The New York Herald Newspaper, December 7, 1852, Page 2

it Siac impolitic, pl er of 6 o! France tnd Wagiand to be assured that the United Btates entertain no designs against Cuba; but that, on the contrary, I should regard its incorporation into the Union at the present time as fraught with serious peril. nd comprratively destitute of in- habitants, or occupied by a kindred race, I should | regard it, if voluntarily ceded by Spain, as a most | desirable acquisition. But, under existing circum- | stances. uld leok upon its incorporation into | our Union as a very hazardous measure. Tt would | bring into the confederacy ® population of a | different national stock, speaking a x lap; and not likely to harmonize with tl other members. It meat probably affect in a pre- | jedicial manner the industrial interests of thefSouth; | ‘and it might revive those conflicts of opinion be- tween the different sections of the country, which lately shook the Union to its centre, and which have been 80 happily compromised. , | The rejection by the Mexican Congress of the | convention which had been concluded between that | Republic and the United States, for the protection | of a transit way across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. | and of the interests of those citizens of the United Btates who had become preiotes of the rights which Mexico had conferred on one of her own citi- sens in regard to that transit, has thrown a serious obstacle in the way of the attainment of a very de- sirable national object. I am still willing to hope | that the differencos on the subject which exist, or | may hereafter arise, between the governments, will | Be amicably adjusted. This subject, however, has | already engaged the attention of the Senate of the United States, and requires no further comment in | thie communication. The settlement of the question respecting the port of San Juan de Nicaragua, and of the contro- | versy between the republics of Costa Rica and Nica- | in regard to their boundaries, was considered | Bdinpenea le to the commencement of the ship between the two oceans, which was the sub- ject of the Convention between the United States | and Great Britain, of the 19th of April, 1850. Ac- eordingly a proposition for the same purpose, ad- drecsed to the two governments in that quarter, and to the Mosquito Indians, was agreed to in April last by the Secretary of State and the Minister of | her Britannic Majesty. Besides the wish to aid in | reconciling the differences of the two républics, I engaged in the negotiation from a desire to place | the great work of a ship canal between the twe oceans under one jurisdiction, and to establish the important port of San Juan de Nicaragua under the | overnment of a civilized power. The proposition | question was assented to by Costa Rica and the Mosquito Ind Tt has not proved equally ac- | ceptable to N gua, but it is to be hoped that the further negotiations on the subject which are in | train will be carried on in that spirit of conciliation | ard compromise which ought always to prevail on | gach occasions, and that they will lead to a satis- | factory result Thave the satisfaction to inform you that the ex- | ecutive government of Venezuela has acknowledged | some claims of citizens of the United States, which | have for many years past been urged by our Charge | d’ Affaires at Caraccas. It is hoped that the same | justice will actuate the Congress of that re- pad in providing the means for their payment. The recent revolution in Buenos Ayres and the | confederated States having opened the prospect of | an improved state of things in that quarter, the | governments of Great Britain and France deter- | mined to negotiate with the chief of the now confe- | deracy for the free access of their commerce to the | extensive countries watered by the tributaries of the Le Plata; and they gave a friendly notice of this purpose to the United S:ates, that we might, if we thought proper, pursue the same course. In com- | Hiance wi:h this invitation, our Minister at Rio | janeiro, and our Charge d’Affairs at Buenos Ayres, | have been fully authorized to conclude treaties with | the newly organized confederation, to the States composing it The delays which have taken place in the formation of the new government beve as yet prevented the execution of those instructions; but there is every reason to hope that these vast coun- | tries will be eventually opened to our commerce. | A treaty of commerce has been concluded between | market, and he consequently raises the price of the hundred and fifteen dollars and cighty sheen conte (9,455,815, was on account of Peppeipel ‘end interest of public debt, including the last in- treaty of Guadatcpe iid nce of aty alu, a #i4.c22, 196 37 in The Treasury on the first day of uly last. Since this latter period, further pur- chases of the principal of the public debt have beea made to the extent of two millions fourhundred and fifty-six thousand five hundred and rs seven dol- lars and forty-nine cents. (2,456,547 49,) and the surplus in the Treasury will continue to be applied to that object, whenever the stock can be procured within the limits, as to price, authorised by law. ‘The value of foreign merchandise imported during the Jast fiscal year was. two hundred and seven mil lions two hundred and forty thousand one hundred and one dollars ($207, 240,401) and the value of do- mestic productions exported was one hundred and forty-rine millions eight hundred and sixty-one thousand nine hundred and eleven dollars ($149,- 861,911), besides seventeen millions two hundred and four thousand and twenty-six dollars ($17,204,- 026) of foreign merchandise exported; ‘ing the aggregate of the entire exports one hundred and sixty-seven millions sixty-five thousand nine hun- dred and thirty: seven dollars, ($167,065,937;) exc!u- sive of the above there was exported forty-two mil- lions five hundred and seven thousand two hundred and eighty-five dollars ($42,507,285) in specie; and imported from foreign ports five millions two hun- dred and sixty-two thousand six hundred and forty- three dollars ($5,262,643 ) In my firet annual message to Congress, I called your attention to what seemed to me some defects in the present tariff, and recommended such modi- fications as in my judgement were best adapted to remedy its evils, and promote the prosperity of the country. Nothing has since ocourred to change my | views om this important question. Without repeating the arguments contained in my former message, in favor of discriminating, protective duties, 1 deem it my duty to call your attention to one or two other considerations affest- ing this subject. The first is, the effect of large importations of foreign goods upon our currency. Most of the gold of California, as fast as it is coined, finds its way directly to Europe, in pay- ment for goods purchased. In the second place, as our manufacturing establishments aro broken down by competition with foreigners, the capital invested in them is lost, thousands of honest and industrious citizens are thrown out of employment, and the farmer to that extent is deprived of a home market for the sale of his surplus produce. In the third place, the destruction of our manufactures leaves the foreigner without competition in our article sent here for sale, as is now seen in the in- creased cost of iron inpored from England. The prosperity and wealth of every nation must depend upon its productive industry. The farmer is atimu- lated to exertion by finding a ready market for his | sous produce, and benefited by being able to exchange them, without loss of time or expense of transportation, for the manufactures which hi | comiort or convenience requires. This is always done to the best advantage where a portion of the community in which he lives is engaged in other pur- suits. But most manufactures require an amount of capital and a practical skill which cannot be com- manded, unless