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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5018-8.txt b/5018-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4155638 --- /dev/null +++ b/5018-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3454 @@ +Project Gutenberg's State of the Union Addresses of John Tyler, by John Tyler + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most +other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: State of the Union Addresses of John Tyler + +Author: John Tyler + +Posting Date: November 21, 2014 [EBook #5018] +Release Date: February, 2004 +First Posted: April 11, 2002 +Last Updated: December 16, 2004 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + + + + +Produced by James Linden. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + + + + +State of the Union Addresses of John Tyler + + + +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** + +Dates of addresses by John Tyler in this eBook: + + December 7, 1841 + December 6, 1842 + December 1843 + December 3, 1844 + + + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 7, 1841 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +In coming together, fellow-citizens, to enter again upon the discharge of +the duties with which the people have charged us severally, we find great +occasion to rejoice in the general prosperity of the country. We are in the +enjoyment of all the blessings of civil and religious liberty, with +unexampled means of education, knowledge, and improvement. Through the year +which is now drawing to a close peace has been in our borders and plenty in +our habitations, and although disease has visited some few portions of the +land with distress and mortality, yet in general the health of the people +has been preserved, and we are all called upon by the highest obligations +of duty to renew our thanks and our devotion to our Heavenly Parent, who +has continued to vouchsafe to us the eminent blessings which surround us +and who has so signally crowned the year with His goodness. If we find +ourselves increasing beyond example in numbers, in strength, in wealth, in +knowledge, in everything which promotes human and social happiness, let us +ever remember our dependence for all these on the protection and merciful +dispensations of Divine Providence. + +Since your last adjournment Alexander McLeod, a British subject who was +indicted for the murder of an American citizen, and whose case has been the +subject of a correspondence heretofore communicated to you, has been +acquitted by the verdict of an impartial and intelligent jury, and has +under the judgment of the court been regularly discharged. + +Great Britain having made known to this Government that the expedition +which was fitted out from Canada for the destruction of the steamboat +Caroline in the winter of 1837, and which resulted in the destruction of +said boat and in the death of an American citizen, was undertaken by orders +emanating from the authorities of the British Government in Canada, and +demanding the discharge of McLeod upon the ground that if engaged in that +expedition he did but fulfill the orders of his Government, has thus been +answered in the only way in which she could be answered by a government the +powers of which are distributed among its several departments by the +fundamental law. Happily for the people of Great Britain, as well as those +of the United States, the only mode by which an individual arraigned for a +criminal offense before the courts of either can obtain his discharge is by +the independent action of the judiciary and by proceedings equally familiar +to the courts of both countries. + +If in Great Britain a power exists in the Crown to cause to be entered a +nolle prosequi, which is not the case with the Executive power of the +United States upon a prosecution pending in a State court, yet there no +more than here can the chief executive power rescue a prisoner from custody +without an order of the proper tribunal directing his discharge. The +precise stage of the proceedings at which such order may be made is a +matter of municipal regulation exclusively, and not to be complained of by +any other government. In cases of this kind a government becomes +politically responsible only when its tribunals of last resort are shown to +have rendered unjust and injurious judgments in matters not doubtful. To +the establishment and elucidation of this principle no nation has lent its +authority more efficiently than Great Britain. Alexander McLeod, having his +option either to prosecute a writ of error from the decision of the supreme +court of New York, which had been rendered upon his application for a +discharge, to the Supreme Court of the United States, or to submit his case +to the decision of a jury, preferred the latter, deeming it the readiest +mode of obtaining his liberation; and the result has fully sustained the +wisdom of his choice. The manner in which the issue submitted was tried +will satisfy the English Government that the principles of justice will +never fail to govern the enlightened decision of an American tribunal. I +can not fail, however, to suggest to Congress the propriety, and in some +degree the necessity, of making such provisions by law, so far as they may +constitutionally do so, for the removal at their commencement and at the +option of the party of all such cases as may hereafter arise, and which may +involve the faithful observance and execution of our international +obligations, from the State to the Federal judiciary. This Government, by +our institutions, is charged with the maintenance of peace and the +preservation of amicable relations with the nations of the earth, and ought +to possess without question all the reasonable and proper means of +maintaining the one and preserving the other. While just confidence is felt +in the judiciary of the States, yet this Government ought to be competent +in itself for the fulfillment of the high duties which have been devolved +upon it under the organic law by the States themselves. + +In the month of September a party of armed men from Upper Canada invaded +the territory of the United States and forcibly seized upon the person of +one Grogan, and under circumstances of great harshness hurriedly carried +him beyond the limits of the United States and delivered him up to the +authorities of Upper Canada. His immediate discharge was ordered by those +authorities upon the facts of the case being brought to their knowledge--a +course of procedure which was to have been expected from a nation with whom +we are at peace, and which was not more due to the rights of the United +States than to its own regard for justice. The correspondence which passed +between the Department of State and the British envoy, Mr. Fox, and with +the governor of Vermont, as soon as the facts had been made known to this +department, are herewith communicated. + +I regret that it is not in my power to make known to you an equally +satisfactory conclusion in the case of the Caroline steamer, with the +circumstances connected with the destruction of which, in December, 1837, +by an armed force fitted out in the Province of Upper Canada, you are +already made acquainted. No such atonement as was due for the public wrong +done to the United States by this invasion of her territory, so wholly +irreconcilable with her rights as an independent power, has yet been made. +In the view taken by this Government the inquiry whether the vessel was in +the employment of those who were prosecuting an unauthorized war against +that Province or was engaged by the owner in the business of transporting +passengers to and from Navy Island in hopes of private gain, which was most +probably the case, in no degree alters the real question at issue between +the two Governments. This Government can never concede to any foreign +government the power, except in a case of the most urgent and extreme +necessity, of invading its territory, either to arrest the persons or +destroy the property of those who may have violated the municipal laws of +such foreign government or have disregarded their obligations arising under +the law of nations. The territory of the United States must be regarded as +sacredly secure against all such invasions until they shall voluntarily +acknowledge their inability to acquit themselves of their duties to others. +And in announcing this sentiment I do but affirm a principle which no +nation on earth would be more ready to vindicate at all hazards than the +people and Government of Great Britain. If upon a full investigation of all +the facts it shall appear that the owner of the Caroline was governed by a +hostile intent or had made common cause with those who were in the +occupancy of Navy Island, then so far as he is concerned there can be no +claim to indemnity for the destruction of his boat which this Government +would feel itself bound to prosecute, since he would have acted not only in +derogation of the rights of Great Britain, but in clear violation of the +laws of the United States; but that is a question which, however settled, +in no manner involves the higher consideration of the violation of +territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction. To recognize it as an admissible +practice that each Government in its turn, upon any sudden and unauthorized +outbreak which, on a frontier the extent of which renders it impossible for +either to have an efficient force on every mile of it, and which outbreak, +therefore, neither may be able to suppress in a day, may take vengeance +into its own hands, and without even a remonstrance, and in the absence of +any pressing or overruling necessity may invade the territory of the other, +would inevitably lead to results equally to be deplored by both. When +border collisions come to receive the sanction or to be made on the +authority of either Government general war must be the inevitable result. +While it is the ardent desire of the United States to cultivate the +relations of peace with all nations and to fulfill all the duties of good +neighborhood toward those who possess territories adjoining their own, that +very desire would lead them to deny the right of any foreign power to +invade their boundary with an armed force. The correspondence between the +two Governments on this subject will at a future day of your session be +submitted to your consideration; and in the meantime I can not but indulge +the hope that the British Government will see the propriety of renouncing +as a rule of future action the precedent which has been set in the affair +at Schlosser. + +I herewith submit the correspondence which has recently taken place between +the American minister at the Court of St. James, Mr. Stevenson, and the +minister of foreign affairs of that Government on the right claimed by that +Government to visit and detain vessels sailing under the American flag and +engaged in prosecuting lawful commerce in the African seas. Our commercial +interests in that region have experienced considerable increase and have +become an object of much importance, and it is the duty of this Government +to protect them against all improper and vexatious interruption. However +desirous the United States may be for the suppression of the slave trade, +they can not consent to interpolations into the maritime code at the mere +will and pleasure of other governments. We deny the right of any such +interpolation to any one or all the nations of the earth without our +consent. We claim to have a voice in all amendments or alterations of that +code, and when we are given to understand, as in this instance, by a +foreign government that its treaties with other nations can not be executed +without the establishment and enforcement of new principles of maritime +police, to be applied without our consent, we must employ a language +neither of equivocal import or susceptible of misconstruction. American +citizens prosecuting a lawful commerce in the African seas under the flag +of their country are not responsible for the abuse or unlawful use of that +flag by others; nor can they rightfully on account of any such alleged +abuses be interrupted, molested, or detained while on the ocean, and if +thus molested and detained while pursuing honest voyages in the usual way +and violating no law themselves they are unquestionably entitled to +indemnity. This Government has manifested its repugnance to the slave trade +in a manner which can not be misunderstood. By its fundamental law it +prescribed limits in point of time to its continuance, and against its own +citizens who might so far forget the rights of humanity as to engage in +that wicked traffic it has long since by its municipal laws denounced the +most condign punishment. Many of the States composing this Union had made +appeals to the civilized world for its suppression long before the moral +sense of other nations had become shocked by the iniquities of the traffic. +Whether this Government should now enter into treaties containing mutual +stipulations upon this subject is a question for its mature deliberation. +Certain it is that if the right to detain American ships on the high seas +can be justified on the plea of a necessity for such detention arising out +of the existence of treaties between other nations, the same plea may, be +extended and enlarged by the new stipulations of new treaties to which the +United States may not be a party. This Government will not cease to urge +upon that of Great Britain full and ample remuneration for all losses, +whether arising from detention or otherwise, to which American citizens +have heretofore been or may hereafter be subjected by the exercise of +rights which this Government can not recognize as legitimate and proper. +Nor will I indulge a doubt but that the sense of justice of Great Britain +will constrain her to make retribution for any wrong or loss which any +American citizen engaged in the prosecution of lawful commerce may have +experienced at the hands of her cruisers or other public authorities. This +Government, at the same time, will relax no effort to prevent its citizens, +if there be any so disposed, from prosecuting a traffic so revolting to the +feelings of humanity. It seeks to do no more than to protect the fair and +honest trader from molestation and injury; but while the enterprising +mariner engaged in the pursuit of an honorable trade is entitled to its +protection, it will visit with condign punishment others of an opposite +character. + +I invite your attention to existing laws for the suppression of the African +slave trade, and recommend all such alterations as may give to them greater +force and efficacy. That the American flag is grossly abused by the +abandoned and profligate of other nations is but too probable. Congress has +not long since had this subject under its consideration, and its importance +well justifies renewed and anxious attention. + +I also communicate herewith the copy of a correspondence between Mr. +Stevenson and Lord Palmerston upon the subject, so interesting to several +of the Southern States, of the rice duties, which resulted honorably to the +justice of Great Britain and advantageously to the United States. + +At the opening of the last annual session the President informed Congress +of the progress which had then been made in negotiating a convention +between this Government and that of England with a view to the final +settlement of the question of the boundary between the territorial limits +of the two countries. I regret to say that little further advancement of +the object has been accomplished since last year, but this is owing to +circumstances no way indicative of any abatement of the desire of both +parties to hasten the negotiation to its conclusion and to settle the +question in dispute as early as possible. In the course of the session it +is my hope to be able to announce some further degree of progress toward +the accomplishment of this highly desirable end. + +The commission appointed by this Government for the exploration and survey +of the line of boundary separating the States of Maine and New Hampshire +from the conterminous British Provinces is, it is believed, about to close +its field labors and is expected soon to report the results of its +examinations to the Department of State. The report, when received, will be +laid before Congress. + +The failure on the part of Spain to pay with punctuality the interest due +under the convention of 1834 for the settlement of claims between the two +countries has made it the duty of the Executive to call the particular +attention of that Government to the subject. A disposition has been +manifested by it, which is believed to be entirely sincere, to fulfill its +obligations in this respect so soon as its internal condition and the state +of its finances will permit. An arrangement is in progress from the result +of which it is trusted that those of our citizens who have claims under the +convention will at no distant day receive the stipulated payments. + +A treaty of commerce and navigation with Belgium was concluded and signed +at Washington on the 29th of March, 1840, and was duly sanctioned by the +Senate of the United States. The treaty was ratified by His Belgian +Majesty, but did not receive the approbation of the Belgian Chambers within +the time limited by its terms, and has therefore become void. + +This occurrence assumes the graver aspect from the consideration that in +1833 a treaty negotiated between the two Governments and ratified on the +part of the United States failed to be ratified on the part of Belgium. The +representative of that Government at Washington informs the Department of +State that he has been instructed to give explanations of the causes which +occasioned delay in the approval of the late treaty by the legislature, and +to express the regret of the King at the occurrence. + +The joint commission under the convention with Texas to ascertain the true +boundary between the two countries has concluded its labors, but the final +report of the commissioner of the United States has not been received. It +is understood, however, that the meridian line as traced by the commission +lies somewhat farther east than the position hitherto generally assigned to +it, and consequently includes in Texas some part of the territory which had +been considered as belonging to the States of Louisiana and Arkansas. + +The United States can not but take a deep interest in whatever relates to +this young but growing Republic. Settled principally by emigrants from the +United States, we have the happiness to know that the great principles of +civil liberty are there destined to flourish under wise institutions and +wholesome laws, and that through its example another evidence is to be +afforded of the capacity of popular institutions to advance the prosperity, +happiness, and permanent glory of the human race. The great truth that +government was made for the people and not the people for government has +already been established in the practice and by the example of these United +States, and we can do no other than contemplate its further exemplification +by a sister republic with the deepest interest. + +Our relations with the independent States of this hemisphere, formerly +under the dominion of Spain, have not undergone any material change within +the past year. The incessant sanguinary conflicts in or between those +countries are to be greatly deplored as necessarily tending to disable them +from performing their duty as members of the community of nations and +rising to the destiny which the position and natural resources of many of +them might lead them justly to anticipate, as constantly giving occasion +also, directly or indirectly, for complaints on the part of our citizens +who resort thither for purposes of commercial intercourse, and as retarding +reparation for wrongs already committed, some of which are by no means of +recent date. + +The failure of the Congress of Ecuador to hold a session at the time +appointed for that purpose, in January last, will probably render abortive +a treaty of commerce with that Republic, which was signed at Quito on the +13th of June, 1839, and had been duly ratified on our part, but which +required the approbation of that body prior to its ratification by the +Ecuadorian Executive. + +A convention which has been concluded with the Republic of Peru, providing +for the settlement of certain claims of citizens of the United States upon +the Government of that Republic, will be duly submitted to the Senate. + +The claims of our citizens against the Brazilian Government originating +from captures and other causes are still unsatisfied. The United States +have, however, so uniformly shown a disposition to cultivate relations of +amity with that Empire that it is hoped the unequivocal tokens of the same +spirit toward us which an adjustment of the affairs referred to would +afford will be given without further avoidable delay. + +The war with the Indian tribes on the peninsula of Florida has during the +last summer and fall been prosecuted with untiring activity and zeal. A +summer campaign was resolved upon as the best mode of bringing it to a +close. Our brave officers and men who have been engaged in that service +have suffered toils and privations and exhibited an energy which in any +other war would have won for them unfading laurels. In despite of the +sickness incident to the climate, they have penetrated the fastnesses of +the Indians, broken up their encampments, and harassed them unceasingly. +Numbers have been captured, and still greater numbers have surrendered and +have been transported to join their brethren on the lands elsewhere +allotted to them by the Government, and a strong hope is entertained that +under the conduct of the gallant officer at the head of the troops in +Florida that troublesome and expensive war is destined to a speedy +termination. With all the other Indian tribes we are enjoying the blessings +of peace. Our duty as well as our best interests prompts us to observe in +all our intercourse with them fidelity in fulfilling our engagements, the +practice of strict justice, as well as the constant exercise of acts of +benevolence and kindness. These are the great instruments of civilization, +and through the use of them alone can the untutored child of the forest be +induced to listen to its teachings. + +The Secretary of State, on whom the acts of Congress have devolved the duty +of directing the proceedings for the taking of the sixth census or +enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, will report to the two +Houses the progress of that work. The enumeration of persons has been +completed, and exhibits a grand total of 17,069,453, making an increase +over the census of 1830 of 4,202,646 inhabitants, and showing a gain in a +ratio exceeding 32 1/2 per cent for the last ten years. + +From the report of the Secretary of the Treasury you will be informed of +the condition of the finances. The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of +January last, as stated in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury +submitted to Congress at the extra session, was $987,345.03. The receipts +into the Treasury during the first three quarters of this year from all +sources amount to $23,467,072.52; the estimated receipts for the fourth +quarter amount to $6,943,095.25, amounting to $30,410,167.77, and making +with the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January last $31,397,512.80. +The expenditures for the first three quarters of this year amount to +$24,734,346.97. The expenditures for the fourth quarter as estimated will +amount to $7,290,723.73, thus making a total of $32,025,070.70, and leaving +a deficit to be provided for on the 1st of January next of about +$627,557.90. + +Of the loan of $12,000,000 which was authorized by Congress at its late +session only $5,432,726.88 have been negotiated. The shortness of time +which it had to run has presented no inconsiderable impediment in the way +of its being taken by capitalists at home, while the same cause would have +operated with much greater force in the foreign market. For that reason the +foreign market has not been resorted to; and it is now submitted whether it +would not be advisable to amend the law by making what remains undisposed +of payable at a more distant day. + +Should it be necessary, in any view that Congress may take of the subject, +to revise the existing tariff of duties, I beg leave to say that in the +performance of that most delicate operation moderate counsels would seem to +be the wisest. The Government under which it is our happiness to live owes +its existence to the spirit of compromise which prevailed among its +framers; jarring and discordant opinions could only have been reconciled by +that noble spirit of patriotism which prompted conciliation and resulted in +harmony. In the same spirit the compromise bill, as it is commonly called, +was adopted at the session of 1833. While the people of no portion of the +Union will ever hesitate to pay all necessary taxes for the support of +Government, yet an innate repugnance exists to the imposition of burthens +not really necessary for that object. In imposing duties, however, for the +purposes of revenue a right to discriminate as to the articles on which the +duty shall be laid, as well as the amount, necessarily and most properly +exists; otherwise the Government would be placed in the condition of having +to levy the same duties upon all articles, the productive as well as the +unproductive. The slightest duty upon some might have the effect of causing +their importation to cease, whereas others, entering extensively into the +consumption of the country, might bear the heaviest without any sensible +diminution in the amount imported. So also the Government may be justified +in so discriminating by reference to other considerations of domestic +policy connected with our manufactures. So long as the duties shall be laid +with distinct reference to the wants of the Treasury no well-rounded +objection can exist against them. It might be esteemed desirable that no +such augmentation of the taxes should take place as would have the effect +of annulling the land-proceeds distribution act of the last session, which +act is declared to be inoperative the moment the duties are increased +beyond 20 per cent, the maximum rate established by the compromise act. +Some of the provisions of the compromise act, which will go into effect on +the 30th day of June next, may, however, be found exceedingly inconvenient +in practice under any regulations that Congress may adopt. I refer more +particularly to that relating to the home valuation. A difference in value +of the same articles to some extent will necessarily exist at different +ports, but that is altogether insignificant when compared with the +conflicts in valuation which are likely to arise from the differences of +opinion among the numerous appraisers of merchandise. In many instances the +estimates of value must be conjectural, and thus as many different rates of +value may be established as there are appraisers. These differences in +valuation may also be increased by the inclination which, without the +slightest imputation on their honesty, may arise on the part of the +appraisers in favor of their respective ports of entry. I recommend this +whole subject to the consideration of Congress with a single additional +remark. Certainty and permanency in any system of governmental policy are +in all respects eminently desirable, but more particularly is this true in +all that affects trade and commerce, the operations of which depend much +more on the certainty of their returns and calculations which embrace +distant periods of time than on high bounties or duties, which are liable +to constant fluctuations. + +At your late session I invited your attention to the condition of the +currency and exchanges and urged the necessity of adopting such measures as +were consistent with the constitutional competency of the Government in +order to correct the unsoundness of the one and, as far as practicable, the +inequalities of the other. No country can be in the enjoyment of its full +measure of prosperity without the presence of a medium of exchange +approximating to uniformity of value. What is necessary as between the +different nations of the earth is also important as between the inhabitants +of different parts of the same country. With the first the precious metals +constitute the chief medium of circulation, and such also would be the case +as to the last but for inventions comparatively modern, which have +furnished in place of gold and silver a paper circulation. I do not propose +to enter into a comparative analysis of the merits of the two systems. Such +belonged more properly to the period of the introduction of the paper +system. The speculative philosopher might find inducements to prosecute the +inquiry, but his researches could only lead him to conclude that the paper +system had probably better never have been introduced and that society +might have been much happier without it. The practical statesman has a very +different task to perform. He has to look at things as they are, to take +them as he finds them, to supply deficiencies and to prune excesses as far +as in him lies. The task of furnishing a corrective for derangements of the +paper medium with us is almost inexpressibly great. The power exerted by +the States to charter banking corporations, and which, having been carried +to a great excess, has filled the country with, in most of the States, an +irredeemable paper medium, is an evil which in some way or other requires a +corrective. The rates at which bills of exchange are negotiated between +different parts of the country furnish an index of the value of the local +substitute for gold and silver, which is in many parts so far depreciated +as not to be received except at a large discount in payment of debts or in +the purchase of produce. It could earnestly be desired that every bank not +possessing the means of resumption should follow the example of the late +United States Bank of Pennsylvania and go into liquidation rather than by +refusing to do so to continue embarrassments in the way of solvent +institutions, thereby augmenting the difficulties incident to the present +condition of things. Whether this Government, with due regard to the rights +of the States, has any power to constrain the banks either to resume specie +payments or to force them into liquidation, is an inquiry which will not +fail to claim your consideration. In view of the great advantages which are +allowed the corporators, not among the least of which is the authority +contained in most of their charters to make loans to three times the amount +of their capital, thereby often deriving three times as much interest on +the same amount of money as any individual is permitted by law to receive, +no sufficient apology can be urged for a long-continued suspension of +specie payments. Such suspension is productive of the greatest detriment to +the public by expelling from circulation the precious metals and seriously +hazarding the success of any effort that this Government can make to +increase commercial facilities and to advance the public interests. + +This is the more to be regretted and the indispensable necessity for a +sound currency becomes the more manifest when we reflect on the vast amount +of the internal commerce of the country. Of this we have no statistics nor +just data for forming adequate opinions. But there can be no doubt but that +the amount of transportation coastwise by sea, and the transportation +inland by railroads and canals, and by steamboats and other modes of +conveyance over the surface of our vast rivers and immense lakes, and the +value of property carried and interchanged by these means form a general +aggregate to which the foreign commerce of the country, large as it is, +makes but a distant approach. + +In the absence of any controlling power over this subject, which, by +forcing a general resumption of specie payments, would at once have the +effect of restoring a sound medium of exchange and would leave to the +country but little to desire, what measure of relief falling within the +limits of our constitutional competency does it become this Government to +adopt? It was my painful duty at your last session, under the weight of +most solemn obligations, to differ with Congress on the measures which it +proposed for my approval, and which it doubtless regarded as corrective of +existing evils. Subsequent reflection and events since occurring have only +served to confirm me in the opinions then entertained and frankly +expressed. I must be permitted to add that no scheme of governmental policy +unaided by individual exertions can be available for ameliorating the +present condition of things. Commercial modes of exchange and a good +currency are but the necessary means of commerce and intercourse, not the +direct productive sources of wealth. Wealth can only be accumulated by the +earnings of industry and the savings of frugality, and nothing can be more +ill judged than to look to facilities in borrowing or to a redundant +circulation for the power of discharging pecuniary obligations. The country +is full of resources and the people fall of energy, and the great and +permanent remedy for present embarrassments must be sought in industry, +economy, the observance of good faith, and the favorable influence of time. +In pursuance of a pledge given to you in my last message to Congress, which +pledge I urge as an apology for adventuring to present you the details of +any plan, the Secretary of the Treasury will be ready to submit to you, +should you require it, a plan of finance which, while it throws around the +public treasure reasonable guards for its protection and rests on powers +acknowledged in practice to exist from the origin of the Government, will +at the same time furnish to the country a sound paper medium and afford all +reasonable facilities for regulating the exchanges. When submitted, you +will perceive in it a plan amendatory of the existing laws in relation to +the Treasury Department, subordinate in all respects to the will of +Congress directly and the will of the people indirectly, self-sustaining +should it be found in practice to realize its promises in theory, and +repealable at the pleasure of Congress. It proposes by effectual restraints +and by invoking the true spirit of our institutions to separate the purse +from the sword, or, more properly to speak, denies any other control to the +President over the agents who may be selected to carry it into execution +but what may be indispensably necessary to secure the fidelity of such +agents, and by wise regulations keeps plainly apart from each other private +and public funds. It contemplates the establishment of a board of control +at the seat of government, with agencies at prominent commercial points or +wherever else Congress shall direct, for the safe-keeping and disbursement +of the public moneys and a substitution at the option of the public +creditor of Treasury notes in lieu of gold and silver. It proposes to limit +the issues to an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 without the express +sanction of the legislative power. It also authorizes the receipt of +individual deposits of gold and silver to a limited amount, and the +granting certificates of deposit divided into such sums as may be called +for by the depositors. It proceeds a step further and authorizes the +purchase and sale of domestic bills and drafts resting on a real and +substantial basis, payable at sight or having but a short time to run, and +drawn on places not less than 100 miles apart, which authority, except in +so far as may be necessary for Government purposes exclusively, is only to +be exerted upon the express condition that its exercise shall not be +prohibited by the State in which the agency is situated. In order to cover +the expenses incident to the plan, it will be authorized to receive +moderate premiums for certificates issued on deposits and on bills bought +and sold, and thus, as far as its dealings extend, to furnish facilities to +commercial intercourse at the lowest possible rates and to subduct from the +earnings of industry the least possible sum. It uses the State banks at a +distance from the agencies as auxiliaries without imparting any power to +trade in its name. It is subjected to such guards and restraints as have +appeared to be necessary. It is the creature of law and exists only at the +pleasure of the Legislature. It is made to rest on an actual specie basis +in order to redeem the notes at the places of issue, produces no dangerous +redundancy of circulation, affords no temptation to speculation, is +attended by no inflation of prices, is equable in its operation, makes the +Treasury notes (which it may use along with the certificates of deposit and +the notes of specie-paying banks) convertible at the place where collected, +receivable in payment of Government dues, and without violating any +principle of the Constitution affords the Government and the people such +facilities as are called for by the wants of both. Such, it has appeared to +me, are its recommendations, and in view of them it will be submitted, +whenever you may require it, to your consideration. + +I am not able to perceive that any fair and candid objection can be urged +against the plan, the principal outlines of which I have thus presented. I +can not doubt but that the notes which it proposes to furnish at the +voluntary option of the public creditor, issued in lieu of the revenue and +its certificates of deposit, will be maintained at an equality with gold +and silver everywhere. They are redeemable in gold and silver on demand at +the places of issue. They are receivable everywhere in payment of +Government dues. The Treasury notes are limited to an amount of one-fourth +less than the estimated annual receipts of the Treasury, and in addition +they rest upon the faith of the Government for their redemption. If all +these assurances are not sufficient to make them available, then the idea, +as it seems to me, of furnishing a sound paper medium of exchange may be +entirely abandoned. + +If a fear be indulged that the Government may be tempted to run into excess +in its issues at any future day, it seems to me that no such apprehension +can reasonably be entertained until all confidence in the representatives +of the States and of the people, as well as of the people themselves, shall +be lost. The weightiest considerations of policy require that the +restraints now proposed to be thrown around the measure should not for +light causes be removed. To argue against any proposed plan its liability +to possible abuse is to reject every expedient, since everything dependent +on human action is liable to abuse. Fifteen millions of Treasury notes may +be issued as the maximum, but a discretionary power is to be given to the +board of control under that sum, and every consideration will unite in +leading them to feel their way with caution. For the first eight years of +the existence of the late Bank of the United States its circulation barely +exceeded $4,000,000, and for five of its most prosperous years it was about +equal to $16,000,000; furthermore, the authority given to receive private +deposits to a limited amount and to issue certificates in such sums as may +be called for by the depositors may so far fill up the channels of +circulation as greatly to diminish the necessity of any considerable issue +of Treasury notes. A restraint upon the amount of private deposits has +seemed to be indispensably necessary from an apprehension, thought to be +well founded, that in any emergency of trade confidence might be so far +shaken in the banks as to induce a withdrawal from them of private deposits +with a view to insure their unquestionable safety when deposited with the +Government, which might prove eminently disastrous to the State banks. Is +it objected that it is proposed to authorize the agencies to deal in bills +of exchange? It is answered that such dealings are to be carried on at the +lowest possible premium, are made to rest on an unquestionably sound basis, +are designed to reimburse merely the expenses which would otherwise devolve +upon the Treasury, and are in strict subordination to the decision of the +Supreme Court in the case of the Bank of Augusta against Earle, and other +reported cases, and thereby avoids all conflict with State jurisdiction, +which I hold to be indispensably requisite. It leaves the banking +privileges of the States without interference, looks to the Treasury and +the Union, and while furnishing every facility to the first is careful of +the interests of the last. But above all, it is created by law, is +amendable by law, and is repealable by law, and, wedded as I am to no +theory, but looking solely to the advancement of the public good, I shall +be among the very first to urge its repeal if it be found not to subserve +the purposes and objects for which it may be created. Nor will the plan be +submitted in any overweening confidence in the sufficiency of my own +judgment, but with much greater reliance on the wisdom and patriotism of +Congress. I can not abandon this subject without urging upon you in the +most emphatic manner, whatever may be your action on the suggestions which +I have felt it to be my duty to submit, to relieve the Chief Executive +Magistrate, by any and all constitutional means, from a controlling power +over the public Treasury. If in the plan proposed, should you deem it +worthy of your consideration, that separation is not as complete as you may +desire, you will doubtless amend it in that particular. For myself, I +disclaim all desire to have any control over the public moneys other than +what is indispensably necessary to execute the laws which you may pass. + +Nor can I fail to advert in this connection to the debts which many of the +States of the Union have contracted abroad and under which they continue to +labor. That indebtedness amounts to a sum not less than $200,000,000, and +which has been retributed to them for the most part in works of internal +improvement which are destined to prove of vast importance in ultimately +advancing their prosperity and wealth. For the debts thus contracted the +States are alone responsible. I can do not more than express the belief +that each State will feel itself bound by every consideration of honor as +well as of interest to meet its engagements with punctuality. The failure, +however, of any one State to do so should in no degree affect the credit of +the rest, and the foreign capitalist will have no just cause to experience +alarm as to all other State stocks because any one or more of the States +may neglect to provide with punctuality the means of redeeming their +engagements. Even such States, should there be any, considering the great +rapidity with which their resources are developing themselves, will not +fail to have the means at no very distant day to redeem their obligations +to the uttermost farthing; nor will I doubt but that, in view of that +honorable conduct which has evermore governed the States and the people of +the Union, they will each and all resort to every legitimate expedient +before they will forego a faithful compliance with their obligations. + +From the report of the Secretary of War and other reports accompanying it +you will be informed of the progress which has been made in the +fortifications designed for the protection of our principal cities, +roadsteads, and inland frontier during the present year, together with +their true state and condition. They will be prosecuted to completion with +all the expedition which the means placed by Congress at the disposal of +the Executive will allow. + +I recommend particularly to your consideration that portion of the +Secretary's report which proposes the establishment of a chain of military +posts from Council Bluffs to some point on the Pacific Ocean within our +limits. The benefit thereby destined to accrue to our citizens engaged in +the fur trade over that wilderness region, added to the importance of +cultivating friendly relations with savage tribes inhabiting it, and at the +same time of giving protection to our frontier settlements and of +establishing the means of safe intercourse between the American settlements +at the mouth of the Columbia River and those on this side of the Rocky +Mountains, would seem to suggest the importance of carrying into effect the +recommendations upon this head with as little delay as may be practicable. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will place you in possession of the +present condition of that important arm of the national defense. Every +effort will be made to add to its efficiency, and I can not too strongly +urge upon you liberal appropriations to that branch of the public service. +Inducements of the weightiest character exist for the adoption of this +course of policy. Our extended and otherwise exposed maritime frontier +calls for protection, to the furnishing of which an efficient naval force +is indispensable. We look to no foreign conquests, nor do we propose to +enter into competition with any other nation for supremacy on the ocean; +but it is due not only to the honor but to the security of the people of +the United States that no nation should be permitted to invade our waters +at pleasure and subject our towns and villages to conflagration or pillage. +Economy in all branches of the public service is due from all the public +agents to the people, but parsimony alone would suggest the withholding of +the necessary means for the protection of our domestic firesides from +invasion and our national honor from disgrace. I would most earnestly +recommend to Congress to abstain from all appropriations for objects not +absolutely necessary; but I take upon myself, without a moment of +hesitancy, all the responsibility of recommending the increase and prompt +equipment of that gallant Navy which has lighted up every sea with its +victories and spread an imperishable glory over the country. + +The report of the Postmaster-General will claim your particular attention, +not only because of the valuable suggestions which it contains, but because +of the great importance which at all times attaches to that interesting +branch of the public service. The increased expense of transporting the +mail along the principal routes necessarily claims the public attention, +and has awakened a corresponding solicitude on the part of the Government. +The transmission of the mail must keep pace with those facilities of +intercommunication which are every day becoming greater through the +building of railroads and the application of steam power, but it can not be +disguised that in order to do so the Post-Office Department is subjected to +heavy exactions. The lines of communication between distant parts of the +Union are to a great extent occupied by railroads, which, in the nature of +things, possess a complete monopoly, and the Department is therefore liable +to heavy and unreasonable charges. This evil is destined to great increase +in future, and some timely measure may become necessary to guard against +it. + +I feel it my duty to bring under your consideration a practice which has +grown up in the administration of the Government, and which, I am deeply +convinced, ought to be corrected. I allude to the exercise of the power +which usage rather than reason has vested in the Presidents of removing +incumbents from office in order to substitute others more in favor with the +dominant party. My own conduct in this respect has been governed by a +conscientious purpose to exercise the removing power only in cases of +unfaithfulness or inability, or in those in which its exercise appeared +necessary in order to discountenance and suppress that spirit of active +partisanship on the part of holders of office which not only withdraws them +from the steady and impartial discharge of their official duties, but +exerts an undue and injurious influence over elections and degrades the +character of the Government itself, inasmuch as it exhibits the Chief +Magistrate as being a party through his agents in the secret plots or open +workings of political parties. + +In respect to the exercise of this power nothing should be left to +discretion which may safely be regulated by law, and it is of high +importance to restrain as far as possible the stimulus of personal +interests in public elections. Considering the great increase which has +been made in public offices in the last quarter of a century and the +probability of further increase, we incur the hazard of witnessing violent +political contests, directed too often to the single object of retaining +office by those who are in or obtaining it by those who are out. Under the +influence of these convictions I shall cordially concur in any +constitutional measure for regulating and, by regulating, restraining the +power of removal. + +I suggest for your consideration the propriety of making without further +delay some specific application of the funds derived under the will of Mr. +Smithson, of England, for the diffusion of knowledge, and which have +heretofore been vested in public stocks until such time as Congress should +think proper to give them a specific direction. Nor will you, I feel +confident, permit any abatement of the principal of the legacy to be made +should it turn out that the stocks in which the investments have been made +have undergone a depreciation. + +In conclusion I commend to your care the interests of this District, for +which you are the exclusive legislators. Considering that this city is the +residence of the Government and for a large part of the year of Congress, +and considering also the great cost of the public buildings and the +propriety of affording them at all times careful protection, it seems not +unreasonable that Congress should contribute toward the expense of an +efficient police. