l : l l M E S S A G E Of the President of the United States to both Houses of Congress. Fellow Citizens of the Senate, ./find ofthe House of Representatives : On your assembling to perform the high trusts which the people of the United States have confi- ded to you, of lcgislatirig for their common wel- fare, it gives me pleasure to corzgratulate you up- on the happy condition of our beloved country. By the favor of Diviue.Providence, nealth is a- gain rea'ored to us-peace reigns within ouf bor- ders; abundance crowns the labors ofour nelds; commerce and domestic industry flourish and iii- crcase; and individual happiness rewards the virtue and enterprise of our citizens- Our condition abroad is no less honorable than it is prosperous at home. Seeking nothing that is not right, and determined to submit to nothing that is wrong, but desiring honest friendships and liberal intercourse with all nations, the U. States have gained throughout the world the confidence and respect which are due to a policy so JIISI-iflnd so congenial to the character of the American pct ple, and to the spirit of their institutions. In bringing to your notice the p:ii_~ticiilar state of our foreign affairs, it affords me high gratifica- tion to inform you, that they are in a condition which promises the continuance of friendship with all nations. ' VVitb Great Britain the interesting question of our Nortliwcstcr Boundary remains stilll nudg- cided. A iicirotration, however, u on tiat su - ject has beenbrenewed since the clupse of the last Congress; and a proposition hqis pcen submjttcd to the British Go-/ernmcrit wit t re view 0 cs- tablishing, in conformity with the resolution of the Senate, the line rjcsignateo‘ by the tgeaty of 1783. Though no de initive answer has ecu re- ceived, it may be daily looked for, and I enter tain a hope that the overture may ultimately lead to a satisfactory adjustment of this important matter. I have the satisfaction to inform you that a ne- gotiation, which, by desire of the House of Rep}- resezitatives, was opened some cars ago wit i tl.e British Government, for the eliiection offlilght houses on the Bahamas, has been success u .- Tiiose works, when completed, together with those which the United Sliatgs llgavfelpionséructefl on the western side of t e u 0 ‘ion a, W‘. contribute essentially to the safety of uavigialiiqln in that sea. Thejoint participation in estai is - merits interesting to humanity and beneficial to commerce, is worthy of two enlightanqd nations; and indicates feelings which cannot fai to have a happy influence upobn their political relations.- It is gratifying to the friends of both to perceive that the intercourse between the two people is becoming daily more extensive, and that seuti. merits of mutual good will have grown up, befit- ting their common origin and justifying the hope that by wise counsels on each side, not only un- settled questions may be satisfactoi'ily terminat- ed, bpt new causes of misunderstanding pre- vente . Notwithstanding that I continue to receive the most amicable assurances from the Government ofFrauce, and that in all other respects the most friendly relations exist between the U. S. and that government, it is to be regretted that the stipulations of the Convention concluded on the 4th of July, 1831, remain, in some important parts, unfulfilled. By the second article of that Convention it was stipulated that the sum payable to the U. S. should be paid at Paris in six annual instalments into the hands of such person or persons, as should be authorised by the Government of the U. S. to receive it; and by the same article the first instalment was payable on the 2d day of Feb. 1823. By the act of Contrress ofthe 13th July. 1833, it was made the duty? of the Secreta- ry of the Treasury to cause the several instal- ments, with the interest thereon, to be received from the French Government, and transferred to the U. S. in such manner as he may deem bpst; and by the same act of Congress the stip- u ations on the part of the U. S. in the Conven- tion were, in all respects, fulfilled. Not doubting that a treaty thus made and ratified b the two Governments, and faithfully executed by the U. S.. would be promptly complied with by the oth. er party, and desiring‘ to avoid the risk and ex- pense of intermediate agencies, the Secretary of the Treasury deemed it advisable to receive and transfer the first iu“'al ncnt by means of 8. draft upon the French M nister of Finance. A draft for this purpose was accordingly drawn in favor of the Cashier of the Bank ofthe U. S. for the amount accruing to the U. S. out of the first instalnieut, and the interest payable with it. This bill was not drawn at \Vashingtori until five days after the instalment was payable at Paris, and was accompanied by 11 special authority from the President, authorizing the Cashier or his as. signs to receive the amount. The mode thus :1- dopted of receiving the instalments, was ofiiciallv znadeknoivn to the French Government, by th-e American Charge d’Affairs at Paris, pursuant to instructions from the Department ofStatc. The bill,‘ however, though not presented for payment until the 93d day ofMarcb, was not paid, and for the reason assigned by the French Minister ofFi- nance. that no appropriation had been made by the French Chambers. It is not known to me that up to that period. any appropriation had been required. of the Chambers ; and although a coin- municatioii was subsequently made to the Cham- bers, by direction of the King, recommending that the necessary provision should be made for carrying the convention into effect, it was an ad- vanced period of the session, and the subject was Epiallybpostponed until the next meeting of the am ers. , . nancial stipulation of the treaty, cannot be carried into effect vmlmm an appropriation by the chambers, it appears to me to be not only consistent with the clmracier of both governments as well as to the right ofour- citi_zeus. to trpat the convention made and