The Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 3, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 26, 1856 Page: 1 of 4
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VOL. 13.
pr e8 identvs me88age
frlltru -(Stizent of the Senate
and of the Iloutr of liepietcntutive*
Tin; Constilufion of the United States pro-
vides ibut Congress shall s*mmblc annually ou
the first Monday of December, and it haw boon
u*ual for the President to make no communi-
cation of a public character to the Senate and
House of Itcprcsun'atives until advised of their
readiness to receive it. I Lave deferred to thin
usage until the closc of the Bist month of the
H«6ninn, but my conviction* of duty will not
permit me lougcr to postpone tho discharge of
the obligation enjoined by the constitution upon
tho President " to give to the Congress inform-
ation of the utate of the Uiiiun,auu recommend
to their consideration such measures as ho shall
judge necessary and oxpedicnt."
It is a matter of congratulation that the re-
public is tranquilly advancing in n career of
prosperity nnd peace.
Forcl ffn Halation! Central America
Whilst relutioua of amity ooQlitiue to exist
bel ween the I uited States and all foreign pow
ers, with some of thetu grave questions arc de-
pending, which may require the consideration
of Congress
Of such questions, tlm most important is that
which has- arisen out of the negotiations with
Great llritain in reference to Ccutral America
By the convention concluded between the two
governments on the l'Jth of April, 1850, both
parlies covenanted, that " neither will over"
" occupy, or fortify, or colonize, or assume or
exercise any dominion over Nicaragua, Costa
Rica, the Mosquito coast, or any pa-t of Central
America."
It was the uudoubtcd understanding of tho
United States in making this treaty, that all
present states of the former republic of Central
America, and the entire territory of each, would
thenceforth enjoy complete independence; aud
that both contracting parties engaged oqually,
and to the samo extent, for tho present and for
tho future, that if eithor thon had any claim of
right in Central America, such claim, aud all
occupation or authority under it, were unreserv-
edly reliuquistiod by the stipulations of the
convention; aud that tin dominion was thcreuf-
ter to he assumed in any part of Central Amer-
ica, by Great Britaiu or the United States.
The -goverunuuit coascntad to restriction- in
regard tu a region of country, wherein we had
specific and peculiar interests, only upon the
convictiou that the like restrictions were iu the
same sense obligatory on Great Britain. But
for this understanding of the forco and effect of
the e invention, it would never have been con-
cluded by us.
So clear was this understaiidingoti tho part
of the United States, that, in correspondence
contemporaneous with tho ratification nf the
convention, it was distinctly expressed, that tho
mutual covenants of non-occupation fere nut
intended to apply to tho HritisL establishment
ut the Halite. Tiiis qualification is to be ascrib-
ed to the fact, that, in virtue of successive trea-
ties with previous sovereigns of the country,
(ireat Britain had obtained n confession of tho
right to cut mahogany or dye-woods at tho Ba-
lirc, but with positive exclusion of all domain
or sovereignty; and thus it confirms tho natural
construction and underHood iiupoitof the trea-
ty, as to nil the rest of the region to which the
stipulations applied.
It, however, became apparent, at an early
day after entering upon (tic discharge nf my
present functions, that Great Britain still con-
tinued in I ho oxrroito or assertion of largo nu
thority to till that part of Central America com-
monly called the Mosquito coast, aud covering
the entire length of tho State of Nicaragua,
and pari "I Cesta Bien; that she regarded the
Bali/.'' h- her absolute domain,- and was gradu
1111 v extending its linn'
State of Honduras; and
eo|oni/.ed a eotisidcrabl
a the Boy Islands, Ml'
that State
All thoi-e acts orpretensioiiHi.il (ireat Britain,
being contrary to the rights of the States of
Central America, and to the manifest tenor of
her stipulations with the United States, as un-
derstood by tlii« govcl lunula, have bocti made
the subject of negotiation through the Amcr'
can Minister in J>in<lon. I transmit III rewith
tho iustrui tions to him on tho subject, and the
correspondence between him tuid tho British
se -rotary for foroign ad.iirs, by which you w ill
perceivn th.it the two governinonts differ wide-
ly and irreconcilably, as to the construction of
the convention, and its effect on theit respect-
Loaa iuu oo* unu utn nu
Ruuu or m
i'!— w
CLARKSVILLE, RED RIVER CODNTY, TEXAS, SATURDAY, JANUARY 26; 1856,
a convention of oommereial reciprocity with | artiU«ry
the Howaian klnadom have been negotiated. Hou> hn
payment Made by th«m, the
{lea* by their
It isi tmpoauble, iu my judgment, for the Uni other State, without iu cousont, and that, demand Of auoh ,
ted States to acquiesce in iucb a construction of | whethor forbidden by municipal law or not, the United States, although suffcriug
the respective relations of the two government* ( very attempt to do it, without tuch consent, is , dcpmlationi than many other uation*, returned
to Central America. .in attack on the national sovereignty the cxplioit anawer, that we preferred war to
lo a renewed call by this government upon Such being the public rights and the raunic- tribute, and thus opened tho way to tho relief
Great Britaiu, to abide by ami carry into effect ipoi law of the United States, no solicitude on of the commerce of the World from an ignumin-
the stipulations of the couvcutiou according to the subject was entertaiuod by this government, ious tax, *o long submitted to by tho more
itsobvious import, by withdrawiug from the whon, a year ince, tho British Parliament powerful notions of Ruropo.
