The New York Herald Newspaper, December 3, 1850, Page 2

guarenties which it offers will be sufficient to se- | mation ia favor of the industrial pursuite of our ‘eure the completion of the work with all prac ble expedition. It is obvious that this result wi be indefinitely postponed, if any other peaceful measures for the purpose of harmonizing contlict- mg claims to territory in that quarter should be ted. It will, consequently, be my endeavor to cause any further negotiations on the part of this government, which may be requisite for this pur- pose, to be so conducted as to bring them to @ speedy and successful close. Some unavoidable dela) from distance and the di tween this country and has occurred, arisiag culty of intercourse be- that of appointment of an envoy eatraordinary and mia- ister plenipotentiary of that goverament to reside at Washingtor, whose errival may soon be ex- pected, it is hoped that no further experiments w business between (he two goveraments, Citizens of the United States have undertaken the connexion of the two oceans by n@ans of a rail- road across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, under ants of the Mexican government toa citizen of that republic. It is understood that a thorough survey of the course of the communication is in | preparat and there is every reason to expect that | it wall be proseeuted with characteristic energy, ¢s- pecially when that goverament shall have coa- sented to such stipulations with the government of the United States as may be necessary to impart a feeling of security to those who may embark their property ia the enterprise. Negouations are pend. ing for the accomplishment of that object, and a hope is confidently entertained that, when the gov- | ernment of Mexico shall become duly sensible of the advantages which that country cannot fail to derive from the work, and learn that the govern: | ment of the United sovereignty of Mex 8 unimpaired, the stipulations referred to will be agreed to with alacnit By the last advices from Mexico it would app however, the objections to some of the stipulations whieh the parties concerned in the of the railroad deem necetsary for their pr jon and security, Further consideration, it isto be hoped, or some modification of terms, may yet reconcile the dif- ferences exisuug between the two goveraments in this respect. bresh jnstroetic the Minister of the Ur w prosecuting the ¢ abuny Al:hough the negociations with Portugal, for the payrment cf claims of evtizens of the United States against that goverament, have not yet resulted in a formal treaty, yet a preposition made by the governmen' o tagal and payment of th jaims has recently been ac- cepted on the part of the United States. It gives me pleasure to sey that Mr. Clay, to whom the o gociation, on the part of the United States, had beea entrusted, discharged the duties of his appointmegt with ability and discretion, acting always within the instructions of his government. It is expected that a regular convention will be immediately negotiated for earrying the agreement between the two governments into efleet The commiesioner appointed under the act of Congress for carrying inte effect the convention with Brezil, of the 27th of January, 1849, has en- tered upon the performance of the duties imposed upon him by that act. Itis hoped that those du- 3 that the right of been given to d States in Mexico, who ject with promptitude and ties may be completed within the time which it | Conner ne The documents, however, which the imperial government, by the third article of the convention, stipulates to farnish to the government of the United States, have not yet been received. As itis presumed that those documents will be essen- tial for the correct disposition of the claims, it may ecessary for Congress to extend the period limited for the duration of the commission. The sum stipniatea by the 4th article of the convention to be paid to this government hag been re ved. The collection in the ports of the United States of discrimi doties upon the vessels of Chili and their cargoes has been suspended, pursuant to the provisions of the act of Congress of the 2th of aay; 1828. . It is to be hoped that this measure will impart a fresh impulse to the commerce be- tween the two covatri which, of late, and especially since our acquisition of California, has, to the mutual! edvantege of the parties, been much augn ented. Peruvian guano has become so desirable an ar- ticle to the ag itural interest of the United Siates, that it is the duty of the goverument to employ all the means properly in its power for the purpose of causing that article to be imported iato the ¢ try at a reasonable price. Nothing will be omit- ted on my part towards accomplishing this desira- Die end. “I arm persuaded thst in removing any restraints on this traffic, the Peruvian goverment will promote its own best interests, while it will ford # proof of a friendly disposition towards this country, which will be duly appreciated. The trenty between the United States and His Moajrety the King of the Hawaiian Islands, which has recently made public, will, it is believed, have a beneficial eflect upon the relations between the twe countries. ‘The relations hetween those parte of the Isload of St. Doming rhich were formerly colonies of Spain ce, respectively, are still ia an ted condition. ‘The proximity of thit isla to the Un States, and the delicate questions involved the existing controversy there, render it desitable that it should be per- menently end epeedily adjusted. The interests of bumanity end of general commerce also demand this + a8 intimations of the same rent have been received from other overn- ments, it is hoped that ome plan may soon be de- vised to eflect th general saiinfaction. ted Star f object in a monner likely to give The —_ of the Uni- by the reise of all proper wer to put an aged betweenthe sland, and to secure to them the benefits of peace snd commerce refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Treesury for a detailed statement of the finance: ‘The total receipts into the treasury, for the ye ending 30th of June last, were forty-seven millions four hundred and tv ne thousand seven hun- dred and forty-¢ ars and ninety cents, (847,421,748 99 ) - The total expen e ve same period, were forty-thr Ijons two thousand one hun- dred ard + ‘att dollars and ninety cents, ($13,002, 1¢8 The public debt has beeo reduced, since the last Treasury Department, four hourand two headred and venty-nine centz, ($195,- annual report from Uh hundred ond ninety-five seventy-#ix dollars and 276 79) By the 19) 1st? th were pledged fort public debt. subsequent). at ne, aud nce e placed on that hitherto fruith 1 source of reve