ratifi- ed m Propel‘ I071": 33 pledging the good faith of the French government for its execution, and as imposing upon each Department an obligation to fulfil it; and I have received assurances from our Chargc d’Affairs at Paris, and the French Min. inter Plenipotentiary at Washington, and more recently through the Minister ofthe U. S. at Pa. ris,that the delay has not proceeded from any in. disposition on the part of the king and his minis- ters to fulfil the treaty, and that measures will be presented at the next meeting of the Chambers, and with a reasonable hope of success, to obtain the necessary appropriation. It is necessary to state, however. that the doc- uments, except certain lists of vessel: captured, crnlemned or burnt at sea, proper to facilitate the examination and liquidation of the reclama- tions comprised in the stipulation ofthe Coriven. tiop, and which by the 6th Article France engu- ge to communicate to the U. S. b the interme- diary of the legation, though repehtedly applied for by the American Charge d’Affairs, under in- structions from this Government, have not yet been communicated; and this delay, it is apprc- bended, will necessarily prevent the completion ofthe duties assigned to the Commissioners with- in the time at present prescribed by law. which Iha.ve'adverted,'no longer to delay the ap- pointment of a Minister Plenipotentiary to Paris. but to despatch him in season to communicate the result of his application to the French Gov- ernment at an early perii_id_of your session. I accordingly appointed a distinguished citizen for this purpose, who proceeded on his mission in August last, and was presentedio the'king early in the month of October. He is particularly in- structed as to all matters connected with the pre- sent posture of affairs, and I indulge the hope, that with the represeiitations he is instructed to make, and from the dispositions manifested by the King and his ministers, in their recent assurances to our Minister at Paris, the subject will be early considerrd and satisfactorily disposed of at the next meeting of the Chambers. As this subject involves important interests and has attracted aconsideruble share of the pub- lic attention, I have deemed it proper to make this explicit statement ofits actual condition; and should I be disappointed in tho. hope now enter- tained, the subject will be again brought to the notice of Congress in such manner as the occasion may require. . The friendly relations which have alivays been maintained between the U. S. and RUSSI-‘I1 INIVE been further extended and strengthened by the treaty ofnavigation and commerce concluded on the 6th cf December last, and sanctioned by the Senate before the close of the last session. The ratifications liaving been since exchanged, the liberal provisions of the treaty are now in full force; and. under the encouragement which they have received, a flourishing and increasing cum- merce, yielding its benefits to the enterprise of both nations, affords to each tliejust rcconipeuce of wise measures, and adds new motives for that mutual friendship which the two countries have hitherto cherished towards each other. It affords me peculiar satisfaction to state that the Government ofSpain has at lengtbyielded to the justice of the claims which have been so long urged in behalf of our citizens, and has expressed a willingness to provide an indemnification, as soon as the proper amount can be agreed upon. Upon this latter point, it is probable an under- standing had taken place l)et\\ een the Minister ofthe U. S. and the Spanish Government, before the dccease of the late King of Spain, and unless thateveiit may have delayed its cciinpletion,there is reason to hope that it may be in my power to announce to you. early in your present session. the conclusion of a convention upon terms no‘ less favorable than those. entered into for similar objects with other questions. That acts of jus- tice would well Spain, and is due to the U. S. from their ancient friend. It could not fail to strengthen the senti- ments of ainity and good will between ilie two on- tions which ii is so much the wish of the U. S. to cherish, and so truly the interest of both to main- tain. By the first section ofaii act of congress passed on the 13tli.luly,l83Q, the tonnrigeduty on Spar.- isli ships arriving from the ports of Spain was limited to the duty payable on Aincricau vessels in the ports of Spain previous to the 99th Oct. 1817, being five cents per ion. The act was in tended to give effect, on cur side, to an arrange- ment rnade with the Spanish government, by which discrirninating duties of tonnage were to be abolished in the ports of the U. S. and Spain, on the vessels of the two nations. Pursuant to that arrarigeuient, which was carried into effect on the part ofSpaiii on the 20th of May 1832, by a royal order, dated the 29th April, 1832, Ameri- canvessels in the ports of Spain have paid 5 cents per ton, which rate ofduty is also paid in those ports by Spanish ships; bu’, as, American V98‘. sels pay no tonnage duty in the ports of the U. S., the duty of five cents payable in our ports by Spanish vessels under the act above mention- ed is really a discriminating duty, operating to the disadvantage ofSpain. Though no complaint has yet been made on the part of Spain. we are not the less bound by the obligations ofgood faifh '0 remove the discrimination ; and I recommend that the act be amended accordingly. As the Spain, it would seem that the provisions of the act of Congress should be equally extensive ; and that for the repayment of such duties as may have been improperly received, an addition should be made to the sum appropriated at the last ses- siori. of Congress for refunding discriminating duties. As the arrangement referred to, however, did not embrace the Islands ofCuba and Porto Rico, discriminating duties, to the prejudice of Ameri- can shipping, continue to be levied there. From the extent of the commerce carried on between the U. S. and those islands, particularly the for- mer, this dii.