1ST SESS.] The President's Message. [DECEMBER, 1843. high obligations of public duty may enforce from the constituted authorities of the United States a policy, which the course persevered in by Mexico will have mainly contributed to produce; and the Executive, in such a contingency, will, with confidence, throw itself upon the patriotism of the people to sustain the Government in its course of action. Measures of an unusual character have recently been adopted by the Mexican Government, calculated in no small degree to affect the trade of other nations with Mexico, and to operate injuriously to the United States. All foreigners, by a decree of the 23d day of September, and after six months from the day of its promulgation, are forbidden to carry on the business of selling by retail any goods within the confines of Mexico. Against this decree our Minister has not failed to remonstrate. The trade heretofore carried on by our citizens with Santa Fe, in which much capital was already invested, and which was becoming of daily increasing importance, has suddenly been arrested by a decree of virtual prohibition on the part of the Mexican Government. Whatever may be the right of Mexico to prohibit any particular course of trade to the citizens or subjects of foreign powers, this late procedure, to say the least of it, wears a harsh and unfriendly aspect. The instalments on the claims recently settled by the convention with Mexico have been punctually paid as they have fallen due, and our Minister is engaged in urging the establishment of a new commission, in pursuance of the convention for the settlement of unadjusted claims. sirous of cultivating the relations of amity, but of the most extended commercial intercourse, and to practise all the rights of a neighborhood hospitality. Our own interests are deeply involved in the matter, since, however neutral may be our course of policy, we cannot hope to escape the effects of a spirit of jealousy on the part of both of the powers. Nor can this government be indifferent to the fact, that a warfare, such as is waged between those two nations, is calculated to weaken both powers, and finally to render them, and especially the weaker of the two, the subjects of interference on the part of stronger and more powerful nations, which, intent only on advancing their own peculiar views, may sooner or later attempt to bring about a compliance of terms, as the condition of their interposition, alike derogatory to the nation granting them, and detrimental to the interests of the United States. We could not be expected quietly to permit any such interference to our disadvantage. Considering that Texas is separated from the United States by a mere geographical line; that her territory, in the opinion of many, formed a portion of the territory of the United States; that it is homogeneous in its population and pursuits with the adjoining States, and makes contributions to the commerce of the world in the same articles with them; and that most of her inhabitants have been citizens of the United States; speak the same language, and live under similar political institutions with ourselves -this Government is bound, by every consideration of interest, as well as of sympathy, to see that she shall be left free to act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by force, and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries. In full view of all these considerations, the Executive has not hesitated to express to the Government of Mexico how deeply it deprecated a continuance of the war, and how anxiously it desired to witness its termination. I cannot but think that it becomes the United States, as the oldest of the American Republics, to hold a language to Mexico upon this subject of an unambiguous character. It is time that this war had ceased. There must be a limit to all wars; and if the parent State, after an eight years' struggle, has failed to reduce to submission a portion of its subjects standing out in revolt against it, and who have not only proclaimed themselves to be independent, but have been recognized as such by other powers, she ought not to expect that other nations will quietly look, to their obvious injury, upon a protraction of hostilities. These United States threw off their colonial dependence, and established independent governments; and Great Britain, after having wasted her energies in the attempt to subdue them for a less period than Mex-recognition by that Government of the adjustment ico has attempted to subjugate Texas, had the wisdom and justice to acknowledge their independence; thereby recognizing the obligation which rested on her as one of the family of nations. An example thus set by one of the proudest, as well as most powerful nations of the earth, it could in no way disparage Mexico to imitate. While, therefore, the Executive would deplore any collision with Mexico, or any disturbance of the friendly relations which exist between the two countries, it cannot permit that Government to control its policy, whatever it may be, towards Texas; but will treat her as by the recognition of her independence, the United States have long since declared they would do as entirely independent of Mexico. The With the other American States our relations of amity and goodwill have remained uninterrupted. Our Minister near the Republic of New Grenada has succeeded in effecting an adjustment of the claim upon that Government for the schooner "By Chance," which has been pending for many years. The claim for the brig "Morris," which had its origin during the existence of the republic of Colombia, and indemnification for which, since the dissolution of that republic, has devolved on its several members, will be urged with renewed zeal. I have much pleasure in saying that the Government of Brazil has adjusted the claim upon that Government in the case of the schooner "John S. Bryan," and that sanguine hopes are entertained that the same spirit of justice will influence its councils in arriving at an early decision upon the remaining claims; thereby removing all cause of dissension between two powers whose interests are, to some extent, interwoven with each other. Our Minister at Chili has succeeded in inducing a effected by his predecessor of the first claims in the case of the "Macedonian." The first instalment has been received by the claimants in the United States. Notice of the exchange of ratifications of the treaty with Peru, which will take place at Lima, has not yet reached this country, but is expected shortly to be received, when the claims upon that republic will doubtless be liquidated and paid. In consequence of a misunderstanding between this Government and that of Buenos Ayres, occurring several years ago, this Government has remained unrepresented at that court, while a minister from it has been constantly resident here. The causes of irritation have, in a great measure, passed away; and it is in contemplation, in view of important interests which have grown up in that country, at some early period during the present session of Congress, with the concurrence of the Senate, to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries. Under the provisions of an act of Congress of the last session, a minister was despatched from the United States to China, in August of the present year; who, from the latest accounts we have from him, was at Suez, in Egypt, on the 25th of September last, on his route to China. In regard to the Indian tribes residing within our jurisdictional limits, the greatest vigilance of the Government has been exerted to preserve them at peace among themselves, and to inspire them with feelings of confidence in the justice of this Government, and to cultivate friendship with the border inhabitants. This has happily succeeded to a great extent; but it is a subject of regret that they suffer themselves, in some instances, to be imposed upon by artful and designing men-and this, notwithstanding all the efforts of the Government to prevent it. The