possession or colonisation of portions of tho ( paAsod. au act to provide for tho enlistment of If tho manucr of payment of the Sound due*
Central Americau'Suito*, of Homfuraa, Nieara- foreigners in tho military sonrioe of Great Bri- differ from that of the tribute formerly conce-
rto, and Coflta Bica, tliu British goverument ! taiu Nothing on the face of tho act, or in its ded to tha Barbafy State*, Mill their exaction
has at length replied affirmilur that the orv era- nubile historv. indicated that the British mt. Iiv l)tiniii>rlr liu no lw>tt«r f,,on,Ui,.,n in njl,i
place
public history, indicated that tho British gov-
i emim-ut promised to attempt recruitment iu the
, United State*; nor did it ever give intimation
j of such intention to this government. It was
: mattor of surprise, therefore, to find, subse-
quently, that the ungagciueot of persons wit li-
mn at leuglh replied, affirmiug that the opera-
tion of the truaty is prospective only, and did
not require Great Britaiu to abaud 'ti or contract
any possession hold by her at the date of its
conclusion.
This reply substitutes a partial issue, in the
of tho general one pi
ish
over the question of the right* of Great Britaiu, I oulist iu the servico of Great Britain, Wa« go-
real or supposed, iu Central America, and os«'| ing ou extensively, with little or no disguise
sumes that she had such rights at tile date of 1 Ordinary legal steps were immediately taken to
tho treaty, aud that those right* comprehended j arrest and punish parties concerned, and ho put
tho protectorship of the Mosquito Indgius, the an end to acts infringing tho municipal law and
extended jurirdictiou aud limit* of the Halite derogatory to our sovereignty. MoanwhiU
aud the colony of the Bay Islands, aud there- j suitable representations oil the subject were ad- i the capitalisation of tho Sound due*, aud the
general one proseuiod by the Uni- in the Uuited States to proceed to Halifax, in
ted State*. The British governiueut |uws | t'.ie British firoviuoe of Nova Scotia, and there
by Denmark ha* no better foundation in right.
Kaoh was, in ita origin, nothing but a tax on a
common notuontl right, extorted by thoae who
were at .that time able to obstruct the free and
secure enjoyment of it, but who no longer po*-
se*s that power.
Denmark, while re*istiug our aaaertion to the
freedom of the Baltic Sound and Belt*, haa in-
dicated a readiness to make aome new arrago-
meuts on tho subject, and haa invited the gov-
ernments interested,including the United State*
to be represented in a convention to assemble
for the purpose of receiving aud considering a
proposition, whioh she intend* lo aabmit, for
upon proceeds, by implieatiou, to iufer, that, if dressed t-> tho British goverument.
'.be stipulations of the treaty Mie merely future i Thereupon it became known, by tho adiniss-
in effect, Great Britaiu may still continue to ! iou of the British goverument itself, that the
hold the conte*ted portions of Central America attempt to draw rccruits from this country orig-
Tho Uuited States oannot admit either the in- inated with it, or-at least had its approval and
ference or the premises. We steadily deny sanction; but it also appeared that the public
that at the date ol the treaty (ireat Britain hail agents engaged in it had " striugeut instrue-
| any possession there other than the limited and lions" not to violate the uiuuicipal law of the
i peculiar establishment at tho Halite, and main- Uuited State*.
tain that, if she hud any, they were surrender- It is difficult to understand, how it should
ed by tho oouvou.iou. j have beju supposed that troops could be raited
This govorumoat, recognising the obligations ' here by Great Britain
of this treaty, ho* of course desired to see it uiuuiuipal law. Tho unmistakable object of the
executed in geed faith by both parties, and iu 'aw was to prevent every such net, which, if per
the discuisiou, therefore, has not looked to formed, must bo cither in violation of the law.
righto, which we might assort, independently or in studiod evasion of it, and, in cither alter-
of the treaty, iu consideration of ourgeograpb- native, tho act dono would be alike injurious to
icttl position and of oilier circumstances, whioh tho sovereignly of the United State*.
croato for us relations to tho Central America 1 In the meantime, the matter acquired sildi-
State*, different from those of any govorumeut | tioual importance, by the recruitment* in the
of Europe. i United State* not being discontinued, and the
The British government, iu its last eommu- j fact that they were prosecuted upon a system-
nication, although well kuowing tho views of ! atie plan devisod by official authority; that re
tho United Stales, *lil| declares that it eo* no j cruiuug rendotvous had been op«a«d iu our
reason why a conciliatory spirit may not t-ua priucipul cities, au<l depots for the reception of
blc the two governments to overcome alt obsta- ] recruits established on our fron'lcr; ami the
oles 10 a satisfactory adjustment of the subjivt. ! whole buiinaail conducted under the supervision
Assured oF the correctness of" the construclion "and by the regular co-opcr«K.rn of Briiisli off),
of the treaty constantly adhered toby thi* ccrs, civil and military .some in North American
govetunicnt, and rowdved U) insist on the rights ! provinces, and some in the United States. The
of the United State*, yot actuated by the name ! complicity of those officers, in «n undertaking
defying
attitude
distribution of the sum to be paid as a lotntnu-
tatton tuiong tho government*, according to
the respcotivc proportion* of their tnaratime
commerce to and from the Baltic. I have de-
clined in behalf of the United Stato* to accept
I this invitation, for the most cogtiut roaaon*.—
One is, that Denmark does not offer to lubniit
to the convention tha question of her right to
j levy the Soiiud dun*. A secoud is, that, if tho
couvcutiou wore allowed to tako cognisance of
that particular question, still it would not be
jthout violation of the j competent to deal with tho great international
principal involved whioh effect ibo right in oth
or cohcm of navigation aud commercial freedom,
as well as that of acoea* lo the lialtio. Above
all, b_> the ox pre** term* of the propoaitiou it
Is eouu'iuplttuid, that tho eolisidorutiou of tlui
Sound due* shall be commingled with, and
mado subordinate to, a matter wholly extrane-
ous, the balance of power among tho govern-
ment* of Kurope.