-crimination causes serious injury to one of those great national interests which it has been considered an essential part ofour policy to cherish, and has given rise to complaints on the part of our merchants. Under instructions giv- en to our Minister at Madrid, earnest represent- ations liave been riiade by him to the Spanish Go- vernment upon this subject, and there is reason to expect, from the friendly disposition which is entertained towards this country a beneficial change will be produced. The disadvantage, however, to which our shipping is subjected by the operation of these discriminating duties, rc- qiiires that they be met with by suitable counter- vailing duties during your present session ; power being at the same time vested in the President to modify or discontinue them as the discriminating duties on American vessels or their cargoes may be modified or discontinued at those Islands. In- timations have been given to the Spanish Go- vernment, that the U. S. may be obliged to ic- sort tasucb measures as are of necessary self dc- fence; and there is no reason to apprehend that it would be uiifavorably received. The proposed proceeding, ifadopted, would not be permitted, however, in any degree to induce the relaxation in the efforts of our Minister to effect a repeal of this irregul-.irity by friendly negociation, and it rniglit serve to give force to his representations by shewing the dangers to which that valuable trade is exposed by the obstructions and bu rthens which a system of discriminating and counter- vailing duties necessarily produces. The selection and preparation of the Florida archives for the purpose of being delivered over to ill!‘ U. S. in conformity with the Royal order, as mentioned in my last annual message, though in progress, has not yet been completed. This delay has been produced, partly by causes which were unavoidable, particularly the prevalence of the cholera at I-Iavaiia ; but measures have been taken which it is believed will expedite the deliv- ery of those important records. Congress were informed at the opening of the last session, that ‘owing, as was alleged, to cm- burriissmcnts in the finances ofPortugal, conse- quent upon the civil war in which that nation was engaged, payment had been made of only one instalment of the amount which the Portu. guese government had stipulated to pay for in. demnifying our citizens for property illegally captured in the blockade of I‘crcei1'a. Since that time, a postponement for two years, with in- terest, ofthe two remaining instalments, was re- quested by the Portuguese government, and as a consideration it offered to stipulate that rice of though dail ex e~t d l 1, t i ' ' the U. S. shoiild be admitted into Portugal at the this countrji. P L e ’ le 93 no ye arnved In The reasons for delayiiigto coiiimunicatethese same duties as Brazilian rice. Being satisfied documents have not been explicitly stated, and that no better arrangeincnt could be made, my this is the more to be regretted, as it is not under- stood that the interposition of the Chambers is in any way required for the delivery cftbose papers. Under these circuiristanccs, in a case so im- rice of the U. S. consent was given, and aRoyal order ofthe King been established. of Portugal was accordingly issued on the 4th of courage those sentiments of amity and that lib- February last, for the reduction of the duty on oral commerce which belong to the relations in It would give me great pleas- portant to the interests of our cit'zcns and to tho ure, if, in speaking of that count.i'y,in whose pros- character of our country, and under disappoin‘i- perity the U. S. are as much interested, and with merits so unexpected, I deemed it my dirty, how- ever! might respect the general assurances to whom a long subsisting, extensive, and mutu- ally advant-igcous commercial intercourse has become an important branch of the public ser- accord with the character of royal order above alluded toincludes the ports of Balearic and Canary Islands, as well as those of .. ’“‘I__ announce to you the restoration of its tranquility. t session ofcongress. the final instalment payable t by Denmark under the convention _of the 28th of March, 1830, was received. The Commission- ers for examining the clai ated their labors, and their awards have paid at the treasury as they have verrinient is thus completed,and a pledge is there- t by afforded for the maintenance of that friendly t intercourse becoming the relations that the two nations mutually bear to each other. It is satisfactory to inform you that the Danish government have recently issued an ogdinance by which the commerce with the Island ofSt. Croix l is placed on a more liberal footing than hereto- fore. This change cannot fail to prove benefi to the trade between the U. S. and that colony, and the advantages likely to flrw from it may lead to greater relaxations in the colonial sys- tems of other nations. The ratifications of the Convention with the King of the Sicilies have been duly exchanged. and the Commissioners appointed for examining the claims under it, have entered upon the duties assigned to them by law. The friendship that the interests of the two nations require of them being now established, it may be hoped that each will enjoy the benefits which a liberal comuierce should yield to both. A Treaty of Amity and Commerce bctiiecn the U. S. and Belgium was concluded during the last Winter, and received the sanction of the Senate; but the exchange of the ratifications has been hitherto delayed, in consequence, in the fiist in- stance, of some delay in the reception of the Treaty at Brussels, and. subsequently, ofthe ab- sence of the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the important conferences in which his Gov- ernment is engaged at London. That treaty does but embody those enlarged rinc‘p‘.es of friendly policy wliich, it is sincerely hoped, will always regulate the conduct of