they be protected for a time from ruinous competition from abroad. Hence the ne- cessity of laying those duties upon imported goods which the constitution authorizes for revenue, in such a manner as to protect and encourage the labor of our own citizens Duties, however, should not be fixed at a rate so high as to exclude the foreign article, but should be go graduated as to enable the domestic mapufacturer fairly to compete with the | foreigner in‘our own markets, and by this competi- tion to reduce the price of the manufactured article to the consumer to the lowest rate at which it can be produced. This policy would place the mechanic by the side of the farmer, create a mutual inter- change ef their respective commodities, and thus stimulate the industry of the whole country, and | render us independent of foreign nations for the eupplies required by the habits or necessities of the eople, es Another question, wholly independent of proteoc- tion, presents itself, and that is, whether the duties levied should be upon the value of the article at the | place of shipment, or, where it is practicable, spe- | cific duty, graduated according to quantity, as as- | certained by weight or measure: ‘All our duties age | at present ad valorem. A certain per contage is | levied on the price of the goods at the port of sbip- | an increase in the amount ef lands sold under land warrants, of 569,220 acres on the previous year. The whole amountithus sold, :oeated under laud warrant! y area under land grants, and selected ‘ternal improvements, exceeds that of the ‘ious year by 3,342,372 acres ; and the sales would, without doubt, have been much larger, but for the extensive for railroads in Mis- souri. Mississippi, and Alabama. Fer the quarter ending 30th September, 1852, there wore #0ld..........+05 eeeeeee 255 Located with bounty-land warrants 1,387,116 * other certificates... 15,649 Reported under swamp land grants 2,485,233 “ Making an aggregate for the quar- terof. +. 4,181,253“ Much the larg bor of arranging and cieniring the returns of the last census has been (a ridges it will nove corel Say Tees to make the necessai for the publi- & ach fail as shall be fe ae “ eae a ai ; ct arts est rtionment of represent , on the besis of th Le census, has been made by the Sec- Interior, in conformity with the pro- visions of law relating to that subject, and the re- cent elections have been made in accordance with it. Icommend to your favorable sy ool nd sugges- tion contained in the re) of the of the Interior that provision be made by law for the pub- lication and distribution, iodically, of an ana- lytical digest of all the patents which have been, or may hereafter be, granted for useful inventions and discoveries, with such descriptions and illustra- tions as eed be necessary to present an intelligible view of their nature and operation. The cost of such publication could easily be defrayed out of the patent fund, and I am persuaded that it could be applied to no objeet more acceptable to inventors and beneficial to the mnie at large. An appropriation of $100,000 having been made at the lest eeesion fer the purchese of a suitable site, afd for the erection, furnishing, and eg ho of an Ania for the Ineane of the District of Columbia, and of the Army and Navy of the United States, the proper measures have been adopted to carry this bexeficent purpose into effect. By the latest advices from the Mexican Boundary Commission, it appears that the survey of the river Gila, from its confluence with the Colorado to its supposed intersection with the westera line of New Mexice, has been completed. Tho survey of the Rio The report from the Navy Department will inform you of they ‘osperous condition of the branch of the ublic service committed to its charge. It presents 5 your consideration many topics and suggestions of which 1 ask your Spare It exhibits an uou- sual degree of activity in the deem of the Depart ment during the past year. preparations for the Japan expedition, to which I have already alluded; the arrangements made for the exploration and survey of the China Seas, the Northera Pacific, and Boh- ring’s Straits; the i ep measures taken towards a reconnoissance of continent of Africa, cast- ward of Liberia; the preparation for an early ex- amination of the tributaries of the River La Plata, which a recent decree of the provisional chief of the Argentine Confederation has opened to navi- gation; all these en , and the means by which they are pro to be accom , have commanded my approbation, and I have no doubt will be luctive of most useful results Two officersof the navy were heretofore instructed to explore the whole extent of the Amazon river, from the confines of Peru to its mouth. The return of one of them has placed in the possession of the government an interesting and valuable account of the character and resources of @ country shrepting in the materials of commerce, and which, if opene to the industry of the world, will prove am inex- haustible fund of wealth. The report of this explo- ration will be communicated to you as soon as it is completed. Among other subjects offered to your notice by the Secretary of the Navy, I select for special eom- mendation, in view of its connection with the in- terests of the navy, the plan submitted by him for the establishment of a permanent corps of scamen, and the suggestions he has presented for the re- organization of the Naval Academy. In reference to the first of ‘these, I take eccasion to ray that I think it will greatly improve the efli- ciency of the service, and that I'regard it as still more entitled to favor for the salutary influence it must exert upon the naval discipline, now greatly disturbed by the increasing spirit of insubordina- tion, resulting from our present system. The plan ropored for the organization of the seamen furn- Grande bas also been finished from the point agreed on by the Commissioners as “ the point re it strikes the gouthern boundary of New Mexico,” to ® point one hundred and thirty miles below Eagle | Pasa, which is about two-thirds of the distance along the course of the river to its mouth. & , The appropriation which was made at the last sos- sion of Congress for the continuation of the survey, is subject to the following proviso:— “*Provided, That no part of this appropriation shall be used or expended until it shall be made satisfactorily to appear to the President of the United States that the Southern boundary of New Mexico is not established by the commiesioner and surveyor of the United States farther north of the town called Paso than the samo is laid down in Dis- turnell’s map, which is added to the treaty.” My attention was drawn to this subject bya re- port from the Department of the Interior, which re- viewed all the facts of the case, and submitted fo: my decision the question whether, under Leet circumstances, any part of the appropriation coul bo lawfully used or expended for the further prose- cution of the work. After a careful consideration of the subject, I came to the conclusion that it could net, and so informed the head of that depart- ment. Orders were immediately issued by him to the commissioner and surveyor to muke no further requisitions on the department, as they could not be pai id to discontinue all operations on the southern line of New Mexioo. But as the Depart- ment had no exact in‘ormation as to the amount of provisions and woney which remained unexpended in the hands of the commissioner and surveyor, it was left discretionary with them to continue the survey down the Rio Grande as far as the means at their disposal would enable them, or at once to dis- | band the Commission. A special messenger has since arrived from the officer in charge of the sur- vey on the river, with information that the funds subject to his control were exhausted, and that the oflicers and others employed in the service were destitute alike of the means of prosecuting the werk