While, however, rojeeting tho proposition,
I free transit into
many ties of interest and kindred,it has appear
ed to me proper not to consider an amicable di-
lution of the eoutroversy hope loss.
There i*, however, reason to apprehend that,
with Great Britain in the actual occupation of
the disputed territories, and the treaty there-
fore practically null,so faras regards our'rights,
aud insisting on tho right o!
and from tho lialtio, I nave expressed to Den-
mark u willingness on tho part of the United
State* lo share liberally with other power*, in
compoiiiiatitig her for auy advantages whioh
oommuree shall horeaftar^erivs from vipouffU'
tare* m*de by her for the improvement and
aud sifety of the navigation or llio Sound aud
Bolt*.
I |ay before you herewith, sundry document*
on th<^subjeet, in whioh my views are more
fully"disclosed. Should no *ati*f olory arrange
j rights, is conclusively proved by the evidence ! meut be soon concluded, I shall again call your
'elicited "n the trial of such of their ngonts as i attention to the subject, with a rocomiuonda-
havc been apprehended and convicted. Some | noli of such measures as may appear to be re-
f the officer* t'm< implicated arc of high ofli j iiuircd ill order I
desire which is avowod by the British govern- which could only bo accomplished by
inont, to remove *11 can s of serious, tiiinuudor- j our laws, throwing suspicion over our
* landing between two nations associated by *o j of nenfritlity, nnd disregarding our territorial
e ■ it- i i ■ ■ _!.< . 2 . .1.. u........i I... tl. - . ..
_ i. „ Tho duties of
tho Hawaian kingdom have boon negotiated.: rimu branobM, belong to
The Utter kingdom and the State of NtaMlMa, troops, aud tho oftoieney of au
have also acceded to a doelaration, reoogniaioc told would mutually depeod ui
a* iuteruatioual rights the principles contained with whioh those duties are dl
in the convention between the Uni tod State* not, as in the ease of the artillery, a
and Kusaia, of the 3ild of July, 1864. These but nxjulrea, aleo, an intimate know!
treaties and convention* will be laid before tho duties of an oflfoer of tho I'lr, and
Senate for ratification doubted that, to somms thi
Treasury. officer, broither the line or th« general ,
The statement* made, tn my last annual mes it i* desirable that ho shall have served in both,
sage, respecting the antloipatod receipt* and ox ; With this view, It was NooaUModod on a "
penditures of the treasury, have been substan- mer oooasion that tha dutiea of the ■!
oft
In
of
tially verified
It appears from the report of the Beoretary,
that the receipts during we last fieoa) yoar eud-
ing June 80, 1866, from all the sonroes, were
sixty-five million three thousand nine hundred
and thirty dollars; and thatpuhllo eipenditure*
for the same period, exalasive of payments ou
aooount of public debt, amountod to fiffcy-aix
million three hundred and ailty-five thousand
throe hundred and ninety-three dollar*. I>u-
riug the same period, tho payments made in re-
demption of the public 4001, including interest
romiuiu, amounted to nine millions eight
d and forty-four t
snty-oight dollars.
The balauce in the Treasury at the
staff aho«ld
from tho Hue;
whioh
Oongiew.
be mainly perfermod by details
and with oonviotion or the «|<
should result from such
presented far tho consideration
* ?•
The report of tho Secretary of the Navy,
herewith submitted, uhibits In Ml rho naval
operations of the past year, together with the
present condition of the service, and (t makea
suggestion* of further legislation, to whioh
your attention is invited-
Tho construction of tho six steam frigates,
and premium, amounted to nine millions eight for „bioh appropriations were made bvtho last
hundred and forty-four thousand five hundred ( Congress, has proceeded in the most satisfacto-
ry manner,
raot the boliof that thoy will Ito ready for Mr-
begin-
ning of the fiscal vear, July 1,1866, was eight
million* nino hundrod aud sovonty-six dollar* ;
the receipts for tho first quarter, and the esti-
mated receipt* for tho remaiuiug three quarters
amount, together, to sitty-aeven million nine
bundroa snq eighteen thousand seven hundred
and thirty-four dollars; thus affording in all, as
the available resources of tho oumot fiscal
year, the sum of eighty-six million eight hund-
red and fifty-six thousand seven hundred and
leu dollars.