the two nations, having such strong motives to riiain- tain amicable rclations towards each other, and so sincerely desirous to cherish them. With all other Eurepeaii powers with whom the U. 8. have formed diplomatic relations, and with the Sublime Porte, the best understanding pre- vails. From all, I continue to receive assuran- ces ivliicli it gives me no less pleasure to recipro- cate than to receive. \Vitli all the engagements which have been entered into have been fulfilled with good faith on both sides. Measures have also been taken to enlarge our friendly relations and extend our commercial intercourse with oth- er States. The system we have pursued nfaiin- ing at exclusive advantages, ofdealiug witli all on terms of fair and equal reciprocity, and ofad- hcring scrupulously to all our cngagenienis, is well calculated to give success to efforts intend- ed to be mutually beneficial. The wars of which the southern part of this continent was, so long, the theatre, and which were carried on, either by the mother country a- gairist the States which had formerly been her colonies. or by the States against each other, hav- ing termiuated, and their civil dissentions having so far subsided, as, with a few exceptions, no lon- ger to disturb the public traiiqiiility, it is earn- estly hoped those states will be able to employ themselves without interruption in perfecting their institutions, cultivating the arts of peace, and pronioting, by wise councils and able ex- tions,tlie public an] private property which their patriotic struggles so well entitle them to enjoy. VVit'n those States or relations have undergone btit little change during the present year. No re-uniin having yet taken place between the States which composed the republic of Colombia. our charge d’Affaires at Bogota has been accedi- ted to the Government of New Grenada, and we have therefore no diplomatic relations with Ven- eznela and Equator, except as they may be in- cludcd in those heretofore forme.| with the Co- lombian Republic. It is understood that Repre- sentatives from the three States were about to assemble at Bogota to confer on the subject of their mutual interests, particularly that of their union ; and iftlie result should render it neces- sary, measurcs will be taken on our part to pre- serve with each that friendship and those liberal commercial connections which it has been the constant desire ofthe U. S. to cultivate witlitlieir sister Republics of this hemisphere. Until the important question of re-union shall be settled however, the different matters which have been under dicussion between the U. S. and the re- public of Columbia or either ofthe States which composed it, are not likely to be brought tola satisfactory issue. Inconsequence ofillness the Charge d’Aff.iirs appointed at Central America at the last session of Congress, he was prevented from proceeding on his mission until the mouth ofOctober. It is hoped, however, that he is by this time at his post, and that the official intercourse, unfortun- ately so long iiiterruptcrl, has been thus renewed on the part of the two nations so amicably and advntageously connected by engageinents foun- (led on the most enlarged principles of commer- cial reciprocity. It is gratifying to state, that, since my last an- nual uiessagc, S0l'n'3 of the most iiiiporturit claims of our fellow-citizzns upon the Govt-irumcnt of Bl't."/.ll have been satisfactorily adjusted, and a re- liance is placed on the friendly dispositions nian- ifested by it, tliatjuslice will also be done in oth- ers. No new cause ofcomplaint have arisen: and the trade between the two countries flour- islicsunder the encouragement secured to it by the liberal provisions of the treaty. ‘Ibis cause ofregret, tliat,owing probably to the civil dissensions which have occupied the atten- tion ofthe Mexican Government, the time fixed by the treaty of limits with the U. S. for the meeting of the commissioners to dcline the boiin. daries between the two nation», has been suffer- ed to expire without the appoiiitmeiitofany com- missiouers on the part of the government. While the true boundary remains in doubt by either party, it is difficult to give effect to those meas- ures which are necessary to the protection and quiet of our nuirierous citizens residing near that frontier. 'I‘lie subject is one of great solicitude to the U. S. and will not fail to receive my ear- nest attention. The treaty concluded with Chili and approved by the Senate in its last session, was also ratified by the Chilian Government, but with certain ad- ditional and explanatory articles ofa nature to have required it to be again submitted to the Senate. 'I‘lie time limited for the exchange of the ratificatioiis, however, having since expired the action of both Governments on the treaty will again become necessary. The negotiations commenced with the Argen- tine Republic relative to the outrages commit- ted on our vessels engaged in the fisheries at the_ lor of'its authority, as well as the other matters in controversy between the two Governments I have been suspended by the departure of the Charge d’Affuires of the U. S. from Buenos Ayres. It is understood, however, that a. minis- I81‘ was subsequently appointed by that Gover- meot to renew the iiegotiatioii in the U. S., but With Peru no treaty has yet been formed, and with Bolivia no diplomatic intercourse has yet It will be my endeavor to en. which all the iudependeiit States ofthis continent stand towards each other. (1 I deem it proper to recommend to your notice d the revision ofour consular system. This has strengthened the relations of friendship, I could vice, inasmgliasit is Subsequently to the commencement of the last wit The justice rendered to our citizens by that go- any inquiries that cm] thirty-two rnllions of dollars. rived from customs, will it is believed, he more tha'i twenty-eight millions, and the public lands will yield about three millions. turcs within the year of all odiects, including -10 99 on account of the public debt, will -five millions; and a large balance will remain in the 'I‘rcasury after satis- filng all ll"? “I‘I"‘°PTl““°“5 °l“”§°i1ble 0" the Gov. Directors before referred to; and however ;,g2,572,2 ‘ ASL intimately connected with he preservation ofour national character abroad, h the interest of our citizens in foreign coun- ries, with the regulation and care of our com- merce, and with the protection of our seauien.