and of returning to their homes. The object of the proviso was doubtless to arrest the United Stat d the Oriental Republic of | ment in a foreign country. Most commercial ns. | the survey of the southern and western lines ot New Urageay which will bo laid before se eee | tions bave found it indispensable, for the purpose of | Mexico, in regard to which different opinions have Should this Convention go into operation, it will open to the commercial enterprizeof our citizens a country of great extent, aud unsurpassed in natural resources, but from which foreign nations have hitherto been almost wholly excluded. The correspondence of the late Secretary of State with the Peruvian Charge d’ Affaires, relative to the Lobos Islands, wos communicated to Congress towards the close of the last session. Since that time, on further investigation of the subject, the doubts which bad been entertained of the title of Peru to those islands have been removed; and I have deemed it just that the temporary wrong which bad been uniatentionally done her, from want of information, should be repaired by an un- reservei acknowledgment of her sovereignty. I have the satisfaction to inform you that the oourte purcued by Peru hes been creditable to the liberality of her government. _ Before it was knowa by her that her title would be acknowledged at asbington, her Minister of Foreign Affaire bad authorized our Charge d’Affaires ut Lima to an- nounce to the American vessels which hai gone to the Lobos for guano, that the Peruvian government was willing to freight them on i:s own account This intention has been carried into effect by the Peruvian Minister here, by an arrangement which is believed to be advantageous to the parties in in- serest = Our settlements on the shores of the Pacific have already given s great extension, and in some re- spects a new direction, to our commerce in that ocean. A direct and rapidly. increasing intercourse has sprung up with Eastern Asia. The waters of the Northern Pacife, even into the Arctic sea, have of late sears been frequented by our whalemen. The application of steam to the general purposes of navigation is becoming daily more common, and makes it desirable to obtain fuel and other necessary supplies at converient points on the route between Pacific shores. Our uofortuvate coun- Atis and our Pa: trymen who from time to time suffer shipwreck on the coasts cf the eastern , are entitled to pro- tection. Besides these specific objects, the general pee of our States on the Pacific requires at an attemp should be made to open the opposite regions of Asia to a mutually beneficial intercourse It ia obvious that this attempt could be made by no wer to 60 great advantage as by the United tes, whose constitutional system excludes every idea of distant colonial dependencies I have a- Gordingy been Jed to oder an appropriate naval force to Japan, uvacr the command of a discreet and intelligent officer of the highest rank known to our service. He is instructed to endeavor to obtain from the government of that country some relaxation of the inhospitable and anti- Social system which iv hae pursuea for Bioud two cevturies. He has been directed particalarly to remonstrate in the strongest language aga’ the cruel treatment to which our shipwrecked mariners have often been subjected, and to insist that they sball be treated with humanity. He is instruc‘ed, however, at the same time, to give that government the amplest assurances that the objects Of the United States are such and sush only as I bave indicated, and that the expedition is friendly and peaceful. Notwithstanding the jealousy with which the governments of Eastern Asia regard all overtures from foreigners, ] am not without hopes of a beneficial result of the expedition. Should it be crowned with suocers, the advantages will not be confined to the United States, but, in the case of China, will be equally enjoyed by all the vother maritime powers. I have much satisfaction in stating that in all the steps preparatory to this expedition, tae government of the United States has been materially aided by the good offices of the King of the Netherlands, the only European wer having any commercial relations with Japan. | In passing from this survey of our foreign rela- i invi ‘ten of that department of the government to which this branch of the public business is entrust- @4. Our intercourse with Toreiga powors has of late | years grostly increased, both in consequence of our own growth and the introduction of many new States | into the family of nations. In this way the Depart- | ment of State has become overburdenei. It has, by | the recent establishment of the Department of thi Interior, been relieved of ed ger of the dom: tic business. [f the residue of the business of that kind, wuch as the distribution of Congressional documents, the keeping, publishing, and distriba- | tion of the laws of the United States, the exesution of the ight law, the subject of reprieves and | , and some other subjects relating to interior | administration, should be transferred from the De- fr, mo of State, it wouid unquestionably be for ne benefit of the public service. I would also sug- that the building appropriated to the State Srpactasent is not fire proof; that there is reason to | think there are defects in ite construction, and that | the archives of the government in charge of the t, with the precious collections of the man of Washington. Jefferson, Hamil- ton, od! ped Monroe, are exposed to de struc- tion by fire. A-similar remark may be made of the buildings appropriated to the War and Navy )e- PeThe condition of the goed is exhibited im the from that departmect | "The ad receipts into the Treasury for the fiscal ear ending the 30th Juve last, exclusive of trust de, were foety nine millions seven hundred aud twenty-eight thousand three hundred and eigthy six dollars and eighty nine cents, ($49,728,536 59,) and the expenditures for the same period, like wise ox- elusive of trost funds, wore forty-six millions seven | thousand eight hundred and ninety-six dollars and | iy cents, (46,007,896 20,) of which nine mil- fone” four hundred and fifty five thousand eight | preventing fraud and perjury, to make the duties | specific whenever the article is of such a uniform | value in weight or messure aa to justify such a duty. | which extends along the channel of the Rio Grande. | Legislation should never encourage dishonesty or crime. It is impossible that the revenue officers at the port where the goods are entered and the duties | of the work, or even for the payment, to the officers | paid, should know with certainty what they cost | and agents, of the arrearages of pay which are just- | in the foreign country. Yet the law requires that they should levy the duty according to such cost. | They are, therefore, compelled to resort to very un- | fatisfactory evidence to ascertain what that cost | was. They take the invoice of the importer, attest- | ed by his oath, as the best evidence of which the nature of the case admits. But every one must see that the invoice may be fabricated, and the oath | by which it is supported false, by reason of which | the dishonest importer pays a part only of the du- ties which are paid by the honest one, and thus in- directly receives from the treasury of the United States a reward for his fraud and perjury. The re ports of the Seeretary of the Treasury heretofore inade on this subject show conclusively that these fiauds have been practised toa greatextent. Tho | tendency is to destroy that high moral character for which our merchants have long been distin- guiched; to defraud the government of its revenue; to break down the honest importer by a dishonest competi ; and finally, to transfer the business of importation to foreign and irresponsible agents, to the great detriment of our own citizens. I tbero- fore, again most earnestly recommend the adoption of epecific duties, wherever itis