Aside from the permanent annual expenditures, which have necee 1 & por: tion of the public deb million seventy five thous six dotlar d fifty-n tb provided for w 1s mort des nda id ber 2 All experi dom and policy ot re venue for the evpport of c s on goods imported. The ; sis unque tiowable, erdt is to r plenish the tre B cidental advantege may m1 the industry of our own ev'izens, it is our duty to avail curee of the dvantag A duty laid icle which eannot be produced in chas tea or coflee— adds to the ¢ le, and is chiefly consumer. But a daty | which may be produced h land induetry of ourown coun e article, which is brought ith the foreign ar- d to reduce q je can tof the dnty upoa le The contine- athe skill, and invites wholly paid b upon wn art stimnlates the try to predu into the market foreign ar create the producer of ance of this proces the capital, which finally enubles us to produce the article much cheapemthan it could have been pro- cured from abroad, there enefiting both the producer and the consumer athome. The conse- quence of this is, that th an, and the agricul. tourist, are brought together; each affords a tea market fer the produce of the other; the whole perows; and the ability Wflife renders us indepen- as well as in peace A high tariff can never be permanent. [t will cause dissatistaction, and wij! be changed. It ex- cludes competition, and thereby invites the invest- ment of capital in manufactures to such excess, that when changed it brings distress, bankruptcy, and rain, upon all who have been misled by its foithlees protection. Whatthe manufacturer wants, is uniformity and eyes thet he may feel a confidence that he is not to be rained by sudden changes. But to make a tariff Oh manent, it is not only necessary that the law not be altered, but that the daty should not ite. To effect this, all duties should be spe- wherever the nature of the article is such vs to admit of it. Ad valorem duties fluctuate with the price, T strong temptations to fraud ‘i . Specific duties, on the uniform in ‘ll ports, and ‘atall dimes, Sting the beet efhote. as ho vars no nor dety than upon one of ‘interior +s recommend wecent aril Whigh hao prostrate i ou ot most important and necessary a Nicaragua; | but, as intelligence hus just been received of the | ill be experiesced in (he prompt transaetioa of | or the taal adjustment | own country as to encourage i without excluding foreiga competition. Tt i important that ao ung ate pro’ in the present taritl, which imposes a much rdaty | upon the raw material that enters iato minu- factures than upon the manufactured article, should be remedied. ‘The papers accompanying the report of the Sec- retary of the Treasury will disclose frauds at- tempted upon the revenue, in variety and amouat so great, as to justify the conclusion that it is ime possible, under any system of ad valorem duties, levied upon the foreign eost or value of the article, to secure an honest observance and an effectual ad- ministration of the laws. The frauduleat devices to | evade the law,whieh have been detected by the vigi- lance of the appraisers, leave no room to foun that similar impositions not discovered, to a large amount, have been successfully practised sinee the | enactment of the law now in force. This state of + things has already had a prejudicial influeace upon 1 those engaged in foreign commerce. [this a ten- dency to drive the honest trader from the busi- ' ness of importing, and to throw that rmportant branch of employment into the hands of uaseru- pulous and dishonest men, who are alikeyregard- less of law and the obligations of an oath, By these meang, the pian intentions of Congrers, as expressed in the law, are daily defeated. Every motive of poliey aud daty, therefore, impel me to ack the earnest attention of Congreas to this sub- jeet. If Congress should deem it unwise to attempt eny important changes in the system of levyiag duties at this session, it will become indispensable to ‘the protection of the revenue that such reme- dies, as in the judgment of Congress may mitigate the evils complained of, should be at once applied. As before stated, specitic duties would, in my opinion, aflord the most perfect remedy for this evil; bat, if you should not concur inthis view, | then, esa partial remedy, [ heg leave respectfally | torecommend that, instead of taking the invoice of the article Les a meansof determining i value he correctness of Which invoice it in many ¢ mpostible to verify, the law be so | change! as to require a home valuation or apprais- to be regulated in such maaner asto give, ag | far as practicable, uniformity in the several ports. | There being vo mint in Califoroia, [am iaformed that the Jahorers in the mines are compelled to dis- pose of their gold dust ata large discount. This | appears to me to bea heavy and unjust tax upoa the labor of those. employed in extracting this pre- cions metal; and I donbt not you will be disposed, at the earliest period possible, to relieve them trom it by the establishment of amiat. [athe mean- time, as an assayer’s office is established there, [ would respectfully submit for your consideration the propriety ef authorizing gold ball which bus been éssayed and stamped, to be receive payment of government dues. [ caanot conceive | that the treasury would snfler any loss by such a provision, which will at once raise bullign to its | par value, and thereby save (if Lam rightly inform- ed) many millions of dollars to the laborers whieh are now paid in brokerage to convert this precious | metal into available funds, This discount upon | their hard earnings is a heavy tax, and every effort should be made by the government to relieve them trom so great a burden. More then three-fourths of our populstion are | evgeged in the cultivation of the soil. The vial, manufactaring, and navigating in- | are all, toa great exteat, dependant onthe | eericultural It is, therefore, the most important interest of the nation, and has a just claim to the fostering care and protection of the government, | so far as they can be extended consistently with the provisions of the constitution. As this cannot be done by the ordinary modes of legislation, | 1e- spectfully recommend the establishment of aa ag- nieultural bareau, to be charged with the daty of giving to this leadiog branch of American iedustry the encouregement which it so well deserves. Ia view of the immense mineral resources of our coun- try, provision should also be made for the employ- ment of a competent mineralogist aud chemist, who should be required, under the direction of the of the bureau, to colleet specimens of the va- 8 minerals of our country, and to ascertain, by 1 analysis, their respective elements and pro- ere