being rendered uniform and economical, the benefits of the fund applicable to the object have been usefully extended.

"The prosperity of our country is also further evinced by the increased revenue arising from the sale of public lands, as will appear from the report of the commissioner of the General Land Office, and the documents accompanying it, which are herewith transmitted. I beg leave to draw your attention to this report, and to the propriety of making early appropriations for the objects which it specifies.

"Your attention is again invited to the subjects connected with that portion of the public interests intrusted to the War department. Some of them were referred to in my former message; and they are presented in detail in the report of the Secretary of War, herewith submitted. I refer you also to the report of that officer for a knowledge of the state of the army, for tifications, arsenal, and Indian affairs; all of which, it will be perceived, have been guarded with zealous attention and care. It is worthy of your consideration whether the armaments necessary for the fortifications on our maritime frontier, which are now, or shortly will be, completed, should not be in readiness sooner than the customary appropriations will enable the department to provide them. This precaution seems to be due to the general system of fortification which has been sanctioned by Congress, and is recommended by that maxim of wisdom, which tells us in peace to prepare for war.

"I refer you to the Secretary of the Navy for a highly satisfactory account of the manner in which the concerns of that department

have been conducted during the present year. Our position in relation to all the most powerful nations of the earth, and the present condition of Europe, admonish us to cherish this arm of our national defence with peculiar care. Separated by wide seas from all those governments whose power we might have reason to dread, we have nothing to apprehend from attempts at conquest. It is chiefly attacks upon our commerce, and harassing inroads upon our coast, against which we have to guard. A respectable naval force, always afloat, with an accumulation of the means to give it a rapid extension in case of need, furnishes the power by which all such aggressions may be prevented or repelled. The attention of the government has, therefore, been recently directed more to preserving the public vessels already built, and providing materials to be placed in dépôt for future use, than to increasing their number. With the aid of Congress, in a few years, the government will be prepared, in case of emergency, to put afloat a powerful navy of new ships, almost as soon as old ones could be repaired.

"The modifications of this part of the service suggested in my last annual message, which are noticed more in detail in the report of the Secretary of the Navy, are again recommended to your serious at tention.

"The report of the Postmastergeneral, in like manner, exhibits a satisfactory view of the important branch of the government under his charge. In addition to the benefits already extended by the operations of the Post-office De partment, considerable improvements within the present year have been secured, by an increase in the

accommodation of stage-coaches, and in the frequency and celerity of the transportation of the mail between some of the most important points of the Union.

"Under the late contracts, improvements have been provided for the southern section of the country, and at the same time an annual saving made of upwards of 72,000 dollars, Notwithstanding the excess of expenditure beyond the current receipts for a few years past, necessarily incurred in the fulfilment of existing contracts, and in the additional expenses, between the periods of contracting, to meet the demands created by the rapid growth and extension of our flourishing country; yet the satisfactory assurance is given, that the future revenue of the department will be sufficient to meet its extensive engagements. The system recently introduced that subjects its receipts and disbursements to strict regulation, has entirely fulfilled its design. It gives full assurance of the punctual transmission, as well as the security of the funds of the department. The efficiency and industry of its officers, and the ability and energy of contractors, justify an increased confidence in its continued prosperity. "The attention of Congress was called, on a former occasion, to the necessity of such a modification of the office of Attorney-general of the United States as would render it more adequate to the wants of the public service. This resulted in the establishment of the office of Solicitor of the Treasury; and the earliest measures were taken to give effect to the provisions of the law which authorized the appointment of that officer, and defined his duties. But it is not believed that this provision, however

useful in itself, is calculated to supersede the necessity of extending the duties and powers of the Attorney-general's office. On the contrary, I am convinced that the public interest would be greatly promoted by giving to that officer the general superintendence of the various law agents of the government, and of all law proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which the United States may be interested, allowing to him, at the same time, such a compensation as would enable him to devote his undivided attention to the public business. I think such a provision is alike due to the public and to the officer.

"Occasions of reference from the different executive departments to the Attorney-general are of frequent occurrence, and the prompt decision of the questions so referred tends much to facilitate the despatch of business in those departments. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury, hereto appended, shows also a branch of the public service, not specifically entrusted to any officer, which might be advantageously committed to the Attorney-general.

"But, independently of those considerations, this office is now one of daily duty. It was origi nally organized, and its compensation fixed, with a view to occasional service, leaving to the incumbent, time for the exercise of his profession in private practice. The state of things which warrant such an organization no longer exists. The frequent claims upon the services of this officer would render his absence from the seat of government, in professional attendance upon the courts, injurious to the public service, and the interests of the government could not fail to be promoted by charging him

with the general superintendance of all its legal concerns.

"Under a strong conviction of the justness of these suggestions, I recommend it to Congress to make the necessary provisions for giving effect to them, and to place the Attorney-general, in regard to compensation, on the same footing with the heads of the several executive departments. To this officer might also be intrusted a cognizance of the cases of insolvency in public debtors, especially if the views which I submitted on this subject last year should meet the approbation of Congress, to which I again solicit your attention.