If, to tho sotual expenditures of tho firstqnar
'.or of the cuneut fiscal year bo added tho prob
able expenditure* for the remsining three quar
tors, a* estimated by the Secretary of theTreas
ury, tho sum totsl will be soventy-ono million
two hundred and tweuty-six thousand eight
hundred nnd forty-six dollars, thereby leaving
an estimated balance in,the Treasury ou July
1, I860, of fifteen milliouk six hundred and, ... ., - . . ,
t wenly-th.ee thousand eight hundred and i*ty j of ,ho d«|>artment for the last fiscal year was
throe dollar* aud forty one cent* nino """
In tho abovo estiiustod ox|ienditure* of the
present fiscal year are included three million*
of dollars to meet the !a*t Installment of ten
most satisfseto-
pedltion as to war
no read'
vioo oarly in the coining spring. Important as
this addition to our naval force is, it still re-
main* iusdoqiule to the cohtingent exigenoios
of the protootion of iho extensive sea coajtt and
vast commercial interest* of the United State*
In view of this fact, and the acknowledged win
doit of tho policy of a gradual systematic in-
crease of the navy Ut appropriation is rceommon
ded for the construction of six stakm sloop* of
war. . . -•
In regard to to the atopa taken In execution
of the act of Congress to promote tho efficiency
of tho navy, it is QnneoMwry for me to My
more than to express eulire oouourrenoc in tho
observstions on that subject presented by the
sootetary in his report.
' VestOttM
It will bo perooivei, by the report of tho
Potitasstar gonoral, that the gross expenditure
imp'iestcd arc of higli
cisl position, and many of them beyond our iu- j of the United State*, wi far *s they ure uffoeted
rivlrct:.-ii, so that legal proceeding* could not by the pretcntion*of Denmark.
Vrooss.
this internaliotial difficulty c:.iinot long reui.uii
undetermined, without involving in m-riotis
danger the friendly relations, which it i« tie
interost as well as the duty of both co'uKl'rie*
to cherish and pre*ervo. It will afford me sin
core gratification, if luture efforts should result
i iu the success, anticipated heretofore with more
| confidctico than the aspect of tin case permit
| Uic now to entertain
' Beorottment.
' Ot)*? other subject of di.H'u-sion between (he
United Kiales and Grcnt Brit.iin hi- grmvn mit
of the attuuipt, which the exigencies of the w >r
iu which *he i* engagcl with llossis induced
her to make, to draw recruits from the Unit I
State*.
It is the tHjtditional and nettled .policy "I tic
Unitod States to maintain impartial ULTitr.ilitv,
at the expense of the (during ihe wars, which from time lo tune iv
that she had formally cur among the great powers of the world |vr.
i-sulnr group known ! forming all the duties of neutrality toward tin
' ' iiging, of right, to respective belligerent States, wo may reus ma-
I'bly expect them not to interfere with our law-
: ful enjoyment of its benefits. Notwithstand-
ing tho existence "f siuh hostilities, • cir eiti-
icii* retain the individual right to continue all
theirsccustomcd pursuits, by land or by sou, P>
home or abroad, subject only to such re.ire.
lions in this relation a* the law- of w.ir, th"
usage of nations, or special treaties, may im-
pose; and it is our Hovcrcmu tight that our ter-
ritory and jurisdiction shall not be invaded by
cither of the belligerent parties for the transit
of th.iir armies, the operstiom of their fleets,
the levy of troops for their service, the fitting i
out of cruiser* by or against either, or any oth- i
teSeh the * litre" of this mischief
These considerations, and the fae' that the
cause of complaint was not a mere casus! oe
citrrenee! but a deliberate design, entered upon
with full knowledge of our laws nnd iiutinn«I
policy, and conducted by responsible public
functionaries, impelled me t ' present the ea-e
i (■) the British government, in order to secure,
not only a cessation of the wrong,but it* repar
1 at ion The subject is still under discussion, the
result of which will be communicated to you
in due time
I r-f at the recommendation submitted to
'the last ('ongress, that provision be, nnde for
the appointment of a c>mniissionor in connec-
tion nub (ireat Britain, to survey and establish
millions, provided in the last treaty with Mex-
ico, and soven millions seven hundred and fif-
ty thousand dollsrs appropriated on aooount of
the debt duo U> Texas, whioh two sums make
nu aggregate amount of ten million* seven hun-
dred and fifty thouitaud dollar*, and reduoo the
expenditure*, actual or estimstod, for ordinary
object* of the yesr, to the sum of sixty mil-
lion* four hundred and seventy-six thousand
assert snd secure the rights ! dollars.
Tho amonut of the public debt, at the com-
mence meut of the present fiscal yoar, was forty
millions five hundred sud eighty-three thou-
sand six hundred and thirty one dollars, snd,
deduction being made of subsequent payments,
l>uhTie debt of tho federal govern-
ig nt thi* timo, is le«* than forty
million* of dollars.
The remnant of certain other government
stocks, amounting to two Lund rod and forty-
1 announce with much grst(ligation that since
the adjournment of lac last Congress, ihe que*
lion then existing between this government and [
that of Franco, respecting the French Consul l
at Sail Frunciseo, has been satisfactorily dntcr- j
mined, and that the relation* of the two Gov- i
fimmettt* continue to be of (he moat friendly
nature.
the whole in
nient remaining st this timo, is
ig
j three thousand dollars, referred W i# my
1 message as outstanding, has since been paid.