a their adaptation to usefal purposes. te should also be required to examine and report upon the qualities of different soils, and the ma- nures best calculated to improve their productive- ness. By publishing the results of such experi- ments, with suitable explanations, and by the col- jection and distribution of rare seeds and planta, with instractions as to the best system of cuitiva- tion, much may be done to promote this great na- tional interest. jiance with the act of Congress, passed $1 of May, 1850, providing, among other fow tohing the eeventh ceasas, a supe ‘ tendent was appointed, and alt Other moucurcs adopted which were deemed necessary to ensere the prompt end faithial performance of that daty. ‘The appropriuuon already made will, it is believed, be sufficient to defray the whole expense of the work; but forther leg ion uy be necessary in regerd to the compensutionofsome of the marshals ot the territories. It willalso be proper to make provision by law, at an early day, for the pudlica- tion of such a 13 of the returns as the pablie m ite. -cedented growth of our territories oa :ia wealih and popalation, and the coa- t inerease of their social and commercial re- lations with the Atlantic States, seem to reader it uty of the goverament to use all its coasttn- tional power to improve the meaas of intercourse with them. The innportance of openiag * a hae of communication, the best and most expeditious of which the nature of the country will admit,” be- tween the valley of the Mississippi aad the Pacific, was brovght to your notice by my predecessor, in his annual wessege ; aad ea the reasons which he presented in favex of the measure still exist in fall foree, beg leave to call vour atiention to them, = to repeat the recommendaticas thea mede by am Toe uncertainty which exists in regard to the valiantly of land tithes in California ig a subject which demands your early consideration. Large bodies of Jand im that State are ctaimed under grants eaid to have been made by authority of the Spanish end Mexican governments. Many of thes have not been perfected, others have beea revoked, and some are Petieved to be fraudulent. But uauil they ehail have been judicially investigated, they will continue to retard the settlement aad in ment of thecountry. I therefore respectfully re commend that provision be made by law, for the appointment of commissioners to examine ail such claims with @ view to their final adjustment. I also beg leave to call your attention to the pro- priety of extending, at an early day, our system of lund laws, with such modifications as may be ne- ceseary over the state of California and the terri- tories of | wh and New Mexico. The minerai lands of California will, of course, form an excep- tion to any general syetem which may be adopted. Various methods of disposing of them have veea suggested. | was at first inelined to favor the system of leasing, as it seemed to promise the Jar gest revenue to the government, and to afford tae best security agaiuet monopolies ; but further re- flection, and our experience in leasing the lead mines and selling lands upon credit, have brought my mind to the conciasion that there would be great difficulty in coilecting the rents, and that the relation of debtor and creditor, between the citizens and the government, would be attended with maoy mischievous conseguences. I therefore recom- mend that, instead of retaining the ‘mineral lands under the permanent coatrol of the government, they be divided into small parcels and sold, un- der euch restrictions, as to quantity and time, | insure the best price, ond guard most eflec- t combinations of capitalists to obtain monopoles. The annexation of Texas, and the acquimtion of | California and New Mexico, have given inereave importance to our ladian relations. The various tribes brovght under our jurisdiction by these ea- largemenis of our boundaries, are estimated to em brace a population of one hundred and twenty-four thousend. Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by pow- erful tribes of Lndians, who are a source of constant terror and @anoyanee to the inhabitants. Sepa- rating into smail predatory bands, and always mounted, they overrun the country, devastating farms, de ying crops, driving off whole herds ot cattle, avd occasionally murdermg the iahabi- rrying them into captivity. The great g into the country are infested with hem, whereby travelling is rendered extremely gerous, snd immigration is almost entirely orested. The Mexican frontier, which, by the Hidalgo, a llth erticle of the treaty of Guadalupe we are bound to protect against the lodians wit our berger, 1s exposed to these incursions equally with ovr own The military foree stationed in that country (although forming a large proportion of the army), is represented as entirety inadequate to our own protection and the fulfilment of our treaty stipulations with Mexico. The principal detizienacy oof I De pape u a4 a 'y a period as practicable, provide ref one of more regiments of mounted further snggestions on this subject, and others connected with our domestic interests, and the defence of our frontier, I refer you to the report of “ or of the Interior and of the Secre- tary of War, Yoommend, also, to your favorable consideration, the suggestion contained in the last mentioned re- port, in the letter of the general in-emief, rela- live to the establishment of an sepiqn feete telief isabled and destitute soldiers. ject peal 00 ‘rons your sympathies, that it would superfluous ia me to han more, jal approbation of the our ot. ‘he navy continuesto give ction to | commerce an her nate inferea the dif- vent quartere of the globe, and, with ex } Greed ogi steamer on the Northera Paheo, te vessels in commrssion are distribared ig sic differ. , Nt rqardrone. ‘The report of the head of that depart will The difficulties and E ex! tervicee of these squadrons, the | ment of pri Soa, se vessels employed im each di past denial There is tise source of ¢ mn = they bers dl coal a ‘B constant! an} er= 4 geney, they have every where aet wi ct | Fis impossible ie fr o.2th cilentioe to here and cou: , due as well tothe dignity as to the | private claims, and accumulation is now s0 pancetal dikateiioas aud just purposes of the na- at that many claimants must despair of ever be- on. able to hearing. It may well be doubt- The two brigantmies accepted by the govern- | ed whether Congress, from the nature of its organi- meant fro: generous citizea of New York, aad patie. conriested to docite, 5, sash Weesed unr th) > of anotlicer of the navy» | Sime the merltsof every elaian on wii he{e compelled ‘vo proceed to the Arctic seas in quest of the British commander, SirJohn Franklia, aud bienamyaaions, in complience with the act of Coagress, appro in May last, had, when last heard from penetrated into a this noble and humane enterprise is yet uncertain. T invite your attention to the view of our ‘ naval establishment and resources presented in the report of the Secretary of the Navy, aiid the sug- gestions therein made for its improyemuat, to- gether the naval policy recommended fox t security of our Pacific coast, and the tion and extension ef our commerce with lastera Asia. Our facilities for a larger participation ia the trade of the , by means of our recent settlements on the shores of the Pacific, are too obvious to be overlooked or disregarded. 