"Your attention is respectfully invited to the situation of the district of Colombia. Placed by the constitution, under the exclusive jurisdiction and control of Congress, this district is certainly entitled to a much greater share of its consideration than it has yet received. There is a want of uniformity in its laws, particularly in those of a penal character, which increases the expense of their administration, and subjects the people to all the inconveniences which result from the operation of different codes in so small a territory. On different sides of the Potomac, the offence is punishable in unequal degrees; and the peculiarities of many of the early laws of Maryland and Virginia remain in force, notwithstanding their repugnance, in some cases, to the improvements which have superseded them in those states.

"Besides a remedy for these evils, which is loudly called for, it is respectfully submitted whether a provision, authorizing the selection of a delegate to represent the wants of the citizens of this disVOL. LXXII.

trict on the floor of Congress, is not due to them, and to the character of our government. No portion of our citizens should be without a practical enjoyment of the principles of freedom; and there is none more important than that which cultivates a proper relation between the governors and the governed. Imperfect as this must be in this case, yet it is believed, that it would be greatly improved by a representation in Congress, with the same privileges that are allowed to that of the other territories of the United States.

"The penitentiary is ready for the reception of convicts, and only awaits the necessary legislation to put it into operation; as one object of which, I beg leave to recall to your attention the propriety of providing suitable compensation for the officers charged with its inspection.

"The importance of the principles involved in the inquiry, whether it will be proper to re-charter the Bank of the United States, requires that I should again call the attention of Congress to the subject. Nothing has occurred to lessen, in any degree, the dangers which many of our citizens apprehend from that institution, as at present organized. In the spirit of improvement and compromise which distinguishes our country and its institutions, it becomes us to inquire whether it be not possible to secure the advantages afforded by the present bank, through the agency of a bank of the United States, so modified in its principles and structure as to obviate constitutional and other objections.

"It is thought practicable to organize such a bank, with the necessary officers, as a bank of the treasury department, based on the 2 F

public and individual deposits, without power to make loans or purchase property, which shall remit the funds of the government, the expenses of which may be paid, if thought advisable, by allowing its officers to sell bills of exchange to private individuals at a moderate premium. Not being a corporate body, having no stockholders, debtors, or property, and but few officers, it would not be obnoxious to the constitutional objections which are urged against the present bank; and having no means to operate on the hopes, fears, or interests of large masses of the community, it would be shorn of the influence which makes that bank formidable. The states would be strengthened by having in their hands the means of furnishing the local paper currency through their own banks, while the bank of the United States, though issuing no paper, would check the issues of the state banks, by taking their notes in deposit, and for exchange, only so long as they

continue to be redeemed with specie. In times of public emergency, the capacities of such an institution might be enlarged by legislative provision.

"These suggestions are made, not so much as a recommendation, as with the view of calling the attention of Congress to the possible modifications of a system which cannot continue to exist in its present form, without occasional collision with the local authorities, and perpetual apprehensions and discontent on the part of the states and the people.

"In conclusion, fellow-citizens, allow me to invoke, in behalf of your deliberations, that spirit of conciliation and disinterestedness which is the gift of patriotism. Under an over-ruling and merciful Providence, the agency of this spirit has thus far been signalized in the prosperity and glory of our beloved country. May its influ ence be eternal!

"ANDREW JACKSON.*

A

T ten o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, the 15th of December, the trial of the ex-Ministers commenced before the Chamber of Peers, and it occupied the Court till the evening of the 21st. The number of peers present was generally about 160 and the duration of each sitting was from ten in the morning till four in the afternoon. The first three days were devoted to examining the accused, and to hearing and reading evidence: the remainder of the time was occupied by the speeches of the Commissioners appointed by the Chamber of Deputies to conduct the prosecution, and by the defences of the Counsel for the several prisoners.

The resolutions of the Chamber of Deputies, on which the impeachment proceeded, charged the prisoners with treason.-1st. For having falsified the elections, and deprived citizens of the free exercise of their civil rights; 2ndly, for having arbitrarily and violently changed the institutions of the kingdom, and conspired against the safety of the state; 3rd. for having excited civil war, and armed one class of citizens against another, and having spread devastation and massacre throughout the capital, and several of the communes which crimes were contrary to the 56th Article of the Charter of 1814, and to Articles 91, 109,

110, 123, and 125 of the Penal Code.

MM. de Polignac, de Peyronnet, Chantelauze, and de Guernon Ranville having been placed at the bar,

The act of accusation was read, and the impeachment was opened by one of the Managers for the Deputies. The President then proceeded to interrogate the pri

soners.

Examination of Prince Polignac.

Upon your entrance, on the 8th of August, into the ministry, had you been for any time previous acquainted with the intentions of king Charles X respecting your appointment?-No.

Did you, when called upon, aid or form that ministry?I had a list of persons submitted to the king, who chose those who were agreeable to his wishes.

Was the formation of that ministry preceded by several, or by any conferences, and was M. de Chabrol's retirement discussed ?— I know of none of these conferences. The selection was made by the king, as I have already mentioned, and the retirement of M. de Chabrol was the consequence, I believe, of differences respecting the person to be named President of the Council.

What was the nature of these