A question, nl«o, which lis* been pending for j 1 am fully persuaded that it would be diffi-
several year* between the United Stale* and ( eull to dcvlio u *y*tein superior to that, by
i|," Ko-'g'l'.m ..f Greccc. growing out of the se- which ihe fiscal business of tho government i*
now uondnoted. Notwithstanding the
aud three hundred and forty-two dollar*, and
• m ' • - -
ty six dollar*, making iiu excess of oxmndituro
o/er receipts of two uilllion six hundred and
twenty-six thvuKand two hundred and six dol-
lars: aud that tho oost of msil transnortation
during that yoar, was six hundred sua seventy
four thousand uiue hundred and fifty two dol-
lars greater than the previous yoar. Much of
the heavy expenditures, to whWh the treasury
is thus snldooted, is to bo ascribed to the lar.
quantity or printod mattor oonvoyed by tl
mails, oithnr franked, or liable to no postage by
law. or to very low rales Of postage oomparcd
with that nharged on Isttors; and to the groat
oost of mail servioe on railroad*, aud by oooaa
steamcri. The suggestions of the poa>mMt«r
gouoral on ths subjeoi deserve the ooaaiderutlon
oft'ongress.
latsrtar. _
Tlic Heport of the Seeratary of -bo interior
will cuaagii your attontian, as well for the use-
suggMtions it oontaln*, as for the interest and
boundary line which divide^ the territory
W.ishino'oii from the rontiguous British
I'Cssioti.s By reason of tlnj extent and im-
•tfinec "f the c,.uiitry in dispute, there ha«
•ii iniliiitieft danger of a rolbrion between
• ut.I,
ive relations to Central America
flre.it Tiiltiiin so oonstruc* the convention as i
to mi in tain unchanged all her proviou* prctcn-
si"tH over the Mosquito coast, and in different
parts of Central Aniciier. These pretensions,
ns to the Mosquito congt, are founded on the
assiimptii'ii of political relations l>etween Great
Brit'iin and the remnant of n tribe of Indians
on that coast, eiitercyJ, into at a time when tho
whole country was a colonial possession of Spain.
It cannot be successfully controverted, that, by
the public law of Kurope and America, no pos-
sible act of snrli Indians or their predecessor*,
could confer on (ircut Britain any political
rights.
Great Btitaiti docs not allege the assent of
Spain, ns the origin of her claims on tho Jlft*-
quito coast. She has, on the contrary, by re-
peated and successive treaties, renounced and
relinquished all pretensions of her own, nnd re-
cognised the full and sovereign rights of Spain
in the most uucquivooal terms. Yet these pre-
tensions, so without solid foundation in the be-
ginning, and thus repeatedly abjured, wore, at
a rt-ccnt periisl, revived by Great Britain
against the! Central American States, the Ic^it-
imste sticccsaor* lo all tho anciont jurisdiction
of Spain in that region. They were first appli-
ed only to a dofined port of the coast of Nicara-
gua, afterwards to the whole oF its Atlantic
coast, and lastly to a part of the coast of Costa
Rica; and they are now re-asserted to this ox-
tent. notwithstanding engagements to the Uni-
ted Stales.
t>n ihe eastern coast of Nicaragua and'Costa
Bica. the interference of Great Britain, though
exerted nt one lime in the form of military ac-
pat ion of the port of Sau Juan del Norte,then
m the peaceful possession of the appropriate
authorities cif the Central Amerioun State*, is
now presented by her, as the rightful cxeroine
of a protectorship over tho Mosquito tribe of
Indians
But the establishment at the Balite, now
r. Mui,o fur beyond it* treaty Htnita into the
™*to ,.f Honduras, and that of the Bay Islands,
*Tpertaining nf ripht to the samo State, are as
' "'IDot,y cuiouial governments as those of Ja-
main* or ( suada, and therefore e<iatrary tn the
*erv letter as well as the.spirit of the oouvmi-
.'on the United State*, a* it f *t the
lime r i raitfccatiiHi, and now is, undeistood by
this grvcrumont.
Tlic interpretation which tha British govern-
ra° *t thus in assertion and aet,perri|)^ iu ami-
bmg to ic couvcutiou, entirely Ohanp- Ita
ter While it hoMs us to all obligaUn^a,
i t in a great measure uJesses irrtttt Britain
inms' whiftk Ha otfasideration
1 this government for altering iuioMnvuutiMt.
cr act incident to war. And these undeniable
rights oTnnuFriW, ilnTividuat aud tiaiional, (lie
United Stute* will under no eircuinstatiees sur-
render.
In pursusnce of thi* policy, the laws of thy
United States do not forbid their citizens lo
sell to cither of tlic boJIigerent poWari,articles,
contraband of war, or (o take munitions of war,
or soldiers on bosrd their private ships for tran-
sportation; aud although tn mi doing, the indi-
vidual oilixeu expose* hi* properly or person to
some of the hazards of war, his acts do not in-
volve any breach mo( national neutrality, nor of
thoqisolve* implicate the government. Thus,
during the progress if the present war in Ku-
rope, our cititeus have,without national respon-
sibility, therefore, sold guupowder and arm* to
all buyer*, regardless of the destination of
these articles. Our merchantmen have been,
and still continue to be, largely employed by
Great Britain and by France, in transporting
troops, provisions and munitions of war to the
principal scat of military operations, and in
briuging home their sick and wounded soldiers;
but sueh use of our mercantile marine is not
interdicted cither by tho international or by
oor municipal law, aud therefore does not com-
proiuit our neutral relations with Ilussia.