4 The que: in relation to rank in the army and navy, and relative rank between officers ot thetwo branches of the service, preseated to the executive by certain resolutions of the House of Kepresenta- lives, at the last session of Congress, have beea tub- mitted to a board of officers ia each branch of the service, and their report may be expected at an early day. Lulso earnestly recommend the enactment of a Jaw autherizing officers of the army and avy to be tetized from the serv when incompetent for its Vigorows aud active duties, taking @are to make suitable provision for those who have faithfully retaining ia Lege gtpee commands those whe hive been particu! good conduct. to maintain and honor those wi of other pursuits, bave devo’ed themselves to its arduous service, this obligation should not be per- nee to interfere with the eflicieney of the service iself. Lem gratified in being able to state, that the es- timates of expendiiure ior the navy im Uke eosulog year are less, hy more than one million of dollars, ihan those of the present, excepting the ue chliaeies of the coustry ' ‘appropri tion which iney become necessary for the constrnc- tion of a dock on the coast of the Pacitie, proposi- tions for which are now being considered, aud oa which a special report anay be expected early in Your present session, ¥ There is am evident justoess in the suggestioa of the same report, that appropriations for the naval service proper should be separated fronethose for fixed and permanent objects, such as vores | docks and navy yards, and the fixteres attached; and from the extwaordinasy objects under the care of the. department whieh, however impmtant, are not essentially neval. A revision of the code for the government of the navy seems to require the immediate consideration of Covgrees. lis system of crimes aad puaishaents had vadergone no change for halfa centery, watil the last session, thovgh its defects have been Oftea and ably pointed out, and the abolition of a perticu- lar species of corporal punishment, which then took place, without providing eny substitute, has leit the service in a state of defectiveness, which calls for prompt correction. I therefore recommend that the whole subject be revived without delay, aud such a system established for the eaforcement of a line, as hull be at once humaneead effec- tual. The accompanying report of the Postunsster Genera), presents» a satisfactory view of te opera- tions and condition of that department. At the close of the last fiscal year, the length of the intend mail routes in the United States (not ee a the service in Oregon aod Cualiforuia,) Wee one hundred and seventy-two miles; the anaudl traas- portation thereon forty-six mithon five hundced and forty-one thousend four hundred end twesty-three wiles; and the annual cost of such trausporiation two millions seven hundred and twenty*four the- send four hundred end twenty-six doll irs. The increase of the annual transportation over that of the preceding year was three raillioas niae hundred end ninety-seven thousand three handred and fifty-foxr miles, end the increase in cost wae three hundred an! forty-two thousand foar haa- dred end forty dollars. | . The pumber of post offices in the Uniied States, on the first day of Jaly last, was eighteen thousaol four burdred and seventeen—being an increase of tment for the %), amounted to yeur nk The groa reventes of the fiscel year ending June 30th five millions teve iandred and fit nine hundred and seventy-one doflars aud forty- eight cents, including the ananal spprepriation of two hundred thousand dollars for the franked mat- ter of the departments, ond excluding the foreiga posteges collected for aud payable to the Br Goverpment. The «expenditures for the same peridd were five | in humble and devout thanks to the millions wo hundred and twelve thousand nine hundred and fifty-three dollars and forty-three cents—leaving a balance of revenue over expondi- tures of three hucdred and fory thousand and eighteen dollars and five ceats 1 em happy to find that the fiseal condition of the departmentis sach as to justify the Postmaster General ia recommending the reduction of our in- | land letter postage to three cents the single letter when pre-paid, and five cents when not pre-paid. He also recommends that the pre-peid rate shall be reduced to two cents whenever the revenues of the department, after the reduction, shall exceed its ex- foc two “: 0 rates of pampbiets, periodicals, a odifivd and rome reduction ereon m: will, for the partinent, surplus sirew be almost wh privileges of sending free matter by paying out of the Treasury t partment a sum equivale: | deprived by such privileg be the preferable mode. y, 80 nearly # ply that deficiency ar to make auy farther appropriation thai may be pecessaty 80 iucoa- siderable as to Zorm mo ch ‘tain no doubt of th: e appropriations fv class of publis works comy called works of internal . thority I ew to be derived chledy from the power of regulating commer: with foreign na tions, and am the States, and the power of lay- ing avd collecting imports to be carried om and imposts col'eeted, there murt be ports and harbors, as well as wharves and cus tom houses, If ships, laden with valuable cargoes, appreach the ¢hore, or sail slong the coast, light. houses are necessary, at suitable pointe, for the \d property Other facilitice and tr thority of Congr ing ohjssta in thy jens importa therefore, to nh I have referred, have received the origin of the government’ a lib benefictal construction. Not only have fi and beaoons been established, an piers construct the rafety << topiag protect harbors from being file urelets, by the action of the ocent ed. at very great expense. And the ¢ tution appears the more reasonable from the consideration, that if these werke, of each evident importance and utility are not to bx accomplirhed by Congress they cannot be accomplished at all. By the ageption of the constitution. the several State: j voluntarily parted with the power of collecting | @uties of impost in their own ports: and it