— At the close of the last session of Congressl ‘ms have since termin- communicated a report from the Secretary of been Stale upon the subject, to which I now refer, as been called for containing information which maybe useful in Congress may see fit to insti- ute with a View to a salutary reform of the sys- em. ' It give: me great pleasure to congratulate you upon the prosperous condition of the finances of the country, as will appear from the report \\ liicb the Secretary of the Treasury will in due time try before you. The rcccipts into the Treasury duringtbe present year will amount to more than The revenue dc- Tlie .cxpcndi- not amount to twenty revenue for the present year. deemiiblc on the first of J8.ll|.l3Y’_V next. public debt. duce the whole debt of the U. S. funded and un funded, to the sum of $4,760,082 08. debt; and the revenue ofthe coming year, to E the current expenses ofthe Goverurnent. Ur: ed on favorable terms within the year. debt is extinguished. prcssing the pleasure I feel at the near approac of that desirable event. The short period oftirn my with which the government has heretofor been administered. undertaken in defence of our minatcd—and iriaiiy of those who partook in th first struggle, as well as the sccond—will liav lived to see the last item of the debt incurred in these necessary but expensive conflicts, faithful- ly aiidlioriestly dischargcd—aiid we shall have the proud satisfaction of bcqueathing to the pub- lic servants who follow us in the adiiiinistratio of the Government, the rare blessing of a revenu sufficiently abundant, raised witlioutinjustice or oppression to our Cll’.l’l.el1~‘, and unincumbcrcd with any burtliens but what they i.llCl]]SElV,CS shall think proper to impose upon it. however, to encourage us to indulge in a lavis expenditure of the public treasure. The changes made in our revenue system by tli acts of Congress of 13322 and 1833, and mor to be expected in future years upon the reduce tariff ofdiitics. have been payable until 1831, and would liav formed a part of the income of that year. Tlics niinution of the receipts in the yearl834, a compared with the present one; and they wi duties which take place on the firsl of Jariuar tivc articles. be made, the receipts ofthe next year, with tli aid of the iinappropriated amount now in tb to meet the expenses of the year, and pay tn small remnant of the national debt which yet re- I cannot therefore recom- mend to you any ahcratioii in the present tariff mains unsatisfied. ofdutics. The rate is now fixed by law on tli various articles, was adopted at the last session of Congress, as a matter of compromise, with unusual unaiiiniity, and unless it is found to pro- duce more than the necessities of the Govern- ment. call for, there would seem to be no reason at this time tojustify the change. BUI'.I\Vlllle1 forbure to rccoinniend any furthc reduction ofthe duties, beyond that already pro to the U. S. our Government. The national debt, has so long been a burtlien on the Treasury, wil It is my duty on this occasion to call your at- tention to the destruction of the public building Falkland Islands by persons actinrr under the co- occupled by the T’e“5".fY Depanmfml’ whlcl’ ° happened since the last aojournment of Congress. -—A thorough inquiry into the cause of this oss was directed and made at the time. the re- sult ofwliicli will be duly communicated to you. I take pleasure, however, in stating here, that by the laudable exertions ofthe officers of the dc- partmeiit and many of the citizens of the Dis- trict, but few papers were lost and none that will materially affect the public interest. The public convenience requires that another building should be erected as soon as practicable, and in providing for it, it will be advisable to enlarge in some manner the accommodations for the public ofiicers of the several Depart- ments, and to authorize the erection of suitable epositories for the safe keeping ofthe public ocuincnts and records. - Since the last adjournment of Congress, the Secretary ofthe Treasury has directed the money The measure taken by the Secretary of the Treasury will probably enable him to pay off in the course of the present year the residue of the exchanged four and a half per cent stock, re- It has therefore been included in the estimated experi- diturc of this year, and foruis :1 part of the sum above stated to have been paid on account ofthe The payment ofihis stock will re- Aiitl as provision has already been made for the 4 and a linlfper cents above inentioncd, and charged in the expenses of the present year, the sum last stated is all that now remains of the national rrctlicr with the balance now in the Treasury will be sufficient. to discharge it, after meeting der the power given to the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, it will I have no dout, be purchas- Froiii this view of the finances and the public engagements yet to be fulfilled, you will perceive that, if Providence permits me to meet. you at another session, I shall have the high grat- ification ofannouncing toyou that the national I cannot rafrain from ex- in which the public debt will have been dischar- ged is strong evidence of the abundant resour- ccs ofthe country and of the produce and econo- VVe have waged to wars, since we became a nation, with one of the must poiverfiil kingdoms in the worl(l,—b-.ith of them dearest rights- bothsiicccssfnlly prosecuted and honorably ter- The fluurisliiiig state of the finances ought not, The receipts of the present year, do not furnish the test