practicable, or a home valuation, to prevent these frauds. I would also again call your attention to the fact that the present tarifl, in some cases, imposes a higher duty upon the raw material imported than upon the article manufactured from it, the conse- quence of which is that the duty operates to the en- couragement of the foreigner and the discourage- ment of our own cilizens. For full and detailed information in regard to the genera] condition of our India airs, | respectfully refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Inte- | rior and the accompanying documents. The Senate not having thought proper to ratify the treaties which had been negotiated with the tribes of Indians in California and Oregon, our rela- tions with them bave beon left in a very unsatisfac- tory condition. in other parts of ourterritory, particular districts of country have been set apart for the exclucive n of the Indians, and their right,to the bin those limits bas been ackaowledged and respected. But in California and Oregon there has been no recognition by the government of the exclusive right ofthe Indians to any part of the ceuntry. ‘They are, therefore, mere tenants at suf- ferarcz, and liable to be driven from place to place, at the pleasure of the whites. The treaties which have been rejected proposed to remedy thisevil by allotting to the different tribes districts of country suitable to their habits of life, and evficient for’ their support. his provision, more than any other, i: is believed, led to their re- by Congress, it has not been deeme isable to attempt to enter into new treaties of a permanent been expressed ; for it is hardly to be supposed that there could be any objection to that partof the line | But the terms of the law are so broad as to forbid the use of any part of the money for the prosecution ly due to them. Tearnestly invite your prompt attention to this tubject, and recommend a modification of the terms of the proviso co as to enable the cen aig ta to | in the rates of use as much of the appropriation as will be necessa- | ry to discharge the existing obligations of the gov- | ernment, and to complete the survey of the Rio | Grande to its mouth. | It will also be proper to make further provision by low for the fulfilment of our treaty with Mexico for running and marking the residue of the boundary line between the two countries. Permit me to invite your particular attention to the intercats of the District of Columbia, which are confided by the constitntion to your peculiar care. Among the measures which seem to me of the greatest importance to its prosperity are the intro- duction of a copious supply of water into the city of Washington, and the ‘construction of suitable bridges across the Potomac to replace thoi which were destroyed by high water in the early part of the present year. | At the last session of Congress an appropriation | was made to defray the coet of the surveys necessary for determining the best means of affording an un- failing supply, of good and wholesome water. Some progress bas been made in the survey, and as soon as it is completed the result will be laid before you. Further ee will alggube necessary for grading and paving the streel avenues, and enclosing and embellishing the lc grounds with- in the city of Washington. T commend all these objects, together with the charitable institutions of the District, to yeur favor- able regard. Every effort has been made to protect our frontior, and that of the A eT Mexican States, from the incureions of the Indian tribes. Of about 11,000 men of which the army is composed, nearly 8,000 are employed in the defence of the newly-acquired territory, (including Texas,) and of emigrants pro- eceding thereto. Iam gratified to say that these ¢fforts have been unugually successful. With the exception of some partial outbreaks in California and Oregon, and occasional depredations on a por- tien of the Rio Grande, owing, it is believed, to the disturbed state of that border region, the inroads of the Indians have been effectually restrained. Experience has ehown, however, that whenever the two races are a iato contact, collisions will inevitably occur. To prevent these collisions | the United States have generally set apart portions of their territory for the exclusive occupation of tho Indian tribes A difficulty occurs, however, in the | application of this policy to Texas. By the terms | of the compact by which that State was admitted | iato the Union, she retained the ownership of all jection; and as no substitute for it has been adopted | .#@e vacant lands within ber limits. The govern ment, of that State, it is understood, has assigned no portion of her territory to the Indians; bat as | character, although no effort has been spared by | fast as her cettiements advance, lays it offintocoun- | brad mei arrangements to preserve friendly rela- tions with them. | if it be the desire of Congress to remove them from the country altogether, or to assign to thom particular districts more remote from the settlements of the whites, it will be proper to set apart. by Jaw, | the territory which they are to ocsupy, and fo pro- vide the means necessary for removing them to it. | Justice alike to our own citizens and to the Indians, requires the prompt action of Congress on this sub- ect. | : The amendments proposed by the Senate, to the treaties which were negotiated with the Sioux In- ‘te the attention ef Congress to the con- | dinns of Minnesota, have been eubmitted to the Ifrhe should fail to tribes who were parties to thom, and have received their ascent. A larce tract of valuable territory has thus beeh opened for settlement and cultivation, | and all danger of collision with these powerful and warlike bands has been happily removed, | The removal of the romnant of the tribe of Semi. | nole Indians from Florida has long been a cherished object of the government, and it is one to which my attention has been steadily directed. Admonished | by post experience, of the difficulty and cost of the attempt to remove them by wilitary force, reaort has been had to conciliiatory measures. sf the in- vitation of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, seve ral of the principal ebiefs recently visited Waehing- ton, end whilst here acknowledged in writing tho obligation of their tribe to remove with the least | possible delay. Late advices from the special agent of the Government’ represent that they adhere to their promise, and that council of theirpeople hus been called to mgke their preliminary arrangements A general emigration may therefore be confidently expected at an ea ay The report from the General Land Office shews increased activity in its eperations. The survey of the northern boundary of Iowa has been completed with unexampled despatch. Within tho last year 9,522 of public land have been surveyed acres brought into market: J yoar, there were In the Inst fie Bold..... 4 Located with bonnty land warrants 3,20 Lozated with other certificates... ~IL 4870067 Making 2 total of. In addition, there were Reperted underewamp land grants 5,219,188“ ail For internal improvements, ri 8,025,920 « 13,115,175 «| roads, &¢ Making an aggregate of........ ties, and proceede to survey and sell it. cy manifestly tends, not only to alarm and irritate the Indians, but to compel them to resort to plun- der for subsistence. It also deprives this govern- | ment of that influence and control over them with- | out which no durable peace can over exist be- tween them and the whites. 