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 6, 1842 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +We have continued reason to express our profound gratitude to the Great +Creator of All Things for numberless benefits conferred upon us as a +people. Blessed with genial seasons, the husbandman has his garners filled +with abundance, and the necessaries of life, not to speak of its luxuries, +abound in every direction. While in some other nations steady and +industrious labor can hardly find the means of subsistence, the greatest +evil which we have to encounter is a surplus of production beyond the home +demand, which seeks, and with difficulty finds, a partial market in other +regions. The health of the country, with partial exceptions, has for the +past year been well preserved, and under their free and wise institutions +the United States are rapidly advancing toward the consummation of the high +destiny which an overruling Providence seems to have marked out for them. +Exempt from domestic convulsion and at peace with all the world, we are +left free to consult as to the best means of securing and advancing the +happiness of the people. Such are the circumstances under which you now +assemble in your respective chambers and which should lead us to unite in +praise and thanksgiving to that great Being who made us and who preserves +us as a nation. + +I congratulate you, fellow-citizens, on the happy change in the aspect of +our foreign affairs since my last annual message. Causes of complaint at +that time existed between the United States and Great Britain which, +attended by irritating circumstances, threatened most seriously the public +peace. The difficulty of adjusting amicably the questions at issue between +the two countries was in no small degree augmented by the lapse of time +since they had their origin. The opinions entertained by the Executive on +several of the leading topics in dispute were frankly set forth in the +message at the opening of your late session. The appointment of a special +minister by Great Britain to the United States with power to negotiate upon +most of the points of difference indicated a desire on her part amicably to +adjust them, and that minister was met by the Executive in the same spirit +which had dictated his mission. The treaty consequent thereon having been +duly ratified by the two Governments, a copy, together with the +correspondence which accompanied it, is herewith communicated. I trust that +whilst you may see in it nothing objectionable, it may be the means of +preserving for an indefinite period the amicable relations happily existing +between the two Governments. The question of peace or war between the +United States and Great Britain is a question of the deepest interest, not +only to themselves, but to the civilized world, since it is scarcely +possible that a war could exist between them without endangering the peace +of Christendom. The immediate effect of the treaty upon ourselves will be +felt in the security afforded to mercantile enterprise, which, no longer +apprehensive of interruption, adventures its speculations in the most +distant seas, and, freighted with the diversified productions of every +land, returns to bless our own. There is nothing in the treaty which in the +slightest degree compromits the honor or dignity of either nation. Next to +the settlement of the boundary line, which must always be a matter of +difficulty between states as between individuals, the question which seemed +to threaten the greatest embarrassment was that connected with the African +slave trade. + +By the tenth article of the treaty of Ghent it was expressly declared +that-- + +Whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of +humanity and justice, and whereas both His Majesty and the United States +are desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its entire abolition, +it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best +endeavors to accomplish so desirable an object. + +In the enforcement of the laws and treaty stipulations of Great Britain a +practice had threatened to grow up on the part of its cruisers of +subjecting to visitation ships sailing under the American flag, which, +while it seriously involved our maritime rights, would subject to vexation +a branch of our trade which was daily increasing, and which required the +fostering care of Government. And although Lord Aberdeen in his +correspondence with the American envoys at London expressly disclaimed all +right to detain an American ship on the high seas, even if found with a +cargo of slaves on board, and restricted the British pretension to a mere +claim to visit and inquire, yet it could not well be discerned by the +Executive of the United States how such visit and inquiry could be made +without detention on the voyage and consequent interruption to the trade. +It was regarded as the right of search presented only in a new form and +expressed in different words, and I therefore felt it to be my duty +distinctly to declare in my annual message to Congress that no such +concession could be made, and that the United States had both the will and +the ability to enforce their own laws and to protect their flag from being +used for purposes wholly forbidden by those laws and obnoxious to the moral +censure of the world. Taking the message as his letter of instructions, our +then minister at Paris felt himself required to assume the same ground in a +remonstrance which he felt it to be his duty to present to Mr. Guizot, and +through him to the King of the French, against what has been called the +"quintuple treaty;" and his conduct in this respect met with the approval +of this Government. In close conformity with these views the eighth article +of the treaty was framed; which provides "that each nation shall keep +afloat in the African seas a force not less than 80 guns, to act separately +and apart, under instructions from their respective Governments, and for +the enforcement of their respective laws and obligations." From this it +will be seen that the ground assumed in the message has been fully +maintained at the same time that the stipulations of the treaty of Ghent +are to be carried out in good faith by the two countries, and that all +pretense is removed for interference with our commerce for any purpose +whatever by a foreign government. While, therefore, the United States have +been standing up for the freedom of the seas, they have not thought proper +to make that a pretext for avoiding a fulfillment of their treaty +stipulations or a ground for giving countenance to a trade reprobated by +our laws. A similar arrangement by the other great powers could not fail to +sweep from the ocean the slave trade without the interpolation of any new +principle into the maritime code. We may be permitted to hope that the +example thus set will be followed by some if not all of them. We thereby +also afford suitable protection to the fair trader in those seas, thus +fulfilling at the same time the dictates of a sound policy and complying +with the claims of justice and humanity. + +It would have furnished additional cause for congratulation if the treaty +could have embraced all subjects calculated in future to lead to a +misunderstanding between the two Governments. The Territory of the United +States commonly called the Oregon Territory, lying on the Pacific Ocean +north of the forty-second degree of latitude, to a portion of which Great +Britain lays claim, begins to attract the attention of our fellow-citizens, +and the tide of population which has reclaimed what was so lately an +unbroken wilderness in more contiguous regions is preparing to flow over +those vast districts which stretch from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific +Ocean. In advance of the acquirement of individual rights to these lands, +sound policy dictates that every effort should be resorted to by the two +Governments to settle their respective claims. It became manifest at an +early hour of the late negotiations that any attempt for the time being +satisfactorily to determine those rights would lead to a protracted +discussion, which might embrace in its failure other more pressing matters, +and the Executive did not regard it as proper to waive all the advantages +of an honorable adjustment of other difficulties of great magnitude and +importance because this, not so immediately pressing, stood in the way. +Although the difficulty referred to may not for several years to come +involve the peace of the two countries, yet I shall not delay to urge on +Great Britain the importance of its early settlement. Nor will other +matters of commercial importance to the two countries be overlooked, and I +have good reason to believe that it will comport with the policy of +England, as it does with that of the United States, to seize upon this +moment, when most of the causes of irritation have passed away, to cement +the peace and amity of the two countries by wisely removing all grounds of +probable future collision. + +With the other powers of Europe our relations continue on the most amicable +footing. Treaties now existing with them should be rigidly observed, and +every opportunity compatible with the interests of the United States should +be seized upon to enlarge the basis of commercial intercourse. Peace with +all the world is the true foundation of our policy, which can only be +rendered permanent by the practice of equal and impartial justice to all. +Our great desire should be to enter only into that rivalry which looks to +the general good in the cultivation of the sciences, the enlargement of the +field for the exercise of the mechanical arts, and the spread of +commerce--that great civilizer--to every land and sea. Carefully abstaining +from interference in all questions exclusively referring themselves to the +political interests of Europe, we may be permitted to hope an equal +exemption from the interference of European Governments in what relates to +the States of the American continent. + +On the 23d of April last the commissioners on the part of the United States +under the convention with the Mexican Republic of the 11th of April, 1839, +made to the proper Department a final report in relation to the proceedings +of the commission. From this it appears that the total amount awarded to +the claimants by the commissioners and the umpire appointed under that +convention was $2,026,079.68. The arbiter having considered that his +functions were required by the convention to terminate at the same time +with those of the commissioners, returned to the board, undecided for want +of time, claims which had been allowed by the American commissioners to the +amount of $928,620.88. Other claims, in which the amount sought to be +recovered was $3,336,837.05, were submitted to the board too late for its +consideration. The minister of the United States at Mexico has been duly +authorized to make demand for payment of the awards according to the terms +of the convention and the provisions of the act of Congress of the 12th of +June, 1840. He has also been instructed to communicate to that Government +the expectations of the Government of the United States in relation to +those claims which were not disposed of according to the provisions of the +convention, and all others of citizens of the United States against the +Mexican Government. He has also been furnished with other instructions, to +be followed by him in case the Government of Mexico should not find itself +in a condition to make present payment of the amount of the awards in +specie or its equivalent. + +I am happy to be able to say that information which is esteemed favorable +both to a just satisfaction of the awards and a reasonable provision for +other claims has been recently received from Mr. Thompson, the minister of +the United States, who has promptly and efficiently executed the +instructions of his Government in regard to this important subject. + +The citizens of the United States who accompanied the late Texan expedition +to Santa Fe, and who were wrongfully taken and held as prisoners of war in +Mexico, have all been liberated. + +A correspondence has taken place between the Department of State and the +Mexican minister of foreign affairs upon the complaint of Mexico that +citizens of the United States were permitted to give aid to the inhabitants +of Texas in the war existing between her and that Republic. Copies of this +correspondence are herewith communicated to Congress, together with copies +of letters on the same subject addressed to the diplomatic corps at Mexico +by the American minister and the Mexican secretary of state. + +Mexico has thought proper to reciprocate the mission of the United States +to that Government by accrediting to this a minister of the same rank as +that of the representative of the United States in Mexico. From the +circumstances connected with his mission favorable results are anticipated +from it. It is so obviously for the interest of both countries as neighbors +and friends that all just causes of mutual dissatisfaction should be +removed that it is to be hoped neither will omit or delay the employment of +any practicable and honorable means to accomplish that end. + +The affairs pending between this Government and several others of the +States of this hemisphere formerly under the dominion of Spain have again +within the past year been materially obstructed by the military revolutions +and conflicts in those countries. + +The ratifications of the treaty between the United States and the Republic +of Ecuador of the 13th of June, 1839, have been exchanged, and that +instrument has been duly promulgated on the part of this Government. Copies +are now communicated to Congress with a view to enable that body to make +such changes in the laws applicable to our intercourse with that Republic +as may be deemed requisite. + +Provision has been made by the Government of Chile for the payment of the +claim on account of the illegal detention of the brig Warrior at Coquimbo +in 1820. This Government has reason to expect that other claims of our +citizens against Chile will be hastened to a final and satisfactory close. + +The Empire of Brazil has not been altogether exempt from those convulsions +which so constantly afflict the neighboring republics. Disturbances which +recently broke out are, however, now understood to be quieted. But these +occurrences, by threatening the stability of the governments, or by causing +incessant and violent changes in them or in the persons who administer +them, tend greatly to retard provisions for a just indemnity for losses and +injuries suffered by individual subjects or citizens of other states. The +Government of the United States will feel it to be its duty, however, to +consent to no delay not unavoidable in making satisfaction for wrongs and +injuries sustained by its own citizens. Many years having in some cases +elapsed, a decisive and effectual course of proceeding will be demanded of +the respective governments against whom claims have been preferred. + +The vexatious, harassing, and expensive war which so long prevailed with +the Indian tribes inhabiting the peninsula of Florida has happily been +terminated, whereby our Army has been relieved from a service of the most +disagreeable character and the Treasury from a large expenditure. Some +casual outbreaks may occur, such as are incident to the close proximity of +border settlers and the Indians, but these, as in all other cases, may be +left to the care of the local authorities, aided when occasion may require +by the forces of the United States. A sufficient number of troops will be +maintained in Florida so long as the remotest apprehensions of danger shall +exist, yet their duties will be limited rather to the garrisoning of the +necessary posts than to the maintenance of active hostilities. It is to be +hoped that a territory so long retarded in its growth will now speedily +recover from the evils incident to a protracted war, exhibiting in the +increased amount of its rich productions true evidences of returning wealth +and prosperity. By the practice of rigid justice toward the numerous Indian +tribes residing within our territorial limits and the exercise of a +parental vigilance over their interests, protecting them against fraud and +intrusion, and at the same time using every proper expedient to introduce +among them the arts of civilized life, we may fondly hope not only to wean +them from their love of war, but to inspire them with a love for peace and +all its avocations. With several of the tribes great progress in civilizing +them has already been made. The schoolmaster and the missionary are found +side by side, and the remnants of what were once numerous and powerful +nations may yet be preserved as the builders up of a new name for +themselves and their posterity. + +The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January, 1842, exclusive of the +amount deposited with the States, trust funds, and indemnities, was +$230,483.68. The receipts into the Treasury during the three first quarters +of the present year from all sources amount to $26,616,593.78, of which +more than fourteen millions were received from customs and about one +million from the public lands. The receipts for the fourth quarter are +estimated at nearly eight millions, of which four millions are expected +from customs and three millions and a half from loans and Treasury notes. +The expenditures of the first three quarters of the present year exceed +twenty-six millions, and those estimated for the fourth quarter amount to +about eight millions; and it is anticipated there will be a deficiency of +half a million on the 1st of January next, but that the amount of +outstanding warrants (estimated at $800,000) will leave an actual balance +of about $224,000 in the Treasury. Among the expenditures of this year are +more than eight millions for the public debt and about $600,000 on account +of the distribution to the States of the proceeds of sales of the public +lands. + +The present tariff of duties was somewhat hastily and hurriedly passed near +the close of the late session of Congress. That it should have defects can +therefore be surprising to no one. To remedy such defects as may be found +to exist in any of its numerous provisions will not fail to claim your +serious attention. It may well merit inquiry whether the exaction of all +duties in cash does not call for the introduction of a system which has +proved highly beneficial in countries where it has been adopted. I refer to +the warehousing system. The first and most prominent effect which it would +produce would be to protect the market alike against redundant or deficient +supplies of foreign fabrics, both of which in the long run are injurious as +well to the manufacturer as the importer. The quantity of goods in store +being at all times readily known, it would enable the importer with an +approach to accuracy to ascertain the actual wants of the market and to +regulate himself accordingly. If, however, he should fall into error by +importing an excess above the public wants, he could readily correct its +evils by availing himself of the benefits and advantages of the system thus +established. In the storehouse the goods imported would await the demand of +the market and their issues would be governed by the fixed principles of +demand and supply. Thus an approximation would be made to a steadiness and +uniformity of price, which if attainable would conduce to the decided +advantage of mercantile and mechanical operations. + +The apprehension may be well entertained that without something to +ameliorate the rigor of cash payments the entire import trade may fall into +the hands of a few wealthy capitalists in this country and in Europe. The +small importer, who requires all the money he can raise for investments +abroad, and who can but ill afford to pay the lowest duty, would have to +subduct in advance a portion of his funds in order to pay the duties, and +would lose the interest upon the amount thus paid for all the time the +goods might remain unsold, which might absorb his profits. The rich +capitalist, abroad as well as at home, would thus possess after a short +time an almost exclusive monopoly of the import trade, and laws designed +for the benefit of all would thus operate for the benefit of a few--a +result wholly uncongenial with the spirit of our institutions and +antirepublican in all its tendencies. The warehousing system would enable +the importer to watch the market and to select his own time for offering +his goods for sale. A profitable portion of the carrying trade in articles +entered for the benefit of drawback must also be most seriously affected +without the adoption of some expedient to relieve the cash system. The +warehousing system would afford that relief, since the carrier would have a +safe recourse to the public storehouses and might without advancing the +duty reship within some reasonable period to foreign ports. A further +effect of the measure would be to supersede the system of drawbacks, +thereby effectually protecting the Government against fraud, as the right +of debenture would not attach to goods after their withdrawal from the +public stores. + +In revising the existing tariff of duties, should you deem it proper to do +so at your present session, I can only repeat the suggestions and +recommendations which upon several occasions I have heretofore felt it to +be my duty to offer to Congress. The great primary and controlling interest +of the American people is union--union not only in the mere forms of +government, forms which may be broken, but union rounded in an attachment +of States and individuals for each other. This union in sentiment and +feeling can only be preserved by the adoption of that course of policy +which, neither giving exclusive benefits to some nor imposing unnecessary +burthens upon others, shall consult the interests of all by pursuing a +course of moderation and thereby seeking to harmonize public opinion, and +causing the people everywhere to feel and to know that the Government is +careful of the interests of all alike. Nor is there any subject in regard +to which moderation, connected with a wise discrimination, is more +necessary than in the imposition of duties on imports. Whether reference be +had to revenue, the primary object in the imposition of taxes, or to the +incidents which necessarily flow from their imposition, this is entirely +true. Extravagant duties defeat their end and object, not only by exciting +in the public mind an hostility to the manufacturing interests, but by +inducing a system of smuggling on an extensive scale and the practice of +every manner of fraud upon the revenue, which the utmost vigilance of +Government can not effectually suppress. An opposite course of policy would +be attended by results essentially different, of which every interest of +society, and none more than those of the manufacturer, would reap important +advantages. Among the most striking of its benefits would be that derived +from the general acquiescence of the country in its support and the +consequent permanency and stability which would be given to all the +operations of industry. It can not be too often repeated that no system of +legislation can be wise which is fluctuating and uncertain. No interest can +thrive under it. The prudent capitalist will never adventure his capital in +manufacturing establishments, or in any other leading pursuit of life, if +there exists a state of uncertainty as to whether the Government will +repeal to-morrow what it has enacted to-day. Fitful profits, however high, +if threatened with a ruinous reduction by a vacillating policy on the part +of Government, will scarcely tempt him to trust the money which he has +acquired by a life of labor upon the uncertain adventure. I therefore, in +the spirit of conciliation, and influenced by no other desire than to +rescue the great interests of the country from the vortex of political +contention, and in the discharge of the high and solemn duties of the place +which I now occupy, recommend moderate duties, imposed with a wise +discrimination as to their several objects, as being not only most likely +to be durable, but most advantageous to every interest of society. + +The report of the Secretary of the War Department exhibits a very full and +satisfactory account of the various and important interests committed to +the charge of that officer. It is particularly gratifying to find that the +expenditures for the military service are greatly reduced in amount--that a +strict system of economy has been introduced into the service and the +abuses of past years greatly reformed. The fortifications on our maritime +frontier have been prosecuted with much vigor, and at many points our +defenses are in a very considerable state of forwardness. The suggestions +in reference to the establishment of means of communication with our +territories on the Pacific and to the surveys so essential to a knowledge +of the resources of the intermediate country are entitled to the most +favorable consideration. While I would propose nothing inconsistent with +friendly negotiations to settle the extent of our claims in that region, +yet a prudent forecast points out the necessity of such measures as may +enable us to maintain our rights. The arrangements made for preserving our +neutral relations on the boundary between us and Texas and keeping in check +the Indians in that quarter will be maintained so long as circumstances may +require. For several years angry contentions have grown out of the +disposition directed by law to be made of the mineral lands held by the +Government in several of the States. The Government is constituted the +landlord, and the Citizens of the States wherein lie the lands are its +tenants. The relation is an unwise one, and it would be much more conducive +of the public interest that a sale of the lands should be made than that +they should remain in their present condition. The supply of the ore would +be more abundantly and certainly furnished when to be drawn from the +enterprise and the industry of the proprietor than under the present +system. + +The recommendations of the Secretary in regard to the improvements of the +Western waters and certain prominent harbors on the Lakes merit, and I +doubt not will receive, your serious attention. The great importance of +these subjects to the prosperity of the extensive region referred to and +the security of the whole country in time of war can not escape +observation. The losses of life and property which annually occur in the +navigation of the Mississippi alone because of the dangerous obstructions +in the river make a loud demand upon Congress for the adoption of efficient +measures for their removal. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will bring you acquainted with that +important branch of the public defenses. Considering the already vast and +daily increasing commerce of the country, apart from the exposure to +hostile inroad of an extended seaboard, all that relates to the Navy is +calculated to excite particular attention. Whatever tends to add to its +efficiency without entailing unnecessary charges upon the Treasury is well +worthy of your serious consideration. It will be seen that while an +appropriation exceeding by more than a million the appropriations of the +current year is asked by the Secretary, yet that in this sum is proposed to +be included $400,000 for the purchase of clothing, which when once expended +will be annually reimbursed by the sale of the clothes, and will thus +constitute a perpetual fund without any new appropriation to the same +object. To this may also be added $50,000 asked to cover the arrearages of +past years and $250,000 in order to maintain a competent squadron on the +coast of Africa; all of which when deducted will reduce the expenditures +nearly within the limits of those of the current year. While, however, the +expenditures will thus remain very nearly the same as of the antecedent +year, it is proposed to add greatly to the operations of the marine, and in +lieu of only 25 ships in commission and but little in the way of building, +to keep with the same expenditure 41 vessels afloat and to build 12 ships +of a small class. + +A strict system of accountability is established and great pains are taken +to insure industry, fidelity, and economy in every department of duty. +Experiments have been instituted to test the quality of various materials, +particularly copper, iron, and coal, so as to prevent fraud and +imposition. + +It will appear by the report of the Postmaster-General that the great point +which for several years has been so much desired has during the current +year been fully accomplished. The expenditures of the Department for +current service have been brought within its income without lessening its +general usefulness. There has been an increase of revenue equal to $166,000 +for the year 1842 over that of 1841, without, as it is believed, any +addition having been made to the number of letters and newspapers +transmitted through the mails. The post-office laws have been honestly +administered, and fidelity has been observed in accounting for and paying +over by the subordinates of the Department the moneys which have been +received. For the details of the service I refer you to the report. + +I flatter myself that the exhibition thus made of the condition of the +public administration will serve to convince you that every proper +attention has been paid to the interests of the country by those who have +been called to the heads of the different Departments. The reduction in the +annual expenditures of the Government already accomplished furnishes a sure +evidence that economy in the application of the public moneys is regarded +as a paramount duty. + +At peace with all the world, the personal liberty of the citizen sacredly +maintained and his rights secured under political institutions deriving all +their authority from the direct sanction of the people, with a soil fertile +almost beyond example and a country blessed with every diversity of climate +and production, what remains to be done in order to advance the happiness +and prosperity of such a people? Under ordinary circumstances this inquiry +could readily be answered. The best that probably could be done for a +people inhabiting such a country would be to fortify their peace and +security in the prosecution of their various pursuits by guarding them +against invasion from without and violence from within. The rest for the +greater part might be left to their own energy and enterprise. The chief +embarrassments which at the moment exhibit themselves have arisen from +overaction, and the most difficult task which remains to be accomplished is +that of correcting and overcoming its effects. Between the years 1833 and +1838 additions were made to bank capital and bank issues, in the form of +notes designed for circulation, to an extent enormously great. The question +seemed to be not how the best currency could be provided, but in what +manner the greatest amount of bank paper could be put in circulation. Thus +a vast amount of what was called money--since for the time being it +answered the purposes of money--was thrown upon the country, an overissue +which was attended, as a necessary consequence, by an extravagant increase +of the prices of all articles of property, the spread of a speculative +mania all over the country, and has finally ended in a general indebtedness +on the part of States and individuals, the prostration of public and +private credit, a depreciation in the market value of real and personal +estate, and has left large districts of country almost entirely without any +circulating medium. In view of the fact that in 1830 the whole bank-note +circulation within the United States amounted to but $61,323,898, according +to the Treasury statements, and that an addition had been made thereto of +the enormous sum of $88,000,000 in seven years (the circulation on the 1st +of January, 1837, being stated at $149,185,890), aided by the great +facilities afforded in obtaining loans from European capitalists, who were +seized with the same speculative mania which prevailed in the United +States, and the large importations of funds from abroad--the result of +stock sales and loans--no one can be surprised at the apparent but +unsubstantial state of prosperity which everywhere prevailed over the land; +and as little cause of surprise should be felt at the present prostration +of everything and the ruin which has befallen so many of our +fellow-citizens in the sudden withdrawal from circulation of so large an +amount of bank issues since 1837--exceeding, as is believed, the amount +added to the paper currency for a similar period antecedent to 1837--it +ceases to be a matter of astonishment that such extensive shipwreck should +have been made of private fortunes or that difficulties should exist in +meeting their engagements on the part of the debtor States; apart from +which, if there be taken into account the immense losses sustained in the +dishonor of numerous banks, it is less a matter of surprise that insolvency +should have visited many of our fellow-citizens than that so many should +have escaped the blighting influences of the times. + +In the solemn conviction of these truths and with an ardent desire to meet +the pressing necessities of the country, I felt it to be my duty to cause +to be submitted to you at the commencement of your last session the plan of +an exchequer, the whole power and duty of maintaining which in purity and +vigor was to be exercised by the representatives of the people and the +States, and therefore virtually by the people themselves. It was proposed +to place it under the control and direction of a Treasury board to consist +of three commissioners, whose duty it should be to see that the law of its +creation was faithfully executed and that the great end of supplying a +paper medium of exchange at all times convertible into gold and silver +should be attained. The board thus constituted was given as much permanency +as could be imparted to it without endangering the proper share of +responsibility which should attach to all public agents. In order to insure +all the advantages of a well-matured experience, the commissioners were to +hold their offices for the respective periods of two, four, and six years, +thereby securing at all times in the management of the exchequer the +services of two men of experience; and to place them in a condition to +exercise perfect independence of mind and action it was provided that their +removal should only take place for actual incapacity or infidelity to the +trust, and to be followed by the President with an exposition of the causes +of such removal, should it occur. It was proposed to establish subordinate +boards in each of the States, under the same restrictions and limitations +of the power of removal, which, with the central board, should receive, +safely keep, and disburse the public moneys. And in order to furnish a +sound paper medium of exchange the exchequer should retain of the revenues +of the Government a sum not to exceed $5,000,000 in specie, to be set apart +as required by its operations, and to pay the public creditor at his own +option either in specie or Treasury notes of denominations not less than $5 +nor exceeding $100, which notes should be redeemed at the several places of +issue, and to be receivable at all times and everywhere in payment of +Government dues, with a restraint upon such issue of bills that the same +should not exceed the maximum of $15,000,000. In order to guard against all +the hazards incident to fluctuations in trade, the Secretary of the +Treasury was invested with authority to issue $5,000,000 of Government +stock, should the same at any time be regarded as necessary in order to +place beyond hazard the prompt redemption of the bills which might be +thrown into circulation; thus in fact making the issue of $15,000,000 of +exchequer bills rest substantially on $10,000,000, and keeping in +circulation never more than one and one-half dollars for every dollar in +specie. When to this it is added that the bills are not only everywhere +receivable in Government dues, but that the Government itself would be +bound for their ultimate redemption, no rational doubt can exist that the +paper which the exchequer would furnish would readily enter into general +circulation and be maintained at all times at or above par with gold and +silver, thereby realizing the great want of the age and fulfilling the +wishes of the people. In order to reimburse the Government the expenses of +the plan, it was proposed to invest the exchequer with the limited +authority to deal in bills of exchange (unless prohibited by the State in +which an agency might be situated) having only thirty days to run and +resting on a fair and bona fide basis. The legislative will on this point +might be so plainly announced as to avoid all pretext for partiality or +favoritism. It was furthermore proposed to invest this Treasury agent with +authority to receive on deposit to a limited amount the specie funds of +individuals and to grant certificates therefor to be redeemed on +presentation, under the idea, which is believed to be well founded, that +such certificates would come in aid of the exchequer bills in supplying a +safe and ample paper circulation. Or if in place of the contemplated +dealings in exchange the exchequer should be authorized not only to +exchange its bills for actual deposits of specie, but, for specie or its +equivalent, to sell drafts, charging therefor a small but reasonable +premium, I can not doubt but that the benefits of the law would be speedily +manifested in the revival of the credit, trade, and business of the whole +country. Entertaining this opinion, it becomes my duty to urge its adoption +upon Congress by reference to the strongest considerations of the public +interests, with such alterations in its details as Congress may in its +wisdom see fit to make. + +I am well aware that this proposed alteration and amendment of the laws +establishing the Treasury Department has encountered various objections, +and that among others it has been proclaimed a Government bank of fearful +and dangerous import. It is proposed to confer upon it no extraordinary +power. It purports to do no more than pay the debts of the Government with +the redeemable paper of the Government, in which respect it accomplishes +precisely what the Treasury does daily at this time in issuing to the +public creditors the Treasury notes which under law it is authorized to +issue. It has no resemblance to an ordinary bank, as it furnishes no +profits to private stockholders and lends no capital to individuals. If it +be objected to as a Government bank and the objection be available, then +should all the laws in relation to the Treasury be repealed and the +capacity of the Government to collect what is due to it or pay what it owes +be abrogated. + +This is the chief purpose of the proposed exchequer, and surely if in the +accomplishment of a purpose so essential it affords a sound circulating +medium to the country and facilities to trade it should be regarded as no +slight recommendation of it to public consideration. Properly guarded by +the provisions of law, it can run into no dangerous evil, nor can any abuse +arise under it but such as the Legislature itself will be answerable for if +it be tolerated, since it is but the creature of the law and is susceptible +at all times of modification, amendment, or repeal at the pleasure of +Congress. I know that it has been objected that the system would be liable +to be abused by the Legislature, by whom alone it could be abused, in the +party conflicts of the day; that such abuse would manifest itself in a +change of the law which would authorize an excessive issue of paper for the +purpose of inflating prices and winning popular favor. To that it may be +answered that the ascription of such a motive to Congress is altogether +gratuitous and inadmissible. The theory of our institutions would lead us +to a different conclusion. But a perfect security against a proceeding so +reckless would be found to exist in the very nature of things. The +political party which should be so blind to the true interests of the +country as to resort to such an expedient would inevitably meet with final +overthrow in the fact that the moment the paper ceased to be convertible +into specie or otherwise promptly redeemed it would become worthless, and +would in the end dishonor the Government, involve the people in ruin and +such political party in hopeless disgrace. At the same time, such a view +involves the utter impossibility of furnishing any currency other than that +of the precious metals; for if the Government itself can not forego the +temptation of excessive paper issues what reliance can be placed in +corporations upon whom the temptations of individual aggrandizement would +most strongly operate? The people would have to blame none but themselves +for any injury that might arise from a course so reckless, since their +agents would be the wrongdoers and they the passive spectators. + +There can be but three kinds of public currency--first, gold and silver; +second, the paper of State institutions; or, third, a representative of the +precious metals provided by the General Government or under its authority. +The subtreasury system rejected the last in any form, and as it was +believed that no reliance could be placed on the issues of local +institutions for the purposes of general circulation it necessarily and +unavoidably adopted specie as the exclusive currency for its own use; and +this must ever be the case unless one of the other kinds be used. The +choice in the present state of public sentiment lies between an exclusive +specie currency on the one hand and Government issues of some kind on the +other. That these issues can not be made by a chartered institution is +supposed to be conclusively settled. They must be made, then, directly by +Government agents. For several years past they have been thus made in the +form of Treasury notes, and have answered a valuable purpose. Their +usefulness has been limited by their being transient and temporary; their +ceasing to bear interest at given periods necessarily causes their speedy +return and thus restricts their range of circulation, and being used only +in the disbursements of Government they can not reach those points where +they are most required. By rendering their use permanent, to the moderate +extent already mentioned, by offering no inducement for their return and by +exchanging them for coin and other values, they will constitute to a +certain extent the general currency so much needed to maintain the internal +trade of the country. And this is the exchequer plan so far as it may +operate in furnishing a currency. + +I can not forego the occasion to urge its importance to the credit of the +Government in a financial point of view. The great necessity of resorting +to every proper and becoming expedient in order to place the Treasury on a +footing of the highest respectability is entirely obvious. The credit of +the Government may be regarded as the very soul of the Government itself--a +principle of vitality without which all its movements are languid and all +its operations embarrassed. In this spirit the Executive felt itself bound +by the most imperative sense of duty to submit to Congress at its last +session the propriety of making a specific pledge of the land fund as the +basis for the negotiation of the loans authorized to be contracted. I then +thought that such an application of the public domain would without doubt +have placed at the command of the Government ample funds to relieve the +Treasury from the temporary embarrassments under which it labored. American +credit has suffered a considerable shock in Europe from the large +indebtedness of the States and the temporary inability of some of them to +meet the interest on their debts. The utter and disastrous prostration of +the United States Bank of Pennsylvania had contributed largely to increase +the sentiment of distrust by reason of the loss and ruin sustained by the +holders of its stock, a large portion of whom were foreigners and many of +whom were alike ignorant of our political organization and of our actual +responsibilities. + +It was the anxious desire of the Executive that in the effort to negotiate +the loan abroad the American negotiator might be able to point the money +lender to the fund mortgaged for the redemption of the principal and +interest of any loan he might contract, and thereby vindicate the +Government from all suspicion of bad faith or inability to meet its +engagements. Congress differed from the Executive in this view of the +subject. It became, nevertheless, the duty of the Executive to resort to +every expedient in its power to do so. + +After a failure in the American market a citizen of high character and +talent was sent to Europe, with no better success; and thus the mortifying +spectacle has been presented of the inability of this Government to obtain +a loan so small as not in the whole to amount to more than one-fourth of +its ordinary annual income, at a time when the Governments of Europe, +although involved in debt and with their subjects heavily burthened with +taxation, readily obtained loans of any amount at a greatly reduced rate of +interest. It would be unprofitable to look further into this anomalous +state of things, but I can not conclude without adding that for a +Government which has paid off its debts of two wars with the largest +maritime power of Europe, and now owing a debt which is almost next to +nothing when compared with its boundless resources--a Government the +strongest in the world, because emanating from the popular will and firmly +rooted in the affections of a great and free people, and whose fidelity to +its engagements has never been questioned--for such a Government to have +tendered to the capitalists of other countries an opportunity for a small +investment in its stock, and yet to have failed, implies either the most +unfounded distrust in its good faith or a purpose to obtain which the +course pursued is the most fatal which could have been adopted. It has now +become obvious to all men that the Government must look to its own means +for supplying its wants, and it is consoling to know that these means are +altogether adequate for the object. The exchequer, if adopted, will greatly +aid in bringing about this result. Upon what I regard as a well-rounded +supposition that its bills would be readily sought for by the public +creditors and that the issue would in a short time reach the maximum of +$15,000,000, it is obvious that $10,000,000 would thereby be added to the +available means of the Treasury without cost or charge. Nor can I fail to +urge the great and beneficial effects which would be produced in aid of all +the active pursuits of life. Its effects upon the solvent State banks, +while it would force into liquidation those of an opposite character +through its weekly settlements, would be highly beneficial; and with the +advantages of a sound currency the restoration of confidence and credit +would follow with a numerous train of blessings. My convictions are most +strong that these benefits would flow from the adoption of this measure; +but if the result should be adverse there is this security in connection +with it--that the law creating it may be repealed at the pleasure of the +Legislature without the slightest implication of its good faith. + +I recommend to Congress to take into consideration the propriety of +reimbursing a fine imposed on General Jackson at New Orleans at the time of +the attack and defense of that city, and paid by him. Without designing any +reflection on the judicial tribunal which imposed the fine, the remission +at this day may be regarded as not unjust or inexpedient. The voice of the +civil authority was heard amidst the glitter of arms and obeyed by those +who held the sword, thereby giving additional luster to a memorable +military achievement. If the laws were offended, their majesty was fully +vindicated; and although the penalty incurred and paid is worthy of little +regard in a pecuniary point of view, it can hardly be doubted that it would +be gratifying to the war-worn veteran, now in retirement and in the winter +of his days, to be relieved from the circumstances in which that judgment +placed him. There are cases in which public functionaries may be called on +to weigh the public interest against their own personal hazards, and if the +civil law be violated from praiseworthy motives or an overruling sense of +public danger and public necessity punishment may well be restrained within +that limit which asserts and maintains the authority of the law and the +subjection of the military to the civil power. The defense of New Orleans, +while it saved a city from the hands of the enemy, placed the name of +General Jackson among those of the greatest captains of the age and +illustrated one of the brightest pages of our history. Now that the causes +of excitement existing at the time have ceased to operate, it is believed +that the remission of this fine and whatever of gratification that +remission might cause the eminent man who incurred and paid it would be in +accordance with the general feeling and wishes of the American people. + +I have thus, fellow-citizens, acquitted myself of my duty under the +Constitution by laying before you as succinctly as I have been able the +state of the Union and by inviting your attention to measures of much +importance to the country. The executive will most zealously unite its +efforts with those of the legislative department in the accomplishment of +all that is required to relieve the wants of a common constituency or +elevate the destinies of a beloved country. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 1843 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +If any people ever had cause to render up thanks to the Supreme Being for +parental care and protection extended to them in all the trials and +difficulties to which they have been from time to time exposed, we +certainly are that people. From the first settlement of our forefathers on +this continent, through the dangers attendant upon the occupation of a +savage wilderness, through a long period of colonial dependence, through +the War of the Revolution, in the wisdom which led to the adoption of the +existing forms of republican government, in the hazards incident to a war +subsequently waged with one of the most powerful nations of the earth, in +the increase of our population, in the spread of the arts and sciences, and +in the strength and durability conferred on political institutions +emanating from the people and sustained by their will, the superintendence +of an overruling Providence has been plainly visible. As preparatory, +therefore, to entering once more upon the high duties of legislation, it +becomes us humbly to acknowledge our dependence upon Him as our guide and +protector and to implore a continuance of His parental watchfulness over +our beloved country. We have new cause for the expression of our gratitude +in the preservation of the health of our fellow-citizens, with some partial +and local exceptions, during the past season, for the abundance with which +the earth has yielded up its fruits to the labors of the husbandman, for +the renewed activity which has been imparted to commerce, for the revival +of trade in all its departments, for the increased rewards attendant on the +exercise of the mechanic arts, for the continued growth of our population +and the rapidly reviving prosperity of the whole country. I shall be +permitted to exchange congratulations with you, gentlemen of the two Houses +of Congress, on these auspicious circumstances, and to assure you in +advance of my ready disposition to concur with you in the adoption of all +such measures as shall be calculated to increase the happiness of our +constituents and to advance the glory of our common country. + +Since the last adjournment of Congress the Executive has relaxed no effort +to render indestructible the relations of amity which so happily exist +between the United States and other countries. The treaty lately concluded +with Great Britain has tended greatly to increase the good understanding +which a reciprocity of interests is calculated to encourage, and it is most +ardently to be hoped that nothing may transpire to interrupt the relations +of amity which it is so obviously the policy of both nations to cultivate. +A question of much importance still remains to be adjusted between them. +The territorial limits of the two countries relation to what is commonly +known as the Oregon Territory still remain in dispute. The United States +would be at all times indisposed to aggrandize itself at the expense of any +other nation; but while they would be restrained by principles of honor, +which should govern the conduct of nations as well as that of individuals, +from setting up a demand for territory which does not belong to them, they +would as unwillingly sent to a surrender of their rights. After the most +rigid and, as far as practicable, unbiased examination of the subject, the +United States have always contended that their rights appertain to the +entire region of country lying on the Pacific and embraced within 42° +and 54° 40' of north latitude. This claim being controverted by Great +Britain, those who have preceded the present Executive--actuated, no doubt, +by an earnest desire to adjust the matter upon terms mutually satisfactory +to both countries--have caused to be submitted to the British Government +propositions for settlement and final adjustment, which, however, have not +proved heretofore acceptable to it. Our minister at London has, under +instructions, again brought the subject to the consideration of that +Government, and while nothing will be done to compromise the rights or +honor of the United States, every proper expedient will be resorted to in +order to bring the negotiation now in the progress of resumption to a +speedy and happy termination. In the meantime it is proper to remark that +many of our citizens are either already established in the Territory or are +on their way thither for the purpose of forming permanent settlements, +while others are preparing to follow; and in view of these facts I must +repeat the recommendation contained in previous messages for the +establishment of military posts at such places on the line of travel as +will furnish security and protection to our hardy adventurers against +hostile tribes of Indians inhabiting those extensive regions. Our laws +should also follow them, so modified as the circumstances of the case may +seem to require. Under the influence of our free system of government new +republics are destined to spring up at no distant day on the shores of the +Pacific similar in policy and in feeling to those existing on this side of +the Rocky Mountains, and giving a wider and more extensive spread to the +principles of civil and religious liberty. + +I am happy to inform you that the cases which have from time to time arisen +of the detention of American vessels by British cruisers on the coast of +Africa under pretense of being engaged in the slave trade have been placed +in a fair train of adjustment. In the case of the William and Francis full +satisfaction will be allowed. In the cases of the Tygris and Seamew the +British Government admits that satisfaction is due. In the case of the +Jones the sum accruing from the sale of that vessel and cargo will be paid +to the owners, while I can not but flatter myself that full indemnification +will be allowed for all damages sustained by the detention of the vessel; +and in the case of the Douglas Her Majesty's Government has expressed its +determination to make indemnification. Strong hopes are therefore +entertained that most, if not all, of these cases will be speedily +adjusted. No new cases have arisen since the ratification of the treaty of +Washington, and it is confidently anticipated that the slave trade, under +the operation of the eighth article of that treaty, will be altogether +suppressed. + +The occasional interruption experienced by our fellow-citizens engaged in +the fisheries on the neighboring coast of Nova Scotia has not failed to +claim the attention of the Executive. Representations upon this subject +have been made, but as yet no definitive answer to those representations +has been received from the British Government. + +Two other subjects of comparatively minor importance, but nevertheless of +too much consequence to be neglected, remain still to be adjusted between +the two countries. By the treaty between the United States and Great +Britain of July, 1815, it is provided that no higher duties shall be levied +in either country on articles imported from the other than on the same +articles imported from any other place. In 1836 rough rice by act of +Parliament was admitted from the coast of Africa into Great Britain on the +payment of a duty of 1 penny a quarter, while the same article from all +other countries, including the United States, was subjected to the payment +of a duty of 20 shillings a quarter. Our minister at London has from time +to time brought this subject to the attention of the British Government, +but so far without success. He is instructed to renew his representations +upon it. + +Some years since a claim was preferred against the British Government on +the part of certain American merchants for the return of export duties paid +by them on shipments of woolen goods to the United States after the duty on +similar articles exported to other countries had been repealed, and +consequently in contravention of the commercial convention between the two +nations securing to us equality in such cases. The principle on which the +claim rests has long since been virtually admitted by Great Britain, but +obstacles to a settlement have from time to time been interposed, so that a +large portion of the amount claimed has not yet been refunded. Our minister +is now engaged in the prosecution of the claim, and I can not but persuade +myself that the British Government will no longer delay its adjustment. + +I am happy to be able to say that nothing has occurred to disturb in any +degree the relations of amity which exist between the United States and +France, Austria, and Russia, as well as with the other powers of Europe, +since the adjournment of Congress. Spain has been agitated with internal +convulsions for many years, from the effects of which, it is hoped, she is +destined speedily to recover, when, under a more liberal system of +commercial policy on her part, our trade with her may again fill its old +and, so far as her continental possessions are concerned, its almost +forsaken channels, thereby adding to the mutual prosperity of the two +countries. + +The Germanic Association of Customs and Commerce, which since its +establishment in 1833 has been steadily growing in power and importance, +and consists at this time of more than twenty German States, and embraces a +population of 27,000,000 people united for all fire purposes of commercial +intercourse with each other and with foreign states, offers to the latter +the most valuable exchanges on principles more liberal than are offered in +the fiscal system of any other European power. From its origin the +importance of the German union has never been lost sight of by the United +States. The industry, morality, and other valuable qualities of the German +nation have always been well known and appreciated. On this subject I +invite the attention of Congress to the report of the Secretary of State, +from which it will be seen that while our cotton is admitted free of duty +and the duty on rice has been much reduced (which has already led to a +greatly increased consumption), a strong disposition has been recently +evinced by that great body to reduce, upon certain conditions, their +present duty upon tobacco. This being the first intimation of a concession +on this interesting subject ever made by any European power, I can not but +regard it as well calculated to remove the only impediment which has so far +existed to the most liberal commercial intercourse between us and them. In +this view our minister at Berlin, who has heretofore industriously pursued +the subject, has been instructed to enter upon the negotiation of a +commercial treaty, which, while it will open new advantages to the +agricultural interests of the United States and a more free and expanded +field for commercial operations, will affect injuriously no existing +interest of the Union. Should the negotiation be crowned with success, its +results will be communicated to both Houses of Congress. + +I communicate herewith certain dispatches received from our minister at +Mexico, and also a correspondence which has recently occurred between the +envoy from that Republic and the Secretary of State. It must but be +regarded as not a little extraordinary that the Government of Mexico, in +anticipation of a public discussion (which it has been pleased to infer +from newspaper publications as likely to take place in Congress, relating +to the annexation of Texas to the United States), should have so far +anticipated the result of such discussion as to have announced its +determination to visit any such anticipated decision by a formal +declaration of war against the United States. If designed to prevent +Congress from introducing that question as a fit subject for its calm +deliberation and final judgment, the Executive has no reason to doubt that +it will entirely fail of its object. The representatives of a brave and +patriotic people will suffer no apprehension of future consequences to +embarrass them in the course of their proposed deliberations, nor will the +executive department of the Government fail for any such cause to discharge +its whole duty to the country. + +The war which has existed for so long a time between Mexico and Texas has +since the battle of San Jacinto consisted for the most part of predatory +incursions, which, while they have been attended with much of suffering to +individuals and have kept the borders of the two countries in a state of +constant alarm, have failed to approach to any definitive result. Mexico +has fitted out no formidable armament by land or by sea for the subjugation +of Texas. Eight years have now elapsed since Texas declared her +independence of Mexico, and during that time she has been recognized as a +sovereign power by several of the principal civilized states. Mexico, +nevertheless, perseveres in her plans of reconquest, and refuses to +recognize her independence. The predatory incursions to which I have +alluded have been attended in one instance with the breaking up of the +courts of justice, by the seizing upon the persons of the judges, jury, and +officers of the court and dragging them along with unarmed, and therefore +noncombatant, citizens into a cruel and oppressive bondage, thus leaving +crime to go unpunished and immorality to pass unreproved. A border warfare +is evermore to be deprecated, and over such a war as has existed for so +many years between these two States humanity has had great cause to lament. +Nor is such a condition of things to be deplored only because of the +individual suffering attendant upon it. The effects are far more extensive. +The Creator of the Universe has given man the earth for his resting place +and its fruits for his subsistence. Whatever, therefore, shall make the +first or any part of it a scene of desolation affects injuriously his +heritage and may be regarded as a general calamity. Wars may sometimes be +necessary, but all nations have a common interest in bringing them speedily +to a close. The United States have an immediate interest in seeing an end +put to the state of hostilities existing between Mexico and Texas. They are +our neighbors, of the same continent, with whom we are not only desirous of +cultivating the relations of amity, but of the most extended commercial +intercourse, and to practice all the rites of a neighborhood hospitality. +Our own interests are involved in the matter, since, however neutral may be +our course of policy, we can not hope to escape the effects of a spirit of +jealousy on the part of both of the powers. Nor can this Government be +indifferent to the fact that a warfare such as is waged between those two +nations is calculated to weaken both powers and finally to render them--and +especially the weaker of the two--the subjects of interference on the part +of stronger and more powerful nations, who, intent only on advancing their +own peculiar views, may sooner or later attempt to bring about a compliance +with terms as the condition of their interposition alike derogatory to the +nation granting them and detrimental to the interests of the United States. +We could not be expected quietly to permit any such interference to our +disadvantage. Considering that Texas is separated from the United States by +a mere geographical line; that her territory, in the opinion of many, down +to a late period formed a portion of the territory of the United States; +that it is homogeneous in its population and pursuits with adjoining +States, makes contributions to the commerce of the world in the same +articles with them, and that most of her inhabitants have been citizens of +the United States, speak the same language, and live under similar +political institutions with ourselves, this Government is bound by every +consideration of interest as well as of sympathy to see that she shall be +left free to act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by +force and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries. In full +view of all these considerations, the Executive has not hesitated to +express to the Government of Mexico how deeply it deprecated a continuance +of the war and how anxiously it desired to witness its termination. I can +not but think that it becomes the United States, as the oldest of the +American Republics, to hold a language to Mexico upon this subject of an +unambiguous character. It is time that this war had ceased. There must be a +limit to all wars, and if the parent state after an eight years' struggle +has failed to reduce to submission a portion of its subjects standing out +in revolt against it, and who have not only proclaimed themselves to be +independent, but have been recognized as such by other powers, she ought +not to expect that other nations will quietly look on, to their obvious +injury, upon a protraction of hostilities. These United States threw off +their colonial dependence and established independent governments, and +Great Britain, after having wasted her energies in the attempt to subdue +them for a less period than Mexico has attempted to subjugate Texas, had +the wisdom and justice to acknowledge their independence, thereby +recognizing the obligation which rested on her as one of the family of +nations. An example thus set by one of the proudest as well as most +powerful nations of the earth it could in no way disparage Mexico to +imitate. While, therefore, the Executive would deplore any collision with +Mexico or any disturbance of the friendly relations which exist between the +two countries, it can not permit that Government to control its policy, +whatever it may be, toward Texas, but will treat her--as by the recognition +of her independence the United States have long since declared they would +do--as entirely independent of Mexico. The high obligations of public duty +may enforce from the constituted authorities of the United States a policy +which the course persevered in by Mexico will have mainly contributed to +produce, and the Executive in such a touting they will with confidence +throw itself upon the patriotism of the people to sustain the Government in +its course of action. + +Measures of an unusual character have recently been adopted by the Mexican +Government, calculated in no small degree to affect the trade of other +nations with Mexico and to operate injuriously to the United States. All +foreigners, by a decree of the 23d day of September, and after six months +from the day of its promulgation, are forbidden to carry on the business of +selling by retail any goods within the confines of Mexico. Against this +decree our minister has not failed to remonstrate. + +The trade heretofore carried on by our citizens with Santa Fe, in which +much capital was already invested and which was becoming of daily +increasing importance, has suddenly been arrested by a decree of virtual +prohibition on the part of the Mexican Government. Whatever may be the +right of Mexico to prohibit any particular course of trade to the citizens +or subjects of foreign powers, this late procedure, to say the least of it, +wears a harsh and unfriendly aspect. + +The installments on the claims recently settled by the convention with +Mexico have been punctually paid as they have fallen due, and our minister +is engaged in urging the establishment of a new commission in pursuance of +the convention for the settlement of unadjusted claims. + +With the other American States our relations of amity and good will have +remained uninterrupted. Our minister near the Republic of New Granada has +succeeded in effecting an adjustment of the claim upon that Government for +the schooner By Chance, which had been pending for many years. The claim +for the brig Morris, which had its origin during the existence of the +Republic of Colombia, and indemnification for which since the dissolution +of that Republic has devolved upon its several members, will be urged with +renewed zeal. + +I have much pleasure in saying that the Government of Brazil has adjusted +the claim upon that Government in the case of the schooner John S. Bryan, +and that sanguine hopes are entertained that the same spirit of justice +will influence its councils in arriving at an early decision upon the +remaining claims, thereby removing all cause of dissension between two +powers whose interests are to some extent interwoven with each other. + +Our minister at Chili has succeeded in inducing a recognition by that +Government of the adjustment effected by his predecessor of the first claim +in the case of the Macedonian. The first installment has been received by +the claimants in the United States. + +Notice of the exchange of ratifications of the treaty with Peru, which will +take place at Lima, has not yet reached this country, but is shortly +expected to be received, when the claims upon that Republic will doubtless +be liquidated and paid. + +In consequence of a misunderstanding between this Government and that of +Buenos Ayres, occurring several years ago, this Government has remained +unrepresented at that Court, while a minister from it has been constantly +resident here. The causes of irritation have in a great measure passed +away, and it is in contemplation, in view of important interests which have +grown up in that country, at some early period during the present session +of Congress, with the concurrence of the Senate, to restore diplomatic +relations between the two countries. + +Under the provisions of an act of Congress of the last session a minister +was dispatched from the United States to China in August of the present +year, who, from the latest accounts we have from him, was at Suez, in +Egypt, on the 25th of September last, on his route to China. + +In regard to the Indian tribes residing within our jurisdictional limits, +the greatest vigilance of the Government has been exerted to preserve them +at peace among themselves and to inspire them with feelings of confidence +in the justice of this Government and to cultivate friendship with the +border inhabitants. This has happily succeeded to a great extent, but it is +a subject of regret that they suffer themselves in some instances to be +imposed upon by artful and designing men and this notwithstanding all +efforts of the Government to prevent it. + +The receipts into the Treasury for the calendar year 1843, exclusive of +loans, were little more than $ 18,000,000, and the expenditures, exclusive +of the payments on the public debt, will have been about $23,000,000. By +the act of 1842 a new arrangement of the fiscal year was made, so that it +should commence on the 1st day of July in each year. The accounts and +estimates for the current fiscal year will show that the loans and Treasury +notes made and issued before the close of the last Congress to meet the +anticipated deficiency have not been entirely adequate. Although on the 1st +of October last there was a balance in the Treasury, in consequence of the +provisions thus made, of $3,914,082.77, yet the appropriations already made +by Congress will absorb that balance and leave a probable deficiency of +$2,000,000 at the close of the present fiscal year. There are outstanding +Treasury notes to about the amount of $4,600,000, and should they be +returned upon the Treasury during the fiscal year they will require +provision for their redemption. I do not, however, regard this as probable, +since they have obviously entered into the currency of the country and will +continue to form a portion of it if the system now adopted be continued. +The loan of 1841, amounting to $5,672,976.88, falls due on the 1st day of +January, 1845, and must be provided for or postponed by a new loan; and +unless the resources of revenue should be materially increased by you there +will be a probable deficiency for the service of the fiscal year ending +June 30, 1845, of upward of $4,000,000. + +The delusion incident to an enormously excessive paper circulation, which +gave a fictitious value to everything and stimulated adventure and +speculation to an extravagant extent, has been happily succeeded by the +substitution of the precious metals and paper promptly redeemable in +specie; and thus false values have disappeared and a sounder condition of +things has been introduced. This transition, although intimately connected +with the prosperity of the country, has nevertheless been attended with +much embarrassment to the Government in its financial concerns. So long as +the foreign importers could receive payment for their cargoes in a currency +of greatly less value than that in Europe, but fully available here in the +purchase of our agricultural productions (their profits being immeasurably +augmented by the operation), the shipments were large and the revenues of +the Government became superabundant. But the change in the character of the +circulation from a nominal and apparently real value in the first stage of +its existence to an obviously depreciated value in its second, so that it +no longer answered the purposes of exchange or barter, and its ultimate +substitution by a sound metallic and paper circulation combined, has been +attended by diminished importations and a consequent falling off in the +revenue. This has induced Congress, from 1837, to resort to the expedient +of issuing Treasury notes, and finally of funding them, in order to supply +deficiencies. I can not, however, withhold the remark that it is in no way +compatible with the dignity of the Government that a public debt should be +created in time of peace to meet the current expenses of the Government, or +that temporary expedients should be resorted to an hour longer than it is +possible to avoid them. The Executive can do no more than apply the means +which Congress places in its hands for the support of Government, and, +happily for the good of the country and for the preservation of its +liberties, it possesses no power to levy exactions on the people or to +force from them contributions to the public revenue in any form. It can +only recommend such measures as may in its opinion be called for by the +wants of the public service to Congress, with whom alone rests the power to +"lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises." This duty has upon +several occasions heretofore been performed. The present condition of +things gives flattering promise that trade and commerce are rapidly +reviving, and, fortunately for the country, the sources of revenue have +only to be opened in order to prove abundant. + +While we can anticipate no considerable increase in the proceeds of the +sales of the public lands, for reasons perfectly obvious to all, for +several years to come, yet the public lands can not otherwise than be +regarded as the foundation of the public credit. With so large a body of +the most fertile lands in the world under the control and at the disposal +of this Government, no one can reasonably doubt the entire ability to meet +its engagements under every emergency. In seasons of trial and difficulty +similar to those through which we are passing the capitalist makes his +investments in the Government cut stocks with the most assured confidence +of ultimate reimbursement; and whatever may be said of a period of great +financial prosperity, such as existed for some years after 1833, I should +regard it as suicidal in a season of financial embarrassment either to +alienate the lands themselves or the proceeds arising from their sales. The +first and paramount duty of those to whom may be intrusted the +administration of public affairs is to guard the public credit. In +reestablishing the credit of this central Government the readiest and most +obvious mode is taken to restore the credit of the States. The extremities +can only be made sound by producing a healthy action in the central +Government, and the history of the present day fully establishes the fact +that an increase in the value of the stocks of this Government will in a +great majority of instances be attended by an increase in the value of the +stocks of the States. It should therefore be a matter of general +congratulation that amidst all the embarrassments arising from surrounding +circumstances the credit of the Government should have been so fully +restored that it has been enabled to effect a loan of $7,000,000 to redeem +that amount of Treasury notes on terms more favorable than any that have +been offered for many years. And the 6 per cent stock which was created in +1842 has advanced in the hands of the holders nearly 20 per cent above its +par value. The confidence of the people in the integrity of their +Government has thus been signally manifested. These opinions relative to +the public lands do not in any manner conflict with the observance of the +most liberal policy toward those of our fellow-citizens who press forward +into the wilderness and are the pioneers in the work of its reclamation. In +securing to all such their rights of preemption the Government performs but +an act of retributive justice for sufferings encountered and hardships +endured, and finds ample remuneration in the comforts which its policy +insures and the happiness which it imparts. + +Should a revision of the tariff with a view to revenue become necessary in +the estimation of Congress, I doubt not you will approach the subject with +a just and enlightened regard to the interests of the whole Union. The +principles and views which I have heretofore had occasion to submit remain +unchanged. It can, however, never be too often repeated that the prominent +interest of every important pursuit of life requires for success permanency +and stability in legislation. These can only be attained by adopting as the +basis of action moderation in all things, which is as indispensably +necessary to secure the harmonious action of the political as of the animal +system. In our political organization no one section of the country should +desire to have its supposed interests advanced at the sacrifice of all +others, but union, being the great interest, equally precious to all, +should be fostered and sustained by mutual concessions and the cultivation +of that spirit of compromise from which the Constitution itself proceeded. + +You will be informed by the report from the Treasury Department of the +measures taken under the act of the last session authorizing the reissue of +Treasury notes in lieu of those then outstanding. The system adopted in +pursuance of existing laws seems well calculated to save the country a +large amount of interest, while it affords conveniences and obviates +dangers and expense in the transmission of funds to disbursing agents. I +refer you also to that report for the means proposed by the Secretary to +increase the revenue, and particularly to that portion of it which relates +to the subject of the warehousing system, which I earnestly urged upon +Congress at its last session and as to the importance of which my opinion +has undergone no change. + +In view of the disordered condition of the currency at the time and the +high rates of exchange between different parts of the country, I felt it to +be incumbent on me to present to the consideration of your predecessors a +proposition conflicting in no degree with the Constitution or with the +rights of the States and having the sanction (not in detail, but in +principle) of some of the eminent men who have preceded me in the Executive +office. That proposition contemplated the issuing of Treasury notes of +denominations of not less than $5 nor more than $100, to be employed in the +payment of the obligations of the Government in lieu of gold and silver at +the option of the public creditor, and to an amount not exceeding +$15,000,000. It was proposed to make them receivable everywhere and to +establish at various points depositories of gold and silver to be held in +trust for the redemption of such notes, so as to insure their +convertibility into specie. No doubt was entertained that such notes would +have maintained a par value with gold and silver, thus furnishing a paper +currency of equal value over the Union, thereby meeting the just +expectations of the people and fulfilling the duties of a parental +government. Whether the depositories should be permitted to sell or +purchase bills under very limited restrictions, together with all its other +details, was submitted to the wisdom of Congress and was regarded as of +secondary importance. I thought then and think now that such an arrangement +would have been attended with the happiest results. The whole matter of the +currency would have been placed where by the Constitution it was designed +to be placed--under the immediate supervision and control of Congress. The +action of the Government would have been independent of all corporations, +and the same eye which rests unceasingly on the specie currency and guards +it against adulteration would also have rested on the paper currency, to +control and regulate its issues and protect it against depreciation. The +same reasons which would forbid Congress from parting with the power over +the coinage would seem to operate with nearly equal force hi regard to any +substitution for the precious metals in the form of a circulating medium. +Paper when substituted for specie constitutes a standard of value by which +the operations of society are regulated, and whatsoever causes its +depreciation affects society to an extent nearly, if not quite, equal to +the adulteration of the coin. Nor can I withhold the remark that its +advantages contrasted with a bank of the United States, apart from the fact +that a bank was esteemed as obnoxious to the public sentiment as well on +the score of expediency as of constitutionality, appeared to me to be +striking and obvious. The relief which a bank would afford by an issue of +$15,000,000 of its notes, judging from the experience of the late United +States Bank, would not have occurred in less than fifteen years, whereas +under the proposed arrangement the relief arising from the issue of +$15,000,000 of Treasury notes would have been consummated in one year, thus +furnishing in one-fifteenth part of the time in which a bank could have +accomplished it a paper medium of exchange equal in amount to the real +wants of the country at par value with gold and silver. The saving to the +Government would have been equal to all the interest which it has had to +pay on Treasury notes of previous as well as subsequent issues, thereby +relieving the Government and at the same time affording relief to the +people. Under all the responsibilities attached to the station which I +occupy, and in redemption of a pledge given to the last Congress at the +close of its first session, I submitted the suggestion to its consideration +at two consecutive sessions. The recommendation, however, met with no favor +at its hands. While I am free to admit that the necessities of the times +have since become greatly ameliorated and that there is good reason to hope +that the country is safely and rapidly emerging from the difficulties and +embarrassments which everywhere surrounded it in 1841, yet I can not but +think that its restoration to a sound and healthy condition would be +greatly expedited by a resort to the expedient in a modified form. + +The operations of the Treasury now rest upon the act of 1789 and the +resolution of 1816, and those laws have been so administered as to produce +as great a quantum of good to the country as their provisions are capable +of yielding. If there had been any distinct expression of opinion going to +show that public sentiment is averse to the plan, either as heretofore +recommended to Congress or in a modified form, while my own opinion in +regard to it would remain unchanged I should be very far from again +presenting it to your consideration. The Government has originated with the +States and the people, for their own benefit and advantage, and it would be +subversive of the foundation principles of the political edifice which they +have reared to persevere in a measure which in their mature judgments they +had either repudiated or condemned. The will of our constituents clearly +expressed should be regarded as the light to guide our footsteps, the true +difference between a monarchical or aristocratical government and a +republic being that in the first the will of the few prevails over the will +of the many, while in the last the will of the many should be alone +consulted. + +The report of the Secretary of War will bring you acquainted with the +condition of that important branch of the public service. The Army may be +regarded, in consequence of the small number of the rank and file in each +company and regiment, as little more than a nucleus around which to rally +the military force of the country in case of war, and yet its services in +preserving the peace of the frontiers are of a most important nature. In +all cases of emergency the reliance of the country is properly placed in +the militia of the several States, and it may well deserve the +consideration of Congress whether a new and more perfect organization might +not be introduced, looking mainly to the volunteer companies of the Union +for the present and of easy application to the great body of the militia in +time of war. + +The expenditures of the War Department have been considerably reduced in +the last two years. Contingencies, however, may arise which would call for +the filling up of the regiments with a full complement of men and make it +very desirable to remount the corps of dragoons, which by an act of the +last Congress was directed to be dissolved. + +I refer you to the accompanying report of the Secretary for information in +relation to the Navy of the United States. While every effort has been and +will continue to be made to retrench all superfluities and lop off all +excrescences which from time to time may have grown up, yet it has not been +regarded as wise or prudent to recommend any material change in the annual +appropriations. The interests which are involved are of too important a +character to lead to the recommendation of any other than a liberal policy. +Adequate appropriations ought to be made to enable the Executive to fit out +all the ships that are now in a course of building or that require repairs +for active service in the shortest possible time should any emergency arise +which may require it. An efficient navy, while it is the cheapest means of +public defense, enlists in its support the feelings of pride and confidence +which brilliant deeds and heroic valor have heretofore served to strengthen +and confirm. + +I refer you particularly to that part of the Secretary's report which has +reference to recent experiments in the application of steam and in the +construction of our war steamers, made under the superintendence of +distinguished officers of the Navy. In addition to other manifest +improvements in the construction of the steam engine and application of the +motive power which has rendered them more appropriate to the uses of ships +of war, one of those officers has brought into use a power which makes the +steamship most formidable either for attack or defense. I can not too +strongly recommend this subject to your consideration and do not hesitate +to express my entire conviction of its great importance. + +I call your particular attention also to that portion of the Secretary's +report which has reference to the act of the late session of Congress which +prohibited the transfer of any balance of appropriation from other heads of +appropriation to that for building, equipment, and repair. The repeal of +that prohibition will enable the Department to give renewed employment to a +large class of workmen who have been necessarily discharged in consequence +of the want of means to pay them--a circumstance attended, especially at +this season of the year, with much privation and suffering. + +It gives me great pain to announce to you the loss of the steamship the +Missouri by fire in the Bay of Gibraltar, where she had stopped to renew +her supplies of coal on her voyage to Alexandria, with Mr. Cushing, the +American minister to China, on board. There is ground for high commendation +of the officers and men for the coolness and intrepidity and perfect +submission to discipline evinced under the most trying circumstances. +Surrounded by a raging fire, which the utmost exertions could not subdue, +and which threatened momentarily the explosion of her well-supplied +magazines, the officers exhibited no signs of fear and the men obeyed every +order with alacrity. Nor was she abandoned until the last gleam of hope of +saving her had expired. It is well worthy of your consideration whether the +losses sustained by the officers and crew in this unfortunate affair should +not be reimbursed to them. + +I can not take leave of this painful subject without adverting to the aid +rendered upon the occasion by the British authorities at Gibraltar and the +commander, officers, and crew of the British ship of the line the Malabar, +which was lying at the time in the bay. Everything that generosity or +humanity could dictate was promptly performed. It is by such acts of good +will by one to another of the family of nations that fraternal feelings are +nourished and the blessings of permanent peace secured. + +The report of the Postmaster-General will bring you acquainted with the +operations of that Department during the past year, and will suggest to you +such modifications of the existing laws as in your opinion the exigencies +of the public service may require. The change which the country has +undergone of late years in the mode of travel and transportation has +afforded so many facilities for the transmission of mail matter out of the +regular mail as to require the greatest vigilance and circumspection in +order to enable the officer at the head of the Department to restrain the +expenditures within the income. There is also too much reason to fear that +the franking privilege has run into great abuse. The Department, +nevertheless, has been conducted with the greatest vigor, and has attained +at the least possible expense all the useful objects for which it was +established. + +In regard to all the Departments, I am quite happy in the belief that +nothing has been left undone which was called for by a true spirit of +economy or by a system of accountability rigidly enforced. This is in some +degree apparent from the fact that the Government has sustained no loss by +the default of any of its agents. In the complex, but at the same time +beautiful, machinery of our system of government, it is not a matter of +surprise that some remote agency may have failed for an instant to fulfill +its desired office; but I feel confident in the assertion that nothing has +occurred to interrupt the harmonious action of the Government itself, and +that, while the laws have been executed with efficiency and vigor, the +rights neither of States nor individuals have been trampled on or +disregarded. + +In the meantime the country has been steadily advancing in all that +contributes to national greatness. The tide of population continues +unbrokenly to flow into the new States and Territories, where a refuge is +found not only for our native-born fellow-citizens, but for emigrants from +all parts of the civilized world, who come among us to partake of the +blessings of our free institutions and to aid by their labor to swell the +current of our wealth and power. + +It is due to every consideration of public policy that the lakes and rivers +of the West should receive all such attention at the hands of Congress as +the Constitution will enable it to bestow. Works in favorable and proper +situations on the Lakes would be found to be as indispensably necessary, in +case of war, to carry on safe and successful naval operations as +fortifications on the Atlantic seaboard. The appropriation made by the last +Congress for the improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi River has +been diligently and efficiently applied. + +I can not close this communication, gentlemen, without recommending to your +most favorable consideration the interests of this District. Appointed by +the Constitution its exclusive legislators, and forming in this particular +the only anomaly in our system of government--of the legislative body being +elected by others than those for whose advantage they are to legislate--you +will feel a superadded obligation to look well into their condition and to +leave no cause for complaint or regret. The seat of Government of our +associated republics can not but be regarded as worthy of your parental +care. + +In connection with its other interests, as well as those of the whole +country, I recommend that at your present session you adopt such measures +in order to carry into effect the Smithsonian bequest as in your judgment +will be best calculated to consummate the liberal intent of the testator. + +When, under a dispensation of Divine Providence, I succeeded to the +presidential office, the state of public affairs was embarrassing and +critical. To add to the irritation consequent upon a long-standing +controversy with one of the most powerful nations of modern times, +involving not only questions of boundary (which under the most favorable +circumstances are always embarrassing), but at the same time important and +high principles of maritime law, border controversies between the citizens +and subjects of the two countries had engendered a state of feeling and of +conduct which threatened the most calamitous consequences. The hazards +incident to this state of things were greatly heightened by the arrest and +imprisonment of a subject of Great Britain, who, acting (as it was alleged) +as a part of a military force, had aided in the commission of an act +violative of the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and +involving the murder of a citizen, of the State of New York. A large amount +of claims against the Government of Mexico remained unadjusted and a war of +several years' continuance with the savage tribes of Florida still +prevailed, attended with the desolation of a large portion of that +beautiful Territory and with the sacrifice of many valuable lives. To +increase the embarrassments of the Government, individual and State credit +had been nearly stricken down and confidence in the General Government was +so much impaired that-loans of a small amount could only be negotiated at a +considerable sacrifice. As a necessary consequence of the blight which had +fallen on commerce and mechanical industry, the ships of the one were +thrown out of employment and the operations of the other had been greatly +diminished. Owing to the condition of the currency, exchanges between +different parts of the country had become ruinously high and trade had to +depend on a depreciated paper currency in conducting its transactions. I +shall be permitted to congratulate the country that under an overruling +Providence peace was preserved without a sacrifice of the national honor; +the war in Florida was brought to a speedy termination; a large portion of +the claims on Mexico have been fully adjudicated and are in a course of +payment, while justice has been rendered to us in other matters by other +nations; confidence between man and man is in a great measure restored and +the credit of this Government fully and perfectly reestablished; commerce +is becoming more and more extended in its operations and manufacturing and +mechanical industry once more reap the rewards of skill and labor honestly +applied; the operations of trade rest on a sound currency and the rates of +exchange are reduced to their lowest amount. + +In this condition of things I have felt it to be my duty to bring to your +favorable consideration matters of great interest in their present and +ultimate results; and the only desire which I feel in connection with the +future is and will continue to be to leave the country prosperous and its +institutions unimpaired. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 3, 1844 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +We have continued cause for expressing our gratitude to the Supreme Ruler +of the Universe for the benefits and blessings which our country, under His +kind providence, has enjoyed during the past year. Notwithstanding the +exciting scenes through which we have passed, nothing has occurred to +disturb the general peace or to derange the harmony of our political +system. The great moral spectacle has been exhibited of a nation +approximating in number to 20,000,000 people having performed the high and +important function of electing their Chief Magistrate for the term of four +years without the commission of any acts of violence or the manifestation +of a spirit of insubordination to the laws. The great and inestimable right +of suffrage has been exercised by all who were invested with it under the +laws of the different States in a spirit dictated alone by a desire, in the +selection of the agent, to advance the interests of the country and to +place beyond jeopardy the institutions under which it is our happiness to +live. That the deepest interest has been manifested by all our countrymen +in the result of the election is not less true than highly creditable to +them. Vast multitudes have assembled from time to time at various places +for the purpose of canvassing the merits and pretensions of those who were +presented for their suffrages, but no armed soldiery has been necessary to +restrain within proper limits the popular zeal or to prevent violent +outbreaks. A principle much more controlling was found in the love of order +and obedience to the laws, which, with mere individual exceptions, +everywhere possesses the American mind, and controls with an influence far +more powerful than hosts of armed men. We can not dwell upon this picture +without recognizing in it that deep and devoted attachment on the part of +the people to the institutions under which we live which proclaims their +perpetuity. The great objection which has always prevailed against the +election by the people of their chief executive officer has been the +apprehension of tumults and disorders which might involve in ruin the +entire Government. A security against this is found not only in the fact +before alluded to, trot in the additional fact that we live under a +Confederacy embracing already twenty-six States, no one of which has power +to control the election. The popular vote in each State is taken at the +time appointed by the laws, and such vote is announced by the electoral +college without reference to the decision of other States. The right of +suffrage and the mode of conducting the election are regulated by the laws +of each State, and the election is distinctly federative in all its +prominent features. Thus it is that, unlike what might be the results under +a consolidated system, riotous proceedings, should they prevail, could only +affect the elections in single States without disturbing to any dangerous +extent the tranquillity of others. The great experiment of a political +confederation each member of which is supreme as to all matters +appertaining to its local interests and its internal peace and happiness, +while by a voluntary compact with others it confides to the united power of +all the protection of its citizens in matters not domestic has been so far +crowned with complete success. The world has witnessed its rapid growth in +wealth and population, and under the guide and direction of a +superintending Providence the developments of the past may be regarded but +as the shadowing forth of the mighty future. In the bright prospects of +that future we shall find, as patriots and philanthropists, the highest +inducements to cultivate and cherish a love of union and to frown down +every measure or effort which may be made to alienate the States or the +people of the States in sentiment and feeling from each other. A rigid and +close adherence to the terms of our political compact and, above all, a +sacred observance of the guaranties of the Constitution will preserve union +on a foundation which can not be shaken, while personal liberty is placed +beyond hazard or jeopardy. The guaranty of religious freedom, of the +freedom of the press, of the liberty of speech, of the trial by jury, of +the habeas corpus, and of the domestic institutions of each of the States, +leaving the private citizen in the full exercise of the high and ennobling +attributes of his nature and to each State the privilege (which can only be +judiciously exerted by itself) of consulting the means best calculated to +advance its own happiness--these are the great and important guaranties of +the Constitution which the lovers of liberty must cherish and the advocates +of union must ever cultivate. Preserving these and avoiding all +interpolations by forced construction under the guise of an imagined +expediency upon the Constitution, the influence of our political system is +destined to be as actively and as beneficially felt on the distant shores +of the Pacific as it is now on those of the Atlantic Ocean. The only +formidable impediments in the way of its successful expansion (time and +space) are so far in the progress of modification by the improvements of +the age as to render no longer speculative the ability of representatives +from that remote region to come up to the Capitol, so that their +constituents shall participate in all the benefits of Federal legislation. +Thus it is that in the progress of time the inestimable principles of civil +liberty will be enjoyed by millions yet unborn and the great benefits of +our system of government be extended to now distant and uninhabited +regions. In view of the vast wilderness yet to be reclaimed, we may well +invite the lover of freedom of every land to take up his abode among us and +assist us in the great work of advancing the standard of civilization and +giving a wider spread to the arts and refinements of cultivated life. Our +prayers should evermore be offered up to the Father of the Universe for His +wisdom to direct us in the path of our duty so as to enable us to +consummate these high purposes. + +One of the strongest objections which has been urged against confederacies +by writers on government is the liability of the members to be tampered +with by foreign governments or the people of foreign states, either in +their local affairs or in such as affected the peace of others or +endangered the safety of the whole confederacy. We can not hope to be +entirely exempt from such attempts on our peace and safety. The United +States are becoming too important in population and resources not to +attract the observation of other nations. It therefore may in the progress +of time occur that opinions entirely abstract in the States which they may +prevail and in no degree affecting their domestic institutions may be +artfully but secretly encouraged with a view to undermine the Union. Such +opinions may become the foundation of political parties, until at last the +conflict of opinion, producing an alienation of friendly feeling among the +people of the different States, may involve in general destruction the +happy institutions under which we live. It should ever be borne in mind +that what is true in regard to individuals is equally so in regard to +states. An interference of one in the affairs of another is the fruitful +cause of family dissensions and neighborhood disputes, and the same cause +affects the peace, happiness, and prosperity of states. It may be most +devoutly hoped that the good sense of the American people will ever be +ready to repel all such attempts should they ever be made. + +There has been no material change in our foreign relations since my last +annual message to Congress. With all the powers of Europe we continue on +the most friendly terms. Indeed, it affords me much satisfaction to state +that at no former period has the peace of that enlightened and important +quarter of the globe ever been, apparently, more firmly established. The +conviction that peace is the true policy of nations would seem to be +growing and becoming deeper amongst the enlightened everywhere, and there +is no people who have a stronger interest in cherishing the sentiments and +adopting the means of preserving and giving it permanence than those of the +United States. Amongst these, the first and most effective are, no doubt, +the strict observance of justice and the honest and punctual fulfillment of +all engagements. But it is not to be forgotten that in the present state of +the world it is no less necessary to be ready to enforce their observance +and fulfillment in reference to ourselves than to observe and fulfill them +on our part in regard to others. + +Since the close of your last session a negotiation has been formally +entered upon between the Secretary of State and Her Britannic Majesty's +minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary residing at Washington +relative to the rights of their respective nations in and over the Oregon +Territory. That negotiation is still pending. Should it during your session +be brought to a definitive conclusion, the result will be promptly +communicated to Congress. I would, however, again call your attention to +the recommendations contained in previous messages designed to protect and +facilitate emigration to that Territory. The establishment of military +posts at suitable points upon the extended line of land travel would enable +our citizens to emigrate in comparative safety to the fertile regions below +the Falls of the Columbia, and make the provision of the existing +convention for the joint occupation of the territory by subjects of Great +Britain and the citizens of the United States more available than +heretofore to the latter. These posts would constitute places of rest for +the weary emigrant, where he would be sheltered securely against the danger +of attack from the Indians and be enabled to recover from the exhaustion of +a long line of travel. Legislative enactments should also be made which +should spread over him the aegis of our laws, so as to afford protection to +his person and property when he shall have reached his distant home. In +this latter respect the British Government has been much more careful of +the interests of such of her people as are to be found in that country than +the United States. She has made necessary provision for their security and +protection against the acts of the viciously disposed and lawless, and her +emigrant reposes in safety under the panoply of her laws. Whatever may be +the result of the pending negotiation, such measures are necessary. It will +afford me the greatest pleasure to witness a happy and favorable +termination to the existing negotiation upon terms compatible with the +public honor, and the best efforts of the Government will continue to be +directed to this end. + +It would have given me the highest gratification in this my last annual +communication to Congress to have been able to announce to you the complete +and entire settlement and adjustment of other matters in difference between +the United States and the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, which were +adverted to in a previous message. It is so obviously the interest of both +countries, in respect to the large and valuable commerce which exists +between them, that all causes of complaint, however inconsiderable, should +be with the greatest promptitude removed that it must be regarded as cause +of regret that any unnecessary delays should be permitted to intervene. It +is true that in a pecuniary point of view the matters alluded to are +altogether insignificant in amount when compared with the ample resources +of that great nation, but they nevertheless, more particularly that limited +class which arise under seizures and detentions of American ships on the +coast of Africa upon the mistaken supposition indulged in at the time the +wrong was committed of their being engaged in the slave trade, deeply +affect the sensibilities of this Government and people. Great Britain, +having recognized her responsibility to repair all such wrongs by her +action in other cases, leaves nothing to be regretted upon the subject as +to all cases arising prior to the treaty of Washington than the delay in +making suitable reparation in such of them as fall plainly within the +principle of others which she has long since adjusted. The injury inflicted +by delays in the settlement of these claims falls with severity upon the +individual claimants and makes a strong appeal to her magnanimity and sense +of justice for a speedy settlement. Other matters arising out of the +construction of existing treaties also remain unadjusted, and will continue +to be urged upon her attention. + +The labors of the joint commission appointed by the two Governments to run +the dividing line established by the treaty of Washington were, +unfortunately, much delayed in the commencement of the season by the +failure of Congress at its last session to make a timely appropriation of +funds to meet the expenses of the American party, and by other causes. The +United States commissioner, however, expresses his expectation that by +increased diligence and energy the party will be able to make up for lost +time. + +We continue to receive assurances of the most friendly feelings on the part +of all the other European powers, with each and all of whom it is so +obviously our interest to cultivate the most amicable relations; nor can I +anticipate the occurrence of any event which would be likely in any degree +to disturb those relations. Russia, the great northern power, under the +judicious sway of her Emperor, is constantly advancing in the road of +science and improvement, while France, guided by the counsels of her wise +Sovereign, pursues a course calculated to consolidate the general peace. +Spain has obtained a breathing spell of some duration from the internal +convulsions which have through so many years marred her prosperity, while +Austria, the Netherlands, Prussia, Belgium, and the other powers of Europe +reap a rich harvest of blessings from the prevailing peace. + +I informed the two Houses of Congress in my message of December last that +instructions had been given to Mr. Wheaton, our minister at Berlin, to +negotiate a treaty with the Germanic States composing the Zollverein if it +could be done, stipulating, as far as it was practicable to accomplish it, +for a reduction of the heavy and onerous duties levied on our tobacco and +other leading articles of agricultural production, and yielding in return +on our part a reduction of duties on such articles the product of their +industry as should not come into competition, or but a limited one, with +articles the product of our manufacturing industry. The Executive in giving +such instructions considered itself as acting in strict conformity with the +wishes of Congress as made known through several measures which it had +adopted, all directed to the accomplishment of this important result. The +treaty was therefore negotiated, by which essential reductions were secured +in the duties levied by the Zollverein on tobacco, rice, and lard, +accompanied by a stipulation for the admission of raw cotton free of duty; +in exchange for which highly important concessions a reduction of duties +imposed by the laws of the United States on a variety of articles, most of +which were admitted free of all duty under the act of Congress commonly +known as the compromise law, and but few of which were produced in the +United States, was stipulated for on our part. This treaty was communicated +to the Senate at an early day of its last session, but not acted upon until +near its close, when, for the want (as I am bound to presume) of full time +to consider it, it was laid upon the table. This procedure had the effect +of virtually rejecting it, in consequence of a stipulation contained in the +treaty that its ratifications should be exchanged on or before a day which +has already passed. The Executive, acting upon the fair inference that the +Senate did not intend its absolute rejection, gave instructions to our +minister at Berlin to reopen the negotiation so far as to obtain an +extension of time for the exchange of ratifications. I regret, however, to +say that his efforts in this respect have been unsuccessful. I am +nevertheless not without hope that the great advantages which were intended +to be secured by the treaty may yet be realized. + +I am happy to inform you that Belgium has, by an "arrete royale" issued in +July last, assimilated the flag of the United States to her own, so far as +the direct trade between the two countries is concerned. This measure will +prove of great service to our shipping interest, the trade having +heretofore been carried on chiefly in foreign bottoms. I flatter myself +that she will speedily resort to a modification of her system relating to +the tobacco trade, which would decidedly benefit the agriculture of the +United States and operate to the mutual advantage of both countries. + +No definitive intelligence has yet been received from our minister of the +conclusion of a treaty with the Chinese Empire, but enough is known to +induce the strongest hopes that the mission will be crowned with success. + +With Brazil our relations continue on the most friendly footing. The +commercial intercourse between that growing Empire and the United States is +becoming daily of greater importance to both, and it is to the interest of +both that the firmest relations of amity and good will should continue to +be cultivated between them. + +The Republic of New Granada still withholds, notwithstanding the most +persevering efforts have been employed by our charge d'affaires, Mr. +Blackford, to produce a different result, indemnity in the case of the brig +Morris; and the Congress of Venezuela, although an arrangement has been +effected between our minister and the minister of foreign affairs of that +Government for the payment of $18,000 in discharge of its liabilities in +the same case, has altogether neglected to make provision for its payment. +It is to be hoped that a sense of justice will soon induce a settlement of +these claims. + +Our late minister to Chili, Mr. Pendleton, has returned to the United +States without having effected an adjustment in the second claim of the +Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds altogether frivolous and untenable. +Mr. Pendleton's successor has been directed to urge the claim in the +strongest terms, and, in the event of a failure to obtain a prompt +adjustment, to report the fact to the Executive at as early a day as +possible, so that the whole matter may be communicated to Congress. + +At your last session I submitted to the attention of Congress the +convention with the Republic of Peru of the 17th March, 1841, providing for +the adjustment of the claims of citizens of the United States against that +Republic, but no definitive action was taken upon the subject. I again +invite to it your attention and prompt action. + +In my last annual message I felt it to be my duty to make known to +Congress, in terms both plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard to the war +which has so long existed between Mexico and Texas which since the battle +of San Jacinto has consisted altogether of predatory incursions, attended +by circumstances revolting to humanity. I repeat now what I then said, that +after eight years of feeble and ineffectual efforts to reconquer Texas it +was time that the war should have ceased. The United States have a direct +interest in the question. The contiguity of the two nations to our +territory was but too well calculated to involve our peace. Unjust +suspicions were engendered in the mind of one or the other of the +belligerents against us, and as a necessary consequence American interests +were made to suffer and our peace became daily endangered; in addition to +which it must have been obvious to all that the exhaustion produced by the +war subjected both Mexico and Texas to the interference of other powers, +which, without the interposition of this Government, might eventuate in the +most serious injury to the United States. This Government from time to time +exerted its friendly offices to bring about a termination of hostilities +upon terms honorable alike to both the belligerents. Its efforts in this +behalf proved unavailing. Mexico seemed almost without an object to +persevere in the war, and no other alternative was left the Executive but +to take advantage of the well-known dispositions of Texas and to invite her +to enter into a treaty for annexing her territory to that of the United +States. + +Since your last session Mexico has threatened to renew the war, and has +either made or proposes to make formidable preparations for invading Texas. +She has issued decrees and proclamations, preparatory to the commencement +of hostilities, full of threats revolting to humanity, and which if carried +into effect would arouse the attention of all Christendom. This new +demonstration of feeling, there is too much reason to believe, has been +produced in consequence of the negotiation of the late treaty of annexation +with Texas. The Executive, therefore, could not be indifferent to such +proceedings, and it felt it to be due as well to itself as to the honor of +the country that a strong representation should be made to the Mexican +Government upon the subject. This was accordingly done, as will be seen by +the copy of the accompanying dispatch from the Secretary of State to the +United States envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no right to jeopard the peace of +the world by urging any longer a useless and fruitless contest. Such a +condition of things would not be tolerated on the European continent. Why +should it be on this? A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by +Mexico, can not be waged without involving our peace and tranquillity. It +is idle to believe that such a war could be looked upon with indifference +by our own citizens inhabiting adjoining States; and our neutrality would +be violated in despite of all efforts on the part of the Government to +prevent it. The country is settled by emigrants from the United States +under invitations held out to them by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants +have left behind them friends and relatives, who would not fail to +sympathize with them in their difficulties, and who would be led by those +sympathies to participate in their struggles, however energetic the action +of the Government to prevent it. Nor would the numerous and formidable +bands of Indians--the most warlike to be found in any land--which +occupy the extensive regions contiguous to the States of Arkansas and +Missouri, and who are in possession of large tracts of country within the +limits of Texas, be likely to remain passive. The inclinations of those +numerous tribes lead them invariably to war whenever pretexts exist. + +Mexico had no just ground of displeasure against this Government or people +for negotiating the treaty. What interest of hers was affected by the +treaty? She was despoiled of nothing, since Texas was forever lost to her. +The independence of Texas was recognized by several of the leading powers +of the earth. She was free to treat, free to adopt her own line of policy, +free to take the course which she believed was best calculated to secure +her happiness. + +Her Government and people decided on annexation to the United States, and +the Executive saw in the acquisition of such a territory the means of +advancing their permanent happiness and glory. What principle of good +faith, then, was violated? What rule of political morals trampled under +foot? So far as Mexico herself was concerned, the measure should have been +regarded by her as highly beneficial. Her inability to reconquer Texas had +been exhibited, I repeat, by eight (now nine) years of fruitless and +ruinous contest. In the meantime Texas has been growing in population and +resources. Emigration has flowed into her territory from all parts of the +world in a current which continues to increase in strength. Mexico requires +a permanent boundary between that young Republic and herself. Texas at no +distant day, if she continues separate and detached from the United States, +will inevitably seek to consolidate her strength by adding to her domain +the contiguous Provinces of Mexico. The spirit of revolt from the control +of the central Government has heretofore manifested itself in some of those +Provinces, and it is fair to infer that they would be inclined to take the +first favorable opportunity to proclaim their independence and to form +close alliances with Texas. The war would thus be endless, or if cessations +of hostilities should occur they would only endure for a season. The +interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better consulted than +in a peace with her neighbors which would result in the establishment of a +permanent boundary. Upon the ratification of the treaty the Executive was +prepared to treat with her on the most liberal basis. Hence the boundaries +of Texas were left undefined by the treaty. The Executive proposed to +settle these upon terms that all the world should have pronounced just and +reasonable. No negotiation upon that point could have been undertaken +between the United States and Mexico in advance of the ratification of the +treaty. We should have had no right, no power, no authority, to have +conducted such a negotiation, and to have undertaken it would have been an +assumption equally revolting to the pride of Mexico and Texas and +subjecting us to the charge of arrogance, while to have proposed in advance +of annexation to satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest she might have +in Texas would have been to have treated Texas not as an independent power, +but as a mere dependency of Mexico. This assumption could not have been +acted on by the Executive without setting at defiance your own solemn +declaration that that Republic was an independent State. Mexico had, it is +true, threatened war against the United States in the event the treaty of +annexation was ratified. The Executive could not permit itself to be +influenced by this threat. It represented in this the spirit of our people, +who are ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimidation. A +war under any circumstances is greatly to be deplored, and the United +States is the last nation to desire it; but if, as the condition of peace, +it be required of us to forego the unquestionable right of treating with an +independent power of our own continent upon matters highly interesting to +both, and that upon a naked and unsustained pretension of claim by a third +power to control the free will of the power with whom we treat, devoted as +we may be to peace and anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the +whole world, the Executive does not hesitate to say that the people of the +United States would be ready to brave all consequences sooner than submit +to such condition. But no apprehension of war was entertained by the +Executive, and I must express frankly the opinion that had the treaty been +ratified by the Senate it would have been followed by a prompt settlement, +to the entire satisfaction of Mexico, of every matter in difference between +the two countries. Seeing, then, that new preparations for hostile invasion +of Texas were about to be adopted by Mexico, and that these were brought +about because Texas had adopted the suggestions of the Executive upon the +subject of annexation, it could not passively have folded its arms and +permitted a war, threatened to be accompanied by every act that could mark +a barbarous age, to be waged against her because she had done so. + +Other considerations of a controlling character influenced the course of +the Executive. The treaty which had thus been negotiated had failed to +receive the ratification of the Senate. One of the chief objections which +was urged against it was found to consist in the fact that the question of +annexation had not been submitted to the ordeal of public opinion in the +United States. However untenable such an objection was esteemed to be, in +view of the unquestionable power of the Executive to negotiate the treaty +and the great and lasting interests involved in the question, I felt it to +be my duty to submit the whole subject to Congress as the best expounders +of popular sentiment. No definitive action having been taken on the subject +by Congress, the question referred itself directly to the decision of the +States and people. The great popular election which has just terminated +afforded the best opportunity of ascertaining the will of the States and +the people upon it. Pending that issue it became the imperative duty of the +Executive to inform Mexico that the question of annexation was still before +the American people, and that until their decision was pronounced any +serious invasion of Texas would be regarded as an attempt to forestall +their judgment and could not be looked upon with indifference. I am most +happy to inform you that no such invasion has taken place; and I trust that +whatever your action may be upon it Mexico will see the importance of +deciding the matter by a resort to peaceful expedients in preference to +those of arms. The decision of the people and the States on this great and +interesting subject has been decisively manifested. The question of +annexation has been presented nakedly to their consideration. By the treaty +itself all collateral and incidental issues which were calculated to divide +and distract the public councils were carefully avoided. These were left to +the wisdom of the future to determine. It presented, I repeat, the isolated +question of annexation, and in that form it has been submitted to the +ordeal of public sentiment. A controlling majority of the people and a +large majority of the States have declared in favor of immediate +annexation. Instructions have thus come up to both branches of Congress +from their respective constituents in terms the most emphatic. It is the +will of both the people and the States that Texas shall be annexed to the +Union promptly and immediately. It may be hoped that in carrying into +execution the public will thus declared all collateral issues may be +avoided. Future Legislatures can best decide as to the number of States +which should be formed out of the territory when the time has arrived for +deciding that question. So with all others. By the treaty the United States +assumed the payment of the debts of Texas to an amount not exceeding +$10,000,000, to be paid, with the exception of a sum falling short of +$400,000, exclusively out of the proceeds of the sales of her public lands. +We could not with honor take the lands without assuming the full payment of +all incumbencies upon them. + +Nothing has occurred since your last session to induce a doubt that the +dispositions of Texas remain unaltered. No intimation of an altered +determination on the part of her Government and people has been furnished +to the Executive. She still desires to throw herself under the protection +of our laws and to partake of the blessings of our federative system, while +every American interest would seem to require it. The extension of our +coastwise and foreign trade to an amount almost incalculable, the +enlargement of the market for our manufactures, a constantly growing market +for our agricultural productions, safety to our frontiers, and additional +strength and stability to the Union--these are the results which would +rapidly develop themselves upon the consummation of the measure of +annexation. In such event I will not doubt but that Mexico would find her +true interest to consist in meeting the advances of this Government in a +spirit of amity. Nor do I apprehend any serious complaint from any other +quarter; no sufficient ground exists for such complaint. We should +interfere in no respect with the rights of any other nation. There can not +be gathered from the act any design on our part to do so with their +possessions on this continent. We have interposed no impediments in the way +of such acquisitions of territory, large and extensive as many of them are, +as the leading powers of Europe have made from time to time in every part +of the world. We seek no conquest made by war. No intrigue will have been +resorted to or acts of diplomacy essayed to accomplish the annexation of +Texas. Free and independent herself, she asks to be received into our +Union. It is a question for our own decision whether she shall be received +or not. + +The two Governments having already agreed through their respective organs +on the terms of annexation, I would recommend their adoption by Congress in +the form of a joint resolution or act to be perfected and made binding on +the two countries when adopted in like manner by the Government of Texas. + +In order that the subject may be fully presented in all its bearings, the +correspondence which has taken place in reference to it since the +adjournment of Congress between the United States, Texas, and Mexico is +herewith transmitted. + +The amendments proposed by the Senate to the convention concluded between +the United States and Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, have been +transmitted through our minister for the concurrence of the Mexican +Government, but, although urged thereto, no action has yet been had on the +subject, nor has any answer been given which would authorize a favorable +conclusion in the future. + +The decree of September, 1843, in relation to the retail trade, the order +for the expulsion of foreigners, and that of a more recent date in regard +to passports--all which are considered as in violation of the treaty of +amity and commerce between the two countries--have led to a correspondence +of considerable length between the minister for foreign relations and our +representatives at Mexico, but without any satisfactory result. They remain +still unadjusted, and many and serious inconveniences have already resulted +to our citizens in consequence of them. + +Questions growing out of the act of disarming a body of Texan troops under +the command of Major Snively by an officer in the service of the United +States, acting under the orders of our Government, and the forcible entry +into the custom-house at Bryarlys Landing, on Red River, by certain +citizens of the United States, and taking away therefrom the goods seized +by the collector of the customs as forfeited under the laws of Texas, have +been adjusted so far as the powers of the Executive extend. The +correspondence between the two Governments in reference to both subjects +will be found amongst the accompanying documents. It contains a full +statement of all the facts and circumstances, with the views taken on both +sides and the principles on which the questions have been adjusted. It +remains for Congress to make the necessary appropriation to carry the +arrangement into effect, which I respectfully recommend. + +The greatly improved condition of the Treasury affords a subject for +general congratulation. The paralysis which had fallen on trade and +commerce, and which subjected the Government to the necessity of resorting +to loans and the issue of Treasury notes to a large amount, has passed +away, and after the payment of upward of $7,000,000 on account of the +interest, and in redemption of more than $5,000,000 of the public debt +which falls due on the 1st of January next, and setting apart upward of +$2,000,000 for the payment of outstanding Treasury notes and meeting an +installment of the debts of the corporate cities of the District of +Columbia, an estimated surplus of upward of $7,000,000 over and above the +existing appropriations will remain in the Treasury at the close of the +fiscal year. Should the Treasury notes continue outstanding as heretofore, +that surplus will be considerably augmented. Although all interest has +ceased upon them and the Government has invited their return to the +Treasury, yet they remain outstanding, affording great facilities to +commerce, and establishing the fact that under a well-regulated system of +finance the Government has resources within itself which render it +independent in time of need, not only of private loans, but also of bank +facilities. + +The only remaining subject of regret is that the remaining stocks of the +Government do not fall due at an earlier day, since their redemption would +be entirely within its control. As it is, it may be well worthy the +consideration of Congress whether the law establishing the sinking fund +(under the operation of which the debts of the Revolution and last war with +Great Britain were to a great extent extinguished) should not, with proper +modifications, so as to prevent an accumulation of surpluses, and limited +in amount to a specific sum, be reenacted. Such provision, which would +authorize the Government to go into the market for a purchase of its own +stock on fair terms, would serve to maintain its credit at the highest +point and prevent to a great extent those fluctuations in the price of its +securities which might under other circumstances affect its credit. No +apprehension of this sort is at this moment entertained, since the stocks +of the Government, which but two years ago were offered for sale to +capitalists at home and abroad at a depreciation, and could find no +purchasers, are now greatly above par in the hands of the holders; but a +wise and prudent forecast admonishes us to place beyond the reach of +contingency the public credit. + +It must also be a matter of unmingled gratification that under the existing +financial system (resting upon the act of 1789 and the resolution of 1816) +the currency of the country has attained a state of perfect soundness; and +the rates of exchange between different parts of the Union, which in 1841 +denoted by their enormous amount the great depreciation and, in fact, +worthlessness of the currency in most of the States, are now reduced to +little more than the mere expense of transporting specie from place to +place and the risk incident to the operation. In a new country like that of +the United States, where so many inducements are held out for speculation, +the depositories of the surplus revenue, consisting of banks of any +description, when it reaches any considerable amount, require the closest +vigilance on the part of the Government. All banking institutions, under +whatever denomination they may pass, are governed by an almost exclusive +regard to the interest of the stockholders. That interest consists in the +augmentation of profits in the form of dividends, and a large surplus +revenue intrusted to their custody is but too apt to lead to excessive +loans and to extravagantly large issues of paper. As a necessary +consequence prices are nominally increased and the speculative mania very +soon seizes upon the public mind. A fictitious state of prosperity for a +season exists, and, in the language of the day, money becomes plenty. +Contracts are entered into by individuals resting on this unsubstantial +state of things, but the delusion speedily passes away and the country is +overrun with an indebtedness so weighty as to overwhelm many and to visit +every department of industry with great and ruinous embarrassment. The +greatest vigilance becomes necessary on the part of Government to guard +against this state of things. The depositories must be given distinctly to +understand that the favors of the Government will be altogether withdrawn, +or substantially diminished, if its revenues shall be regarded as additions +to their banking capital or as the foundation of an enlarged circulation. + +The Government, through its revenue, has at all times an important part to +perform in connection with the currency, and it greatly depends upon its +vigilance and care whether the country be involved in embarrassments +similar to those which it has had recently to encounter, or, aided by the +action of the Treasury, shall be preserved in a sound and healthy +condition. + +The dangers to be guarded against are greatly augmented by too large a +surplus of revenue. When that surplus greatly exceeds in amount what shall +be required by a wise and prudent forecast to meet unforeseen +contingencies, the Legislature itself may come to be seized with a +disposition to indulge in extravagant appropriations to objects many of +which may, and most probably would, be found to conflict with the +Constitution. A fancied expediency is elevated above constitutional +authority, and a reckless and wasteful extravagance but too certainly +follows. + +The important power of taxation, which when exercised in its most +restricted form is a burthen on labor and production, is resorted to under +various pretexts for purposes having no affinity to the motives which +dictated its grant, and the extravagance of Government stimulates +individual extravagance until the spirit of a wild and ill-regulated +speculation involves one and all in its unfortunate results. In view of +such fatal consequences, it may be laid down as an axiom rounded in moral +and political truth that no greater taxes should be imposed than are +necessary for an economical administration of the Government, and that +whatever exists beyond should be reduced or modified. This doctrine does in +no way conflict with the exercise of a sound discrimination in the +selection of the articles to be taxed, which a due regard to the public +weal would at all times suggest to the legislative mind. It leaves the +range of selection undefined; and such selection should always be made with +an eye to the great interests of the country. Composed as is the Union of +separate and independent States, a patriotic Legislature will not fail in +consulting the interests of the parts to adopt such course as will be best +calculated to advance the harmony of the whole, and thus insure that +permanency in the policy of the Government without which all efforts to +advance the public prosperity are vain and fruitless. + +This great and vitally important task rests with Congress, and the +Executive can do no more than recommend the general principles which should +govern in its execution. + +I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War for an exhibition of the +condition of the Army, and recommend to you as well worthy your best +consideration many of the suggestions it contains. The Secretary in no +degree exaggerates the great importance of pressing forward without delay +in the work of erecting and finishing the fortifications to which he +particularly alludes. Much has been done toward placing our cities and +roadsteads in a state of security against the hazards of hostile attack +within the last four years; but considering the new elements which have +been of late years employed in the propelling of ships and the formidable +implements of destruction which have been brought into service, we can not +be too active or vigilant in preparing and perfecting the means of defense. +I refer you also to his report for a full statement of the condition of the +Indian tribes within our jurisdiction. The Executive has abated no effort +in carrying into effect the well-established policy of the Government which +contemplates a removal of all the tribes residing within the limits of the +several States beyond those limits, and it is now enabled to congratulate +the country at the prospect of an early consummation of this object. Many +of the tribes have already made great progress in the arts of civilized +life, and through the operation of the schools established among them, +aided by the efforts of the pious men of various religious denominations +who devote themselves to the task of their improvement, we may fondly hope +that the remains of the formidable tribes which were once masters of this +country will in their transition from the savage state to a condition of +refinement and cultivation add another bright trophy to adorn the labors of +a well-directed philanthropy. + +The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy will explain to you +the situation of that branch of the service. The present organization of +the Department imparts to its operations great efficiency, but I concur +fully in the propriety of a division of the Bureau of Construction, +Equipment, Increase, and Repairs into two bureaus. The subjects as now +arranged are incongruous, and require to a certain extent information and +qualifications altogether dissimilar. + +The operations of the squadron on the coast of Africa have been conducted +with all due attention to the object which led to its origination, and I am +happy to say that the officers and crews have enjoyed the best possible +health under the system adopted by the officer in command. It is believed +that the United States is the only nation which has by its laws subjected +to the punishment of death as pirates those who may be engaged in the slave +trade. A similar enactment on the part of other nations would not fail to +be attended by beneficial results. + +In consequence of the difficulties which have existed in the way of +securing titles for the necessary grounds, operations have not yet been +commenced toward the establishment of the navy-yard at Memphis. So soon as +the title is perfected no further delay will be permitted to intervene. It +is well worthy of your consideration whether Congress should not direct the +establishment of a ropewalk in connection with the contemplated navy-yard, +as a measure not only of economy, but as highly useful and necessary. The +only establishment of the sort now connected with the service is located at +Boston, and the advantages of a similar establishment convenient to the +hemp-growing region must be apparent to all. + +The report of the Secretary presents other matters to your consideration of +an important character in connection with the service. + +In referring you to the accompanying report of the Postmaster-General it +affords me continued cause of gratification to be able to advert to the +fact that the affairs of the Department for the last four years have been +so conducted as from its unaided resources to meet its large expenditures. +On my coming into office a debt of nearly $500,000 existed against the +Department, which Congress discharged by an appropriation from the +Treasury. The Department on the 4th of March next will be found, under the +management of its present efficient head, free of debt or embarrassment, +which could only have been done by the observance and practice of the +greatest vigilance and economy. The laws have contemplated throughout that +the Department should be self-sustained, but it may become necessary, with +the wisest regard to the public interests, to introduce amendments and +alterations in the system. + +There is a strong desire manifested in many quarters so to alter the tariff +of letter postage as to reduce the amount of tax at present imposed. Should +such a measure be carried into effect to the full extent desired, it can +not well be doubted but that for the first years of its operation a +diminished revenue would be collected, the supply of which would +necessarily constitute a charge upon the Treasury. Whether such a result +would be desirable it will be for Congress in its wisdom to determine. It +may in general be asserted as true that radical alterations in any system +should rather be brought about gradually than by sudden changes and by +pursuing this prudent policy in the reduction of letter postage the +Department might still sustain itself through the revenue which would +accrue by the increase of letters. The state and condition of the public +Treasury has heretofore been such as to have precluded the recommendation +of any material change. The difficulties upon this head have, however, +ceased, and a larger discretion is now left to the Government. + +I can not too strongly urge the policy of authorizing the establishment of +a line of steamships regularly to ply between this country and foreign +ports and upon our own waters for the transportation of the mail. The +example of the British Government is well worthy of imitation in this +respect. The belief is strongly entertained that the emoluments arising +from the transportation of mail matter to foreign countries would operate +of itself as an inducement to cause individual enterprise to undertake that +branch of the task, and the remuneration of the Government would consist in +the addition readily made to our steam navy in case of emergency by the +ships so employed. Should this suggestion meet your approval, the propriety +of placing such ships under the command of experienced officers of the Navy +will not escape your observation. The application of steam to the purposes +of naval warfare cogently recommends an extensive steam marine as important +in estimating the defenses of the country. Fortunately this may be obtained +by us to a great extent without incurring any large amount of expenditure. +Steam vessels to be engaged in the transportation of the mails on our +principal water courses, lakes, and ports of our coast could also be so +constructed as to be efficient as war vessels when needed, and would of +themselves constitute a formidable force in order to repel attacks from +abroad.. We can not be blind to the fact that other nations have already +added large numbers of steamships to their naval armaments and that this +new and powerful agent is destined to revolutionize the condition of the +world. It becomes the United States, therefore, looking to their security, +to adopt a similar policy, and the plan suggested will enable them to do so +at a small comparative cost. + +I take the greatest pleasure in bearing testimony to the zeal and untiring +industry which has characterized the conduct of the members of the +Executive Cabinet. Each in his appropriate sphere has rendered me the most +efficient aid in carrying on the Government, and it will not, I trust, +appear out of place for me to bear this public testimony. The cardinal +objects which should ever be held in view by those intrusted with the +administration of public affairs are rigidly, and without favor or +affection, so to interpret the national will expressed in the laws as that +injustice should be done to none, justice to all. This has been the rule +upon which they have acted, and thus it is believed that few cases, if any, +exist wherein our fellow-citizens, who from time to time have been drawn to +the seat of Government for the settlement of their transactions with the +Government, have gone away dissatisfied. Where the testimony has been +perfected and was esteemed satisfactory their claims have been promptly +audited, and this in the absence of all favoritism or partiality. The +Government which is not just to its own people can neither claim their +affection nor the respect of the world. At the same time, the Closest +attention has been paid to those matters which relate more immediately to +the great concerns of the country. Order and efficiency in each branch of +the public service have prevailed, accompanied by a system of the most +rigid responsibility on the part of the receiving and disbursing agents. +The fact, in illustration of the truth of this remark, deserves to be +noticed that the revenues of the Government, amounting in the last four +years to upward of $120,000,000, have been collected and disbursed through +the numerous governmental agents without the loss by default of any amount +worthy of serious commentary. + +The appropriations made by Congress for the improvement of the rivers of +the West and of the harbors on the Lakes are in a course of judicious +expenditure under suitable agents, and are destined, it is to be hoped, to +realize all the benefits designed to be accomplished by Congress. I can +not, however, sufficiently impress upon Congress the great importance of +withholding appropriations from improvements which are not ascertained by +previous examination and survey to be necessary for the shelter and +protection of trade from the dangers of stores and tempests. Without this +precaution the expenditures are but too apt to inure to the benefit of +individuals, without reference to the only consideration which can render +them constitutional--the public interests and the general good. + +I can not too earnestly urge upon you the interests of this District, over +which by the Constitution Congress has exclusive jurisdiction. It would be +deeply to be regretted should there be at any time ground to complain of +neglect on the part of a community which, detached as it is from the +parental care of the States of Virginia and Maryland, can only expect aid +from Congress as its local legislature. Amongst the subjects which claim +your attention is the prompt organization of an asylum for the insane who +may be found from time to time sojourning within the District. Such course +is also demanded by considerations which apply to branches of the public +service. For the necessities in this behalf I invite your particular +attention to the report of the Secretary of the Navy. + +I have thus, gentlemen of the two Houses of Congress, presented you a true +and faithful picture of the condition of public affairs, both foreign and +domestic. The wants of the public service are made known to you, and +matters of no ordinary importance are urged upon your consideration. Shall +I not be permitted to congratulate you on the happy auspices under which +you have assembled and at the important change in the condition of things +which has occurred in the last three years? During that period questions +with foreign powers of vital importance to the peace of our country have +been settled and adjusted. A desolating and wasting war with savage tribes +has been brought to a close. The internal tranquillity of the country, +threatened by agitating questions, has been preserved. The credit of the +Government, which had experienced a temporary embarrassment, has been +thoroughly restored. Its coffers, which for a season were empty, have been +replenished. A currency nearly uniform in its value has taken the place of +one depreciated and almost worthless. Commerce and manufactures, which had +suffered in common with every other interest, have once more revived, and +the whole country exhibits an aspect of prosperity and happiness. Trade and +barter, no longer governed by a wild and speculative mania, rest upon a +solid and substantial footing, and the rapid growth of our cities in every +direction bespeaks most strongly the favorable circumstances by which we +are surrounded. My happiness in the retirement which shortly awaits me is +the ardent hope which I experience that this state of prosperity is neither +deceptive nor destined to be short lived, and that measures which have not +yet received its sanction, but which I can not but regard as closely +connected with the honor, the glory, and still more enlarged prosperity of +the country, are destined at an early day to receive the approval of +Congress. Under these circumstances and with these anticipations I shall +most gladly leave to others more able than myself the noble and pleasing +task of sustaining the public prosperity. I shall carry with me into +retirement the gratifying reflection that as my sole object throughout has +been to advance the public good I may not entirely have failed in +accomplishing it; and this gratification is heightened in no small degree +by the fact that when under a deep and abiding sense of duty I have found +myself constrained to resort to the qualified veto it has neither been +followed by disapproval on the part of the people nor weakened in any +degree their attachment to that great conservative feature of our +Government. + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of State of the Union Addresses of John +Tyler, by John Tyler + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + +***** This file should be named 5018-8.txt or 5018-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/5018/ + +Produced by James Linden. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of +the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have +to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. + +Title: State of the Union Addresses of John Tyler + +Author: John Tyler + +Posting Date: November 21, 2014 [EBook #5018] +Release Date: February, 2004 +First Posted: April 11, 2002 +Last Updated: December 16, 2004 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + + + + +Produced by James Linden. HTML version by Al Haines. + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1> +<br /><br /><br /> +State of the Union Addresses of John Tyler +</h1> + +<p class="noindent"> +<br /><br /> +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +Dates of addresses by John Tyler in this eBook: +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> + <a href="#dec1841">December 7, 1841</a><br /> + <a href="#dec1842">December 6, 1842</a><br /> + <a href="#dec1843">December 1843</a><br /> + <a href="#dec1844">December 3, 1844</a><br /> +</p> + +<p><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +*** +</p> + +<p><a id="dec1841"></a></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +State of the Union Address<br /> +John Tyler<br /> +December 7, 1841<br /> +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: +</p> + +<p> +In coming together, fellow-citizens, to enter again upon the discharge of +the duties with which the people have charged us severally, we find great +occasion to rejoice in the general prosperity of the country. We are in the +enjoyment of all the blessings of civil and religious liberty, with +unexampled means of education, knowledge, and improvement. Through the year +which is now drawing to a close peace has been in our borders and plenty in +our habitations, and although disease has visited some few portions of the +land with distress and mortality, yet in general the health of the people +has been preserved, and we are all called upon by the highest obligations +of duty to renew our thanks and our devotion to our Heavenly Parent, who +has continued to vouchsafe to us the eminent blessings which surround us +and who has so signally crowned the year with His goodness. If we find +ourselves increasing beyond example in numbers, in strength, in wealth, in +knowledge, in everything which promotes human and social happiness, let us +ever remember our dependence for all these on the protection and merciful +dispensations of Divine Providence. +</p> + +<p> +Since your last adjournment Alexander McLeod, a British subject who was +indicted for the murder of an American citizen, and whose case has been the +subject of a correspondence heretofore communicated to you, has been +acquitted by the verdict of an impartial and intelligent jury, and has +under the judgment of the court been regularly discharged. +</p> + +<p> +Great Britain having made known to this Government that the expedition +which was fitted out from Canada for the destruction of the steamboat +Caroline in the winter of 1837, and which resulted in the destruction of +said boat and in the death of an American citizen, was undertaken by orders +emanating from the authorities of the British Government in Canada, and +demanding the discharge of McLeod upon the ground that if engaged in that +expedition he did but fulfill the orders of his Government, has thus been +answered in the only way in which she could be answered by a government the +powers of which are distributed among its several departments by the +fundamental law. Happily for the people of Great Britain, as well as those +of the United States, the only mode by which an individual arraigned for a +criminal offense before the courts of either can obtain his discharge is by +the independent action of the judiciary and by proceedings equally familiar +to the courts of both countries. +</p> + +<p> +If in Great Britain a power exists in the Crown to cause to be entered a +nolle prosequi, which is not the case with the Executive power of the +United States upon a prosecution pending in a State court, yet there no +more than here can the chief executive power rescue a prisoner from custody +without an order of the proper tribunal directing his discharge. The +precise stage of the proceedings at which such order may be made is a +matter of municipal regulation exclusively, and not to be complained of by +any other government. In cases of this kind a government becomes +politically responsible only when its tribunals of last resort are shown to +have rendered unjust and injurious judgments in matters not doubtful. To +the establishment and elucidation of this principle no nation has lent its +authority more efficiently than Great Britain. Alexander McLeod, having his +option either to prosecute a writ of error from the decision of the supreme +court of New York, which had been rendered upon his application for a +discharge, to the Supreme Court of the United States, or to submit his case +to the decision of a jury, preferred the latter, deeming it the readiest +mode of obtaining his liberation; and the result has fully sustained the +wisdom of his choice. The manner in which the issue submitted was tried +will satisfy the English Government that the principles of justice will +never fail to govern the enlightened decision of an American tribunal. I +can not fail, however, to suggest to Congress the propriety, and in some +degree the necessity, of making such provisions by law, so far as they may +constitutionally do so, for the removal at their commencement and at the +option of the party of all such cases as may hereafter arise, and which may +involve the faithful observance and execution of our international +obligations, from the State to the Federal judiciary. This Government, by +our institutions, is charged with the maintenance of peace and the +preservation of amicable relations with the nations of the earth, and ought +to possess without question all the reasonable and proper means of +maintaining the one and preserving the other. While just confidence is felt +in the judiciary of the States, yet this Government ought to be competent +in itself for the fulfillment of the high duties which have been devolved +upon it under the organic law by the States themselves. +</p> + +<p> +In the month of September a party of armed men from Upper Canada invaded +the territory of the United States and forcibly seized upon the person of +one Grogan, and under circumstances of great harshness hurriedly carried +him beyond the limits of the United States and delivered him up to the +authorities of Upper Canada. His immediate discharge was ordered by those +authorities upon the facts of the case being brought to their knowledge--a +course of procedure which was to have been expected from a nation with whom +we are at peace, and which was not more due to the rights of the United +States than to its own regard for justice. The correspondence which passed +between the Department of State and the British envoy, Mr. Fox, and with +the governor of Vermont, as soon as the facts had been made known to this +department, are herewith communicated. +</p> + +<p> +I regret that it is not in my power to make known to you an equally +satisfactory conclusion in the case of the Caroline steamer, with the +circumstances connected with the destruction of which, in December, 1837, +by an armed force fitted out in the Province of Upper Canada, you are +already made acquainted. No such atonement as was due for the public wrong +done to the United States by this invasion of her territory, so wholly +irreconcilable with her rights as an independent power, has yet been made. +In the view taken by this Government the inquiry whether the vessel was in +the employment of those who were prosecuting an unauthorized war against +that Province or was engaged by the owner in the business of transporting +passengers to and from Navy Island in hopes of private gain, which was most +probably the case, in no degree alters the real question at issue between +the two Governments. This Government can never concede to any foreign +government the power, except in a case of the most urgent and extreme +necessity, of invading its territory, either to arrest the persons or +destroy the property of those who may have violated the municipal laws of +such foreign government or have disregarded their obligations arising under +the law of nations. The territory of the United States must be regarded as +sacredly secure against all such invasions until they shall voluntarily +acknowledge their inability to acquit themselves of their duties to others. +And in announcing this sentiment I do but affirm a principle which no +nation on earth would be more ready to vindicate at all hazards than the +people and Government of Great Britain. If upon a full investigation of all +the facts it shall appear that the owner of the Caroline was governed by a +hostile intent or had made common cause with those who were in the +occupancy of Navy Island, then so far as he is concerned there can be no +claim to indemnity for the destruction of his boat which this Government +would feel itself bound to prosecute, since he would have acted not only in +derogation of the rights of Great Britain, but in clear violation of the +laws of the United States; but that is a question which, however settled, +in no manner involves the higher consideration of the violation of +territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction. To recognize it as an admissible +practice that each Government in its turn, upon any sudden and unauthorized +outbreak which, on a frontier the extent of which renders it impossible for +either to have an efficient force on every mile of it, and which outbreak, +therefore, neither may be able to suppress in a day, may take vengeance +into its own hands, and without even a remonstrance, and in the absence of +any pressing or overruling necessity may invade the territory of the other, +would inevitably lead to results equally to be deplored by both. When +border collisions come to receive the sanction or to be made on the +authority of either Government general war must be the inevitable result. +While it is the ardent desire of the United States to cultivate the +relations of peace with all nations and to fulfill all the duties of good +neighborhood toward those who possess territories adjoining their own, that +very desire would lead them to deny the right of any foreign power to +invade their boundary with an armed force. The correspondence between the +two Governments on this subject will at a future day of your session be +submitted to your consideration; and in the meantime I can not but indulge +the hope that the British Government will see the propriety of renouncing +as a rule of future action the precedent which has been set in the affair +at Schlosser. +</p> + +<p> +I herewith submit the correspondence which has recently taken place between +the American minister at the Court of St. James, Mr. Stevenson, and the +minister of foreign affairs of that Government on the right claimed by that +Government to visit and detain vessels sailing under the American flag and +engaged in prosecuting lawful commerce in the African seas. Our commercial +interests in that region have experienced considerable increase and have +become an object of much importance, and it is the duty of this Government +to protect them against all improper and vexatious interruption. However +desirous the United States may be for the suppression of the slave trade, +they can not consent to interpolations into the maritime code at the mere +will and pleasure of other governments. We deny the right of any such +interpolation to any one or all the nations of the earth without our +consent. We claim to have a voice in all amendments or alterations of that +code, and when we are given to understand, as in this instance, by a +foreign government that its treaties with other nations can not be executed +without the establishment and enforcement of new principles of maritime +police, to be applied without our consent, we must employ a language +neither of equivocal import or susceptible of misconstruction. American +citizens prosecuting a lawful commerce in the African seas under the flag +of their country are not responsible for the abuse or unlawful use of that +flag by others; nor can they rightfully on account of any such alleged +abuses be interrupted, molested, or detained while on the ocean, and if +thus molested and detained while pursuing honest voyages in the usual way +and violating no law themselves they are unquestionably entitled to +indemnity. This Government has manifested its repugnance to the slave trade +in a manner which can not be misunderstood. By its fundamental law it +prescribed limits in point of time to its continuance, and against its own +citizens who might so far forget the rights of humanity as to engage in +that wicked traffic it has long since by its municipal laws denounced the +most condign punishment. Many of the States composing this Union had made +appeals to the civilized world for its suppression long before the moral +sense of other nations had become shocked by the iniquities of the traffic. +Whether this Government should now enter into treaties containing mutual +stipulations upon this subject is a question for its mature deliberation. +Certain it is that if the right to detain American ships on the high seas +can be justified on the plea of a necessity for such detention arising out +of the existence of treaties between other nations, the same plea may, be +extended and enlarged by the new stipulations of new treaties to which the +United States may not be a party. This Government will not cease to urge +upon that of Great Britain full and ample remuneration for all losses, +whether arising from detention or otherwise, to which American citizens +have heretofore been or may hereafter be subjected by the exercise of +rights which this Government can not recognize as legitimate and proper. +Nor will I indulge a doubt but that the sense of justice of Great Britain +will constrain her to make retribution for any wrong or loss which any +American citizen engaged in the prosecution of lawful commerce may have +experienced at the hands of her cruisers or other public authorities. This +Government, at the same time, will relax no effort to prevent its citizens, +if there be any so disposed, from prosecuting a traffic so revolting to the +feelings of humanity. It seeks to do no more than to protect the fair and +honest trader from molestation and injury; but while the enterprising +mariner engaged in the pursuit of an honorable trade is entitled to its +protection, it will visit with condign punishment others of an opposite +character. +</p> + +<p> +I invite your attention to existing laws for the suppression of the African +slave trade, and recommend all such alterations as may give to them greater +force and efficacy. That the American flag is grossly abused by the +abandoned and profligate of other nations is but too probable. Congress has +not long since had this subject under its consideration, and its importance +well justifies renewed and anxious attention. +</p> + +<p> +I also communicate herewith the copy of a correspondence between Mr. +Stevenson and Lord Palmerston upon the subject, so interesting to several +of the Southern States, of the rice duties, which resulted honorably to the +justice of Great Britain and advantageously to the United States. +</p> + +<p> +At the opening of the last annual session the President informed Congress +of the progress which had then been made in negotiating a convention +between this Government and that of England with a view to the final +settlement of the question of the boundary between the territorial limits +of the two countries. I regret to say that little further advancement of +the object has been accomplished since last year, but this is owing to +circumstances no way indicative of any abatement of the desire of both +parties to hasten the negotiation to its conclusion and to settle the +question in dispute as early as possible. In the course of the session it +is my hope to be able to announce some further degree of progress toward +the accomplishment of this highly desirable end. +</p> + +<p> +The commission appointed by this Government for the exploration and survey +of the line of boundary separating the States of Maine and New Hampshire +from the conterminous British Provinces is, it is believed, about to close +its field labors and is expected soon to report the results of its +examinations to the Department of State. The report, when received, will be +laid before Congress. +</p> + +<p> +The failure on the part of Spain to pay with punctuality the interest due +under the convention of 1834 for the settlement of claims between the two +countries has made it the duty of the Executive to call the particular +attention of that Government to the subject. A disposition has been +manifested by it, which is believed to be entirely sincere, to fulfill its +obligations in this respect so soon as its internal condition and the state +of its finances will permit. An arrangement is in progress from the result +of which it is trusted that those of our citizens who have claims under the +convention will at no distant day receive the stipulated payments. +</p> + +<p> +A treaty of commerce and navigation with Belgium was concluded and signed +at Washington on the 29th of March, 1840, and was duly sanctioned by the +Senate of the United States. The treaty was ratified by His Belgian +Majesty, but did not receive the approbation of the Belgian Chambers within +the time limited by its terms, and has therefore become void. +</p> + +<p> +This occurrence assumes the graver aspect from the consideration that in +1833 a treaty negotiated between the two Governments and ratified on the +part of the United States failed to be ratified on the part of Belgium. The +representative of that Government at Washington informs the Department of +State that he has been instructed to give explanations of the causes which +occasioned delay in the approval of the late treaty by the legislature, and +to express the regret of the King at the occurrence. +</p> + +<p> +The joint commission under the convention with Texas to ascertain the true +boundary between the two countries has concluded its labors, but the final +report of the commissioner of the United States has not been received. It +is understood, however, that the meridian line as traced by the commission +lies somewhat farther east than the position hitherto generally assigned to +it, and consequently includes in Texas some part of the territory which had +been considered as belonging to the States of Louisiana and Arkansas. +</p> + +<p> +The United States can not but take a deep interest in whatever relates to +this young but growing Republic. Settled principally by emigrants from the +United States, we have the happiness to know that the great principles of +civil liberty are there destined to flourish under wise institutions and +wholesome laws, and that through its example another evidence is to be +afforded of the capacity of popular institutions to advance the prosperity, +happiness, and permanent glory of the human race. The great truth that +government was made for the people and not the people for government has +already been established in the practice and by the example of these United +States, and we can do no other than contemplate its further exemplification +by a sister republic with the deepest interest. +</p> + +<p> +Our relations with the independent States of this hemisphere, formerly +under the dominion of Spain, have not undergone any material change within +the past year. The incessant sanguinary conflicts in or between those +countries are to be greatly deplored as necessarily tending to disable them +from performing their duty as members of the community of nations and +rising to the destiny which the position and natural resources of many of +them might lead them justly to anticipate, as constantly giving occasion +also, directly or indirectly, for complaints on the part of our citizens +who resort thither for purposes of commercial intercourse, and as retarding +reparation for wrongs already committed, some of which are by no means of +recent date. +</p> + +<p> +The failure of the Congress of Ecuador to hold a session at the time +appointed for that purpose, in January last, will probably render abortive +a treaty of commerce with that Republic, which was signed at Quito on the +13th of June, 1839, and had been duly ratified on our part, but which +required the approbation of that body prior to its ratification by the +Ecuadorian Executive. +</p> + +<p> +A convention which has been concluded with the Republic of Peru, providing +for the settlement of certain claims of citizens of the United States upon +the Government of that Republic, will be duly submitted to the Senate. +</p> + +<p> +The claims of our citizens against the Brazilian Government originating +from captures and other causes are still unsatisfied. The United States +have, however, so uniformly shown a disposition to cultivate relations of +amity with that Empire that it is hoped the unequivocal tokens of the same +spirit toward us which an adjustment of the affairs referred to would +afford will be given without further avoidable delay. +</p> + +<p> +The war with the Indian tribes on the peninsula of Florida has during the +last summer and fall been prosecuted with untiring activity and zeal. A +summer campaign was resolved upon as the best mode of bringing it to a +close. Our brave officers and men who have been engaged in that service +have suffered toils and privations and exhibited an energy which in any +other war would have won for them unfading laurels. In despite of the +sickness incident to the climate, they have penetrated the fastnesses of +the Indians, broken up their encampments, and harassed them unceasingly. +Numbers have been captured, and still greater numbers have surrendered and +have been transported to join their brethren on the lands elsewhere +allotted to them by the Government, and a strong hope is entertained that +under the conduct of the gallant officer at the head of the troops in +Florida that troublesome and expensive war is destined to a speedy +termination. With all the other Indian tribes we are enjoying the blessings +of peace. Our duty as well as our best interests prompts us to observe in +all our intercourse with them fidelity in fulfilling our engagements, the +practice of strict justice, as well as the constant exercise of acts of +benevolence and kindness. These are the great instruments of civilization, +and through the use of them alone can the untutored child of the forest be +induced to listen to its teachings. +</p> + +<p> +The Secretary of State, on whom the acts of Congress have devolved the duty +of directing the proceedings for the taking of the sixth census or +enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, will report to the two +Houses the progress of that work. The enumeration of persons has been +completed, and exhibits a grand total of 17,069,453, making an increase +over the census of 1830 of 4,202,646 inhabitants, and showing a gain in a +ratio exceeding 32 1/2 per cent for the last ten years. +</p> + +<p> +From the report of the Secretary of the Treasury you will be informed of +the condition of the finances. The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of +January last, as stated in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury +submitted to Congress at the extra session, was $987,345.03. The receipts +into the Treasury during the first three quarters of this year from all +sources amount to $23,467,072.52; the estimated receipts for the fourth +quarter amount to $6,943,095.25, amounting to $30,410,167.77, and making +with the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January last $31,397,512.80. +The expenditures for the first three quarters of this year amount to +$24,734,346.97. The expenditures for the fourth quarter as estimated will +amount to $7,290,723.73, thus making a total of $32,025,070.70, and leaving +a deficit to be provided for on the 1st of January next of about +$627,557.90. +</p> + +<p> +Of the loan of $12,000,000 which was authorized by Congress at its late +session only $5,432,726.88 have been negotiated. The shortness of time +which it had to run has presented no inconsiderable impediment in the way +of its being taken by capitalists at home, while the same cause would have +operated with much greater force in the foreign market. For that reason the +foreign market has not been resorted to; and it is now submitted whether it +would not be advisable to amend the law by making what remains undisposed +of payable at a more distant day. +</p> + +<p> +Should it be necessary, in any view that Congress may take of the subject, +to revise the existing tariff of duties, I beg leave to say that in the +performance of that most delicate operation moderate counsels would seem to +be the wisest. The Government under which it is our happiness to live owes +its existence to the spirit of compromise which prevailed among its +framers; jarring and discordant opinions could only have been reconciled by +that noble spirit of patriotism which prompted conciliation and resulted in +harmony. In the same spirit the compromise bill, as it is commonly called, +was adopted at the session of 1833. While the people of no portion of the +Union will ever hesitate to pay all necessary taxes for the support of +Government, yet an innate repugnance exists to the imposition of burthens +not really necessary for that object. In imposing duties, however, for the +purposes of revenue a right to discriminate as to the articles on which the +duty shall be laid, as well as the amount, necessarily and most properly +exists; otherwise the Government would be placed in the condition of having +to levy the same duties upon all articles, the productive as well as the +unproductive. The slightest duty upon some might have the effect of causing +their importation to cease, whereas others, entering extensively into the +consumption of the country, might bear the heaviest without any sensible +diminution in the amount imported. So also the Government may be justified +in so discriminating by reference to other considerations of domestic +policy connected with our manufactures. So long as the duties shall be laid +with distinct reference to the wants of the Treasury no well-rounded +objection can exist against them. It might be esteemed desirable that no +such augmentation of the taxes should take place as would have the effect +of annulling the land-proceeds distribution act of the last session, which +act is declared to be inoperative the moment the duties are increased +beyond 20 per cent, the maximum rate established by the compromise act. +Some of the provisions of the compromise act, which will go into effect on +the 30th day of June next, may, however, be found exceedingly inconvenient +in practice under any regulations that Congress may adopt. I refer more +particularly to that relating to the home valuation. A difference in value +of the same articles to some extent will necessarily exist at different +ports, but that is altogether insignificant when compared with the +conflicts in valuation which are likely to arise from the differences of +opinion among the numerous appraisers of merchandise. In many instances the +estimates of value must be conjectural, and thus as many different rates of +value may be established as there are appraisers. These differences in +valuation may also be increased by the inclination which, without the +slightest imputation on their honesty, may arise on the part of the +appraisers in favor of their respective ports of entry. I recommend this +whole subject to the consideration of Congress with a single additional +remark. Certainty and permanency in any system of governmental policy are +in all respects eminently desirable, but more particularly is this true in +all that affects trade and commerce, the operations of which depend much +more on the certainty of their returns and calculations which embrace +distant periods of time than on high bounties or duties, which are liable +to constant fluctuations. +</p> + +<p> +At your late session I invited your attention to the condition of the +currency and exchanges and urged the necessity of adopting such measures as +were consistent with the constitutional competency of the Government in +order to correct the unsoundness of the one and, as far as practicable, the +inequalities of the other. No country can be in the enjoyment of its full +measure of prosperity without the presence of a medium of exchange +approximating to uniformity of value. What is necessary as between the +different nations of the earth is also important as between the inhabitants +of different parts of the same country. With the first the precious metals +constitute the chief medium of circulation, and such also would be the case +as to the last but for inventions comparatively modern, which have +furnished in place of gold and silver a paper circulation. I do not propose +to enter into a comparative analysis of the merits of the two systems. Such +belonged more properly to the period of the introduction of the paper +system. The speculative philosopher might find inducements to prosecute the +inquiry, but his researches could only lead him to conclude that the paper +system had probably better never have been introduced and that society +might have been much happier without it. The practical statesman has a very +different task to perform. He has to look at things as they are, to take +them as he finds them, to supply deficiencies and to prune excesses as far +as in him lies. The task of furnishing a corrective for derangements of the +paper medium with us is almost inexpressibly great. The power exerted by +the States to charter banking corporations, and which, having been carried +to a great excess, has filled the country with, in most of the States, an +irredeemable paper medium, is an evil which in some way or other requires a +corrective. The rates at which bills of exchange are negotiated between +different parts of the country furnish an index of the value of the local +substitute for gold and silver, which is in many parts so far depreciated +as not to be received except at a large discount in payment of debts or in +the purchase of produce. It could earnestly be desired that every bank not +possessing the means of resumption should follow the example of the late +United States Bank of Pennsylvania and go into liquidation rather than by +refusing to do so to continue embarrassments in the way of solvent +institutions, thereby augmenting the difficulties incident to the present +condition of things. Whether this Government, with due regard to the rights +of the States, has any power to constrain the banks either to resume specie +payments or to force them into liquidation, is an inquiry which will not +fail to claim your consideration. In view of the great advantages which are +allowed the corporators, not among the least of which is the authority +contained in most of their charters to make loans to three times the amount +of their capital, thereby often deriving three times as much interest on +the same amount of money as any individual is permitted by law to receive, +no sufficient apology can be urged for a long-continued suspension of +specie payments. Such suspension is productive of the greatest detriment to +the public by expelling from circulation the precious metals and seriously +hazarding the success of any effort that this Government can make to +increase commercial facilities and to advance the public interests. +</p> + +<p> +This is the more to be regretted and the indispensable necessity for a +sound currency becomes the more manifest when we reflect on the vast amount +of the internal commerce of the country. Of this we have no statistics nor +just data for forming adequate opinions. But there can be no doubt but that +the amount of transportation coastwise by sea, and the transportation +inland by railroads and canals, and by steamboats and other modes of +conveyance over the surface of our vast rivers and immense lakes, and the +value of property carried and interchanged by these means form a general +aggregate to which the foreign commerce of the country, large as it is, +makes but a distant approach. +</p> + +<p> +In the absence of any controlling power over this subject, which, by +forcing a general resumption of specie payments, would at once have the +effect of restoring a sound medium of exchange and would leave to the +country but little to desire, what measure of relief falling within the +limits of our constitutional competency does it become this Government to +adopt? It was my painful duty at your last session, under the weight of +most solemn obligations, to differ with Congress on the measures which it +proposed for my approval, and which it doubtless regarded as corrective of +existing evils. Subsequent reflection and events since occurring have only +served to confirm me in the opinions then entertained and frankly +expressed. I must be permitted to add that no scheme of governmental policy +unaided by individual exertions can be available for ameliorating the +present condition of things. Commercial modes of exchange and a good +currency are but the necessary means of commerce and intercourse, not the +direct productive sources of wealth. Wealth can only be accumulated by the +earnings of industry and the savings of frugality, and nothing can be more +ill judged than to look to facilities in borrowing or to a redundant +circulation for the power of discharging pecuniary obligations. The country +is full of resources and the people fall of energy, and the great and +permanent remedy for present embarrassments must be sought in industry, +economy, the observance of good faith, and the favorable influence of time. +In pursuance of a pledge given to you in my last message to Congress, which +pledge I urge as an apology for adventuring to present you the details of +any plan, the Secretary of the Treasury will be ready to submit to you, +should you require it, a plan of finance which, while it throws around the +public treasure reasonable guards for its protection and rests on powers +acknowledged in practice to exist from the origin of the Government, will +at the same time furnish to the country a sound paper medium and afford all +reasonable facilities for regulating the exchanges. When submitted, you +will perceive in it a plan amendatory of the existing laws in relation to +the Treasury Department, subordinate in all respects to the will of +Congress directly and the will of the people indirectly, self-sustaining +should it be found in practice to realize its promises in theory, and +repealable at the pleasure of Congress. It proposes by effectual restraints +and by invoking the true spirit of our institutions to separate the purse +from the sword, or, more properly to speak, denies any other control to the +President over the agents who may be selected to carry it into execution +but what may be indispensably necessary to secure the fidelity of such +agents, and by wise regulations keeps plainly apart from each other private +and public funds. It contemplates the establishment of a board of control +at the seat of government, with agencies at prominent commercial points or +wherever else Congress shall direct, for the safe-keeping and disbursement +of the public moneys and a substitution at the option of the public +creditor of Treasury notes in lieu of gold and silver. It proposes to limit +the issues to an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 without the express +sanction of the legislative power. It also authorizes the receipt of +individual deposits of gold and silver to a limited amount, and the +granting certificates of deposit divided into such sums as may be called +for by the depositors. It proceeds a step further and authorizes the +purchase and sale of domestic bills and drafts resting on a real and +substantial basis, payable at sight or having but a short time to run, and +drawn on places not less than 100 miles apart, which authority, except in +so far as may be necessary for Government purposes exclusively, is only to +be exerted upon the express condition that its exercise shall not be +prohibited by the State in which the agency is situated. In order to cover +the expenses incident to the plan, it will be authorized to receive +moderate