by which we are to estimate the income of the next. especially by the former, have swelled the re- ceipts ofihe present year, far beyond the amount The shortened credits on reve- nue bonds, and the cash duties on woolens,which were introduced by the act of I832, and took ef- fect on the fourth ofMarch last, have brought large sums into the Treasury in 1833, which ac- cording to the credits forrncrly given, would not causes would of themselves produce a great di- be st ll more diminished by the reduced rates of next, on some of the most important and produc- Upon the best estimates that can Treasury, will not be much more than suflicieut vided for by the existing laws, I uiust earnestly and respectively press upon Gongress the impor- tance ofabstainiiig from all appropriations which are not absolutely required for the public interest, and authorised by the powers clearly delegated We are beginning a new era in which be finally discharged in the course of the ensuing year. No more money will afterwards be nee- ded than what may be necessary to meet the or- dinary expenses ofthe Government. Now, then is the proper moment to fix our system of ex- penditure on firm and durable principles: and I cannot too strongly urge the necessity ofa rigid economy, and an iiifl.-ixible determination not to enlarge the income beyond the real necessities of Government,and not to increase the wants of the Government by unnecessary and profuse ex- penditures. Ifa contrary course should be pur- sued, it may happen that the revenue of I834 will fall short of the demands upon it; and alter re- ducing the tariff in order to lighten the burtliens of the people, and nrovirling for a still further reduction to take effect hereafter, it would be much to be deplored if, at the end of another year, we should find ourselves obliged to retrace our stops and impose additional taxes to meet un- necessary expenditures. ....! of tlieU. S. to be deposited in certain State Banks designated by him, and he will immediately lay before you his reasons for the direction. I con- cur with liim entirely in the view which he has taken of the subject, and some months before the removal, I urged upon the De- partment the propriety oftaking that step. 'l‘ll- iicar approach of the day on which the Cllal‘l.Cl‘ will expire. as well as the conduct of the Batik. appeared to me to call for this irieasure, upon the high considerations of public interest and pub lic duty. The extent ofits misconduct, liowcvcr, altlio’ known to be great, was not at I.ll'li. time frilly de- veloped by proof. It was not until late in the month of August that I received from the Gov- erumeiit Directors an official report. cst:ibli;<li- ing beyond question, that this great and powerful institution had been actively engaged in attempt- ing to influence the elections of the public oili- cers by means of its money; in violatioii of the exprcss provinns of its chart:-r, it had, by a formal resolution, placed its funds at the dispo- sition ofits I’i‘e.-‘idem, to be employed in sus- taingtlie political power of the Batik. A copy oftliis resolution is c intained iii the report ofthe the object may be disguised by cautious language no one can doubt that this money was in truth. intended for clertionccring purposes, and the particnlar uses to whicli it is proved to have been. applied, ribundautlysliow that it was so under- stood. Not only was the evidence complete as to the past application of the money arid power of the Bank to clectionccring purposes, but that the resolution ofthe Board of Directors author- ized the same course to be pursued in future. ' It being thus cstablislied by unquestionable proof, that the Bank of the U. S‘. was converted intoa permanent elcctioneering engine, it ap- peared to me that the path ofduty which the Ex ccutive Department of the Government ought to piirsuc, was not doubtful. As by the terms of ' the Bank charter, no officer but the Secretary ofthe Treasury could remove the dcpositcs, it seemed to me that the authority ought. to be at - once exerted to deprive that great coi'poi°:itioii ofthe support and countenance of the Govern- ment in such an use of its funds, and such an exertion ofits power. \ In this point ofthe case the question is dis- tinctly presented, whether the peiple ofthe U. S. are to govern, through representatives chosen by their unbiased suffrages, or wlicilier the pow- er and money of a great corporation, are to be secretly exerted to influence their judgement. ll and control their decisions. It in :st now be f‘ determined whether the Bank is to have its cari- didates for all ofricers in the country, from the highest to the lowest, or whether candidates on both sides of political questions shall be brought 0 forward as heretofore, and supported by the usual means. At this time the efforts of the Bank to control public opinion, through the distresses of some. and the fears ofothers, are equally apparent,and ifpissible more objectionable. By a curtailment P ofits uccominndatioiis more rapid than any enter- C gcncy requires, and even while it retains an un- precedentcd amount in its vaults, it is attempting to produce great einbarrassrncnt in one portion of the community, while through presses known to have been sustained by its iiioncy, it attempts ti by nnfoiinded alarms to create a panic in all. 6 These are the means by wbicli it sccirs to ex- pect that it can force a restoration of the depos- its, and as a necessary consequence, extort from Congress a renewal of its charter. I am happy to know that, through the good sense of our pen. ple, the effort to get up a panic has lritiier-to fail- li ed, and iliat, through the increased accommoda- tion which the State Banks have been enabled to afford, no public distress has f..llow'ed the exer- iions of the Batik, and it cannot be doubted that e the extreme ofits power and the cxpeiiditurc of C .13 iiioncy, as well as its cfliirts to spread ground- less alarm, will be met and rebuked as they deserve. d In my own