1 trust, therefore, that | due regard for her own interests, apart from con- erations of humanity and justice, will induce that | to assign a smail portion of her vast do- main for the provisional occupancy of tho amall | remnants of tribee within her borders, subject, of | course, to her lca and eventual jurisdiction. this, the fulfilment of our treaty stipulationé with Mexico, and our duty to the Indien themselves, will, it is feared, become a bubject of zerious embarrasement to the govern: mont. It is hoped, however, thata timely and just provision by Texas may averi this evil. No appropriations for fortifieations wore made at the last ecesions of Congress. The cause of this omis- sion is, probably, to be found in a growing belief that the system of fortifications adopted in 1517, and heretofore acted on, requires revision. ‘The subject certainly deserves full and careful in Vesti ion; but it should not be delayed longer than be avoided In the meantime thore are certain works which have been commenced—some | of them nearly completed—deeigned to protect our principal seaports, from mn to New Orleans, and a few other important points In regard to tho no- cessity forthere works, it is believed that little dif- fercuce of opinion oxiste among military men. I therefore recommend that the appropriatioas neces- | vary to prosecute them be made. I invite your attention to the remarks on this subject, snd on others connected with his Depart- ment, contained in the accompanying report of the Secretary of War. Measures have been taken to carry into effect the | low of the last sersion making provision for tho im- | provement of certain rivers and harbors, and it is | Pelieved that the arrangements made for that pur- | pose will combine efficiency with economy. Owing | | chiefly to the advanced season when this act was parsed, little has yet been done in regard to many | of che works, beyond making the necessary prepa- rations. With respect to a few of the improvements, the euros already appropriated will suffice to com- plete them, but most o, them will require additional appropriations. I trust that these appropriations de, and that thie wise and beneficent poli- cy, #0 ‘hace g esumed, will be continued. Great core thvald on, however, to commence shes a judicious substitute for the law of Septem- | ber, 1850, abolishing corporal punishment, and sa- | tiefactorily sustains @ policy of that act, under conditions well adapted to maintain the authori- | ty of command, and the order and security of | our ships. It is belioved that any ebAnES | which proposes permanently to pense with | this mode of punishment, should "be preceded | by @ system ef enlistment which shall supply | the navy with seamen of the most meritorious | class, whose good deportment and pride of cha- racter may preclude all occasion for a resort | to penalties of a harsh or degrading nature. The | safety of a ship and her crew is often dependant | upon immediate ebediense to a command, and the authority 'to enforce it must be equally ready. The arrest of a refractory seaman, euch moments, not only deprives the ship of indispensable aid, but imposes a necessity for double service on others, hote fidelity to their duties may bo relied upon in | such an emergency. The exposure to this increased | and arduous labor, since the ro of the act of 1850, has already had, to = mest observable and injurious extent, the effect of preventing the onlist- ment of the best seamen inthe navy. The plan now suggested is designed to promete a condition of service in which this objection will no longer exist. The details of this plan may be established in a great part, if not altogether, by the executive, under the authority of existing laws; but I have thought it proper, in accordance with the sugges- tion of the Secretary of the Navy, to submit it to your approval. The establishment of a corps of apprentices for | the navy, or boys to be enlisted until they become | of age, and to be employed under such regulations as the Navy Department may devise, as proposed in | the report, I cordially approve and commend to your | consideration; and I also concur in the suggestion | that thie system for the early training of seamen | may be most usefully engrafted upon the sorvice of our merchant marine. The other proposition of the report to which Thave | referred—the re-organization of the Naval Acade- my—I recommend to your attention as a project | weriy of your encouragement and support. The valuable eervices already rendered by this institu- tion entitle it to the continuance of your fostering care. Your attention is respectfully called to the report of the Postmaster-General, for the detailed opera- tion of his department during tho last fiscal year, from which it will be seen that the receipts from posteges for that time were less by $1,431,696 than | for the preceding fiscal year, being a decrease of about twenty: three per cent. | _ This diminution is attributable to the reduction stage made by the act of March 3, 1851, which reduction took effect at the commence: ment of tho last fiscal year. Although in its operation during the last year the act referred to has not fulfilled the predictions of its friends by increasing the correspondence of the country in proportion to the redaction of postage, 1 should, nevertheless, question the policy of retaraing to higher rates. Experience warrants the expecta- tien that as the community becomes accustomed to cheap pene correspondence will increase. Is is believed that from this cause, and from the rapid growth of the country in population and business, the receipts of the Department must ultimately ex- ceed its expenses, and that the country may safely rely upon the continuance of the prosoat cheap rate of postage. In former messages I have, among other things, respectfully recommended to the consideration of Congress the propriety and necessity of further legis- lation for the protection and punishment of foreign consuls residing in the United States; to revive,wish certain modifications, the act of 10th March, 1838, to restrain unlawful military expeditions against the inhabitants of conterminous states or territories; for the preservation and protection from mutilation er theft of the papere, records, and archives of the pation; for authorizing the surplus revenue to be applied to the payment of the public debt in ad- vance of the time when it will become due; for the establishment of land offices jor the sale of the pubiic lands in California and the Territory of Oregon; for the corstruction of a road from the Mississippi val- ley to the Pacific ocean; for the establishment of a bureau of agriculture for the prometien of that interest perhaps the most important to the country; for the prevention of frauds upon the government in applications for pensions and bounty lands; for the establishment of a uniform fee bill, presersbine a specific compensation for every service required of clerks, district attorneys, and marshals; for au- thorizing an additional regiment of mounted men, for the defence of our frontiers against the Indians, and for fulfilling our treaty stipulations with Mexico to defend her citizené against the Indians “with equal diligence and energy as our own;” for determining the relative rank between the naval and civil officers in our public ships, and between the officers of the army and navy in the various grades of each; for reorganiz- ing the naval establishment by fixing tho num- ber of cfficers in each grade, and providing for a retired list upon reduced pay of those unfit for active duty; for prescribing and regulatiog punish- ments in tho navy; for the appointment of a com- mission to revise the public statutes of the United Stater, by arranging them in order, supplying dei- This poli- + ciencies, correcting incongruities, simplifying their language, and reporting them to Congress for its final action; and for the establishment of a commis- sion to adjudicate and settle private claims against the United States. I am not aware, however, that apy of these subjects have been finally acted upon by Congress. ithout repeating the reasons for legislation on these subjects which have been as- signed in former messages, I respectfully recommend them again to yeur favorable consideration. I think it due to the several Kxecunve Depart ments of this government to bear testimony to the efficiency