But our municipal law, in accordance with
the law of nations, peremptorily forbid, not
only foroigaero, but wits- own citixens, to fit out,
within the limita at the Unitod States, a voasel
to oommit hostilities against auy State with
which the United States are at peace, or to iu-
crease the forcv of any foreign armed vessel in-
tended for such hostilities against friendly
State
Whatever concern may have been felt by
either of the belligerent power* lost private,
a fined cruisers, or other v ossein, in the servioe
of one, might bo fitted out in this country to
depredate on the property of the other, ail sueh
ifcAts have proved utterly groandicai. Ourcit-
iafcn* bavo been withheld finni any savh act or
Ee.irpos.. by good f*ifb, and by respect for the
aw. tA r.
While tbo taws of thy Union arc thus peremp-
tory in thoir probibiuon of the equipment or
annameut of belligersut crdscf in otit porta,
they provide not lets absolutely (hat n-> jjprwn
shsll, within lb" jurisdiciioi, of the tnited
States, coliit or enter himself, or to go beyond
the jurisdiction of the United States with in
(out to be enlisted or entered in th" service of
any f iinjgo Sutc, eitbut a* a aoldier, or a* a
marine or acaanan ou lw*rd of nay vcsm! of wv,
lettar of-aaarqae, t* privateer. And those *«-
Aetmeuu arc'-'siso in strict <*m(ormity wHn the
law of nation*, which dceferes that no State has
the right to raie* f>r UuH 0C eea Mrviee iu *m-
ts of tilt ii I Britain slid the oiii/ens
of thi I n't,.I States, including their respective
aniliot-itios in that quirtcr Th" prospeet of a
spei dy arrangctne.til ha' eontributed hitherto to
inure, ou both side-, forbenrsnee lo a*sert. by
Inrc wbafeach claims in rigSt. Cmitinu-
niic-,- of delay on iho pari of the two Govern-
in ni lo net iu the matter, will increase tho
dangers and difficulties of the controversy.
Misunderstanding oxisls as to the extent,
character, and vtfluo of the possessory rights of
ih lluJson Bay Coiup-tny.'aud ihe projnirly
of I'lij^ent'* Sound Agricultural Company, re-
serve I in our treaty with (Ireat Britaiu relative
t to the t-rritory of Oregon. I have reason to
lielicve tlint s cession of the rights of both com
panics to ihe United States, would be the rea-
dtoai means of term mi ling all quostions.aud can
be obtained on reasonable terms: and, with a
view to this end, 1 pres<;ut tho subject to the at
tentinn of Congre**.
Tin- (louiinisai >u which tlnrt treaty eon torn
plaited,, for determining the right* uf li-liury in
river* ami nioutb* of riVi/ir* out tlic const* of
the United State* and tho British North Amcr
icftn provinces, lias ih-cu organized, ayd ha*
commenced its labor* ; to complete which
there is needed further appropriation^ for tho
service of snutber m son.
Souart Das*.
In pursuance of the authority, oonferred by
a resolution rt the Senate of the Uuiusl States,
passed on the Sd of Mareb last, notice was giv
en to Denmark, on ihe 14th day of April, of
the intention of this government to nvnil itself
of the stipulation of the subsisting oouvinitiou
of friendship, commerce, and navigation be-
tween that Kingdom and the Uuited State*,
whereby eithor party might, after ten yeni«,\er
minute the same at the expiration of one year
from the date of notice for that purpose.
The considerations whioh led me to call the
attention of Congress to that, convention, and
induced tho Senate to adopt the resolution, re-
ferred to, still continao in fnll foroe. The ooo
vention contains an article, which, although it
doee not diroetly engage ihe United States to
submit to the imposition of tolls ou the vcKsels
and cargoos of American* passing into or from
the Baltic sen, during the oontinnaiwe of the
treaty, ycl may, by possibility, bo construed as
implying sueh submission. The exaction of
those tolls not being justified by any principle
of international law, it became tho right end
th« duty of the United States to relieve thetn-
selves from the implication of cngoflMnetta tn
the subject, no as to bo perfectly free to act in
the prstaiew in audi a wax ox thwr. public in-
tetret honor/shall demand J'.—
I remain of the opinion that the United
8ta?e ought not to submit to the payment of
the SouOd dues, not no mueh becauau «*f their
amount, which is a secondary Matter,hut bo-
cauw it is In c«ect the recognition of th- right
of Dentohr< to teaM oce «i the great ia>' nine
highway*of natiooa aa acioaei. sea, sud the t>a-
vigatjoil of H M a'privllegv toi wbieh tribute
may lie imj t* d upon th«*e who have oeeasioa
tou>« it - ,.-Ed"t 'vij;
piestrat ion, by public authorities of that coun-
try, of property belonging to the present Auier
lean Consul at Alliens, aud which had bc< n
the Mif'i'-ct of every fuiucst discussion bcieto-
fore, lis* recently been settled to the snlisfse-
tioii of the party interested, nnd of both Gov-
erninenl*.
Ppaia.
With Spain, peaceful relations rtie still main
tamed, aud some progress bus been made in se-
curing tlto redrc* of wrot^* oompUinud of by
ibis government. Spain has not only disavow-
ed and disapproval tne conduct of ihe officer*
ivho illegally *oit"d olid detained tho stcauicr
Black Warrior at lLtv oa, but ha* also paid
the *um claimed a* indemnity for the loss ftieru
by inflicUtd on cilisoti* of the United State*.