is not ty be expected that they should raise moncy, terpal taxation, fy irect, for the tr on their waters magnificent Mississippi tributaries, vast | of the Nor Northwest. appear to Ii within the exercise of the power. as | ¥ and as wer? as the Govan aad the Gulf of jexico, it is @ mistake to regard expenditares judteionsly made for these objects as expenditures tor local purposes. ition, or site of the work. thip oneal around. the fale ot Bt th thip eaval aro Of less than | amile in lepgih, though local in ite sonstroction, would yet be national in its purpose and its bepe fits. as it would remove the only obstruction to a than s thousand miles, affecti: 10. too, the water at the mouth ware is ereeted. not forthe exciasire bene It t a and, to a considerable extent rn If @ ship be lost on the Southern port, for want of water, it is very likely to bea d if @ steam boat be sunk in any part om Account of ite channel not Baring Slee sigh fen et Tg jen States, fm: able’ that 4 % undred and seventy-cight thodsand six | sixveen ondred” and sevecty during the preceeding | . | Tt comnot be doubted that the proposed reductions | it. Mminish the revenues of the do- t is believed that the deficiency, after the | dy accumulated shall be exhausted, may y met. either by abolishing the existing jo Wn to the proposed re- | Where coghmerce is | northern latitude; but the success of | remedy for this growing evil served their country, and awarding distinctions, by | burdens of «ll ne: Ne, Peeeelan ae for gallantry and | comlort, and hile th ‘i supply of pure waver, I ree . to theexclasion ee to vote; and it ie cide @ case which mey, and juently must, do ii claimant of government, an posterous to ask a judge to de- has heard. Such decisions justice either to the I perevive no better than the establish- ment of eome tribunal to adjudicate upon such claims. most ead hich be ited f This Dirtra ich hag neither voice nor yote in your deliberati: looks to you for protection and aid, and I co: 4 all its wants to your favorable an contideration, with a full con idence that you will meet them not only with justice, but with liberali- ty. It should be borue in mind that in this city, laid out by Washington, and contecrated by his name, is located the capitol of our nation, the emblem of our Union.end the symbol of our ee. Here also ae situated all the public build! necessary for ‘the use of the government, and all these are ex exopt from taxation. It should be the pride of Americat to render this place attractive to th people of the whols repubiic, and convenient and sa for Ube transaction of the public business and the servation of the publie records. The goveram should, therefore, bear @ liberal io and use: cossary im provements. Aud. ae nothing could contribute more to the health, safety of the city, and the security of the pubite buildings and records, than an abundant tally recommend thet ou such prev sions for obtaining the same as jn your wisdom you may deem proper. ‘The act passed at your last session, making certain proporitions to fexas for rettling the dispated boun- Gary between that State and the Territory of New Mexi- co. was, immediately oa its passage, transmitted by express to the Governor of Texas, to be laid by bim babes the Genersl Assembiy for ita agreement thero- to. Ita receipt was duly acknowledged, but no official information has yet been received of thi tion of the Geveral Assembly thereon; it may, however, be very, oon expected, as, by the terms of the propositions submitted, they were to have been acted upon, on or before the first day of the present month. It was hardly to have been expected that the series of measures passed at your last session, with tho view of healing the ferences whieh had sprung from the tlavery aud. territorial questions, should at once have realfzed their beneficent purpose. All mu- ‘tual concession, in the nature of a comprom'se, must necessarily be unwelcometo mun of extreme opinions. And though without such concessieas our constitution could not bave been formed, and cannot be perma. nently sustain have ecen them made the sub- ject of bitter controversy in both sections of the repub- lic, It required many mouths of discussion and delib- eration to secure the concurrence of a majority of Congress in their favor, It would be strange if they had been recei with immediate approba- tion by people and States, prejudiced and the exciting controversies of their representative: Delleve these rneasures to have been required by the clecumstanoes and condition of the country. T Neve they were peor to allay asperities sad ani. mosities ‘tl ere Ta] ey Stalaiegrone section of the countr; ef, and destroying those fra- ternal sentiments which are the strongest supports of the constitution. They were adopted in the spirit of conciliation, and for the purpose of cozciliation. I believe that a great majority of our fellow- citizens sympathize in that spirit, and that pur- exe, aud in the main approve, aod are prepared, all respecte, to sustain these enactments. I can- not doubt that the American people, bound to- gether by Mindred blood and common traditions. still cherish a paramount regard for the Union of ‘and that they are ready to rebuke apy attempt te violate its iutegrity, to disturb the coi promises on which it it is bused, or to resist the laes which have been enacted under its authority. of measures to which [ have alluded are regarded by me as a settiement, in princivl stapce—a final # daugerog. x. uhjeots whieh they ‘Most ot these subjects, indeed, are beyond your reach, as the legis- jation which disposed of them w in ite character, final and irrevosable, 1¢ may be presumed from tne opposition which they all encouatered, that none of those measures was free from imperfectious, but in their mutual cependence and connection they formed asystem of compromise, the most conciliatory, wud best tor the entire country, that could be obtsiaed trom conflicting sectional interests and opinions. Der this reason I recommend your adberenos to the adjvstinent established by thos: Ltime and experience na y of tur- ther le jon to guard ase. ustment we have been reseued irom the nd boundless egitation that sarroanded 13s, aad -iwo thousand | have o tiria, distimet, and Irgal ground to rest uw) at And the ccearion, I trust, #. my couwtrymen to raliy upo: as the best, if not the only ‘ P and quiet tothe coautry. and maintaining iuviolace the integrity of the Union ‘And now, fellow-citizens, Tesunot bring this com- | Municstion to a close without invoking you to join me } ! y| | | | } reat Ruler of natious, for the multiplied blessings which he has gtactourly bestowed upon us. His hand, so often visible ia our preservation, has stayed the pestiience, faved