and integrity with which they are conducted. With all the careful supsrintend- ence which it is possible for the heads of those de- vartmente to exercise, still the due administration | and meg of the public money must very much depend on the vigilance, intelligsucs, and fidelity of the subordinate officers and clerks, and especially on those entrusted with the settlement and adjustment of claims and accounts. I ain ratified to believe that they have generally per- firmed their duties faithfully and well. They are appointed to guard the approaches to the public Treasury, and they occupy positions that expe them to ali the temptations and seductions which the cupidity of speculators and fraudulants claim- ents can prompt them to employ. It will be buat» wise precaution to protec: the Government against that source of mischief and corrup‘ion as far as it can be done, by the enactment of all propor legal penalties. The lawe, in this respoct, are supposed to be defective, and I therefore deem it my duty to call your attention to the subject, and to recom- mend that provision be made by law for the pun- isbment not only of those who shall accept bribes, but also of those who shall either promise, give, or offer to give to any of those officers or clerks a bribe or reward touching or relating to any matter of their official action or duty. It has been the uniform policy of this govern- mnt, from its foundation to the prevent day, to ab- stain from al) interference inthe domestic affairs of other nations The conrequence hes been that while the nations of Europe have been engaged in desolating ware, our country has pursued its porce- | ful course to unexampled prosperity aud happiness. The wars in which we have been compelled to en- | gage, in defence of the rights and honor of the country, have been fortunately of short duration. During the terrific contest of nation Soa nation, which succeeded the French revolution, we were enabled by the wisdom and firmness of Prosident | Washington to maintain our neutrality. While other nations were drawn into'this wide sweepin; sat and unmoved our pas ey nile the of thelr numero armies was wasted by hun- usands a the paitle. field, the’ outh 1s of thor upon i a Ph erie favored land were permitted to enjoy the blessings of beneath the paternal roof. While the States of Europe incurred enormous debts, un- der the burden of which their subjects still groan, and which must absorb no small part of the product of the honest industry of thoss countrics for genera- tions to come, the United States have once been en- abled to exhibit the proud spectacle of a nation free from public debt; and, if permitted to pursue our Droepecony ways fora Sas years longtr in peace, we do the same again. Bat it is now sala by some that this policy must be changed Europe is no longer separated from us by a voyage of months, but steam navigation has brov; ht her within = few days sail of our shores. Ve see more of ber movements and take a deeper interest in her controversies. Although no one proposes that we should join the fraternity of potentates, who have for ages lavished the blood poe treasures of their subjects in maintaining ‘‘ the balance of power,” yet it is said that we ought to interfere between contending sovereigns their subjects, for the purpose of overthrowing the mo- narchies of Europe, and establishing in their place | republican institutions. It is alleged that we heretofore pursued a different courge from a senso of our weakness, but that now our conscious strength dictates a change of policy, and that it is conse- quently our duty to mingle in these contests and to aid thoze who are struggling for liberty. This is a most seductive but dangerous appeal to the generous sympathies of freemen. Enjoy as wedo the blessings of » free government, there is no man who has an American heart that would not rejoice to see these blessings extended to all other nations. We cannot witness tho struggle | between the oppressed and his oppressor anywhere without the deepest sympathy, forthe former, and the most anxious ;desire for his triumph. Never- theless, is it dent or is it_ wise to involve our- selves in these foreign wars? Is it indeed true that we have heretofore refrained from doing so merely from the degrading motive of a conscious weakness! For the honor of the patriots who have gone before us, [cannot admit it. Men of the Revolution who drew the sword against the oppressionsof the mother country, and pledged to Heaven ‘their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor,” to maintain their freedom, could never have been actuated by go un- worthy a motive. They knew no weakness or foar where right or duty pointed the way, andit is a libel upon their fair fame for us, while we enjoy the bless- ings for which they so nobly fought and bled, toin- sinuate it. The truth isthat the course which they pursued was sieeve ty @ stern sense of international justice, by a statesmaniike prudence and a far-seein, wisdom, looking not merely to the present necessi- ties but to the permanent safety and interest of the country. They knew that the world is governed | less by sympathy than by reason and force; that it was not possible for this nation to become a “‘propa- andist”’ of free principles without arraying against | it the combined powers of Europe, and that the re- | sult was more likely to be the overthrow of republi- | can liberty here than its establishment there. His- tory has been written in vain for those who can doubt this. France had no sooner established a republi- | can form of government than she manife a de- sire to force its blessings on all the world. Her own a informs Be it Beata of some Petty acts of tyranny a neighboring incipality, “The National Convention ctor tht she | would afford succor and fraternity to all nations who | wished to recover their liberty; and she gave it in charge to the executive power to give orders to the | generals ef the French armies to aid all citizens who might have been or should be oppressed in the cause of liberty.” Here was the false step which led to her subsequent misfortunes. She soon found herself involved in war with all the rest of Europe. Ia less | than ten years her government was changed from a republic to an empire; and finally, after sheddin; rivers of blood, foreign powers restored her exile: dynasty, and exhausted Europe sought peace and | repose in the unquestioned ascendency of monarchi- cal principles. Let us learn wisdom from her exam- | le. Let us remember that revolutions do not al- blish freedom. Our own free institutions were not the offspring of our revolution. | They existed before. They were planted in the free charters of self government under which the | English colonies grew, up, and our revolution only | freed us from the dominion of a foreign power, whose government was at variance with those | inetitutions. But European nations have had no such training for self government, and every effort to establish it by bloody revolutions has been, and | must, without that preparation, continue to be a failure. Liberty, unregulated by law, degenerates into anarchy, which soon becomes the most horrid of all despotisms. Our policy is wisely to govern ourselves, and thereby to set such an example of | national justice, prosperity, and true glory, as shall teach to all nations the blessings of self-government, and the unparalleled enterprise and success of a free | Le ae elivein an age of progress, and ours is om- phatically a country of progress. Within the last half century, the number of States in this Union bas nearly doubled, the population has al- most quadrupled, aud our boundaries have been extended from the Misriesippi to the Pacific. Our territory ie chequered over with railroads, and furrow@ with canals. The inventive talent of | our counlsy {is excited to the highest pitch, and the numerous applications for patents for valuable | improvements distinguish this