sphere of duty, I should feel myseli’ called on by the facts disclosed, to order a scire facias against the Bank, with a view to put an end to the chartered rights it has so palpably vi- olated, wei'e it not that the cliarteritsclf will ex- pire as soon as a decision wzul-J probably be ob- taincd from the court of last resort. e I called the attention of Coiigress to this sub- e jcct in my last annual inessagc, and lIlfl)l‘nlt‘(l them that such measures as were witliiu the reach 5 ofthe Secretary of the Treasury, had been taken ll to enable him to judge, whether the public dc- posits iii the Bank of the U. S. were certainly y safe, but that as his single powers might be inad- equate to the object, I rccommeiided the subject to Congress as worthy of their serious investiga- c tion, declaring it as my opinion, that an enquiry c into the transactions of that institution, embra- cing tlic branches as well as the principal Bank, e was called for by the credit which was given throughout the country to many serious cliaigcs impeaching their character, and which, iftruc, might justly excite the appreliension that they c were no longer asafc depository for the public money. The extent to which the exainiiiation thus recommended was gone iiilo, is spread upon yourjournals, and is too well kizown to require to be stated. Such as was made resulted in a report from a majority of the committee of ways and means, touching certain specified points only, r concluding with a resolution, that the govern- . meat deposits might safely be continued in the Bank ofthe U. S. This resolution was adopted at the close ofthe session by a vote ofa majority ofthe House ofReprescntativcs. Although I may not always be able to concur in the views of the public interest or the duties of its agents which may be taken by the other de- partmcnts ofthe givernmcnt or either of its bran- ] ches, I am, notwithstanding, wholly incapable of receiving otherwise than with the most sincere respect, all opinions or suggestions proceeding from such a source, and in respect to none am] more inclined to do so than to the House of Rep- resentatives. But it will be seen from the brief views at this time taken ofthe subject by myself, as well as the more ample ones presented by the Secretary of the Treasury, that the change in the deposits which has been ordered, has been deemed to_ be called for by considerations which are not affected by the proceedings referred to, and which, if correctly viewed by that Depart- ment, rendcrcd its act a matter of imperious duty. Coming as you do for the most part, immedi- ately from the people and the states, by election, and possessing the fullest opportunity to know their sentiments, the present Congress will be sincerely solicitous to carry into full and fair ef- fect the will oftheir constituents in regard to this institution. It will be for those in whose behalf we all act, to decide whether the Executive De- partment oftlie Government, in the steps which it has taken on this subject, has been found in the line of its duty. The accompanying report of the Secretary of War, with the documents annexed to it, exliibil the operations of the VVar Department for the past year,and the condition of the various subjects entrusted to its administration. It will be seen from them that the army main- tains the character it has heretofore acquired for efiiciencyand military knowledge. Nothing has occurred since your last session to require its ser- vices beyond the ordinary routine ofduties,which upon the the seaboard and the inland frontier, de- volve upon it in a time of peace. The system, so wisely adopted and so long pursued, of con- structing fortifications at exposed points, and of reparing and collecting the supplies necessary for the military defence of the country, and thus providcnl.|y fiiriiishing in peace the means of defence in war, has been continued with usual lrcsults. I recommend to your consideration the L = various subjects suggested ‘in the report of the‘ Secretary of “far. mote the public service and meliorate the condi- ~‘l___ Their adopt on would pm- tion of the army. Our relations with the various Indian Tribes have becii undisturbed since the termination of the difficulties growing out ofthe hostile aggres- sions of the Sac_s and Fox Indians. Several trea- ties liavc been formed for the rcliriquishinent of territory to the U. S. and for the iiiigratioii OJ the occupants to the region assigned for their resi- dence west of the Mississippi. Should these treaties be ratified by the Senate, provisions will liavo been made for the removal of almost all the tribes remainiiig cast of that river, and for the tcrriiiiiation of many difficult anl embarrassing -‘ltltlri. ons arising out oftlieir anomalous political condition. It is to be hoped that those portions of the two iiihes, Wlllcll in that "event will present the only rcimining difriciilties, will real- '7.c the necessity of emigration, and will speedily . resort to it. lily (ii'igin'.il convictions upon this siilijcct have been confirmed by the course of e- , vents for several years, and experience is every lay adding to their strength. That those tr.bcs caiiiiot exist, surrounded by our settlements, and .n continual contact witlfour cit.izc_ns,,is certain. l‘lic_v have neither the intelligence, the industry, ’-llclfloliil habit, nrir the (lL‘SlI‘0 of improvement which are essential to any favorable change in =licir condition, Establislied in the midst of a- notlicr and a superior race, and without appreci- ating the causes of their inferiority, or seeking to control them, they ltliltf. iicccssarily yield to the force of circumstances and cm loiigdisappmr. Such has been their fate heretofore. and ifit is to be averted, and it is, it can only be done by a -general rciiinvul beyond our boundary, and by the reorgariizritiori of their political system upon principles adapted to the new relations in which ilie_~: will b: placed. The experiment which has been rriccntly made, has so far proved suc- cessful. The ein‘gi'.ints gcncrally are represeut- ,5 ed to be prosperous and contented, the country ‘ suitable to their wants and habits, and the essen- iial articl -s of Sul):I$IOfiCe casily procured.