1 u consequence of u dcstroctivc hurricane
wltidi vimtod Cuba in 1S4 t, the supreme au
thority of that ulaud issueil a deereo, permit
itig the importation, for a period of six month*
of certain building materials and provisions,
free of duty, but revoked it when about hair
the period only bad elapsed, to the injury of
citiz -ns of the United States, who had proceed
ed n act rm the forth nf that decree
Spanish governoM-nl refused iudeuiiiilicatiou to j.
the. part J —*" ™:
it was ass<
h<v martit
cSrtainnd.
Satisfaction claimed ffrw the arrest,and search
of the Sieamor tti Dorado, haa not yet been ac-
cording but there t* reason to beueva that it
will l*e, aud that omc with othrrt, MUtitNWs to
b« urged on the attootion of t,ie S|>ani*h gov-
orunit-ul. I do not abandon the hope of conelu
ding with Spain some genersl arrongemcut,
which, if it does not wholly prevent the recur,
fence of difficulties in Cubs, will render thein
les* frequent; sod whenever they, shall oror
facilitate their more speUly aettlcment.
Msslse
The interposition of this government has
been invoked by many of its ciiixon", on ac-
count of injurieo done to th*ir personi snd prop
ertv for which the Mexican republic i* respon-
sible The unhappy situstion of tbst country,
for sometime past, has not allowed Its govern-
ment to give due consideoratioo to claims of
private reparation, and has appeared to oall for
and Justify some forbearance m such matters
on tho part of thi* govarutaent. Bat if tho
revolutionary movement*, which Uf* hitaly
occurred iu that ropublio, end in the organi*v
lion of a atable government, urgent appeal* W
'•tr
wit1 *h,mmi(i 9r\r flirt pmmmi nf *1I p
plaint* of
nouilM-r of public ngciit* of oollection
biirsuinciit, it is hilleved that the checks
guard* provided, ineluditig the requirement of
monthly returns reudcr it svoreely pos ib|e for
auy cou ider«blc fraud on the part of those a-
gent*, or iicglcct iuvolving liuzatd of serious
fiublic loss to escape, detcclioti, I renew,
lowcvcr, the racoiiimsndatiou, Sefftto'oru made
by mo, of fho ensrftuent of a law declaring it
felony on th" part of public officers to insert
false entries in their books of rooord or *o
count, or to make falsa return*; and al*o re-
quiring them on the termination of thoir serv-
ico to deliver to their sncce**ors all books, rec-
ords' and other objects of o public nnlure, iu
their custody.
Derived *s our public revenue is, in chief
itujsu tttnce of the subjects to whioh they r«-
Thn aggregate amonnt of publlo land sold du
ring the last fiscal jesr, lucated with military
in great scrip of laud warranto, taken up under grant*
and dis- for roads, and solectod at awamn lauds by Bkales
and , i* V!-1,667,400 acre* of which too portion told
wui If),TUB,024 aorea, yielding In reoefpts tho
sum ol 8l 1,485,1(80 In tho saut1 period of
time, H.7'2U,U54 acres have been *ttrr*ycd, but
in consideration of tho quantity already aubiect
to entry, no additional traota have been brwoghl aii ~exem
into market
Tbo |>eeuliar relation of tbu MUeroi govern
tn ui to the Diatriot of 0o(nml%fon<lar4 it pro
per to oommeiid to yoar. eare, lyij only its ma-
terial, but also ita moral iotcroeb, including cd
ueatlon, more cspoclolly In thoM porta of the
Distrirt outaido of the eitlos of Washing hm and
Georgetown. ; , •
Tho commissioners appointed to n
codify tho laws or the District, have m
ill the perrermanoe of Sketr task
in
; part, from duties on imports, its magnitude of-1 progress In the perrermanoe of.^elc ta >
. ford* gratifying evidence of the prosperity, not insure lt« coinplethui in tlic tine proscril
only of our commerce; but of tnc other great
int*re*i* upon which that depend*.
The principle that all moneys not retjnired
for I ho onrront expense* of tho government
should remain fur nciivo omploymenl in tlto
the atuiual rovi'UUf from all source*, exceeds,
ninny million* of dollar*, 'rite ittnotint need
■ ■ 1 " «j—i-'
i pri
ptiety of an early revisbm and reduction of the
rt in * aggrieved, nnlil recently, wiicu : hy . .
tssentod to, payment being pretnis>:d to l nf fttr s prudetit and tMmw ieal ^dnjl^lidrition
it sn snon a* tbo amount doe can br as- j of
est the pro-
re adjusting thkjmport tables
which tiliqnestiotaably rmjnlre acts
utlons, o depsrturc from the hat.'
present tariff is not Niilielpa- the It
with snocess, far the redrw* nf all com-
our ftititens ■■■','
Csaual Aassrtao.