us from foreign war: G domestic disturbances, and seattered plenty throughout the | Our liberties. religious civil tained; the fountatas oi edge have all beea Ke: open, snd means of happiness widely spread and gene. rally enjoyed, greater huve fatlen to the lot of any other nation. And, deeply penetrated with gra- titude tor the ‘that his all-wise Provi- dence will so ide our countels, a that they shall result in giv satisiuction to our ceastituents, se- curing the peace of the try, and new sirength to the united government under which we live. MILLARD FILLMORE, Wasnixeronx, December 2, 1850. REPORT or Tue Post Orrick DerartMent, November 30th, 1550, } Sin:—The number of mail routes within the United States, at the close of the fiscal year ending onthe 30th June last, was 5,590; the aggregate length of euch routes was 173,672 miles; and the number of contractors employed thereon, 4,760. The annual transportation of the mails on these routes was 46,541,423 miles, at an annual cost of , making the average cost about five id eight and a half mills per mile. , The increase in the number of inJand mail routes dpring the year was 649 ; the increase ia the length ef mail routes was 10,969 miles; and the anual (ansportation of the pd exceeded that of the pre- ion er 3,997,354 miles, at an increased cost 410. ‘The inuil service in California and Oregon hav- ing been irregular in its performance, and imper- feculy veported to the department, has not beea em- braced in the foregoing statements. 7 Thore were, on the 30th of June last, five foreiga mail routes, of the aggregate length of 15,079 miles, and the anaual price of the transportation thereon, payable by this rtment, was $264,506; being an increase of $8,514 on the cost of the preceding ear. There shoeld be added to the cost of traneporta- tion, as above stated, the expense of mail messen- gere, and local and route agents, (which expense is chargeable to the tramaportation fund,) and which,for the last fiseal year, amounted to $107,042; being an increase of 45,529 on the expenses of the mail messengers and local route agents for the pre- The increase of our mail service, for the last fiveal year, Over the year preceding, was abou 9 4-10 per cent.. and the increase in the total cost bout 127-10 per cent. extent and cost of such service, for the last year, iia division amoag the States and territories, and its comperivon with that of the preceding year, will more faily ® the comeemeuay "6 repor: of the first Assistant Postmaster General. The number of postmasters wed during the ear ending Jone 30, 1X5), ress 18. Of chat number 600 were appointed to fill vacancies occasioned by resiguation: to fill vacancies occasioned by the decease of the previous incumbents; 262 on a change of the sites of the offices for which they were appointed; 1.441 on the removal of their pre- Ww decessors; and 1,979 were appointed on the estab- mn of new ©! . ‘he whole number of post offices in the United States, at the end of that year, was 14417. There ‘were 1,979 post offices established, and 309 discon- tinvied during the year. The toners and other agents of the depart- ment have, with few exceptious, performed their duties with fidelity and pr #8, and = main- tained the credit of the de; mt for efficiency and usefulness. om ‘The failares of connection which have from time to time occurred on some of the routes, have caused much inconvenience and annoyance. |t is hoped, however, Soy the renewed requirement of the returns of w: and monthly regustere of the the postmastera, at the ide Ay ot the will render a Boparvaliat for the year was $5,552,071 43, derived from From this sum should be we received ome the year e8, which are that government tinder the postal com vention of December, 1848 eo oe ‘147,013 3g Leaving, tor the gross revenue of the year we . ” ++ oe $6562,071 48 ‘The expenditures of the ‘or the transportation of Bhip, steamboat, and way letcers * Mi “ Blanks. “Mail locks, eye, and stampa 4 Mieake lor offices, (offices of alee “ Miscellaneous items .. oe o “ Post office jaws and regulations § .. y Roperpest of money found in dead otters ete ven 392 30 29,725 19 357.935 QL 89.526 00 1,722 24 Leaving as the excess of the gross re- vemue over the expenditures of the year, the sum of .. ‘The undrawn appropriations for this de- partment, under the 12th section of the ‘act ef 1847, before referred to, amount- ed, on the 20th June last, (including the $200,000 embraced in bh $340,018 05 fi oing 605,556 55 The Auditor ot the depart. balance tothe credit of the revenue partment, on the day last mentioned, which wil) be vit ly found to be available, (and which does not include (he $666,555 55 above men- BAA) Poo seine) ones Making an available balance, from ali BOUTCEH, Of... see vee fone Out of which there is payable to the Bri- tish government, for postages collected under the postal treaty, during the fis- cal year ending June 50, Me $55,061 66 And during the year en June 30, 1860 + 147,013 38 net balance, timated »; MenMatory of eee ee ene $1,189,005 82 For a more detailed statement of the fiseal condi- tion and affairs of the department, you are respect- fully Soe pte to the report of the Auditor hereto annexed. 649,165 31 $1,814,720 86 182,075 04 ‘The new contracts for mail tr tation ia the northern section composed of the States of * 7 ode New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Island, Connecticut and New York, made in the spring of 1849, showing an increase of aanual com- pensation of $96,981; being an increase of more than eighteen per cent upon the previous cost of that section. - The new contracts made under the lettings of last epring for the westera section of the Union, embracing the States of Michigan, ladiana, Lili- nois, Wisconsin, lowa, Missoun, Kei ucky, Ten- nessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, and the Territories, exhibit a still greater increase in the annual cost of transporta- on in that section. R This increase is estimated in the contract office at $236,696 per annum, being about 25 per ceat. advance upon the annual cost of that section unter the contracts in force up to the end of the last fiscal year. (1 this, about 10 and four-fifths per cent is attributable to the increase of service in that sec- tion, and about 14 and one-fifth percent to the increased rate of compensation provided for im the late contracts. 