receipts into the treasury for the calendar year 1843, exclusive of loans, were little more than eighteen millions of dollars; and the expenditures, exclusive of payments on the public debt, will have been about twenty-three millions of dollars. By the act of 1842, a new arrangement of the fiscal year was made, so that it should commence on the 1st day of July in each year. The accounts and estimates for the current fiscal year will show that the loans and treasury notes made and issued before the close of the last Congress, to meet the anticipated deficiency, have not been entirely adequate. Although, on the 1st of October last, there was a balance in the treasury, in consequence of the provision thus made, of $3,914,082 77, yet the appropriations already made by Congress will absorb that balance, and leave a probable deficiency of two millions of dollars at the close of the present fiscal year. There are outstanding treasury notes to about the amount of four million six hundred thousand dollars; and should they be returned upon the treasury during the fiscal year, they will require provision for their redemption. I do not, however, regard this as probable, since they have obviously entered into the currency of the country, and will continue to form a portion of it, if the system now adopted be continued. The loan of 1841, amounting to $5,672,976 88, falls due on the 1st of January, 1845, and must be provided for, or postponed by a new loan. And unless the resources of the revenue should be materially increased by you, there will be a probable deficiency for the service of the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1845, of upwards of four millions of dollars. The delusion incident to an enormously excessive paper circulation, which gave a fictitious value to every thing, and stimulated adventure and speculation to an extravagant extent, has been happily succeeded by the substitution of the precious metals, and paper promptly redeemable in specie; and thus false values have disappeared, and a sounder condition of things has been introduced. This transition, although intimately connected with the prosperity of the country, has nevertheless been attended with much embarrassment to the Government in its financial concerns. So long as the foreign importers could receive payment for their [28TH CONG. | cargo in a currency of greatly less value than that in Europe, but fully available here in the purchase of our agricultural productions, their profits being immeasurably augmented by the operation, the shipments were large, and the revenues of the Government became superabundant. But the change in the character of the circulation from a nominal and apparently real value, in the first stages of its ex istence, to an obviously depreciated value in its second, so that it no longer answered the purposes of exchange or barter, and its ultimate substitution by a sound metallic and paper circulation combined, has been attended by diminished importations, and a consequent falling off in the revenue. This has induced Congress, from 1837, to resort to the expedient of issuing treasury notes, and finally of funding them, in order to supply deficiencies. I cannot, however, withhold the remark, that it is in no way compatible with the dignity of the Government that a public debt should be created in time of peace to meet the current expenses of the Government, or that temporary expedients should be resorted to an hour longer than it is possible to avoid them. The Executive can do no more than apply the means which Congress places in its hands for the support of Government; and happily for the good of the country, and for the preservation of its liberties, it possesses no power to levy exactions on the people, or to force from them contributions to the public revenue in any form. It can only recommend such measures as may, in its opinion, be called for by the wants of the public service, to Congress, with whom alone rests the power to "lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises." This duty has upon several occasions heretofore been performed. The present condition of things gives a flattering promise that trade and commerce are rapidly reviving, and, fortunately for the country, the sources of revenue have only to be opened, in order to prove abundant. While we can anticipate no considerable increase in the proceeds of the sales of the public lands, for reasons perfectly obvious to all, for several years to come, yet the public lands cannot otherwise than be regarded as the foundation of the public credit. With so large a body of the most fertile lands in the world under the control, and at the disposal of the Government, no one can reasonably doubt the entire ability of the Government to meet its engagements under every emergency. In seasons of trial and difficulty similar to those through which we are passing, the capitalist makes his investment in the Government stocks, with the most assured confidence of ultimate reimbursement; and whatever may be said in a period of great financial prosperity, such as existed for some years after 1833, I should regard it as suicidal, in a season of financial embarrassment, to alienate either the lands themselves, or the proceeds arising from their sales. The first and paramount duty of those to whom may be intrusted the administration of public affairs, is to guard the public credit. In re-establishing the credit of this Central Government, the readiest and most obvious mode is taken to restore the credit of the States. The extremities can only be made sound by producing a healthy action in the Central Government; and the history of the present day fully establishes the fact, that an increase in the value of the stocks of this Government will, in a majority of instances, be attended by an increase in the value of the stocks of the States. It should, 1ST SESS.] The President's Message. [DECEMBER, 1843. therefore, be a matter of general congratulation, | one hundred dollars, to be employed in payment 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 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 convertibility 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. 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 advantage; and it would be subversive of the foundation-principles of the political edifice which they have reared, to persevere in a measure which, in 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 [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 experiments 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. I call your particular attention, also, to that portion of the Secretary's report which has reference to the late act of the session of Congress, which prohibited the transfer of any balance of appropriation 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 1ST SESS.] The President's Message. 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 heightened by the arrest and imprisonment of a subject of Great Britain, who, acting (as it was al In regard to all the departments, I am quite happy in the belief that nothing has been left undone 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. ness. In the mean time, the country has been steadily advancing in all that contributes to national greatThe 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 con summate the liberal intent of the testator. When, under a dispensation of Divine Providence, 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 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. JOHN TYLER. WASHINGTON, December, 1843. Mr. HUNTINGTON moved that the Message and accompanying documents be laid on the table. be ordered to be printed as usual. He subMr. SEVIER hoped that the Message would mitted the motion that it be also printed. The question was put on the motion of Mr. SEVIER to have the Message printed, and carried in the affirmative. Mr. SEVIER then submitted a motion to have the usual extra quantity of the Message and accompanying documents printed for the |