In regard to tb Ai^erioan republics, which,
from their proximity aud other oonsidctaiiou*,
have peuuliar relations to thi* government,
while it ho* been my constant aim strictly to
observe oil the obligation of political friend-
ship and of good neighborhood, obsuelo* to
thi* have arisen in some Of thes#, from their
oWnluaofteteUt power to obeek lawless irruption*
which i effeot throws mart of the MM <m the
United State*. Thus it is that the
intarual opnditi >u of the State o{ t ^
ban wade it incumbent ah m« to iMN) W
good faith of our ejttieus, to abstain from any
intervention iu ita alsOra, «od to *4opt preven-
tivt miMM to the mom «ti, «W*h, «** •*
Thi- gnMniMMM .n a former oeesiww, not i#9t* •
Ut Stales had, fir along i%e> ihe
puyaseut oftrihuK- ireni ail wataOM. MhMuahtp*^ dot# of tb« # o
fMtjuentod the MoiiiiliiHOM
f .public affairs, uantlot fail to suggi
riety of an early revisbm and renui
tariff of duties on imports.. It is now so gener-
ally conceded that the pmposc of revenue
shino can justify the imprisifjon of duties on
ituiHirts, that, in
and eehedutaa, t
essential mudfflea
principle* nf the preeci
ted. ' V; ' " * ; - .
hrsiT
The army daring the past year, lis* been ae
tively engaged i defending tho Indian fron-
tier, 'the suto'-of tho service permitting hut
tow and small gsriiWma in our pcriiisneut for-
tifiestions. The additional regiments authori-
sed at the last session of Congress have been
reefuitod nnd organised, and a l;trg" -portion of
the troops, have already beet sent to tin* field.
All the dutiea, wuieh devolve on the military
establishment, have been sausfaefeirfly wfomi
ed, and tho dangers end privatU* J#oide t to
the character Ot the service fouuired of our
U-wps have furnished additional mM««m of
their courage,
requisition, wj
Ml
eial ia
«h
and
ttdo:
ate, In ad), In
loo, In system* o"
iu the forma of
they oontintud l
they voluntarily
oatry on the war of the
Tho object of that war was
Unitod ooioqim from
proved to be oppro«alve,
permanently from tho Mother
llttcai resnili we* the foundation of'
republic of tho firee white Mc«^f the
const) tu tod, a* thoy were, ia "
elproooliy independent State
Ai for U>e" aubjcct race*,
African, the wise and but
ty beitig ong^^ in no
of social chaltae left thes
thus preserved thomieWtta and
from the anarchy and the over
whioh kove prevailed iu',
i d European colonies of
When tho confederated
venieut to modify tho oandil
eiatiutis, by giving to the
dlreot access, in tome
the States, instead
tboUtetes as aueh;
existing constimtin
guiding lhuughl, wj. |. „_J|H
simh power a* was neeeatary and
e> emit ion of *peoiSc |
to retain m much a*
tho*o purpose* of the'ii
individual StatM. For ,
fenoo aud security, they Inl
al government oertaln oarefullr .
tiotM, leaving all othon a* the
right* of tha
Buoh ie tha
cmiaent,
oarrled tu, aud u* ,
lioa. through nearly
wiuoal IM ooet of t
civil WM. With fret
it haaonab
the bettlel
ted the feeble t
hoe raised eur i
eommurou whioh
t<tt*rMuMlaid _
And tho adroiraWa"adoptatimt f
inoUtutians to their object,,
Mlf-gnvcntntent with i
toblishml Iho practical
* oootiaent with
men in the- O
world have
, fro in the
tlona, the distribute*
tioual provisions refp
vine I tefrr to the
W.roudthc
Rxpetiencc,
io
niv mik> of
r T
wHinirjr,
at the Be-rotary of
doromonts. j
eVeuts whioh have
truu&pired sinos my last awwwl message, has
bMf#i5PPblr« Urn opiuioo theft oxpra*-
**1 of the ptoptkiy Of making prortakm, by a
the list for anew duty All, tha
nitwl, wben throe measures were re.cmiuan-
,).«! on f<> rinft cs eaaions, OOOtiWI* Withuut mod
(•cation, except «n far aa iriiekuujalpii^.MF*
a partial ieorgwd|Mflee of the army,
w
give* to
viw with the
tee sot uf CungWM.
Information has recently beahr«oelved, that
the |ieaco of the nottlcmsnta l« tho territories
of Oregon and Waahiugtou iawtu,
tilitiiM <m the port of the Indietu, with
tiotiw of extensive combination* of a
cliaraeter among tht trinos ih Ijuti quails^
more seriou* ih Iheir possi' *
of iho nndeterniioed foreign intoreslacx
tnose territories to wbieh
already been especially in
urea hsVo la'Wi taken, #1
will restore quid, and afford
In tho territory of Kaoipi Uwre have beeti
sets prejudicial to good opior, hut o* yrt ntme
" ii i*iourretl under eiroumstatiec* to justify
Interposition of tha federal executive
Tbst could on.y be In case of nhatruotion to
eritl law, or of orgnpircd re.istntk-t to tarriu-i l-
<iiI law, assuming tha character f in«u
which, if it should occur, it would i* mjr
promptly to overoomc and suppftas I
the lope, however, that iho oeoarrtnee Of an]
sueh untoward event will ho "
sound sense of tlic pesiplfi of
by its organic law, posiawlr
termine thoir own domestic
litled, while deporting t
t.i the lice exercise Of)
protected in the cujo'
ferencc ou the part
State*.
The aoutbant
common
vaaious, and v
of power, whio
govern moo w
tat ion in
•vert,one
it the UoiiMt
w
iturii
w ill tncomtM.
II UllMtlllJll'
fact I
$
mm - ^
risd :ctl<* may
ip other I
}«t
ih.'SSSi
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De Morse, Charles. The Standard. (Clarksville, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 3, Ed. 1 Saturday, January 26, 1856, newspaper, January 26, 1856; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth234075/m1/1/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.