—- - When the report of the Cornziiissioiicrs now enga- gcd in investigating t':ic condition and prospects ofthcse lridinris, and in devising a plzin for their intercourse and government is received, I trust ample means of iiiforniatioii will be in pissession of the Government for adjusting all the unsettled questions connected witii this interesting subject. /‘ The operations of the Navy during the year, and its present condition, are fully exhibited in the auiiual report from the Nai'y Departmeri}. Suggestions are made by the Secretary, of va- rious improvcrncnts whrcli deserve careful con- sideration, and most of which, if adopted. bid fair t.o prorriotc the cfliciency of this impoit:int branch - nf the public service. Among these are the I new organization ofthe Navy Board, the revis- ion of the pay to cllicers, and a change in the periol of time, or in the manner of in iking the annual appropriations to which Ibcg leave to call your pfll'l.lCl1l3I‘ attention. The views which are presented on almost every . pni".ion ofour naval cnnceriis, and especially, on the amount. offorce, and the number of officers, and the general course of policy t1ppl'0pTlt1l8lll the present state of our country, forsccuriiig the great and useful purposes of naval protection in peace, and due preparation for the contingen- cies of war, meet with my entire approbation. It will be perceived from the report refi.-rrcd to, that the fiscal concerns ofthe establishment‘ ‘K. are in an excellent condition, and it is hoped that _ Congress may feel disposed to make prornptly, every suitable proii-ion (lesircd, either for pre- s‘0]'t‘li‘.g or improving the system. The G'.‘:tiCI‘:li Post Office Department has con- tinued upon the strength of its own rc§ourccs to facilitate the means of coinvnunicatinn between the various portions ofilic Union with increased activity. The irctbod, however, in which tbe".._ accoiirits have been kept, appears to have pro- st-Ellletl an lll'lpCl'f._Cl. View of H5 expenses. It has recently been discovered that from thetcarlicst records of tlic-Dzipartirieiit, the annual statements have been calculated to exhibit an amount con- -ideralily short of the actualcxpcnse incurred for lll.'1f:Ci\‘lC(‘. These illusory statements, tngctli- . er with the expense of carrying into effect the‘ law ofthe last session of Congress. establishing new mail routes, and a disposiiiori on the part of the head of the department to grat fy the wishes ofthe public in cxtensioii of mail facilities, have ‘' iuluccd him to incur responsibilities for their im- pi-ovcnicnt beyond what the current resources of ‘he Department would sustain. As soon as be “ had di-:cov cred the iinperfcclion of the iiietliorl, n; he cmiseil an investigation to be made of it§ rc- ’ suits, and applied the proper rcincdy to corigci the evil. lt becomcs necessary for lllin to ivi - ilraw some of the improvements which he ha . made, to bring the expenses ofthe Department ‘ within its own resources. _ These tX,'it}nSt?s were incurred for l-he public’ c_roor.l, and the public have crijoyed their benefit. They are now but partially suspciidcd, and that, where they may be discontinued with the least _ znconvcniencc to the country. The progressive increase in the income from posiagcs has cqualled the highest expectations, and it affords deinonstrative evidence ofthe grow- ing importance and great utility of-this depart- ment. The details are exhibited in the accom- panying report from the Postmaster General. The many distressing accidents which_ have occurred oflate in that portion ofour navigation carried on by the use of steam power, deserves the immediate and unremitting attention of the constituted authorities of the country. The fact that the nuuiber of these fatal disasters is con- stantly increasing, D0i.Wll.l|Sl'.:1I](IlI')g' the great improvements which are every where made in the machinery employed, and in the rapid advan- ces which have been made in that branch of sci- _ encc, show very clearly that they arein a great degree the result of criminal negligence on the part ofthose by whom the vessels are Qavigaten I and to whose care and attention the lives and 4"» property ofour citizens are so extensively en- ' trusted. ' ‘ - or That these evils may be greatly lessened. if not substantially removed, by means of precau- - tionary and penal legislation, seems to be highly probable; so. far, ttierefore, as the subject can be regarded as within the constitutional purview of Congress, I earnestly recommend it to your prompt and serious consideration. I would also call your attention to the views I have heretofore expressed of the propriety of a- uieitding the Constitution in relation to the mode J ofelecting the President and Vice President of j the U. S. Regarding it as all important to the future quiet and harmony of the pe0_pl9:1ll€1l_ CV- ery intermediate agency in the election of tnjese ,‘ officers should be removed, and that their c|igi- ’ bility should be limited to one term of_either four or six years, I cannot too earnestly invite your consiileration ofthe subject. . Trusting that your deliberations on all the top- ics ofgeneral interest to which I have adverted, v , and such other as your more extensive knowledge of the wants of our beloved country may suggest» may be crowned with success, I tender, you in conclusion, the co-opeiatioii which it may be ill‘ my power to afford them. ANDREW JACKSON. TVusli.inglon, Dec. 3, 1833. \ I _, I Mr. Robbins, of Rhode Island, has been permitted to take the oath and hold 8 Seat in the U. S. Senate for the present ‘V6 presume Mr. Potter, who was elected to the, . Senate by a subsequent Legislature,» will claim the seat, and we know not what 'will be the result when all the Senators shall be present. [Reg.
Norwalk Chronicler