favorable consideration, the interests of this District. Appointed by the constitution its exclusive legislators, and forming in this particular the only anomaly in our system of government-that of the legislative body being elected by others than those for whose advantage they are to legislate-you will feel a superadded obligation to look well into their condition, and to leave no cause for complaint or regret. The seat of Government of our associated Republics cannot but be regarded as worthy of your parental care. In connection with its other interests, as well as those of the whole country, I recommend that at your present session you adopt such measures, in order to carry into effect the Smithsonian bequest, as in your judgment will be best calculated to consummate the liberal intent of the testator. the commission of an act violative of the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, and involving the murder of a citizen of the State of New York. A large amount of claims against the Government of Mexico remained unadjusted, and a war of several years' continuance with the savage tribes of Florida still prevailed, attended with the desolation of a large portion of that beautiful Territory, and with the sacrifice of many valuable lives. To increase the embarrassment of the Government, individual and State credit had been nearly stricken down, and confidence in the General Government was so much impaired, that loans of a small amount could only be negotiated at a considerable sacrifice. As a necessary consequence of the blight which had fallen on commerce and mechanical industry, the ships of the one were thrown out of employment, and the operations of the other had been greatly diminished. Owing to the condition of the currency, exchanges between different parts of the country had become ruinously high, and trade had to depend on a depreciated paper currency in conducting its transactions. I shall be permitted to congratulate the country that, under an overruling Providence, peace was preserved without a sacrifice of the national honor; the war in Florida was brought to a speedy termination; a large portion of the claims on Mexico have been fully adjudicated, and are in a course of payment, while justice has been rendered to us in other matters by other nations; confidence between man and man is in a great measure restored, and the credit of this Government fully and perfectly re-established. Commerce is becoming more and more extended in its operations; and manufacturing and mechanical industry once more reap the rewards of skill and labor honestly applied. The operations of trade rest on a sound currency; and the rates of exchange are reduced to their lowest amount. In this condition of things, I have felt it to be my duty to bring to your favorable consideration matters of great interest, in their present and ultimate results; and the only desire which I feel in connection with the future is, and will continue to be, to leave the country prosperous, and its institutions unimpaired. WASHINGTON, December, 1843. JOHN TYLER. Mr. HUNTINGTON moved that the Message and accompanying documents be laid on the table. Mr. SEVIER hoped that the Message would be ordered to be printed as usual. He sub When, under a dispensation of Divine Provi-mitted the motion that it be also printed. dence, I succeeded to the Presidential office, the state of public affairs was embarrassing and critical. To add to the irritation consequent upon a long-standing controversy with one of the most powerful nations of modern times involving not only questions of boundary, (which, under the most The question was put on the motion of Mr. SEVIER to have the Message printed, and car ried in the affirmative. Mr. SEVIER then submitted a motion to have the usual extra quantity of the Message and accompanying documents printed for the IN SENATE. WEDNESDAY, December 6. The following Senators, in addition to those announced heretofore, appeared in their seats in the Senate to-day, viz: Mr. HENDERSON and Mr. WALKER, of Mississippi. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. WEDNESDAY, December 6. The minutes of yesterday were read. Mr. CAVE JOHNSON moved that the House proceed to the election of a Clerk, viva voce; which motion was carried; whereupon, Mr. DAVIS, of Indiana, nominated Caleb J. McNulty, of Ohio'; and Mr. VANCE, of Ohio, nominated Matthew St. Clair Clarke, of Washington City. The SPEAKER named Messrs. DAVIS of Indiana, VANCE of Ohio, and JOHNSON, of Tennessee, tellers; and the roll having been called General Jackson's Fine. [28TH CONG. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre sentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the sum of one thousand dollars, paid by General Andrew Jackson as a fine imposed on him at New Orleans, the 31st day of March, A. D. 1815, be repaid to him, together with then, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherinterest, at the rate of six per cent. a year, since wise appropriated. The bill having been read twice Mr. C. J. INGERSOLL moved to refer it to the Committee of the whole House, and that it be made the order of the day for to-morrow. adjourn; which motion was rejected. Mr. VANCE, of Ohio, moved that the House Mr. WINTHROP observed that there were which to dispose of bills. no rules of the House yet adopted, under Mr. C. J. INGERSOLL replied that they had the rules of the parliamentary law and that was enough for his purpose. The motion of Mr. CHAS. J. INGERSOLL was then adopted. Election of Printer. Mr. MCKAY said he had a resolution now to offer, that the House now proceed to the election of a printer. Before he submitted it, however, he wished to make a few observations in explanation. The congressional printing up to 1839 was executed under the operation of the joint resolution of 1819, but at that time it was considered that the prices fixed by that joint resolution were too high; and the whole subject being submitted to a