7 The increased cost in the other sections of the Union, under the orders for the improvement and extension of the service on exisung routes, made by the Postmaster General, during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, will amount, ne deducting the curtailments order to. . $12,470 00 50,000 00 Franklin on the New York and ilavre line, will add the cost of a half monthiy line tor about ten months se eaeee 62,500 00 ‘The service in California and Oregon, so far as reported, will cest for the current <aaneae the it, will pro- ly add to the expenses of the year. ‘The estimates upon this item, and that of the ad- ditional service yet to be ordered, are made apoa 20.000 09 very unceriain data. Indeed, the extent and cost of the mail service, as well as the revenues of this department, ere Subject to constant fluctuations, and the best considered and most careful estimates can furnish oaly @ reasonable approximation to the actual results. The exyenditures for the current year are esti- mated as follgws :— The annual expenses cf transportation. (foreign and inland.) as it stood at the close of the last fecal year. sees $3,095,974 00 Additional cost in Western section under 236,696 00 12,470 00 50,000 00 62,500 00 80,470 00 pense of publisht revieed lat acted Ex of ing & post oflces and oe anew edition of the laws and regulations, a with @ map to accompany the letter. 14,500 00 sy hed last year under the hea: compensation to portmasters; wre; ping paper; office furniture; adver- tis! ail be ven, mail locks. end special agents; clerk: (offices of posten@sters) and miscella- neous items; with el added, 2.417,199 90 $8,019,909 90 To meet there expenditures the department must rely on the receipts of postages, the annual appro- priation of $200,000 under the 12ch section of the act of 1357, which has been before referred to, and the trifling appropriation made at the last session of compensation for the transportation er sent free through the mails under the act for taking the seventh census. Before giving en estimate of the revenue of the current year, it is proper to remark that no reliable estimate of the receipts from postage can be made. The increase for the year ending June 30, 1817, was 11 27-100 per cent ; for the year ending June 30, 1848, only 7 43-100 = cent; and forthe year ending June 20, 1549, 14 20-100 per cent; being rage, for the three years, of 10 96-100 per and the increase for the year ending June 20, 1850, excluding the balances in favor of Great Britain, was 14 5-3 per cent. It is believed that the postawes of the out- rept year will show an increase over those of the inet year of at le percent, and amount to.. + $6,000,616 28 Add the appropriations for franked matter of the department and the appropriation lor the postage of census LOT. wees Making estimated revenues. ........+..#0 10081025 From whieh deduct estimated expe PUIINS4 50's cocase.ctsee nue genes so MMMOD $146,806 38 The conveyance of correspondence between this and foreign countries, and between the Atlantic aud Pacific pertions of the United States, has become a large and important branch of our mail service. The means provided for this conveyance consist of sixteen steamships now in actual service, with four more to be added under the ex contracts. Connected with thie service is the service across the Isthmus of Panuma, whieh is pertormed by the wy be Gi ra _ y a sti ited oy according to the weight of the mails. The le duty of the ernment in regard to our © lence with foreign countries, is not discharged by simply providing and supe’ the means of conveyance. Arrangements made with the countries to which lines extend, to specify and secure mutual and sat- isfectory terms for the interchaage of maila, and for 212,000 00 the uninterrupted transit of our ce, in the mails of those countries, to the — With Germany such have been already made. remain to be ad- They i justed b> Hy aed = — is ig ia charge of our diplomatic rey ves, ani an early and favorable termiankon of their negotia- LJ with the West ment is recolution of Congress, authori to take measures to seeure such an arrcagement, is tecomme ye service in California and Oregon, and rns Tein the former, is will la.en Casctiied bat Statement in regard to it can be submitted. time to comnsunicate with the appointed to teke charge of the California service has not pet clepsed since his appoiatinemt; but of the service im an early day. Im to the new and? there are oly the want of pe Papp ment oF is coms an eeseanly tee end es appointment of a De Genera! and an Auditor to reside in proposed by a bill repo! at the i id i last sessi ¥ Te= moving of the iieaives, bt 2 an organization which would sever t service from the eervice in other parts of the Union, and is lia- oh to many sees: It is, therefore, respect y suggest(.d that improvement, system, econom: and efficiency woul Re cooker introduced it r gress should authorize the Postmaster Geacral to: send, temporarily, to. the Pacific coast, ea 14 of the greatest knowledze aad rience ia mail peer cme and ia pS oe rules of department governing makt contractes for the r=rpose of being there eaociated with the local agent in organizing the service at the outset, charge and mana of such te: cal ages isto be continued in charge of the ser- ee, is salary should ith pared to an emouat ter poreppondiag wil high prices - ing im California. eravent In view of the time required to communicate with, Oregon and our newly ised territories, (he fol~ lowing modification of the post office laws is ur~ gently, recommended :— i, ice é ‘hat the contract and fiscal year for the P it, in respeet to the service California, Oregons New Mexico and Utah, be changed, apd that it commence and. end turee months earlier than for the rest of the Union, Jeo. the returns, accounts, and all other statements for the last quarter of the fiscal year in that portion of the Mig ean be made to a Post Mhice-in Washington, in time, r being duby audited, to be emoraced in the anaual epores sub— mitted at the opening of Congress. 2. Thatauthority be givew to the special agent im that country, to open, at San Francisco, the lead letters returned from the offices in Califoraia an& Oregon, and there dispose of them, as is now done / at the General Post Oifier, under such: and restrictions a8 the Postmaster General may preseribe. For this purpose a clerk, or clerks, wih suitable salaries, should be allowed tw the special agents. | A considerable reduction of letter postage, and the adoption of @ uniform inlind rate, is desired: by a large portion of the people of the United Siates. Interestung and able reports, recommeading difler- ent degrees of reduction, were made, bat not acted upon, at the last session of C 88. The subject wil doubtless again engage the attention of - gress at its ing session; and, with an earnest desire that our rates of postage may be re~ duced to the Jowest point that Js prectonire with- out calling for a csntribution from the Treasury beyond what should be paid for the transinission. and delivery of the offizial and public