age and this peo- Je trom all others. The genius of one American as enabled our commerce to move against wind and tide, and that of another has annihilated dis- tance in the transmission of intelligence. Th whole country is full of enterprise. Our comm schools are diffusing intelligence among the people, and our industry is fast accumulating the comforts and luxuries of life. This is in part owing to our peculiar position, to our fertile coil, and comparatively ecarce population; but much of it is also owing to the popular in- stitutions under which we live, to the freedom which every man feels to engage in any useful pursuit, according to his taste and inclination, and | to the entire confidenee that his person and property will be protected by the laws. But whatever may be the cause of this unparalleled growth in popu- Jation, intelligence and wealth, ong thing ie clear, that the government must keep pace with tho progress of the people. It must participate in their spirit of enterprise, and while it exacts obedience to the Jaws, and restrains all unautho- rized invasions of the rights of neighboring Stats, it should foster and protect home industry, and lend | its powerful strength to the improvement of such | means of intercommunication as are necessary to promote our commerce and strengthen the ties which bind us together as a people. It is not strange, however much it may be re- gretted, that such an exuberance of enterprise should cause some individuals to mistake change for pro- gress, and the invasion ef the rights of others for national prowess and glory. The former are eon- stantly agitating for some change in the organio law, or urging new and untried theories of human rights. The latter are ever Le to engage in an; wild crusade against a neighboring people, regard- less of the justice of the ente. prise, and without looking at the fatal consequences to ourselves and | to the caure of popular government. Such expeditions, however, are often stimulated by mercenary individuals, who expect to share the Slander or profit of the enterprise without exposing themselves to danger, and are led on by some irres- ponsible foreigner, who abuses the hospitality of our own government, by seducing the young and | ignorant to join in his scheme of personal ambititn | or revenge, under the false and delusive pretence of | extending the area of freedom. These reprehensible | eggreseions but retard the true ee of our | nation, and tarnish its fair fame. They should, therefore, receive the indignant frowns of every ood citizen who sincerely loves his country and fakes & pride in its prosperity and honor. Our constitution, though not perfect, is doubtless the best that ever was formed. Therefore, let every proposition to change it bo well pig and if found Peneficial, cautiously adopted. Kvery pa- trict will rejoice to see its authority so exerted as to advance tho prosperity and honor of the nation, whilst he will watch with jealousy any attempt to mutilate this charter of our liberties, or pervert ita powers to acts of aggression or injustice. Thus shall conservatism and progress blend their har- monious action in preserving the form and spirit of the constitution, and at the same time carry forward the great improvements of the country with @ rapidity and energy which freemen only can display. In closing this, my last annual communication, permit me, fellow-citizens, to congratulate you on the prorperous condition of our beloved eountry. Abroad its relations with all foreiga powers are friendly ; ita rights are respected, and its high place the family of nations cheerfully recog- nised. At home we enjoy an amount of hap a 5 public and private, whic fal! te the lot of any other peop! to our own citizens » vegree of prosperi! on £0 Iargs a seale I rel of nggot dy country is annually affording a re to multitudes, aliogether without example, from the old world. We owe theso blessings, under peers to Mg happy constitution and government which wes bo- | fathers, and which it is our queathed to us by our Integrity to our sucred duty to transmit in al ir integrity itt | children. We must all consider it a grout distine- tion and privil to have been" chosen by the | ople to bear apart in the administration o suoh | Ppoverpment! led by an unexpected dispensa- tion to its bighest trust at a season of embarrass. | ment and alarm, J entered upon its arduous daties | with extreme diffidence. I claim only to have dis- | charged them to the best of an humble ability, with ‘a single eye to the public good; and it is with de- vout Fratitude, in retiring from office, that I leave | one per cent per annum, while a STATISTICS OF THE NEW WORLD, te oan 6 i Highly Interesting Report’ of the Super¢ imtendent of the Census, f Renee The Progress of the Model Republics Census Orvice, December 1, 1852. Sir—I bave the honor to report that much the larges¢ portion of the topics embraced withim the last cens have been prepared for publication, and that the unfin- | ished parts of those subjects contemplated by the Act of Congress, are in such a state of forwardness that their Preparation will not interfere with the printing. Hed our duties been limited to the preparation of the statis- tical tables, this work would ere now have been come pleted, but in addition to our ordinary labors, thisoffice has performed a large amount of work; im answering calla from members of Congress, State legislatures, various in- stitutions throughout our country, and the representa- tives of foreign governments. Many of our reports is answer to these calls, have been printed by authority of State legislatures. The uncertainty which seemed to exist respecting the printing of the census, increased the number of these demands,and induced us the more rea dily to accede to such requests, especially as they could ‘be complied with without retarding the publication by Congress. In my last annual report, was presented a full state- ment of the population of the United States, together with a portion of the returns of agriculture and manu< factures. At the close of the lest session of Congress @ report was made respecting the condition of the financed of this office, and its expenditures from its first organizas tion to that date. _ The classification of the, returns has greatly advanced since the commencement of the last seasion of Congress, andthe condition of the work will enable me to present @ statement respecting our agricultural resources, and the relative increase of our agricultural productions, and exhibit some facts respecting the value ef real and per- sonal estate, education, pauperism, crime, internal im- provements and other topics, having am important relae tion to the welfare and progress of our country. Having obtained, during my visit to Kurope last year, from the different government departments, official data respecting the population of other countries, it may be proper to make such information available to some ex~ tent,in this Report, and I therefore append tables of the population of several nations, for differ emt periods in the precent century, with other statistics of no less interest. | andimportance, It might seem from an examination alone of that pore tion of our statements relating to internal improves ments, that the attention of our people was di» rected olely to the means of inter communica- tion for thought and ideas and the interchange of matter, and that the entire population were concentrating their energies, as it were, in a spasmodic effort to extend: rail- ways and telegraphs over the country; ® more general and pesticular observation, however, will prove that while these imbereste have only advanced with the necessities of our people, the subjects of education, morals and re ligion have not only been not neglected, but have receiv~ ed their due share of private attention and public com- sideration. While a net-work of internal improvements spreads over | our country, there pera to