Select Committee of intelligent members, the result of their investigations was a very voluminous report, and which he had then in his desk, recommending a reduction of the scale of prices of fifteen per cent. The minority of the committee, who were gentlemen of the Whig party, recommended a much larger reduction -say twenty per cent. At the extra session, the subject of the printer's compensation was again taken up, and an examination gone into. [Here Mr. McK. read the resolution of the extra session on that subject.] The prices were then fixed at twenty per cent. less than the prices of 1819, under which reduction Gales & Seaton were elected printers; but, unfortu nately, the same majority who had thus reduced the prices of the printers, repealed their act at the last session, by adding an appropriation to the general appropriation bill, sufficient to make Gales & Seaton's compensation equal to the prices fixed by the joint resolution of 1819. He did not advert to this fact for the purpose of censuring the majority for what they did, 1ST SESS.] Election of Officers. [DECEMBER, 1843. but to show how the prices had got up again | vided by law that the public patronage of the Govafter being reduced. This might seem, to many of the new members here, to be a small matter; but it would cease to be so when they learned that the printing of the House for the 27th Congress, exclusive of the Senate, amounted to $200,000. By this they would see how much the reduction would amount to. It was desirous that this reduction should take place before the election of printer, so that the persons elected might know what they had to depend upon. Blair and Rives accepted the office under the reduction of 15 per cent. below the prices of the resolution of 1819; so that they could not object to the resolution. Mr. McK. then submitted the following resolution, which was read: Resolved, That the House now proceed to the election of printer of this House for the 28th Congress, whose compensation shall be the same that was allowed to the printer of the House for the 26th Congress, subject to such alterations as may be made in the joint resolution of the 3d of March, 1819, directing the manner in which the printing of Congress shall be executed, fixing the prices thereof, and providing for the appointment of a printer or printers. Mr. GILMER submitted the following as an amendment, to be added to the resolution: And that the printer who may be elected by this House shall serve until the close of the present Congress, unless it shall, in the mean time, be provided by law that the public patronage of the Government shall be separated from the political press; in which event, his services shall cease. Mr. WISE called for the yeas and nays on the amendment; but, a sufficient number not rising to sustain the call, Mr. WISE asked for tellers; upon which, THURSDAY, December 7. Election of Printer. The resolution of the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. MCKAY) was then taken up; which is as follows: "Resolved, That the House now proceed to the election of printer of this House for the 28th Congress, whose compensation shall be the same that was allowed to the printer of the House for the 26th Congress, subject to such alterations as may be made in the joint resolution of the 3d March, 1819, directing the manner in which the printing of Congress shall be executed, fixing the prices thereof, and providing for the appointment of a printer or printers." And, also, the amendment of Mr. GILMER was taken up as follows: "And that the printer who may be elected by this House shall serve until the close of the present Congress, unless it shall, in the mean time, be pro ernment shall be separated from the political press; in which event, his service shall cease." Mr. DICKEY offered an amendment, proposing that the printing be given out by contract, to the lowest bidder, to be executed under the direction of the Clerk. Mr. D. said he had no great objection to the printing of the House being done by the political press; but he did desire that the printing should be done at the least possible expense to the Government. He presumed it was the desire of the House, as well as of the gentleman from Virginia himself, that the public expenditure should be economized; and, as this proposition would probably accomplish his object, he hoped the gentleman would receive it as a modification of his amendment. The CHAIR remarked that it would not be in order to move this amendment until the other one was disposed of. The question was then taken upon Mr. GILMER'S amendment; and resulted-yeas 59, nays 124. So the amendment was not concurred in. Mr. DICKEY here renewed his amendment. The question was then taken on Mr. DICKEY'S amendment, and resulted in yeas 64, nays 110. tion of the original resolution; which was The question then recurred on the adopcarried. Rives as the printers of this House. Mr. STRONG nominated Messrs. Blair & Mr. VANCE nominated Messrs. Gales & Seaton. Mr. CAVE JOHNSON moved that the election be made viva voce; which was agreed to. The SPEAKER appointed Messrs. COBB of Georgia, VANCE of Ohio, and CAVE JOHNSON of Tennessee, as tellers to superintend the election; and, having taken the vote, they reported, by Mr. COBB, that the whole number of votes was Necessary to a choice 197 99 Of which Messrs. Blair & Rives received 124 Messrs. Gales & Seaton 62 Jacob Gideon 1 Messrs. Blair and Rives were therefore declared duly elected the printers of this House for the 28th Congress. Election of Sergeant-at-Arms. Mr. DAVIS, of Indiana, moved that the House proceed to the election of Sergeant-at-arms, viva voce. The motion was agreed to. Mr. BROWN, of Indiana, nominated Newton Lane, of Kentucky. Mr. CHILTON, of Virginia, nominated the Sergeant-at-arms of the last Congress, Mr. Eleazer M. Townsend. The SPEAKER appointed Messrs. BROWN of Indiana, CHILTON of Virginia, and WELLER of Ohio, as the tellers to superintend the election; |