correspon- dence, | recommend that the inland letter postage be reduced to three cents, the single letter, when pre-paid, and be fixed at the uniform rate of five cen's when not prepaid; and also, that the Post~ master General be required to reduce this > rate to two cents the single letter, whenever it shall be ascertained that the reveanes of the department, after the reductions sow recom- mended, shall have exceeded its expenditures by more than five per cent for two consecutive fiseal ears. J also recommend that the e to Cali- rnia and Oregon be greatly reduced, and that the _postage charged on other Sear going letters be made more simple end uniform. ith the numerous. rates now sone, ye with, and some the addition of the inland rates—eonfusion and mistake are frequeatand unavoidable. | therefore omens. tha iweaty ponte the single, —y be arged on all correspondence to from Pacific coast, South America, the Eastern i nent end its islands, and points beyond either; an@ ten cents the single letier on all other seagoing letters, without raddition of injand postage, m any case, excepting, however, all cases where such sea postages have been or shall be adjusted at different rates, by postal treaty already et or hereafter to be made; and power should given to the Postmaster General, by and with the advice and conseat of the Pi of the United States, to veduce or enlarge the sea rates, with view of meking better postal arrangements wit other governmente, or counteracting any ad measures & g our postal intercourse with other countries. 1 aleo recommend that the provision waich im- poses an additional half ceat papers, eet more than one hun of the State where they are sealed. as to leave the uniform inl rs, sent to subscribers from the ition, at one cent each. The Une ga upon pamph! other printed matter (except newspapers), @ixy be ‘i and somewnet reduced, with advantage to the ment. Two cents for the pamphlet or periodical of the weight of two ouaces or lesa, and: one cent for every additional ounce, or fraction of an ounce, is recommended as the inland rate upon all pamphlets, periodicels, and other printed matter; instead of the present rate of two and a half ceate for the first ounce, and one cent for every addi- tional ps or pio ape ofan ounee, For the sea- going charge on such matter, and on newspapers, twice the inland rate to and from the points to which it is proposed that the letter postage shall be ten cents, and four times the inland rave where the letter rate is twenty cents, is deemed a just and proper rate. This would, in some cases, in- crease the postage on printed matter sent to the Pacific coast, and by our other sea lines, where the postage is not already fixed by postal arrange- ment; but the postage to California, as above, pro- miles and out be repeated, so on news- ice of pub , would hardly equal the price now uh private expresses the conveyance we same weight, in packages of less than one hundred pounds, to San cisco. _ It will be perceived that the reduction proposed in the Paes bn printed matter is not large. ‘The reason for the greater reduction of letter post- age ie found inthe fact that the rates of postage upon printed matter are now exceedingly low, when compared with the letter rates. The average } fomeae. seuen is ieneneh. st shest three dol- jars and sixteen cents per |, and on - | pers or pamphiets at about stateca cents Per bool. | Afterthe reduction tome the averege inland postage on lettera will be about $2 50 per pound a not prepaid, and $1 50 per pound Piven pre- now recommended paid. | "The reductions in postage | will, if carned out, reduce the revenues of the de- | partment for the firstthree or four years. At the end of that period, the revenues of the depirtmeat under the reduced tariil of postages, wili probably again equal ite expenditures. To meet the deti- ciency which must follow this re’ plus revenues already accumulate plied, and after these shall have been exhausted, ‘Qn appropriation from the’ will be rejaired, unless Congress shall deem it expedient to abolisty the existing privileges ef sending and receiving free matter through the mails, to increase the annual appropriation now made to the department, for the conveyance of a part of such free matter, to a sum equal to the revenues that would be derived therefrom, if all free matter -were charged with postage. — The continuance of the franking privilege; aprivi- - which may be roomy conmoenee wa the pri- vilege of the constituent rather then of the re) ne tative—may be dictated by an enlightened pablic policy and required by the public intereets ; and the same may be said of the privilege possessed j pm aged prominin, of — and receivia: wepapers free of postage. Dat - | privileges are cuatinued, it te feopesctally subaalteed that this Ln should be paid for the con- veyance of the matter sent free under them, by an eppropriavon from the public Treasury, rather th: by @ tax on the private ee of the If a sum equal to the Chaiged on all free matter, were it chargeable with postage, should be ually appropristed ia tot "department, it is beliewed that sae eo would priation and the secummulated surplus reveny: enable the department to sustain itself, notwith- the proposed rei Or that the ap- = mw required would be #0 inconsil-r:ble ae to interpose no eerious obstacle to the aduytion of | measures now recommended. In case a reduction poslane shall be maid, in is sted that it Should only take effeyt from and after the 4h of June next, that it may go into» Hion at the commencement of the nex fiscad year. This is desirable for the purpose of eabling the department to present the fiscal resule of the reduction with Clearnees and accaracy j¢ fature reports, @od also for the purpose of giving «me te wuetions, and blauks Which» ‘will be consejaence of the cwauty im the rates of postage. ‘ a 4 Any reduction of postage is likely to increase labor, and reduce, tora time at least, the compen sation of the eeveral postayatters. [t is therefore Tecommendrd that power be given to the Post- mastcr General in increase the rates of com gis stmailer offices, so as to insure the s¢ of competent and faith fal officers. ‘The term newspaper is not so fully defited by tt existing laws upon that subject, as to enable t <cpenmene to decide, without embarrassment ¢ dileully, whether a partiealar periodical, is ¢ not to be de w and thongh vy decisions, ious em hare at ‘afte times, been made in the dep they h perplexity and Ph’ qaestion irom a nt. here Waea manifest pomarety, in the po gem J the Calitornit jip Nines, | ing fora the twiee a Fm Nee fare New Oneman tes a ita Fama mo oust Soon after the close session grees. Was ae ore A a ne the State of California and Tenner orn ge Uo DeWs- -