be no inhabited space with. out its schools and churches, for bettering the education and morals of our people. Institutions are everywhere rising to protect comfortably those visited with the in« firmities of life, for the restoration of lost or impared reason, and for the instruction of those whose education. was formerly held to be impossible and hopeless, and it is fratitying to realize that the increase of wealth and: refinement has not served to blunt the moral sensibilities of our people. and that prosperity has not tended to ob- struct, but enlarge. the avenues to charity and liberality. At the commencement of the last session of Congress, L had the honor to report the numbep of inhabitants of the United States. according to the census of 1850, and to present a table showing the rate of increase for sixty years, from which it was seen that we had multiplied at the rate of about three and a half per cent per annum for the whole period. It may not be out of place here to avail ourselves of one of the uses of statistics, to exhibit | the comparative progress of the pcpulation of the mother country for a portion of the period. that with a full knowledge of her condition we may study the causes of her distress, and while thavkful for our prosperity, may avoid those evils under which she has so much suffered. By the census of 1861 it appears that the population of Engiand, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the islands, in- eluding persone in the army. navy and the merchant ser- vice, amounted to 27,619 806, of whom 13,637,052 were maies, aud 14 082,814 were females. ‘This population is distributed as follows, viz:— Houses. Males. Female: L 5s $8 1,507'162 2)870,734 3,339,007 6,515,794 76,405 142,916 England and Wales, BON wsceess bye Part of the Army and Navy eut of 1o Kingdom, , There exists no offisial record of the population of Eng- lend previous to the commencement of the present century. The first enumeration of the population of Ireland was made in 1813. but so imperfectly was the work accomplished. tht English statists place no reliance on the correctness of the returns, and make no use of them as the basis of calculation, so that the only tables upon which we can base states ments, with reference to the progress of Ireland from time to time, must be made with re ference to the termi- nation of each ten years, ending in 1831, 1841, and 1851. The first census of Ureat Britain was taken in 1801, at which date the population amounted to 10,567,893. By the'census of 1841. the population of Great Britalm and the Islands of Jersey, Guernsey, and Man amounted to 18,668,372. During each ten years from 1801 to 1851, the actual increase was as follows :—viz. 1479,562— 2,132, 896—2,184 542—2260,740~—2.927.438 being at the rate of 14,18. 15, 14.and 12 per coat respectively. Tho actual increase of the population in fifty years, has beem 10,317,917 ; the rate per cent in fifty years, 98; the an- nual rate per cent being 137, With respect to Ireland and the returns of 1821, the number of inhabitants at that period was, 6,801,827. Im 1831, 7.767 401—increase 965,674 ; rate per cent 14, 19. Im 1841, 8 176 12: te per cent, 5,25, Im 1861, 6,515 724; decrense 1 659 33 percent 20. By this statement we perceive that t ulation of Ireland increared from 1891 to 1841 at the average rate of ease of 1,659,830 from 1841 to 1851. indicates a most appalling diminution of population amounting to two per cent per annum, or 20 per cent for the entire ten years. a reduction amount- ing to the total emigration from the whole United King- dom from 1839 to 1850, The contemplation of such a state of affuirs isthe more melancholy, when we consider tha; the great diminution ot population in place of being equalized through the pe- riod of ten years must have occurred mainly within one or two years; a reduction of population, sinking the number of people to a tower puint than it was in Isat, when the first census of Ireland was taken and it wout appear, in still etronger light, if we were to calculate the natural progress the population would have made up to 1846, the year cf famine, and estimate what should be the present population, if no unnatural cause had ope- tated to reduce it. ‘The decrease extended to no less than 31 counties, and cities, and varied from 9 to 31 per cent while the only in- crease which occurred was contined to9 towns and cities, to which many probatily fled to Gnd relief. The greatest decrease occurred in the county of Cork, the population of which was reduced 22 Viz.:—from 773 398 inbabl- tante in 1841, to 651162 in 1851, equivalent tos redac- tion of 28 per cent. The decrease in the several provinces was as follows, viz: — Leinster, 305.960; Munster, 664,344; Ulster, 882,084 ; Connaught, 466 942 These startling und appalling fActs, proctaim the reality of the rufferings experienced from the famine in Ireland and it is some consolation to feel that our distance did not preclude those efforts im her behalf by our own citizens mod government, without which the desolation would have been even more strong- ly marked. During ten years, the population of the entire king- kom of Creat Britain and Ueland increased from 20,833,- 496 to 27 452.202, or at the rate of a little more than half a million inten years. In tho last Atty years, Roglaod and Wales increased 102 per cent, (males 105, fo 07 60;) Scotland 78 per cent, The (males 84, females 73 ) ulation of the United States during the past fitty ar increared at the rate ef 437 percent, and ia ten years intervening between the last two censuses, im- creased from seventeen and @ fraction millions to over twenty-three millions, or 36 per cent During the same riod (leaving Ireland out of view the. population of ireat Britain increaved at the rate of 12 per cent. daring ten years, or 1 2 1€ per cent per annum. HOUSES. By the last census, it appears that in the United States the Dumber of houses occupied by fcee persons amounted to 3.963 427, It wosld seem from the British reporte, that the population of that conntry is Le a with houres almost in the precise proportion as in our owa country. ‘The proportion being so very near alike tn the two countries, £ would be perbaps satisfactory to jnsti- tute some inquiry concerning the character of what are termed “ Houves” by the British census, that we may be enabled to judge of the propriety of estimatiug the degree of comfort enjoyed by the people, by their house acsom~ modations. While our country cannot boast of the prinosly rest- dences of Kuropean countries—the occupancy of whlvh is limited to comparatively few psrsont—we thiak there is a eneral sufficiency nnd comfort im the house accommo- } onset of the American people, and that in the most re- mote regione of our country, they exhibit a very satinfac~ tory degree of comfort and clesaliness where thetr sco0- modations are most limited. The feot is notorions th where wretchedness is at all general there will be fou a Se formed habits and imbibed tastes in ‘a foreign land, In conparidg the population of Groat Britain and Ire« land with the iphubited houses {t appears that the wbcle number of becuse in Great Britsin amounts to 3,669,437, being neatly one house to each rix persons, In [raland, the number of inhubited houses amounts to 1,047,735 be- ing in the proportion of two houves to each thirteen per- sons. The fact {+ romewhat oxtraordinary, that almort precisely in proportion to the dimination of the Irish po- ulation since 1841, has been the reduction in the nam~ rt of houves, By this Ix not meet the “ Inhabited Houses,’ but the whole number. including inhabited and uninhabited, built aud wuildiog the wamber of which ia 1841 was 1 384 260. to 1,115,007 in eg hey a reduction CARD FILLMORE. Wasbiogton, December 6, 1852. the country in a state ote and of 269.353. The fact 1s unquestioned, that in» very, number of Instances in Ireland. the term ‘ House” be understood merely a6 applying to something contaly