premiums for certificates issued on deposits and on bills bought +and sold, and thus, as far as its dealings extend, to furnish facilities to +commercial intercourse at the lowest possible rates and to subduct from the +earnings of industry the least possible sum. It uses the State banks at a +distance from the agencies as auxiliaries without imparting any power to +trade in its name. It is subjected to such guards and restraints as have +appeared to be necessary. It is the creature of law and exists only at the +pleasure of the Legislature. It is made to rest on an actual specie basis +in order to redeem the notes at the places of issue, produces no dangerous +redundancy of circulation, affords no temptation to speculation, is +attended by no inflation of prices, is equable in its operation, makes the +Treasury notes (which it may use along with the certificates of deposit and +the notes of specie-paying banks) convertible at the place where collected, +receivable in payment of Government dues, and without violating any +principle of the Constitution affords the Government and the people such +facilities as are called for by the wants of both. Such, it has appeared to +me, are its recommendations, and in view of them it will be submitted, +whenever you may require it, to your consideration. +</p> + +<p> +I am not able to perceive that any fair and candid objection can be urged +against the plan, the principal outlines of which I have thus presented. I +can not doubt but that the notes which it proposes to furnish at the +voluntary option of the public creditor, issued in lieu of the revenue and +its certificates of deposit, will be maintained at an equality with gold +and silver everywhere. They are redeemable in gold and silver on demand at +the places of issue. They are receivable everywhere in payment of +Government dues. The Treasury notes are limited to an amount of one-fourth +less than the estimated annual receipts of the Treasury, and in addition +they rest upon the faith of the Government for their redemption. If all +these assurances are not sufficient to make them available, then the idea, +as it seems to me, of furnishing a sound paper medium of exchange may be +entirely abandoned. +</p> + +<p> +If a fear be indulged that the Government may be tempted to run into excess +in its issues at any future day, it seems to me that no such apprehension +can reasonably be entertained until all confidence in the representatives +of the States and of the people, as well as of the people themselves, shall +be lost. The weightiest considerations of policy require that the +restraints now proposed to be thrown around the measure should not for +light causes be removed. To argue against any proposed plan its liability +to possible abuse is to reject every expedient, since everything dependent +on human action is liable to abuse. Fifteen millions of Treasury notes may +be issued as the maximum, but a discretionary power is to be given to the +board of control under that sum, and every consideration will unite in +leading them to feel their way with caution. For the first eight years of +the existence of the late Bank of the United States its circulation barely +exceeded $4,000,000, and for five of its most prosperous years it was about +equal to $16,000,000; furthermore, the authority given to receive private +deposits to a limited amount and to issue certificates in such sums as may +be called for by the depositors may so far fill up the channels of +circulation as greatly to diminish the necessity of any considerable issue +of Treasury notes. A restraint upon the amount of private deposits has +seemed to be indispensably necessary from an apprehension, thought to be +well founded, that in any emergency of trade confidence might be so far +shaken in the banks as to induce a withdrawal from them of private deposits +with a view to insure their unquestionable safety when deposited with the +Government, which might prove eminently disastrous to the State banks. Is +it objected that it is proposed to authorize the agencies to deal in bills +of exchange? It is answered that such dealings are to be carried on at the +lowest possible premium, are made to rest on an unquestionably sound basis, +are designed to reimburse merely the expenses which would otherwise devolve +upon the Treasury, and are in strict subordination to the decision of the +Supreme Court in the case of the Bank of Augusta against Earle, and other +reported cases, and thereby avoids all conflict with State jurisdiction, +which I hold to be indispensably requisite. It leaves the banking +privileges of the States without interference, looks to the Treasury and +the Union, and while furnishing every facility to the first is careful of +the interests of the last. But above all, it is created by law, is +amendable by law, and is repealable by law, and, wedded as I am to no +theory, but looking solely to the advancement of the public good, I shall +be among the very first to urge its repeal if it be found not to subserve +the purposes and objects for which it may be created. Nor will the plan be +submitted in any overweening confidence in the sufficiency of my own +judgment, but with much greater reliance on the wisdom and patriotism of +Congress. I can not abandon this subject without urging upon you in the +most emphatic manner, whatever may be your action on the suggestions which +I have felt it to be my duty to submit, to relieve the Chief Executive +Magistrate, by any and all constitutional means, from a controlling power +over the public Treasury. If in the plan proposed, should you deem it +worthy of your consideration, that separation is not as complete as you may +desire, you will doubtless amend it in that particular. For myself, I +disclaim all desire to have any control over the public moneys other than +what is indispensably necessary to execute the laws which you may pass. +</p> + +<p> +Nor can I fail to advert in this connection to the debts which many of the +States of the Union have contracted abroad and under which they continue to +labor. That indebtedness amounts to a sum not less than $200,000,000, and +which has been retributed to them for the most part in works of internal +improvement which are destined to prove of vast importance in ultimately +advancing their prosperity and wealth. For the debts thus contracted the +States are alone responsible. I can do not more than express the belief +that each State will feel itself bound by every consideration of honor as +well as of interest to meet its engagements with punctuality. The failure, +however, of any one State to do so should in no degree affect the credit of +the rest, and the foreign capitalist will have no just cause to experience +alarm as to all other State stocks because any one or more of the States +may neglect to provide with punctuality the means of redeeming their +engagements. Even such States, should there be any, considering the great +rapidity with which their resources are developing themselves, will not +fail to have the means at no very distant day to redeem their obligations +to the uttermost farthing; nor will I doubt but that, in view of that +honorable conduct which has evermore governed the States and the people of +the Union, they will each and all resort to every legitimate expedient +before they will forego a faithful compliance with their obligations. +</p> + +<p> +From the report of the Secretary of War and other reports accompanying it +you will be informed of the progress which has been made in the +fortifications designed for the protection of our principal cities, +roadsteads, and inland frontier during the present year, together with +their true state and condition. They will be prosecuted to completion with +all the expedition which the means placed by Congress at the disposal of +the Executive will allow. +</p> + +<p> +I recommend particularly to your consideration that portion of the +Secretary's report which proposes the establishment of a chain of military +posts from Council Bluffs to some point on the Pacific Ocean within our +limits. The benefit thereby destined to accrue to our citizens engaged in +the fur trade over that wilderness region, added to the importance of +cultivating friendly relations with savage tribes inhabiting it, and at the +same time of giving protection to our frontier settlements and of +establishing the means of safe intercourse between the American settlements +at the mouth of the Columbia River and those on this side of the Rocky +Mountains, would seem to suggest the importance of carrying into effect the +recommendations upon this head with as little delay as may be practicable. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will place you in possession of the +present condition of that important arm of the national defense. Every +effort will be made to add to its efficiency, and I can not too strongly +urge upon you liberal appropriations to that branch of the public service. +Inducements of the weightiest character exist for the adoption of this +course of policy. Our extended and otherwise exposed maritime frontier +calls for protection, to the furnishing of which an efficient naval force +is indispensable. We look to no foreign conquests, nor do we propose to +enter into competition with any other nation for supremacy on the ocean; +but it is due not only to the honor but to the security of the people of +the United States that no nation should be permitted to invade our waters +at pleasure and subject our towns and villages to conflagration or pillage. +Economy in all branches of the public service is due from all the public +agents to the people, but parsimony alone would suggest the withholding of +the necessary means for the protection of our domestic firesides from +invasion and our national honor from disgrace. I would most earnestly +recommend to Congress to abstain from all appropriations for objects not +absolutely necessary; but I take upon myself, without a moment of +hesitancy, all the responsibility of recommending the increase and prompt +equipment of that gallant Navy which has lighted up every sea with its +victories and spread an imperishable glory over the country. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Postmaster-General will claim your particular attention, +not only because of the valuable suggestions which it contains, but because +of the great importance which at all times attaches to that interesting +branch of the public service. The increased expense of transporting the +mail along the principal routes necessarily claims the public attention, +and has awakened a corresponding solicitude on the part of the Government. +The transmission of the mail must keep pace with those facilities of +intercommunication which are every day becoming greater through the +building of railroads and the application of steam power, but it can not be +disguised that in order to do so the Post-Office Department is subjected to +heavy exactions. The lines of communication between distant parts of the +Union are to a great extent occupied by railroads, which, in the nature of +things, possess a complete monopoly, and the Department is therefore liable +to heavy and unreasonable charges. This evil is destined to great increase +in future, and some timely measure may become necessary to guard against +it. +</p> + +<p> +I feel it my duty to bring under your consideration a practice which has +grown up in the administration of the Government, and which, I am deeply +convinced, ought to be corrected. I allude to the exercise of the power +which usage rather than reason has vested in the Presidents of removing +incumbents from office in order to substitute others more in favor with the +dominant party. My own conduct in this respect has been governed by a +conscientious purpose to exercise the removing power only in cases of +unfaithfulness or inability, or in those in which its exercise appeared +necessary in order to discountenance and suppress that spirit of active +partisanship on the part of holders of office which not only withdraws them +from the steady and impartial discharge of their official duties, but +exerts an undue and injurious influence over elections and degrades the +character of the Government itself, inasmuch as it exhibits the Chief +Magistrate as being a party through his agents in the secret plots or open +workings of political parties. +</p> + +<p> +In respect to the exercise of this power nothing should be left to +discretion which may safely be regulated by law, and it is of high +importance to restrain as far as possible the stimulus of personal +interests in public elections. Considering the great increase which has +been made in public offices in the last quarter of a century and the +probability of further increase, we incur the hazard of witnessing violent +political contests, directed too often to the single object of retaining +office by those who are in or obtaining it by those who are out. Under the +influence of these convictions I shall cordially concur in any +constitutional measure for regulating and, by regulating, restraining the +power of removal. +</p> + +<p> +I suggest for your consideration the propriety of making without further +delay some specific application of the funds derived under the will of Mr. +Smithson, of England, for the diffusion of knowledge, and which have +heretofore been vested in public stocks until such time as Congress should +think proper to give them a specific direction. Nor will you, I feel +confident, permit any abatement of the principal of the legacy to be made +should it turn out that the stocks in which the investments have been made +have undergone a depreciation. +</p> + +<p> +In conclusion I commend to your care the interests of this District, for +which you are the exclusive legislators. Considering that this city is the +residence of the Government and for a large part of the year of Congress, +and considering also the great cost of the public buildings and the +propriety of affording them at all times careful protection, it seems not +unreasonable that Congress should contribute toward the expense of an +efficient police. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +*** +</p> + +<p><a id="dec1842"></a></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +State of the Union Address<br /> +John Tyler<br /> +December 6, 1842<br /> +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: +</p> + +<p> +We have continued reason to express our profound gratitude to the Great +Creator of All Things for numberless benefits conferred upon us as a +people. Blessed with genial seasons, the husbandman has his garners filled +with abundance, and the necessaries of life, not to speak of its luxuries, +abound in every direction. While in some other nations steady and +industrious labor can hardly find the means of subsistence, the greatest +evil which we have to encounter is a surplus of production beyond the home +demand, which seeks, and with difficulty finds, a partial market in other +regions. The health of the country, with partial exceptions, has for the +past year been well preserved, and under their free and wise institutions +the United States are rapidly advancing toward the consummation of the high +destiny which an overruling Providence seems to have marked out for them. +Exempt from domestic convulsion and at peace with all the world, we are +left free to consult as to the best means of securing and advancing the +happiness of the people. Such are the circumstances under which you now +assemble in your respective chambers and which should lead us to unite in +praise and thanksgiving to that great Being who made us and who preserves +us as a nation. +</p> + +<p> +I congratulate you, fellow-citizens, on the happy change in the aspect of +our foreign affairs since my last annual message. Causes of complaint at +that time existed between the United States and Great Britain which, +attended by irritating circumstances, threatened most seriously the public +peace. The difficulty of adjusting amicably the questions at issue between +the two countries was in no small degree augmented by the lapse of time +since they had their origin. The opinions entertained by the Executive on +several of the leading topics in dispute were frankly set forth in the +message at the opening of your late session. The appointment of a special +minister by Great Britain to the United States with power to negotiate upon +most of the points of difference indicated a desire on her part amicably to +adjust them, and that minister was met by the Executive in the same spirit +which had dictated his mission. The treaty consequent thereon having been +duly ratified by the two Governments, a copy, together with the +correspondence which accompanied it, is herewith communicated. I trust that +whilst you may see in it nothing objectionable, it may be the means of +preserving for an indefinite period the amicable relations happily existing +between the two Governments. The question of peace or war between the +United States and Great Britain is a question of the deepest interest, not +only to themselves, but to the civilized world, since it is scarcely +possible that a war could exist between them without endangering the peace +of Christendom. The immediate effect of the treaty upon ourselves will be +felt in the security afforded to mercantile enterprise, which, no longer +apprehensive of interruption, adventures its speculations in the most +distant seas, and, freighted with the diversified productions of every +land, returns to bless our own. There is nothing in the treaty which in the +slightest degree compromits the honor or dignity of either nation. Next to +the settlement of the boundary line, which must always be a matter of +difficulty between states as between individuals, the question which seemed +to threaten the greatest embarrassment was that connected with the African +slave trade. +</p> + +<p> +By the tenth article of the treaty of Ghent it was expressly declared +that-- +</p> + +<p> +Whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of +humanity and justice, and whereas both His Majesty and the United States +are desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its entire abolition, +it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best +endeavors to accomplish so desirable an object. +</p> + +<p> +In the enforcement of the laws and treaty stipulations of Great Britain a +practice had threatened to grow up on the part of its cruisers of +subjecting to visitation ships sailing under the American flag, which, +while it seriously involved our maritime rights, would subject to vexation +a branch of our trade which was daily increasing, and which required the +fostering care of Government. And although Lord Aberdeen in his +correspondence with the American envoys at London expressly disclaimed all +right to detain an American ship on the high seas, even if found with a +cargo of slaves on board, and restricted the British pretension to a mere +claim to visit and inquire, yet it could not well be discerned by the +Executive of the United States how such visit and inquiry could be made +without detention on the voyage and consequent interruption to the trade. +It was regarded as the right of search presented only in a new form and +expressed in different words, and I therefore felt it to be my duty +distinctly to declare in my annual message to Congress that no such +concession could be made, and that the United States had both the will and +the ability to enforce their own laws and to protect their flag from being +used for purposes wholly forbidden by those laws and obnoxious to the moral +censure of the world. Taking the message as his letter of instructions, our +then minister at Paris felt himself required to assume the same ground in a +remonstrance which he felt it to be his duty to present to Mr. Guizot, and +through him to the King of the French, against what has been called the +"quintuple treaty;" and his conduct in this respect met with the approval +of this Government. In close conformity with these views the eighth article +of the treaty was framed; which provides "that each nation shall keep +afloat in the African seas a force not less than 80 guns, to act separately +and apart, under instructions from their respective Governments, and for +the enforcement of their respective laws and obligations." From this it +will be seen that the ground assumed in the message has been fully +maintained at the same time that the stipulations of the treaty of Ghent +are to be carried out in good faith by the two countries, and that all +pretense is removed for interference with our commerce for any purpose +whatever by a foreign government. While, therefore, the United States have +been standing up for the freedom of the seas, they have not thought proper +to make that a pretext for avoiding a fulfillment of their treaty +stipulations or a ground for giving countenance to a trade reprobated by +our laws. A similar arrangement by the other great powers could not fail to +sweep from the ocean the slave trade without the interpolation of any new +principle into the maritime code. We may be permitted to hope that the +example thus set will be followed by some if not all of them. We thereby +also afford suitable protection to the fair trader in those seas, thus +fulfilling at the same time the dictates of a sound policy and complying +with the claims of justice and humanity. +</p> + +<p> +It would have furnished additional cause for congratulation if the treaty +could have embraced all subjects calculated in future to lead to a +misunderstanding between the two Governments. The Territory of the United +States commonly called the Oregon Territory, lying on the Pacific Ocean +north of the forty-second degree of latitude, to a portion of which Great +Britain lays claim, begins to attract the attention of our fellow-citizens, +and the tide of population which has reclaimed what was so lately an +unbroken wilderness in more contiguous regions is preparing to flow over +those vast districts which stretch from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific +Ocean. In advance of the acquirement of individual rights to these lands, +sound policy dictates that every effort should be resorted to by the two +Governments to settle their respective claims. It became manifest at an +early hour of the late negotiations that any attempt for the time being +satisfactorily to determine those rights would lead to a protracted +discussion, which might embrace in its failure other more pressing matters, +and the Executive did not regard it as proper to waive all the advantages +of an honorable adjustment of other difficulties of great magnitude and +importance because this, not so immediately pressing, stood in the way. +Although the difficulty referred to may not for several years to come +involve the peace of the two countries, yet I shall not delay to urge on +Great Britain the importance of its early settlement. Nor will other +matters of commercial importance to the two countries be overlooked, and I +have good reason to believe that it will comport with the policy of +England, as it does with that of the United States, to seize upon this +moment, when most of the causes of irritation have passed away, to cement +the peace and amity of the two countries by wisely removing all grounds of +probable future collision. +</p> + +<p> +With the other powers of Europe our relations continue on the most amicable +footing. Treaties now existing with them should be rigidly observed, and +every opportunity compatible with the interests of the United States should +be seized upon to enlarge the basis of commercial intercourse. Peace with +all the world is the true foundation of our policy, which can only be +rendered permanent by the practice of equal and impartial justice to all. +Our great desire should be to enter only into that rivalry which looks to +the general good in the cultivation of the sciences, the enlargement of the +field for the exercise of the mechanical arts, and the spread of +commerce--that great civilizer--to every land and sea. Carefully abstaining +from interference in all questions exclusively referring themselves to the +political interests of Europe, we may be permitted to hope an equal +exemption from the interference of European Governments in what relates to +the States of the American continent. +</p> + +<p> +On the 23d of April last the commissioners on the part of the United States +under the convention with the Mexican Republic of the 11th of April, 1839, +made to the proper Department a final report in relation to the proceedings +of the commission. From this it appears that the total amount awarded to +the claimants by the commissioners and the umpire appointed under that +convention was $2,026,079.68. The arbiter having considered that his +functions were required by the convention to terminate at the same time +with those of the commissioners, returned to the board, undecided for want +of time, claims which had been allowed by the American commissioners to the +amount of $928,620.88. Other claims, in which the amount sought to be +recovered was $3,336,837.05, were submitted to the board too late for its +consideration. The minister of the United States at Mexico has been duly +authorized to make demand for payment of the awards according to the terms +of the convention and the provisions of the act of Congress of the 12th of +June, 1840. He has also been instructed to communicate to that Government +the expectations of the Government of the United States in relation to +those claims which were not disposed of according to the provisions of the +convention, and all others of citizens of the United States against the +Mexican Government. He has also been furnished with other instructions, to +be followed by him in case the Government of Mexico should not find itself +in a condition to make present payment of the amount of the awards in +specie or its equivalent. +</p> + +<p> +I am happy to be able to say that information which is esteemed favorable +both to a just satisfaction of the awards and a reasonable provision for +other claims has been recently received from Mr. Thompson, the minister of +the United States, who has promptly and efficiently executed the +instructions of his Government in regard to this important subject. +</p> + +<p> +The citizens of the United States who accompanied the late Texan expedition +to Santa Fe, and who were wrongfully taken and held as prisoners of war in +Mexico, have all been liberated. +</p> + +<p> +A correspondence has taken place between the Department of State and the +Mexican minister of foreign affairs upon the complaint of Mexico that +citizens of the United States were permitted to give aid to the inhabitants +of Texas in the war existing between her and that Republic. Copies of this +correspondence are herewith communicated to Congress, together with copies +of letters on the same subject addressed to the diplomatic corps at Mexico +by the American minister and the Mexican secretary of state. +</p> + +<p> +Mexico has thought proper to reciprocate the mission of the United States +to that Government by accrediting to this a minister of the same rank as +that of the representative of the United States in Mexico. From the +circumstances connected with his mission favorable results are anticipated +from it. It is so obviously for the interest of both countries as neighbors +and friends that all just causes of mutual dissatisfaction should be +removed that it is to be hoped neither will omit or delay the employment of +any practicable and honorable means to accomplish that end. +</p> + +<p> +The affairs pending between this Government and several others of the +States of this hemisphere formerly under the dominion of Spain have again +within the past year been materially obstructed by the military revolutions +and conflicts in those countries. +</p> + +<p> +The ratifications of the treaty between the United States and the Republic +of Ecuador of the 13th of June, 1839, have been exchanged, and that +instrument has been duly promulgated on the part of this Government. Copies +are now communicated to Congress with a view to enable that body to make +such changes in the laws applicable to our intercourse with that Republic +as may be deemed requisite. +</p> + +<p> +Provision has been made by the Government of Chile for the payment of the +claim on account of the illegal detention of the brig Warrior at Coquimbo +in 1820. This Government has reason to expect that other claims of our +citizens against Chile will be hastened to a final and satisfactory close. +</p> + +<p> +The Empire of Brazil has not been altogether exempt from those convulsions +which so constantly afflict the neighboring republics. Disturbances which +recently broke out are, however, now understood to be quieted. But these +occurrences, by threatening the stability of the governments, or by causing +incessant and violent changes in them or in the persons who administer +them, tend greatly to retard provisions for a just indemnity for losses and +injuries suffered by individual subjects or citizens of other states. The +Government of the United States will feel it to be its duty, however, to +consent to no delay not unavoidable in making satisfaction for wrongs and +injuries sustained by its own citizens. Many years having in some cases +elapsed, a decisive and effectual course of proceeding will be demanded of +the respective governments against whom claims have been preferred. +</p> + +<p> +The vexatious, harassing, and expensive war which so long prevailed with +the Indian tribes inhabiting the peninsula of Florida has happily been +terminated, whereby our Army has been relieved from a service of the most +disagreeable character and the Treasury from a large expenditure. Some +casual outbreaks may occur, such as are incident to the close proximity of +border settlers and the Indians, but these, as in all other cases, may be +left to the care of the local authorities, aided when occasion may require +by the forces of the United States. A sufficient number of troops will be +maintained in Florida so long as the remotest apprehensions of danger shall +exist, yet their duties will be limited rather to the garrisoning of the +necessary posts than to the maintenance of active hostilities. It is to be +hoped that a territory so long retarded in its growth will now speedily +recover from the evils incident to a protracted war, exhibiting in the +increased amount of its rich productions true evidences of returning wealth +and prosperity. By the practice of rigid justice toward the numerous Indian +tribes residing within our territorial limits and the exercise of a +parental vigilance over their interests, protecting them against fraud and +intrusion, and at the same time using every proper expedient to introduce +among them the arts of civilized life, we may fondly hope not only to wean +them from their love of war, but to inspire them with a love for peace and +all its avocations. With several of the tribes great progress in civilizing +them has already been made. The schoolmaster and the missionary are found +side by side, and the remnants of what were once numerous and powerful +nations may yet be preserved as the builders up of a new name for +themselves and their posterity. +</p> + +<p> +The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January, 1842, exclusive of the +amount deposited with the States, trust funds, and indemnities, was +$230,483.68. The receipts into the Treasury during the three first quarters +of the present year from all sources amount to $26,616,593.78, of which +more than fourteen millions were received from customs and about one +million from the public lands. The receipts for the fourth quarter are +estimated at nearly eight millions, of which four millions are expected +from customs and three millions and a half from loans and Treasury notes. +The expenditures of the first three quarters of the present year exceed +twenty-six millions, and those estimated for the fourth quarter amount to +about eight millions; and it is anticipated there will be a deficiency of +half a million on the 1st of January next, but that the amount of +outstanding warrants (estimated at $800,000) will leave an actual balance +of about $224,000 in the Treasury. Among the expenditures of this year are +more than eight millions for the public debt and about $600,000 on account +of the distribution to the States of the proceeds of sales of the public +lands. +</p> + +<p> +The present tariff of duties was somewhat hastily and hurriedly passed near +the close of the late session of Congress. That it should have defects can +therefore be surprising to no one. To remedy such defects as may be found +to exist in any of its numerous provisions will not fail to claim your +serious attention. It may well merit inquiry whether the exaction of all +duties in cash does not call for the introduction of a system which has +proved highly beneficial in countries where it has been adopted. I refer to +the warehousing system. The first and most prominent effect which it would +produce would be to protect the market alike against redundant or deficient +supplies of foreign fabrics, both of which in the long run are injurious as +well to the manufacturer as the importer. The quantity of goods in store +being at all times readily known, it would enable the importer with an +approach to accuracy to ascertain the actual wants of the market and to +regulate himself accordingly. If, however, he should fall into error by +importing an excess above the public wants, he could readily correct its +evils by availing himself of the benefits and advantages of the system thus +established. In the storehouse the goods imported would await the demand of +the market and their issues would be governed by the fixed principles of +demand and supply. Thus an approximation would be made to a steadiness and +uniformity of price, which if attainable would conduce to the decided +advantage of mercantile and mechanical operations. +</p> + +<p> +The apprehension may be well entertained that without something to +ameliorate the rigor of cash payments the entire import trade may fall into +the hands of a few wealthy capitalists in this country and in Europe. The +small importer, who requires all the money he can raise for investments +abroad, and who can but ill afford to pay the lowest duty, would have to +subduct in advance a portion of his funds in order to pay the duties, and +would lose the interest upon the amount thus paid for all the time the +goods might remain unsold, which might absorb his profits. The rich +capitalist, abroad as well as at home, would thus possess after a short +time an almost exclusive monopoly of the import trade, and laws designed +for the benefit of all would thus operate for the benefit of a few--a +result wholly uncongenial with the spirit of our institutions and +antirepublican in all its tendencies. The warehousing system would enable +the importer to watch the market and to select his own time for offering +his goods for sale. A profitable portion of the carrying trade in articles +entered for the benefit of drawback must also be most seriously affected +without the adoption of some expedient to relieve the cash system. The +warehousing system would afford that relief, since the carrier would have a +safe recourse to the public storehouses and might without advancing the +duty reship within some reasonable period to foreign ports. A further +effect of the measure would be to supersede the system of drawbacks, +thereby effectually protecting the Government against fraud, as the right +of debenture would not attach to goods after their withdrawal from the +public stores. +</p> + +<p> +In revising the existing tariff of duties, should you deem it proper to do +so at your present session, I can only repeat the suggestions and +recommendations which upon several occasions I have heretofore felt it to +be my duty to offer to Congress. The great primary and controlling interest +of the American people is union--union not only in the mere forms of +government, forms which may be broken, but union rounded in an attachment +of States and individuals for each other. This union in sentiment and +feeling can only be preserved by the adoption of that course of policy +which, neither giving exclusive benefits to some nor imposing unnecessary +burthens upon others, shall consult the interests of all by pursuing a +course of moderation and thereby seeking to harmonize public opinion, and +causing the people everywhere to feel and to know that the Government is +careful of the interests of all alike. Nor is there any subject in regard +to which moderation, connected with a wise discrimination, is more +necessary than in the imposition of duties on imports. Whether reference be +had to revenue, the primary object in the imposition of taxes, or to the +incidents which necessarily flow from their imposition, this is entirely +true. Extravagant duties defeat their end and object, not only by exciting +in the public mind an hostility to the manufacturing interests, but by +inducing a system of smuggling on an extensive scale and the practice of +every manner of fraud upon the revenue, which the utmost vigilance of +Government can not effectually suppress. An opposite course of policy would +be attended by results essentially different, of which every interest of +society, and none more than those of the manufacturer, would reap important +advantages. Among the most striking of its benefits would be that derived +from the general acquiescence of the country in its support and the +consequent permanency and stability which would be given to all the +operations of industry. It can not be too often repeated that no system of +legislation can be wise which is fluctuating and uncertain. No interest can +thrive under it. The prudent capitalist will never adventure his capital in +manufacturing establishments, or in any other leading pursuit of life, if +there exists a state of uncertainty as to whether the Government will +repeal to-morrow what it has enacted to-day. Fitful profits, however high, +if threatened with a ruinous reduction by a vacillating policy on the part +of Government, will scarcely tempt him to trust the money which he has +acquired by a life of labor upon the uncertain adventure. I therefore, in +the spirit of conciliation, and influenced by no other desire than to +rescue the great interests of the country from the vortex of political +contention, and in the discharge of the high and solemn duties of the place +which I now occupy, recommend moderate duties, imposed with a wise +discrimination as to their several objects, as being not only most likely +to be durable, but most advantageous to every interest of society. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Secretary of the War Department exhibits a very full and +satisfactory account of the various and important interests committed to +the charge of that officer. It is particularly gratifying to find that the +expenditures for the military service are greatly reduced in amount--that a +strict system of economy has been introduced into the service and the +abuses of past years greatly reformed. The fortifications on our maritime +frontier have been prosecuted with much vigor, and at many points our +defenses are in a very considerable state of forwardness. The suggestions +in reference to the establishment of means of communication with our +territories on the Pacific and to the surveys so essential to a knowledge +of the resources of the intermediate country are entitled to the most +favorable consideration. While I would propose nothing inconsistent with +friendly negotiations to settle the extent of our claims in that region, +yet a prudent forecast points out the necessity of such measures as may +enable us to maintain our rights. The arrangements made for preserving our +neutral relations on the boundary between us and Texas and keeping in check +the Indians in that quarter will be maintained so long as circumstances may +require. For several years angry contentions have grown out of the +disposition directed by law to be made of the mineral lands held by the +Government in several of the States. The Government is constituted the +landlord, and the Citizens of the States wherein lie the lands are its +tenants. The relation is an unwise one, and it would be much more conducive +of the public interest that a sale of the lands should be made than that +they should remain in their present condition. The supply of the ore would +be more abundantly and certainly furnished when to be drawn from the +enterprise and the industry of the proprietor than under the present +system. +</p> + +<p> +The recommendations of the Secretary in regard to the improvements of the +Western waters and certain prominent harbors on the Lakes merit, and I +doubt not will receive, your serious attention. The great importance of +these subjects to the prosperity of the extensive region referred to and +the security of the whole country in time of war can not escape +observation. The losses of life and property which annually occur in the +navigation of the Mississippi alone because of the dangerous obstructions +in the river make a loud demand upon Congress for the adoption of efficient +measures for their removal. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will bring you acquainted with that +important branch of the public defenses. Considering the already vast and +daily increasing commerce of the country, apart from the exposure to +hostile inroad of an extended seaboard, all that relates to the Navy is +calculated to excite particular attention. Whatever tends to add to its +efficiency without entailing unnecessary charges upon the Treasury is well +worthy of your serious consideration. It will be seen that while an +appropriation exceeding by more than a million the appropriations of the +current year is asked by the Secretary, yet that in this sum is proposed to +be included $400,000 for the purchase of clothing, which when once expended +will be annually reimbursed by the sale of the clothes, and will thus +constitute a perpetual fund without any new appropriation to the same +object. To this may also be added $50,000 asked to cover the arrearages of +past years and $250,000 in order to maintain a competent squadron on the +coast of Africa; all of which when deducted will reduce the expenditures +nearly within the limits of those of the current year. While, however, the +expenditures will thus remain very nearly the same as of the antecedent +year, it is proposed to add greatly to the operations of the marine, and in +lieu of only 25 ships in commission and but little in the way of building, +to keep with the same expenditure 41 vessels afloat and to build 12 ships +of a small class. +</p> + +<p> +A strict system of accountability is established and great pains are taken +to insure industry, fidelity, and economy in every department of duty. +Experiments have been instituted to test the quality of various materials, +particularly copper, iron, and coal, so as to prevent fraud and +imposition. +</p> + +<p> +It will appear by the report of the Postmaster-General that the great point +which for several years has been so much desired has during the current +year been fully accomplished. The expenditures of the Department for +current service have been brought within its income without lessening its +general usefulness. There has been an increase of revenue equal to $166,000 +for the year 1842 over that of 1841, without, as it is believed, any +addition having been made to the number of letters and newspapers +transmitted through the mails. The post-office laws have been honestly +administered, and fidelity has been observed in accounting for and paying +over by the subordinates of the Department the moneys which have been +received. For the details of the service I refer you to the report. +</p> + +<p> +I flatter myself that the exhibition thus made of the condition of the +public administration will serve to convince you that every proper +attention has been paid to the interests of the country by those who have +been called to the heads of the different Departments. The reduction in the +annual expenditures of the Government already accomplished furnishes a sure +evidence that economy in the application of the public moneys is regarded +as a paramount duty. +</p> + +<p> +At peace with all the world, the personal liberty of the citizen sacredly +maintained and his rights secured under political institutions deriving all +their authority from the direct sanction of the people, with a soil fertile +almost beyond example and a country blessed with every diversity of climate +and production, what remains to be done in order to advance the happiness +and prosperity of such a people? Under ordinary circumstances this inquiry +could readily be answered. The best that probably could be done for a +people inhabiting such a country would be to fortify their peace and +security in the prosecution of their various pursuits by guarding them +against invasion from without and violence from within. The rest for the +greater part might be left to their own energy and enterprise. The chief +embarrassments which at the moment exhibit themselves have arisen from +overaction, and the most difficult task which remains to be accomplished is +that of correcting and overcoming its effects. Between the years 1833 and +1838 additions were made to bank capital and bank issues, in the form of +notes designed for circulation, to an extent enormously great. The question +seemed to be not how the best currency could be provided, but in what +manner the greatest amount of bank paper could be put in circulation. Thus +a vast amount of what was called money--since for the time being it +answered the purposes of money--was thrown upon the country, an overissue +which was attended, as a necessary consequence, by an extravagant increase +of the prices of all articles of property, the spread of a speculative +mania all over the country, and has finally ended in a general indebtedness +on the part of States and individuals, the prostration of public and +private credit, a depreciation in the market value of real and personal +estate, and has left large districts of country almost entirely without any +circulating medium. In view of the fact that in 1830 the whole bank-note +circulation within the United States amounted to but $61,323,898, according +to the Treasury statements, and that an addition had been made thereto of +the enormous sum of $88,000,000 in seven years (the circulation on the 1st +of January, 1837, being stated at $149,185,890), aided by the great +facilities afforded in obtaining loans from European capitalists, who were +seized with the same speculative mania which prevailed in the United +States, and the large importations of funds from abroad--the result of +stock sales and loans--no one can be surprised at the apparent but +unsubstantial state of prosperity which everywhere prevailed over the land; +and as little cause of surprise should be felt at the present prostration +of everything and the ruin which has befallen so many of our +fellow-citizens in the sudden withdrawal from circulation of so large an +amount of bank issues since 1837--exceeding, as is believed, the amount +added to the paper currency for a similar period antecedent to 1837--it +ceases to be a matter of astonishment that such extensive shipwreck should +have been made of private fortunes or that difficulties should exist in +meeting their engagements on the part of the debtor States; apart from +which, if there be taken into account the immense losses sustained in the +dishonor of numerous banks, it is less a matter of surprise that insolvency +should have visited many of our fellow-citizens than that so many should +have escaped the blighting influences of the times. +</p> + +<p> +In the solemn conviction of these truths and with an ardent desire to meet +the pressing necessities of the country, I felt it to be my duty to cause +to be submitted to you at the commencement of your last session the plan of +an exchequer, the whole power and duty of maintaining which in purity and +vigor was to be exercised by the representatives of the people and the +States, and therefore virtually by the people themselves. It was proposed +to place it under the control and direction of a Treasury board to consist +of three commissioners, whose duty it should be to see that the law of its +creation was faithfully executed and that the great end of supplying a +paper medium of exchange at all times convertible into gold and silver +should be attained. The board thus constituted was given as much permanency +as could be imparted to it without endangering the proper share of +responsibility which should attach to all public agents. In order to insure +all the advantages of a well-matured experience, the commissioners were to +hold their offices for the respective periods of two, four, and six years, +thereby securing at all times in the management of the exchequer the +services of two men of experience; and to place them in a condition to +exercise perfect independence of mind and action it was provided that their +removal should only take place for actual incapacity or infidelity to the +trust, and to be followed by the President with an exposition of the causes +of such removal, should it occur. It was proposed to establish subordinate +boards in each of the States, under the same restrictions and limitations +of the power of removal, which, with the central board, should receive, +safely keep, and disburse the public moneys. And in order to furnish a +sound paper medium of exchange the exchequer should retain of the revenues +of the Government a sum not to exceed $5,000,000 in specie, to be set apart +as required by its operations, and to pay the public creditor at his own +option either in specie or Treasury notes of denominations not less than $5 +nor exceeding $100, which notes should be redeemed at the several places of +issue, and to be receivable at all times and everywhere in payment of +Government dues, with a restraint upon such issue of bills that the same +should not exceed the maximum of $15,000,000. In order to guard against all +the hazards incident to fluctuations in trade, the Secretary of the +Treasury was invested with authority to issue $5,000,000 of Government +stock, should the same at any time be regarded as necessary in order to +place beyond hazard the prompt redemption of the bills which might be +thrown into circulation; thus in fact making the issue of $15,000,000 of +exchequer bills rest substantially on $10,000,000, and keeping in +circulation never more than one and one-half dollars for every dollar in +specie. When to this it is added that the bills are not only everywhere +receivable in Government dues, but that the Government itself would be +bound for their ultimate redemption, no rational doubt can exist that the +paper which the exchequer would furnish would readily enter into general +circulation and be maintained at all times at or above par with gold and +silver, thereby realizing the great want of the age and fulfilling the +wishes of the people. In order to reimburse the Government the expenses of +the plan, it was proposed to invest the exchequer with the limited +authority to deal in bills of exchange (unless prohibited by the State in +which an agency might be situated) having only thirty days to run and +resting on a fair and bona fide basis. The legislative will on this point +might be so plainly announced as to avoid all pretext for partiality or +favoritism. It was furthermore proposed to invest this Treasury agent with +authority to receive on deposit to a limited amount the specie funds of +individuals and to grant certificates therefor to be redeemed on +presentation, under the idea, which is believed to be well founded, that +such certificates would come in aid of the exchequer bills in supplying a +safe and ample paper circulation. Or if in place of the contemplated +dealings in exchange the exchequer should be authorized not only to +exchange its bills for actual deposits of specie, but, for specie or its +equivalent, to sell drafts, charging therefor a small but reasonable +premium, I can not doubt but that the benefits of the law would be speedily +manifested in the revival of the credit, trade, and business of the whole +country. Entertaining this opinion, it becomes my duty to urge its adoption +upon Congress by reference to the strongest considerations of the public +interests, with such alterations in its details as Congress may in its +wisdom see fit to make. +</p> + +<p> +I am well aware that this proposed alteration and amendment of the laws +establishing the Treasury Department has encountered various objections, +and that among others it has been proclaimed a Government bank of fearful +and dangerous import. It is proposed to confer upon it no extraordinary +power. It purports to do no more than pay the debts of the Government with +the redeemable paper of the Government, in which respect it accomplishes +precisely what the Treasury does daily at this time in issuing to the +public creditors the Treasury notes which under law it is authorized to +issue. It has no resemblance to an ordinary bank, as it furnishes no +profits to private stockholders and lends no capital to individuals. If it +be objected to as a Government bank and the objection be available, then +should all the laws in relation to the Treasury be repealed and the +capacity of the Government to collect what is due to it or pay what it owes +be abrogated. +</p> + +<p> +This is the chief purpose of the proposed exchequer, and surely if in the +accomplishment of a purpose so essential it affords a sound circulating +medium to the country and facilities to trade it should be regarded as no +slight recommendation of it to public consideration. Properly guarded by +the provisions of law, it can run into no dangerous evil, nor can any abuse +arise under it but such as the Legislature itself will be answerable for if +it be tolerated, since it is but the creature of the law and is susceptible +at all times of modification, amendment, or repeal at the pleasure of +Congress. I know that it has been objected that the system would be liable +to be abused by the Legislature, by whom alone it could be abused, in the +party conflicts of the day; that such abuse would manifest itself in a +change of the law which would authorize an excessive issue of paper for the +purpose of inflating prices and winning popular favor. To that it may be +answered that the ascription of such a motive to Congress is altogether +gratuitous and inadmissible. The theory of our institutions would lead us +to a different conclusion. But a perfect security against a proceeding so +reckless would be found to exist in the very nature of things. The +political party which should be so blind to the true interests of the +country as to resort to such an expedient would inevitably meet with final +overthrow in the fact that the moment the paper ceased to be convertible +into specie or otherwise promptly redeemed it would become worthless, and +would in the end dishonor the Government, involve the people in ruin and +such political party in hopeless disgrace. At the same time, such a view +involves the utter impossibility of furnishing any currency other than that +of the precious metals; for if the Government itself can not forego the +temptation of excessive paper issues what reliance can be placed in +corporations upon whom the temptations of individual aggrandizement would +most strongly operate? The people would have to blame none but themselves +for any injury that might arise from a course so reckless, since their +agents would be the wrongdoers and they the passive spectators. +</p> + +<p> +There can be but three kinds of public currency--first, gold and silver; +second, the paper of State institutions; or, third, a representative of the +precious metals provided by the General Government or under its authority. +The subtreasury system rejected the last in any form, and as it was +believed that no reliance could be placed on the issues of local +institutions for the purposes of general circulation it necessarily and +unavoidably adopted specie as the exclusive currency for its own use; and +this must ever be the case unless one of the other kinds be used. The +choice in the present state of public sentiment lies between an exclusive +specie currency on the one hand and Government issues of some kind on the +other. That these issues can not be made by a chartered institution is +supposed to be conclusively settled. They must be made, then, directly by +Government agents. For several years past they have been thus made in the +form of Treasury notes, and have answered a valuable purpose. Their +usefulness has been limited by their being transient and temporary; their +ceasing to bear interest at given periods necessarily causes their speedy +return and thus restricts their range of circulation, and being used only +in the disbursements of Government they can not reach those points where +they are most required. By rendering their use permanent, to the moderate +extent already mentioned, by offering no inducement for their return and by +exchanging them for coin and other values, they will constitute to a +certain extent the general currency so much needed to maintain the internal +trade of the country. And this is the exchequer plan so far as it may +operate in furnishing a currency. +</p> + +<p> +I can not forego the occasion to urge its importance to the credit of the +Government in a financial point of view. The great necessity of resorting +to every proper and becoming expedient in order to place the Treasury on a +footing of the highest respectability is entirely obvious. The credit of +the Government may be regarded as the very soul of the Government itself--a +principle of vitality without which all its movements are languid and all +its operations embarrassed. In this spirit the Executive felt itself bound +by the most imperative sense of duty to submit to Congress at its last +session the propriety of making a specific pledge of the land fund as the +basis for the negotiation of the loans authorized to be contracted. I then +thought that such an application of the public domain would without doubt +have placed at the command of the Government ample funds to relieve the +Treasury from the temporary embarrassments under which it labored. American +credit has suffered a considerable shock in Europe from the large +indebtedness of the States and the temporary inability of some of them to +meet the interest on their debts. The utter and disastrous prostration of +the United States Bank of Pennsylvania had contributed largely to increase +the sentiment of distrust by reason of the loss and ruin sustained by the +holders of its stock, a large portion of whom were foreigners and many of +whom were alike ignorant of our political organization and of our actual +responsibilities. +</p> + +<p> +It was the anxious desire of the Executive that in the effort to negotiate +the loan abroad the American negotiator might be able to point the money +lender to the fund mortgaged for the redemption of the principal and +interest of any loan he might contract, and thereby vindicate the +Government from all suspicion of bad faith or inability to meet its +engagements. Congress differed from the Executive in this view of the +subject. It became, nevertheless, the duty of the Executive to resort to +every expedient in its power to do so. +</p> + +<p> +After a failure in the American market a citizen of high character and +talent was sent to Europe, with no better success; and thus the mortifying +spectacle has been presented of the inability of this Government to obtain +a loan so small as not in the whole to amount to more than one-fourth of +its ordinary annual income, at a time when the Governments of Europe, +although involved in debt and with their subjects heavily burthened with +taxation, readily obtained loans of any amount at a greatly reduced rate of +interest. It would be unprofitable to look further into this anomalous +state of things, but I can not conclude without adding that for a +Government which has paid off its debts of two wars with the largest +maritime power of Europe, and now owing a debt which is almost next to +nothing when compared with its boundless resources--a Government the +strongest in the world, because emanating from the popular will and firmly +rooted in the affections of a great and free people, and whose fidelity to +its engagements has never been questioned--for such a Government to have +tendered to the capitalists of other countries an opportunity for a small +investment in its stock, and yet to have failed, implies either the most +unfounded distrust in its good faith or a purpose to obtain which the +course pursued is the most fatal which could have been adopted. It has now +become obvious to all men that the Government must look to its own means +for supplying its wants, and it is consoling to know that these means are +altogether adequate for the object. The exchequer, if adopted, will greatly +aid in bringing about this result. Upon what I regard as a well-rounded +supposition that its bills would be readily sought for by the public +creditors and that the issue would in a short time reach the maximum of +$15,000,000, it is obvious that $10,000,000 would thereby be added to the +available means of the Treasury without cost or charge. Nor can I fail to +urge the great and beneficial effects which would be produced in aid of all +the active pursuits of life. Its effects upon the solvent State banks, +while it would force into liquidation those of an opposite character +through its weekly settlements, would be highly beneficial; and with the +advantages of a sound currency the restoration of confidence and credit +would follow with a numerous train of blessings. My convictions are most +strong that these benefits would flow from the adoption of this measure; +but if the result should be adverse there is this security in connection +with it--that the law creating it may be repealed at the pleasure of the +Legislature without the slightest implication of its good faith. +</p> + +<p> +I recommend to Congress to take into consideration the propriety of +reimbursing a fine imposed on General Jackson at New Orleans at the time of +the attack and defense of that city, and paid by him. Without designing any +reflection on the judicial tribunal which imposed the fine, the remission +at this day may be regarded as not unjust or inexpedient. The voice of the +civil authority was heard amidst the glitter of arms and obeyed by those +who held the sword, thereby giving additional luster to a memorable +military achievement. If the laws were offended, their majesty was fully +vindicated; and although the penalty incurred and paid is worthy of little +regard in a pecuniary point of view, it can hardly be doubted that it would +be gratifying to the war-worn veteran, now in retirement and in the winter +of his days, to be relieved from the circumstances in which that judgment +placed him. There are cases in which public functionaries may be called on +to weigh the public interest against their own personal hazards, and if the +civil law be violated from praiseworthy motives or an overruling sense of +public danger and public necessity punishment may well be restrained within +that limit which asserts and maintains the authority of the law and the +subjection of the military to the civil power. The defense of New Orleans, +while it saved a city from the hands of the enemy, placed the name of +General Jackson among those of the greatest captains of the age and +illustrated one of the brightest pages of our history. Now that the causes +of excitement existing at the time have ceased to operate, it is believed +that the remission of this fine and whatever of gratification that +remission might cause the eminent man who incurred and paid it would be in +accordance with the general feeling and wishes of the American people. +</p> + +<p> +I have thus, fellow-citizens, acquitted myself of my duty under the +Constitution by laying before you as succinctly as I have been able the +state of the Union and by inviting your attention to measures of much +importance to the country. The executive will most zealously unite its +efforts with those of the legislative department in the accomplishment of +all that is required to relieve the wants of a common constituency or +elevate the destinies of a beloved country. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +*** +</p> + +<p><a id="dec1843"></a></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +State of the Union Address<br /> +John Tyler<br /> +December 1843<br /> +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: +</p> + +<p> +If any people ever had cause to render up thanks to the Supreme Being for +parental care and protection extended to them in all the trials and +difficulties to which they have been from time to time exposed, we +certainly are that people. From the first settlement of our forefathers on +this continent, through the dangers attendant upon the occupation of a +savage wilderness, through a long period of colonial dependence, through +the War of the Revolution, in the wisdom which led to the adoption of the +existing forms of republican government, in the hazards incident to a war +subsequently waged with one of the most powerful nations of the earth, in +the increase of our population, in the spread of the arts and sciences, and +in the strength and durability conferred on political institutions +emanating from the people and sustained by their will, the superintendence +of an overruling Providence has been plainly visible. As preparatory, +therefore, to entering once more upon the high duties of legislation, it +becomes us humbly to acknowledge our dependence upon Him as our guide and +protector and to implore a continuance of His parental watchfulness over +our beloved country. We have new cause for the expression of our gratitude +in the preservation of the health of our fellow-citizens, with some partial +and local exceptions, during the past season, for the abundance with which +the earth has yielded up its fruits to the labors of the husbandman, for +the renewed activity which has been imparted to commerce, for the revival +of trade in all its departments, for the increased rewards attendant on the +exercise of the mechanic arts, for the continued growth of our population +and the rapidly reviving prosperity of the whole country. I shall be +permitted to exchange congratulations with you, gentlemen of the two Houses +of Congress, on these auspicious circumstances, and to assure you in +advance of my ready disposition to concur with you in the adoption of all +such measures as shall be calculated to increase the happiness of our +constituents and to advance the glory of our common country. +</p> + +<p> +Since the last adjournment of Congress the Executive has relaxed no effort +to render indestructible the relations of amity which so happily exist +between the United States and other countries. The treaty lately concluded +with Great Britain has tended greatly to increase the good understanding +which a reciprocity of interests is calculated to encourage, and it is most +ardently to be hoped that nothing may transpire to interrupt the relations +of amity which it is so obviously the policy of both nations to cultivate. +A question of much importance still remains to be adjusted between them. +The territorial limits of the two countries relation to what is commonly +known as the Oregon Territory still remain in dispute. The United States +would be at all times indisposed to aggrandize itself at the expense of any +other nation; but while they would be restrained by principles of honor, +which should govern the conduct of nations as well as that of individuals, +from setting up a demand for territory which does not belong to them, they +would as unwillingly sent to a surrender of their rights. After the most +rigid and, as far as practicable, unbiased examination of the subject, the +United States have always contended that their rights appertain to the +entire region of country lying on the Pacific and embraced within 42° +and 54° 40' of north latitude. This claim being controverted by Great +Britain, those who have preceded the present Executive--actuated, no doubt, +by an earnest desire to adjust the matter upon terms mutually satisfactory +to both countries--have caused to be submitted to the British Government +propositions for settlement and final adjustment, which, however, have not +proved heretofore acceptable to it. Our minister at London has, under +instructions, again brought the subject to the consideration of that +Government, and while nothing will be done to compromise the rights or +honor of the United States, every proper expedient will be resorted to in +order to bring the negotiation now in the progress of resumption to a +speedy and happy termination. In the meantime it is proper to remark that +many of our citizens are either already established in the Territory or are +on their way thither for the purpose of forming permanent settlements, +while others are preparing to follow; and in view of these facts I must +repeat the recommendation contained in previous messages for the +establishment of military posts at such places on the line of travel as +will furnish security and protection to our hardy adventurers against +hostile tribes of Indians inhabiting those extensive regions. Our laws +should also follow them, so modified as the circumstances of the case may +seem to require. Under the influence of our free system of government new +republics are destined to spring up at no distant day on the shores of the +Pacific similar in policy and in feeling to those existing on this side of +the Rocky Mountains, and giving a wider and more extensive spread to the +principles of civil and religious liberty. +</p> + +<p> +I am happy to inform you that the cases which have from time to time arisen +of the detention of American vessels by British cruisers on the coast of +Africa under pretense of being engaged in the slave trade have been placed +in a fair train of adjustment. In the case of the William and Francis full +satisfaction will be allowed. In the cases of the Tygris and Seamew the +British Government admits that satisfaction is due. In the case of the +Jones the sum accruing from the sale of that vessel and cargo will be paid +to the owners, while I can not but flatter myself that full indemnification +will be allowed for all damages sustained by the detention of the vessel; +and in the case of the Douglas Her Majesty's Government has expressed its +determination to make indemnification. Strong hopes are therefore +entertained that most, if not all, of these cases will be speedily +adjusted. No new cases have arisen since the ratification of the treaty of +Washington, and it is confidently anticipated that the slave trade, under +the operation of the eighth article of that treaty, will be altogether +suppressed. +</p> + +<p> +The occasional interruption experienced by our fellow-citizens engaged in +the fisheries on the neighboring coast of Nova Scotia has not failed to +claim the attention of the Executive. Representations upon this subject +have been made, but as yet no definitive answer to those representations +has been received from the British Government. +</p> + +<p> +Two other subjects of comparatively minor importance, but nevertheless of +too much consequence to be neglected, remain still to be adjusted between +the two countries. By the treaty between the United States and Great +Britain of July, 1815, it is provided that no higher duties shall be levied +in either country on articles imported from the other than on the same +articles imported from any other place. In 1836 rough rice by act of +Parliament was admitted from the coast of Africa into Great Britain on the +payment of a duty of 1 penny a quarter, while the same article from all +other countries, including the United States, was subjected to the payment +of a duty of 20 shillings a quarter. Our minister at London has from time +to time brought this subject to the attention of the British Government, +but so far without success. He is instructed to renew his representations +upon it. +</p> + +<p> +Some years since a claim was preferred against the British Government on +the part of certain American merchants for the return of export duties paid +by them on shipments of woolen goods to the United States after the duty on +similar articles exported to other countries had been repealed, and +consequently in contravention of the commercial convention between the two +nations securing to us equality in such cases. The principle on which the +claim rests has long since been virtually admitted by Great Britain, but +obstacles to a settlement have from time to time been interposed, so that a +large portion of the amount claimed has not yet been refunded. Our minister +is now engaged in the prosecution of the claim, and I can not but persuade +myself that the British Government will no longer delay its adjustment. +</p> + +<p> +I am happy to be able to say that nothing has occurred to disturb in any +degree the relations of amity which exist between the United States and +France, Austria, and Russia, as well as with the other powers of Europe, +since the adjournment of Congress. Spain has been agitated with internal +convulsions for many years, from the effects of which, it is hoped, she is +destined speedily to recover, when, under a more liberal system of +commercial policy on her part, our trade with her may again fill its old +and, so far as her continental possessions are concerned, its almost +forsaken channels, thereby adding to the mutual prosperity of the two +countries. +</p> + +<p> +The Germanic Association of Customs and Commerce, which since its +establishment in 1833 has been steadily growing in power and importance, +and consists at this time of more than twenty German States, and embraces a +population of 27,000,000 people united for all fire purposes of commercial +intercourse with each other and with foreign states, offers to the latter +the most valuable exchanges on principles more liberal than are offered in +the fiscal system of any other European power. From its origin the +importance of the German union has never been lost sight of by the United +States. The industry, morality, and other valuable qualities of the German +nation have always been well known and appreciated. On this subject I +invite the attention of Congress to the report of the Secretary of State, +from which it will be seen that while our cotton is admitted free of duty +and the duty on rice has been much reduced (which has already led to a +greatly increased consumption), a strong disposition has been recently +evinced by that great body to reduce, upon certain conditions, their +present duty upon tobacco. This being the first intimation of a concession +on this interesting subject ever made by any European power, I can not but +regard it as well calculated to remove the only impediment which has so far +existed to the most liberal commercial intercourse between us and them. In +this view our minister at Berlin, who has heretofore industriously pursued +the subject, has been instructed to enter upon the negotiation of a +commercial treaty, which, while it will open new advantages to the +agricultural interests of the United States and a more free and expanded +field for commercial operations, will affect injuriously no existing +interest of the Union. Should the negotiation be crowned with success, its +results will be communicated to both Houses of Congress. +</p> + +<p> +I communicate herewith certain dispatches received from our minister at +Mexico, and also a correspondence which has recently occurred between the +envoy from that Republic and the Secretary of State. It must but be +regarded as not a little extraordinary that the Government of Mexico, in +anticipation of a public discussion (which it has been pleased to infer +from newspaper publications as likely to take place in Congress, relating +to the annexation of Texas to the United States), should have so far +anticipated the result of such discussion as to have announced its +determination to visit any such anticipated decision by a formal +declaration of war against the United States. If designed to prevent +Congress from introducing that question as a fit subject for its calm +deliberation and final judgment, the Executive has no reason to doubt that +it will entirely fail of its object. The representatives of a brave and +patriotic people will suffer no apprehension of future consequences to +embarrass them in the course of their proposed deliberations, nor will the +executive department of the Government fail for any such cause to discharge +its whole duty to the country. +</p> + +<p> +The war which has existed for so long a time between Mexico and Texas has +since the battle of San Jacinto consisted for the most part of predatory +incursions, which, while they have been attended with much of suffering to +individuals and have kept the borders of the two countries in a state of +constant alarm, have failed to approach to any definitive result. Mexico +has fitted out no formidable armament by land or by sea for the subjugation +of Texas. Eight years have now elapsed since Texas declared her +independence of Mexico, and during that time she has been recognized as a +sovereign power by several of the principal civilized states. Mexico, +nevertheless, perseveres in her plans of reconquest, and refuses to +recognize her independence. The predatory incursions to which I have +alluded have been attended in one instance with the breaking up of the +courts of justice, by the seizing upon the persons of the judges, jury, and +officers of the court and dragging them along with unarmed, and therefore +noncombatant, citizens into a cruel and oppressive bondage, thus leaving +crime to go unpunished and immorality to pass unreproved. A border warfare +is evermore to be deprecated, and over such a war as has existed for so +many years between these two States humanity has had great cause to lament. +Nor is such a condition of things to be deplored only because of the +individual suffering attendant upon it. The effects are far more extensive. +The Creator of the Universe has given man the earth for his resting place +and its fruits for his subsistence. Whatever, therefore, shall make the +first or any part of it a scene of desolation affects injuriously his +heritage and may be regarded as a general calamity. Wars may sometimes be +necessary, but all nations have a common interest in bringing them speedily +to a close. The United States have an immediate interest in seeing an end +put to the state of hostilities existing between Mexico and Texas. They are +our neighbors, of the same continent, with whom we are not only desirous of +cultivating the relations of amity, but of the most extended commercial +intercourse, and to practice all the rites of a neighborhood hospitality. +Our own interests are involved in the matter, since, however neutral may be +our course of policy, we can not hope to escape the effects of a spirit of +jealousy on the part of both of the powers. Nor can this Government be +indifferent to the fact that a warfare such as is waged between those two +nations is calculated to weaken both powers and finally to render them--and +especially the weaker of the two--the subjects of interference on the part +of stronger and more powerful nations, who, intent only on advancing their +own peculiar views, may sooner or later attempt to bring about a compliance +with terms as the condition of their interposition alike derogatory to the +nation granting them and detrimental to the interests of the United States. +We could not be expected quietly to permit any such interference to our +disadvantage. Considering that Texas is separated from the United States by +a mere geographical line; that her territory, in the opinion of many, down +to a late period formed a portion of the territory of the United States; +that it is homogeneous in its population and pursuits with adjoining +States, makes contributions to the commerce of the world in the same +articles with them, and that most of her inhabitants have been citizens of +the United States, speak the same language, and live under similar +political institutions with ourselves, this Government is bound by every +consideration of interest as well as of sympathy to see that she shall be +left free to act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by +force and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries. In full +view of all these considerations, the Executive has not hesitated to +express to the Government of Mexico how deeply it deprecated a continuance +of the war and how anxiously it desired to witness its termination. I can +not but think that it becomes the United States, as the oldest of the +American Republics, to hold a language to Mexico upon this subject of an +unambiguous character. It is time that this war had ceased. There must be a +limit to all wars, and if the parent state after an eight years' struggle +has failed to reduce to submission a portion of its subjects standing out +in revolt against it, and who have not only proclaimed themselves to be +independent, but have been recognized as such by other powers, she ought +not to expect that other nations will quietly look on, to their obvious +injury, upon a protraction of hostilities. These United States threw off +their colonial dependence and established independent governments, and +Great Britain, after having wasted her energies in the attempt to subdue +them for a less period than Mexico has attempted to subjugate Texas, had +the wisdom and justice to acknowledge their independence, thereby +recognizing the obligation which rested on her as one of the family of +nations. An example thus set by one of the proudest as well as most +powerful nations of the earth it could in no way disparage Mexico to +imitate. While, therefore, the Executive would deplore any collision with +Mexico or any disturbance of the friendly relations which exist between the +two countries, it can not permit that Government to control its policy, +whatever it may be, toward Texas, but will treat her--as by the recognition +of her independence the United States have long since declared they would +do--as entirely independent of Mexico. The high obligations of public duty +may enforce from the constituted authorities of the United States a policy +which the course persevered in by Mexico will have mainly contributed to +produce, and the Executive in such a touting they will with confidence +throw itself upon the patriotism of the people to sustain the Government in +its course of action. +</p> + +<p> +Measures of an unusual character have recently been adopted by the Mexican +Government, calculated in no small degree to affect the trade of other +nations with Mexico and to operate injuriously to the United States. All +foreigners, by a decree of the 23d day of September, and after six months +from the day of its promulgation, are forbidden to carry on the business of +selling by retail any goods within the confines of Mexico. Against this +decree our minister has not failed to remonstrate. +</p> + +<p> +The trade heretofore carried on by our citizens with Santa Fe, in which +much capital was already invested and which was becoming of daily +increasing importance, has suddenly been arrested by a decree of virtual +prohibition on the part of the Mexican Government. Whatever may be the +right of Mexico to prohibit any particular course of trade to the citizens +or subjects of foreign powers, this late procedure, to say the least of it, +wears a harsh and unfriendly aspect. +</p> + +<p> +The installments on the claims recently settled by the convention with +Mexico have been punctually paid as they have fallen due, and our minister +is engaged in urging the establishment of a new commission in pursuance of +the convention for the settlement of unadjusted claims. +</p> + +<p> +With the other American States our relations of amity and good will have +remained uninterrupted. Our minister near the Republic of New Granada has +succeeded in effecting an adjustment of the claim upon that Government for +the schooner By Chance, which had been pending for many years. The claim +for the brig Morris, which had its origin during the existence of the +Republic of Colombia, and indemnification for which since the dissolution +of that Republic has devolved upon its several members, will be urged with +renewed zeal. +</p> + +<p> +I have much pleasure in saying that the Government of Brazil has adjusted +the claim upon that Government in the case of the schooner John S. Bryan, +and that sanguine hopes are entertained that the same spirit of justice +will influence its councils in arriving at an early decision upon the +remaining claims, thereby removing all cause of dissension between two +powers whose interests are to some extent interwoven with each other. +</p> + +<p> +Our minister at Chili has succeeded in inducing a recognition by that +Government of the adjustment effected by his predecessor of the first claim +in the case of the Macedonian. The first installment has been received by +the claimants in the United States. +</p> + +<p> +Notice of the exchange of ratifications of the treaty with Peru, which will +take place at Lima, has not yet reached this country, but is shortly +expected to be received, when the claims upon that Republic will doubtless +be liquidated and paid. +</p> + +<p> +In consequence of a misunderstanding between this Government and that of +Buenos Ayres, occurring several years ago, this Government has remained +unrepresented at that Court, while a minister from it has been constantly +resident here. The causes of irritation have in a great measure passed +away, and it is in contemplation, in view of important interests which have +grown up in that country, at some early period during the present session +of Congress, with the concurrence of the Senate, to restore diplomatic +relations between the two countries. +</p> + +<p> +Under the provisions of an act of Congress of the last session a minister +was dispatched from the United States to China in August of the present +year, who, from the latest accounts we have from him, was at Suez, in +Egypt, on the 25th of September last, on his route to China. +</p> + +<p> +In regard to the Indian tribes residing within our jurisdictional limits, +the greatest vigilance of the Government has been exerted to preserve them +at peace among themselves and to inspire them with feelings of confidence +in the justice of this Government and to cultivate friendship with the +border inhabitants. This has happily succeeded to a great extent, but it is +a subject of regret that they suffer themselves in some instances to be +imposed upon by artful and designing men and this notwithstanding all +efforts of the Government to prevent it. +</p> + +<p> +The receipts into the Treasury for the calendar year 1843, exclusive of +loans, were little more than $ 18,000,000, and the expenditures, exclusive +of the payments on the public debt, will have been about $23,000,000. By +the act of 1842 a new arrangement of the fiscal year was made, so that it +should commence on the 1st day of July in each year. The accounts and +estimates for the current fiscal year will show that the loans and Treasury +notes made and issued before the close of the last Congress to meet the +anticipated deficiency have not been entirely adequate. Although on the 1st +of October last there was a balance in the Treasury, in consequence of the +provisions thus made, of $3,914,082.77, yet the appropriations already made +by Congress will absorb that balance and leave a probable deficiency of +$2,000,000 at the close of the present fiscal year. There are outstanding +Treasury notes to about the amount of $4,600,000, and should they be +returned upon the Treasury during the fiscal year they will require +provision for their redemption. I do not, however, regard this as probable, +since they have obviously entered into the currency of the country and will +continue to form a portion of it if the system now adopted be continued. +The loan of 1841, amounting to $5,672,976.88, falls due on the 1st day of +January, 1845, and must be provided for or postponed by a new loan; and +unless the resources of revenue should be materially increased by you there +will be a probable deficiency for the service of the fiscal year ending +June 30, 1845, of upward of $4,000,000. +</p> + +<p> +The delusion incident to an enormously excessive paper circulation, which +gave a fictitious value to everything and stimulated adventure and +speculation to an extravagant extent, has been happily succeeded by the +substitution of the precious metals and paper promptly redeemable in +specie; and thus false values have disappeared and a sounder condition of +things has been introduced. This transition, although intimately connected +with the prosperity of the country, has nevertheless been attended with +much embarrassment to the Government in its financial concerns. So long as +the foreign importers could receive payment for their cargoes in a currency +of greatly less value than that in Europe, but fully available here in the +purchase of our agricultural productions (their profits being immeasurably +augmented by the operation), the shipments were large and the revenues of +the Government became superabundant. But the change in the character of the +circulation from a nominal and apparently real value in the first stage of +its existence to an obviously depreciated value in its second, so that it +no longer answered the purposes of exchange or barter, and its ultimate +substitution by a sound metallic and paper circulation combined, has been +attended by diminished importations and a consequent falling off in the +revenue. This has induced Congress, from 1837, to resort to the expedient +of issuing Treasury notes, and finally of funding them, in order to supply +deficiencies. I can not, however, withhold the remark that it is in no way +compatible with the dignity of the Government that a public debt should be +created in time of peace to meet the current expenses of the Government, or +that temporary expedients should be resorted to an hour longer than it is +possible to avoid them. The Executive can do no more than apply the means +which Congress places in its hands for the support of Government, and, +happily for the good of the country and for the preservation of its +liberties, it possesses no power to levy exactions on the people or to +force from them contributions to the public revenue in any form. It can +only recommend such measures as may in its opinion be called for by the +wants of the public service to Congress, with whom alone rests the power to +"lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises." This duty has upon +several occasions heretofore been performed. The present condition of +things gives flattering promise that trade and commerce are rapidly +reviving, and, fortunately for the country, the sources of revenue have +only to be opened in order to prove abundant. +</p> + +<p> +While we can anticipate no considerable increase in the proceeds of the +sales of the public lands, for reasons perfectly obvious to all, for +several years to come, yet the public lands can not otherwise than be +regarded as the foundation of the public credit. With so large a body of +the most fertile lands in the world under the control and at the disposal +of this Government, no one can reasonably doubt the entire ability to meet +its engagements under every emergency. In seasons of trial and difficulty +similar to those through which we are passing the capitalist makes his +investments in the Government cut stocks with the most assured confidence +of ultimate reimbursement; and whatever may be said of a period of great +financial prosperity, such as existed for some years after 1833, I should +regard it as suicidal in a season of financial embarrassment either to +alienate the lands themselves or the proceeds arising from their sales. The +first and paramount duty of those to whom may be intrusted the +administration of public affairs is to guard the public credit. In +reestablishing the credit of this central Government the readiest and most +obvious mode is taken to restore the credit of the States. The extremities +can only be made sound by producing a healthy action in the central +Government, and the history of the present day fully establishes the fact +that an increase in the value of the stocks of this Government will in a +great majority of instances be attended by an increase in the value of the +stocks of the States. It should therefore be a matter of general +congratulation that amidst all the embarrassments arising from surrounding +circumstances the credit of the Government should have been so fully +restored that it has been enabled to effect a loan of $7,000,000 to redeem +that amount of Treasury notes on terms more favorable than any that have +been offered for many years. And the 6 per cent stock which was created in +1842 has advanced in the hands of the holders nearly 20 per cent above its +par value. The confidence of the people in the integrity of their +Government has thus been signally manifested. These opinions relative to +the public lands do not in any manner conflict with the observance of the +most liberal policy toward those of our fellow-citizens who press forward +into the wilderness and are the pioneers in the work of its reclamation. In +securing to all such their rights of preemption the Government performs but +an act of retributive justice for sufferings encountered and hardships +endured, and finds ample remuneration in the comforts which its policy +insures and the happiness which it imparts. +</p> + +<p> +Should a revision of the tariff with a view to revenue become necessary in +the estimation of Congress, I doubt not you will approach the subject with +a just and enlightened regard to the interests of the whole Union. The +principles and views which I have heretofore had occasion to submit remain +unchanged. It can, however, never be too often repeated that the prominent +interest of every important pursuit of life requires for success permanency +and stability in legislation. These can only be attained by adopting as the +basis of action moderation in all things, which is as indispensably +necessary to secure the harmonious action of the political as of the animal +system. In our political organization no one section of the country should +desire to have its supposed interests advanced at the sacrifice of all +others, but union, being the great interest, equally precious to all, +should be fostered and sustained by mutual concessions and the cultivation +of that spirit of compromise from which the Constitution itself proceeded. +</p> + +<p> +You will be informed by the report from the Treasury Department of the +measures taken under the act of the last session authorizing the reissue of +Treasury notes in lieu of those then outstanding. The system adopted in +pursuance of existing laws seems well calculated to save the country a +large amount of interest, while it affords conveniences and obviates +dangers and expense in the transmission of funds to disbursing agents. I +refer you also to that report for the means proposed by the Secretary to +increase the revenue, and particularly to that portion of it which relates +to the subject of the warehousing system, which I earnestly urged upon +Congress at its last session and as to the importance of which my opinion +has undergone no change. +</p> + +<p> +In view of the disordered condition of the currency at the time and the +high rates of exchange between different parts of the country, I felt it to +be incumbent on me to present to the consideration of your predecessors a +proposition conflicting in no degree with the Constitution or with the +rights of the States and having the sanction (not in detail, but in +principle) of some of the eminent men who have preceded me in the Executive +office. That proposition contemplated the issuing of Treasury notes of +denominations of not less than $5 nor more than $100, to be employed in the +payment of the obligations of the Government in lieu of gold and silver at +the option of the public creditor, and to an amount not exceeding +$15,000,000. It was proposed to make them receivable everywhere and to +establish at various points depositories of gold and silver to be held in +trust for the redemption of such notes, so as to insure their +convertibility into specie. No doubt was entertained that such notes would +have maintained a par value with gold and silver, thus furnishing a paper +currency of equal value over the Union, thereby meeting the just +expectations of the people and fulfilling the duties of a parental +government. Whether the depositories should be permitted to sell or +purchase bills under very limited restrictions, together with all its other +details, was submitted to the wisdom of Congress and was regarded as of +secondary importance. I thought then and think now that such an arrangement +would have been attended with the happiest results. The whole matter of the +currency would have been placed where by the Constitution it was designed +to be placed--under the immediate supervision and control of Congress. The +action of the Government would have been independent of all corporations, +and the same eye which rests unceasingly on the specie currency and guards +it against adulteration would also have rested on the paper currency, to +control and regulate its issues and protect it against depreciation. The +same reasons which would forbid Congress from parting with the power over +the coinage would seem to operate with nearly equal force hi regard to any +substitution for the precious metals in the form of a circulating medium. +Paper when substituted for specie constitutes a standard of value by which +the operations of society are regulated, and whatsoever causes its +depreciation affects society to an extent nearly, if not quite, equal to +the adulteration of the coin. Nor can I withhold the remark that its +advantages contrasted with a bank of the United States, apart from the fact +that a bank was esteemed as obnoxious to the public sentiment as well on +the score of expediency as of constitutionality, appeared to me to be +striking and obvious. The relief which a bank would afford by an issue of +$15,000,000 of its notes, judging from the experience of the late United +States Bank, would not have occurred in less than fifteen years, whereas +under the proposed arrangement the relief arising from the issue of +$15,000,000 of Treasury notes would have been consummated in one year, thus +furnishing in one-fifteenth part of the time in which a bank could have +accomplished it a paper medium of exchange equal in amount to the real +wants of the country at par value with gold and silver. The saving to the +Government would have been equal to all the interest which it has had to +pay on Treasury notes of previous as well as subsequent issues, thereby +relieving the Government and at the same time affording relief to the +people. Under all the responsibilities attached to the station which I +occupy, and in redemption of a pledge given to the last Congress at the +close of its first session, I submitted the suggestion to its consideration +at two consecutive sessions. The recommendation, however, met with no favor +at its hands. While I am free to admit that the necessities of the times +have since become greatly ameliorated and that there is good reason to hope +that the country is safely and rapidly emerging from the difficulties and +embarrassments which everywhere surrounded it in 1841, yet I can not but +think that its restoration to a sound and healthy condition would be +greatly expedited by a resort to the expedient in a modified form. +</p> + +<p> +The operations of the Treasury now rest upon the act of 1789 and the +resolution of 1816, and those laws have been so administered as to produce +as great a quantum of good to the country as their provisions are capable +of yielding. If there had been any distinct expression of opinion going to +show that public sentiment is averse to the plan, either as heretofore +recommended to Congress or in a modified form, while my own opinion in +regard to it would remain unchanged I should be very far from again +presenting it to your consideration. The Government has originated with the +States and the people, for their own benefit and advantage, and it would be +subversive of the foundation principles of the political edifice which they +have reared to persevere in a measure which in their mature judgments they +had either repudiated or condemned. The will of our constituents clearly +expressed should be regarded as the light to guide our footsteps, the true +difference between a monarchical or aristocratical government and a +republic being that in the first the will of the few prevails over the will +of the many, while in the last the will of the many should be alone +consulted. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Secretary of War will bring you acquainted with the +condition of that important branch of the public service. The Army may be +regarded, in consequence of the small number of the rank and file in each +company and regiment, as little more than a nucleus around which to rally +the military force of the country in case of war, and yet its services in +preserving the peace of the frontiers are of a most important nature. In +all cases of emergency the reliance of the country is properly placed in +the militia of the several States, and it may well deserve the +consideration of Congress whether a new and more perfect organization might +not be introduced, looking mainly to the volunteer companies of the Union +for the present and of easy application to the great body of the militia in +time of war. +</p> + +<p> +The expenditures of the War Department have been considerably reduced in +the last two years. Contingencies, however, may arise which would call for +the filling up of the regiments with a full complement of men and make it +very desirable to remount the corps of dragoons, which by an act of the +last Congress was directed to be dissolved. +</p> + +<p> +I refer you to the accompanying report of the Secretary for information in +relation to the Navy of the United States. While every effort has been and +will continue to be made to retrench all superfluities and lop off all +excrescences which from time to time may have grown up, yet it has not been +regarded as wise or prudent to recommend any material change in the annual +appropriations. The interests which are involved are of too important a +character to lead to the recommendation of any other than a liberal policy. +Adequate appropriations ought to be made to enable the Executive to fit out +all the ships that are now in a course of building or that require repairs +for active service in the shortest possible time should any emergency arise +which may require it. An efficient navy, while it is the cheapest means of +public defense, enlists in its support the feelings of pride and confidence +which brilliant deeds and heroic valor have heretofore served to strengthen +and confirm. +</p> + +<p> +I refer you particularly to that part of the Secretary's report which has +reference to recent experiments in the application of steam and in the +construction of our war steamers, made under the superintendence of +distinguished officers of the Navy. In addition to other manifest +improvements in the construction of the steam engine and application of the +motive power which has rendered them more appropriate to the uses of ships +of war, one of those officers has brought into use a power which makes the +steamship most formidable either for attack or defense. I can not too +strongly recommend this subject to your consideration and do not hesitate +to express my entire conviction of its great importance. +</p> + +<p> +I call your particular attention also to that portion of the Secretary's +report which has reference to the act of the late session of Congress which +prohibited the transfer of any balance of appropriation from other heads of +appropriation to that for building, equipment, and repair. The repeal of +that prohibition will enable the Department to give renewed employment to a +large class of workmen who have been necessarily discharged in consequence +of the want of means to pay them--a circumstance attended, especially at +this season of the year, with much privation and suffering. +</p> + +<p> +It gives me great pain to announce to you the loss of the steamship the +Missouri by fire in the Bay of Gibraltar, where she had stopped to renew +her supplies of coal on her voyage to Alexandria, with Mr. Cushing, the +American minister to China, on board. There is ground for high commendation +of the officers and men for the coolness and intrepidity and perfect +submission to discipline evinced under the most trying circumstances. +Surrounded by a raging fire, which the utmost exertions could not subdue, +and which threatened momentarily the explosion of her well-supplied +magazines, the officers exhibited no signs of fear and the men obeyed every +order with alacrity. Nor was she abandoned until the last gleam of hope of +saving her had expired. It is well worthy of your consideration whether the +losses sustained by the officers and crew in this unfortunate affair should +not be reimbursed to them. +</p> + +<p> +I can not take leave of this painful subject without adverting to the aid +rendered upon the occasion by the British authorities at Gibraltar and the +commander, officers, and crew of the British ship of the line the Malabar, +which was lying at the time in the bay. Everything that generosity or +humanity could dictate was promptly performed. It is by such acts of good +will by one to another of the family of nations that fraternal feelings are +nourished and the blessings of permanent peace secured. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Postmaster-General will bring you acquainted with the +operations of that Department during the past year, and will suggest to you +such modifications of the existing laws as in your opinion the exigencies +of the public service may require. The change which the country has +undergone of late years in the mode of travel and transportation has +afforded so many facilities for the transmission of mail matter out of the +regular mail as to require the greatest vigilance and circumspection in +order to enable the officer at the head of the Department to restrain the +expenditures within the income. There is also too much reason to fear that +the franking privilege has run into great abuse. The Department, +nevertheless, has been conducted with the greatest vigor, and has attained +at the least possible expense all the useful objects for which it was +established. +</p> + +<p> +In regard to all the Departments, I am quite happy in the belief that +nothing has been left undone which was called for by a true spirit of +economy or by a system of accountability rigidly enforced. This is in some +degree apparent from the fact that the Government has sustained no loss by +the default of any of its agents. In the complex, but at the same time +beautiful, machinery of our system of government, it is not a matter of +surprise that some remote agency may have failed for an instant to fulfill +its desired office; but I feel confident in the assertion that nothing has +occurred to interrupt the harmonious action of the Government itself, and +that, while the laws have been executed with efficiency and vigor, the +rights neither of States nor individuals have been trampled on or +disregarded. +</p> + +<p> +In the meantime the country has been steadily advancing in all that +contributes to national greatness. The tide of population continues +unbrokenly to flow into the new States and Territories, where a refuge is +found not only for our native-born fellow-citizens, but for emigrants from +all parts of the civilized world, who come among us to partake of the +blessings of our free institutions and to aid by their labor to swell the +current of our wealth and power. +</p> + +<p> +It is due to every consideration of public policy that the lakes and rivers +of the West should receive all such attention at the hands of Congress as +the Constitution will enable it to bestow. Works in favorable and proper +situations on the Lakes would be found to be as indispensably necessary, in +case of war, to carry on safe and successful naval operations as +fortifications on the Atlantic seaboard. The appropriation made by the last +Congress for the improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi River has +been diligently and efficiently applied. +</p> + +<p> +I can not close this communication, gentlemen, without recommending to your +most favorable consideration the interests of this District. Appointed by +the Constitution its exclusive legislators, and forming in this particular +the only anomaly in our system of government--of the legislative body being +elected by others than those for whose advantage they are to legislate--you +will feel a superadded obligation to look well into their condition and to +leave no cause for complaint or regret. The seat of Government of our +associated republics can not but be regarded as worthy of your parental +care. +</p> + +<p> +In connection with its other interests, as well as those of the whole +country, I recommend that at your present session you adopt such measures +in order to carry into effect the Smithsonian bequest as in your judgment +will be best calculated to consummate the liberal intent of the testator. +</p> + +<p> +When, under a dispensation of Divine Providence, I succeeded to the +presidential office, the state of public affairs was embarrassing and +critical. To add to the irritation consequent upon a long-standing +controversy with one of the most powerful nations of modern times, +involving not only questions of boundary (which under the most favorable +circumstances are always embarrassing), but at the same time important and +high principles of maritime law, border controversies between the citizens +and subjects of the two countries had engendered a state of feeling and of +conduct which threatened the most calamitous consequences. The hazards +incident to this state of things were greatly heightened by the arrest and +imprisonment of a subject of Great Britain, who, acting (as it was alleged) +as a part of a military force, had aided in the commission of an act +violative of the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and +involving the murder of a citizen, of the State of New York. A large amount +of claims against the Government of Mexico remained unadjusted and a war of +several years' continuance with the savage tribes of Florida still +prevailed, attended with the desolation of a large portion of that +beautiful Territory and with the sacrifice of many valuable lives. To +increase the embarrassments of the Government, individual and State credit +had been nearly stricken down and confidence in the General Government was +so much impaired that-loans of a small amount could only be negotiated at a +considerable sacrifice. As a necessary consequence of the blight which had +fallen on commerce and mechanical industry, the ships of the one were +thrown out of employment and the operations of the other had been greatly +diminished. Owing to the condition of the currency, exchanges between +different parts of the country had become ruinously high and trade had to +depend on a depreciated paper currency in conducting its transactions. I +shall be permitted to congratulate the country that under an overruling +Providence peace was preserved without a sacrifice of the national honor; +the war in Florida was brought to a speedy termination; a large portion of +the claims on Mexico have been fully adjudicated and are in a course of +payment, while justice has been rendered to us in other matters by other +nations; confidence between man and man is in a great measure restored and +the credit of this Government fully and perfectly reestablished; commerce +is becoming more and more extended in its operations and manufacturing and +mechanical industry once more reap the rewards of skill and labor honestly +applied; the operations of trade rest on a sound currency and the rates of +exchange are reduced to their lowest amount. +</p> + +<p> +In this condition of things I have felt it to be my duty to bring to your +favorable consideration matters of great interest in their present and +ultimate results; and the only desire which I feel in connection with the +future is and will continue to be to leave the country prosperous and its +institutions unimpaired. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="t3"> +*** +</p> + +<p><a id="dec1844"></a></p> + +<p class="noindent"> +State of the Union Address<br /> +John Tyler<br /> +December 3, 1844<br /> +</p> + +<p class="noindent"> +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: +</p> + +<p> +We have continued cause for expressing our gratitude to the Supreme Ruler +of the Universe for the benefits and blessings which our country, under His +kind providence, has enjoyed during the past year. Notwithstanding the +exciting scenes through which we have passed, nothing has occurred to +disturb the general peace or to derange the harmony of our political +system. The great moral spectacle has been exhibited of a nation +approximating in number to 20,000,000 people having performed the high and +important function of electing their Chief Magistrate for the term of four +years without the commission of any acts of violence or the manifestation +of a spirit of insubordination to the laws. The great and inestimable right +of suffrage has been exercised by all who were invested with it under the +laws of the different States in a spirit dictated alone by a desire, in the +selection of the agent, to advance the interests of the country and to +place beyond jeopardy the institutions under which it is our happiness to +live. That the deepest interest has been manifested by all our countrymen +in the result of the election is not less true than highly creditable to +them. Vast multitudes have assembled from time to time at various places +for the purpose of canvassing the merits and pretensions of those who were +presented for their suffrages, but no armed soldiery has been necessary to +restrain within proper limits the popular zeal or to prevent violent +outbreaks. A principle much more controlling was found in the love of order +and obedience to the laws, which, with mere individual exceptions, +everywhere possesses the American mind, and controls with an influence far +more powerful than hosts of armed men. We can not dwell upon this picture +without recognizing in it that deep and devoted attachment on the part of +the people to the institutions under which we live which proclaims their +perpetuity. The great objection which has always prevailed against the +election by the people of their chief executive officer has been the +apprehension of tumults and disorders which might involve in ruin the +entire Government. A security against this is found not only in the fact +before alluded to, trot in the additional fact that we live under a +Confederacy embracing already twenty-six States, no one of which has power +to control the election. The popular vote in each State is taken at the +time appointed by the laws, and such vote is announced by the electoral +college without reference to the decision of other States. The right of +suffrage and the mode of conducting the election are regulated by the laws +of each State, and the election is distinctly federative in all its +prominent features. Thus it is that, unlike what might be the results under +a consolidated system, riotous proceedings, should they prevail, could only +affect the elections in single States without disturbing to any dangerous +extent the tranquillity of others. The great experiment of a political +confederation each member of which is supreme as to all matters +appertaining to its local interests and its internal peace and happiness, +while by a voluntary compact with others it confides to the united power of +all the protection of its citizens in matters not domestic has been so far +crowned with complete success. The world has witnessed its rapid growth in +wealth and population, and under the guide and direction of a +superintending Providence the developments of the past may be regarded but +as the shadowing forth of the mighty future. In the bright prospects of +that future we shall find, as patriots and philanthropists, the highest +inducements to cultivate and cherish a love of union and to frown down +every measure or effort which may be made to alienate the States or the +people of the States in sentiment and feeling from each other. A rigid and +close adherence to the terms of our political compact and, above all, a +sacred observance of the guaranties of the Constitution will preserve union +on a foundation which can not be shaken, while personal liberty is placed +beyond hazard or jeopardy. The guaranty of religious freedom, of the +freedom of the press, of the liberty of speech, of the trial by jury, of +the habeas corpus, and of the domestic institutions of each of the States, +leaving the private citizen in the full exercise of the high and ennobling +attributes of his nature and to each State the privilege (which can only be +judiciously exerted by itself) of consulting the means best calculated to +advance its own happiness--these are the great and important guaranties of +the Constitution which the lovers of liberty must cherish and the advocates +of union must ever cultivate. Preserving these and avoiding all +interpolations by forced construction under the guise of an imagined +expediency upon the Constitution, the influence of our political system is +destined to be as actively and as beneficially felt on the distant shores +of the Pacific as it is now on those of the Atlantic Ocean. The only +formidable impediments in the way of its successful expansion (time and +space) are so far in the progress of modification by the improvements of +the age as to render no longer speculative the ability of representatives +from that remote region to come up to the Capitol, so that their +constituents shall participate in all the benefits of Federal legislation. +Thus it is that in the progress of time the inestimable principles of civil +liberty will be enjoyed by millions yet unborn and the great benefits of +our system of government be extended to now distant and uninhabited +regions. In view of the vast wilderness yet to be reclaimed, we may well +invite the lover of freedom of every land to take up his abode among us and +assist us in the great work of advancing the standard of civilization and +giving a wider spread to the arts and refinements of cultivated life. Our +prayers should evermore be offered up to the Father of the Universe for His +wisdom to direct us in the path of our duty so as to enable us to +consummate these high purposes. +</p> + +<p> +One of the strongest objections which has been urged against confederacies +by writers on government is the liability of the members to be tampered +with by foreign governments or the people of foreign states, either in +their local affairs or in such as affected the peace of others or +endangered the safety of the whole confederacy. We can not hope to be +entirely exempt from such attempts on our peace and safety. The United +States are becoming too important in population and resources not to +attract the observation of other nations. It therefore may in the progress +of time occur that opinions entirely abstract in the States which they may +prevail and in no degree affecting their domestic institutions may be +artfully but secretly encouraged with a view to undermine the Union. Such +opinions may become the foundation of political parties, until at last the +conflict of opinion, producing an alienation of friendly feeling among the +people of the different States, may involve in general destruction the +happy institutions under which we live. It should ever be borne in mind +that what is true in regard to individuals is equally so in regard to +states. An interference of one in the affairs of another is the fruitful +cause of family dissensions and neighborhood disputes, and the same cause +affects the peace, happiness, and prosperity of states. It may be most +devoutly hoped that the good sense of the American people will ever be +ready to repel all such attempts should they ever be made. +</p> + +<p> +There has been no material change in our foreign relations since my last +annual message to Congress. With all the powers of Europe we continue on +the most friendly terms. Indeed, it affords me much satisfaction to state +that at no former period has the peace of that enlightened and important +quarter of the globe ever been, apparently, more firmly established. The +conviction that peace is the true policy of nations would seem to be +growing and becoming deeper amongst the enlightened everywhere, and there +is no people who have a stronger interest in cherishing the sentiments and +adopting the means of preserving and giving it permanence than those of the +United States. Amongst these, the first and most effective are, no doubt, +the strict observance of justice and the honest and punctual fulfillment of +all engagements. But it is not to be forgotten that in the present state of +the world it is no less necessary to be ready to enforce their observance +and fulfillment in reference to ourselves than to observe and fulfill them +on our part in regard to others. +</p> + +<p> +Since the close of your last session a negotiation has been formally +entered upon between the Secretary of State and Her Britannic Majesty's +minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary residing at Washington +relative to the rights of their respective nations in and over the Oregon +Territory. That negotiation is still pending. Should it during your session +be brought to a definitive conclusion, the result will be promptly +communicated to Congress. I would, however, again call your attention to +the recommendations contained in previous messages designed to protect and +facilitate emigration to that Territory. The establishment of military +posts at suitable points upon the extended line of land travel would enable +our citizens to emigrate in comparative safety to the fertile regions below +the Falls of the Columbia, and make the provision of the existing +convention for the joint occupation of the territory by subjects of Great +Britain and the citizens of the United States more available than +heretofore to the latter. These posts would constitute places of rest for +the weary emigrant, where he would be sheltered securely against the danger +of attack from the Indians and be enabled to recover from the exhaustion of +a long line of travel. Legislative enactments should also be made which +should spread over him the aegis of our laws, so as to afford protection to +his person and property when he shall have reached his distant home. In +this latter respect the British Government has been much more careful of +the interests of such of her people as are to be found in that country than +the United States. She has made necessary provision for their security and +protection against the acts of the viciously disposed and lawless, and her +emigrant reposes in safety under the panoply of her laws. Whatever may be +the result of the pending negotiation, such measures are necessary. It will +afford me the greatest pleasure to witness a happy and favorable +termination to the existing negotiation upon terms compatible with the +public honor, and the best efforts of the Government will continue to be +directed to this end. +</p> + +<p> +It would have given me the highest gratification in this my last annual +communication to Congress to have been able to announce to you the complete +and entire settlement and adjustment of other matters in difference between +the United States and the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, which were +adverted to in a previous message. It is so obviously the interest of both +countries, in respect to the large and valuable commerce which exists +between them, that all causes of complaint, however inconsiderable, should +be with the greatest promptitude removed that it must be regarded as cause +of regret that any unnecessary delays should be permitted to intervene. It +is true that in a pecuniary point of view the matters alluded to are +altogether insignificant in amount when compared with the ample resources +of that great nation, but they nevertheless, more particularly that limited +class which arise under seizures and detentions of American ships on the +coast of Africa upon the mistaken supposition indulged in at the time the +wrong was committed of their being engaged in the slave trade, deeply +affect the sensibilities of this Government and people. Great Britain, +having recognized her responsibility to repair all such wrongs by her +action in other cases, leaves nothing to be regretted upon the subject as +to all cases arising prior to the treaty of Washington than the delay in +making suitable reparation in such of them as fall plainly within the +principle of others which she has long since adjusted. The injury inflicted +by delays in the settlement of these claims falls with severity upon the +individual claimants and makes a strong appeal to her magnanimity and sense +of justice for a speedy settlement. Other matters arising out of the +construction of existing treaties also remain unadjusted, and will continue +to be urged upon her attention. +</p> + +<p> +The labors of the joint commission appointed by the two Governments to run +the dividing line established by the treaty of Washington were, +unfortunately, much delayed in the commencement of the season by the +failure of Congress at its last session to make a timely appropriation of +funds to meet the expenses of the American party, and by other causes. The +United States commissioner, however, expresses his expectation that by +increased diligence and energy the party will be able to make up for lost +time. +</p> + +<p> +We continue to receive assurances of the most friendly feelings on the part +of all the other European powers, with each and all of whom it is so +obviously our interest to cultivate the most amicable relations; nor can I +anticipate the occurrence of any event which would be likely in any degree +to disturb those relations. Russia, the great northern power, under the +judicious sway of her Emperor, is constantly advancing in the road of +science and improvement, while France, guided by the counsels of her wise +Sovereign, pursues a course calculated to consolidate the general peace. +Spain has obtained a breathing spell of some duration from the internal +convulsions which have through so many years marred her prosperity, while +Austria, the Netherlands, Prussia, Belgium, and the other powers of Europe +reap a rich harvest of blessings from the prevailing peace. +</p> + +<p> +I informed the two Houses of Congress in my message of December last that +instructions had been given to Mr. Wheaton, our minister at Berlin, to +negotiate a treaty with the Germanic States composing the Zollverein if it +could be done, stipulating, as far as it was practicable to accomplish it, +for a reduction of the heavy and onerous duties levied on our tobacco and +other leading articles of agricultural production, and yielding in return +on our part a reduction of duties on such articles the product of their +industry as should not come into competition, or but a limited one, with +articles the product of our manufacturing industry. The Executive in giving +such instructions considered itself as acting in strict conformity with the +wishes of Congress as made known through several measures which it had +adopted, all directed to the accomplishment of this important result. The +treaty was therefore negotiated, by which essential reductions were secured +in the duties levied by the Zollverein on tobacco, rice, and lard, +accompanied by a stipulation for the admission of raw cotton free of duty; +in exchange for which highly important concessions a reduction of duties +imposed by the laws of the United States on a variety of articles, most of +which were admitted free of all duty under the act of Congress commonly +known as the compromise law, and but few of which were produced in the +United States, was stipulated for on our part. This treaty was communicated +to the Senate at an early day of its last session, but not acted upon until +near its close, when, for the want (as I am bound to presume) of full time +to consider it, it was laid upon the table. This procedure had the effect +of virtually rejecting it, in consequence of a stipulation contained in the +treaty that its ratifications should be exchanged on or before a day which +has already passed. The Executive, acting upon the fair inference that the +Senate did not intend its absolute rejection, gave instructions to our +minister at Berlin to reopen the negotiation so far as to obtain an +extension of time for the exchange of ratifications. I regret, however, to +say that his efforts in this respect have been unsuccessful. I am +nevertheless not without hope that the great advantages which were intended +to be secured by the treaty may yet be realized. +</p> + +<p> +I am happy to inform you that Belgium has, by an "arrete royale" issued in +July last, assimilated the flag of the United States to her own, so far as +the direct trade between the two countries is concerned. This measure will +prove of great service to our shipping interest, the trade having +heretofore been carried on chiefly in foreign bottoms. I flatter myself +that she will speedily resort to a modification of her system relating to +the tobacco trade, which would decidedly benefit the agriculture of the +United States and operate to the mutual advantage of both countries. +</p> + +<p> +No definitive intelligence has yet been received from our minister of the +conclusion of a treaty with the Chinese Empire, but enough is known to +induce the strongest hopes that the mission will be crowned with success. +</p> + +<p> +With Brazil our relations continue on the most friendly footing. The +commercial intercourse between that growing Empire and the United States is +becoming daily of greater importance to both, and it is to the interest of +both that the firmest relations of amity and good will should continue to +be cultivated between them. +</p> + +<p> +The Republic of New Granada still withholds, notwithstanding the most +persevering efforts have been employed by our charge d'affaires, Mr. +Blackford, to produce a different result, indemnity in the case of the brig +Morris; and the Congress of Venezuela, although an arrangement has been +effected between our minister and the minister of foreign affairs of that +Government for the payment of $18,000 in discharge of its liabilities in +the same case, has altogether neglected to make provision for its payment. +It is to be hoped that a sense of justice will soon induce a settlement of +these claims. +</p> + +<p> +Our late minister to Chili, Mr. Pendleton, has returned to the United +States without having effected an adjustment in the second claim of the +Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds altogether frivolous and untenable. +Mr. Pendleton's successor has been directed to urge the claim in the +strongest terms, and, in the event of a failure to obtain a prompt +adjustment, to report the fact to the Executive at as early a day as +possible, so that the whole matter may be communicated to Congress. +</p> + +<p> +At your last session I submitted to the attention of Congress the +convention with the Republic of Peru of the 17th March, 1841, providing for +the adjustment of the claims of citizens of the United States against that +Republic, but no definitive action was taken upon the subject. I again +invite to it your attention and prompt action. +</p> + +<p> +In my last annual message I felt it to be my duty to make known to +Congress, in terms both plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard to the war +which has so long existed between Mexico and Texas which since the battle +of San Jacinto has consisted altogether of predatory incursions, attended +by circumstances revolting to humanity. I repeat now what I then said, that +after eight years of feeble and ineffectual efforts to reconquer Texas it +was time that the war should have ceased. The United States have a direct +interest in the question. The contiguity of the two nations to our +territory was but too well calculated to involve our peace. Unjust +suspicions were engendered in the mind of one or the other of the +belligerents against us, and as a necessary consequence American interests +were made to suffer and our peace became daily endangered; in addition to +which it must have been obvious to all that the exhaustion produced by the +war subjected both Mexico and Texas to the interference of other powers, +which, without the interposition of this Government, might eventuate in the +most serious injury to the United States. This Government from time to time +exerted its friendly offices to bring about a termination of hostilities +upon terms honorable alike to both the belligerents. Its efforts in this +behalf proved unavailing. Mexico seemed almost without an object to +persevere in the war, and no other alternative was left the Executive but +to take advantage of the well-known dispositions of Texas and to invite her +to enter into a treaty for annexing her territory to that of the United +States. +</p> + +<p> +Since your last session Mexico has threatened to renew the war, and has +either made or proposes to make formidable preparations for invading Texas. +She has issued decrees and proclamations, preparatory to the commencement +of hostilities, full of threats revolting to humanity, and which if carried +into effect would arouse the attention of all Christendom. This new +demonstration of feeling, there is too much reason to believe, has been +produced in consequence of the negotiation of the late treaty of annexation +with Texas. The Executive, therefore, could not be indifferent to such +proceedings, and it felt it to be due as well to itself as to the honor of +the country that a strong representation should be made to the Mexican +Government upon the subject. This was accordingly done, as will be seen by +the copy of the accompanying dispatch from the Secretary of State to the +United States envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no right to jeopard the peace of +the world by urging any longer a useless and fruitless contest. Such a +condition of things would not be tolerated on the European continent. Why +should it be on this? A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by +Mexico, can not be waged without involving our peace and tranquillity. It +is idle to believe that such a war could be looked upon with indifference +by our own citizens inhabiting adjoining States; and our neutrality would +be violated in despite of all efforts on the part of the Government to +prevent it. The country is settled by emigrants from the United States +under invitations held out to them by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants +have left behind them friends and relatives, who would not fail to +sympathize with them in their difficulties, and who would be led by those +sympathies to participate in their struggles, however energetic the action +of the Government to prevent it. Nor would the numerous and formidable +bands of Indians--the most warlike to be found in any land--which +occupy the extensive regions contiguous to the States of Arkansas and +Missouri, and who are in possession of large tracts of country within the +limits of Texas, be likely to remain passive. The inclinations of those +numerous tribes lead them invariably to war whenever pretexts exist. +</p> + +<p> +Mexico had no just ground of displeasure against this Government or people +for negotiating the treaty. What interest of hers was affected by the +treaty? She was despoiled of nothing, since Texas was forever lost to her. +The independence of Texas was recognized by several of the leading powers +of the earth. She was free to treat, free to adopt her own line of policy, +free to take the course which she believed was best calculated to secure +her happiness. +</p> + +<p> +Her Government and people decided on annexation to the United States, and +the Executive saw in the acquisition of such a territory the means of +advancing their permanent happiness and glory. What principle of good +faith, then, was violated? What rule of political morals trampled under +foot? So far as Mexico herself was concerned, the measure should have been +regarded by her as highly beneficial. Her inability to reconquer Texas had +been exhibited, I repeat, by eight (now nine) years of fruitless and +ruinous contest. In the meantime Texas has been growing in population and +resources. Emigration has flowed into her territory from all parts of the +world in a current which continues to increase in strength. Mexico requires +a permanent boundary between that young Republic and herself. Texas at no +distant day, if she continues separate and detached from the United States, +will inevitably seek to consolidate her strength by adding to her domain +the contiguous Provinces of Mexico. The spirit of revolt from the control +of the central Government has heretofore manifested itself in some of those +Provinces, and it is fair to infer that they would be inclined to take the +first favorable opportunity to proclaim their independence and to form +close alliances with Texas. The war would thus be endless, or if cessations +of hostilities should occur they would only endure for a season. The +interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better consulted than +in a peace with her neighbors which would result in the establishment of a +permanent boundary. Upon the ratification of the treaty the Executive was +prepared to treat with her on the most liberal basis. Hence the boundaries +of Texas were left undefined by the treaty. The Executive proposed to +settle these upon terms that all the world should have pronounced just and +reasonable. No negotiation upon that point could have been undertaken +between the United States and Mexico in advance of the ratification of the +treaty. We should have had no right, no power, no authority, to have +conducted such a negotiation, and to have undertaken it would have been an +assumption equally revolting to the pride of Mexico and Texas and +subjecting us to the charge of arrogance, while to have proposed in advance +of annexation to satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest she might have +in Texas would have been to have treated Texas not as an independent power, +but as a mere dependency of Mexico. This assumption could not have been +acted on by the Executive without setting at defiance your own solemn +declaration that that Republic was an independent State. Mexico had, it is +true, threatened war against the United States in the event the treaty of +annexation was ratified. The Executive could not permit itself to be +influenced by this threat. It represented in this the spirit of our people, +who are ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimidation. A +war under any circumstances is greatly to be deplored, and the United +States is the last nation to desire it; but if, as the condition of peace, +it be required of us to forego the unquestionable right of treating with an +independent power of our own continent upon matters highly interesting to +both, and that upon a naked and unsustained pretension of claim by a third +power to control the free will of the power with whom we treat, devoted as +we may be to peace and anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the +whole world, the Executive does not hesitate to say that the people of the +United States would be ready to brave all consequences sooner than submit +to such condition. But no apprehension of war was entertained by the +Executive, and I must express frankly the opinion that had the treaty been +ratified by the Senate it would have been followed by a prompt settlement, +to the entire satisfaction of Mexico, of every matter in difference between +the two countries. Seeing, then, that new preparations for hostile invasion +of Texas were about to be adopted by Mexico, and that these were brought +about because Texas had adopted the suggestions of the Executive upon the +subject of annexation, it could not passively have folded its arms and +permitted a war, threatened to be accompanied by every act that could mark +a barbarous age, to be waged against her because she had done so. +</p> + +<p> +Other considerations of a controlling character influenced the course of +the Executive. The treaty which had thus been negotiated had failed to +receive the ratification of the Senate. One of the chief objections which +was urged against it was found to consist in the fact that the question of +annexation had not been submitted to the ordeal of public opinion in the +United States. However untenable such an objection was esteemed to be, in +view of the unquestionable power of the Executive to negotiate the treaty +and the great and lasting interests involved in the question, I felt it to +be my duty to submit the whole subject to Congress as the best expounders +of popular sentiment. No definitive action having been taken on the subject +by Congress, the question referred itself directly to the decision of the +States and people. The great popular election which has just terminated +afforded the best opportunity of ascertaining the will of the States and +the people upon it. Pending that issue it became the imperative duty of the +Executive to inform Mexico that the question of annexation was still before +the American people, and that until their decision was pronounced any +serious invasion of Texas would be regarded as an attempt to forestall +their judgment and could not be looked upon with indifference. I am most +happy to inform you that no such invasion has taken place; and I trust that +whatever your action may be upon it Mexico will see the importance of +deciding the matter by a resort to peaceful expedients in preference to +those of arms. The decision of the people and the States on this great and +interesting subject has been decisively manifested. The question of +annexation has been presented nakedly to their consideration. By the treaty +itself all collateral and incidental issues which were calculated to divide +and distract the public councils were carefully avoided. These were left to +the wisdom of the future to determine. It presented, I repeat, the isolated +question of annexation, and in that form it has been submitted to the +ordeal of public sentiment. A controlling majority of the people and a +large majority of the States have declared in favor of immediate +annexation. Instructions have thus come up to both branches of Congress +from their respective constituents in terms the most emphatic. It is the +will of both the people and the States that Texas shall be annexed to the +Union promptly and immediately. It may be hoped that in carrying into +execution the public will thus declared all collateral issues may be +avoided. Future Legislatures can best decide as to the number of States +which should be formed out of the territory when the time has arrived for +deciding that question. So with all others. By the treaty the United States +assumed the payment of the debts of Texas to an amount not exceeding +$10,000,000, to be paid, with the exception of a sum falling short of +$400,000, exclusively out of the proceeds of the sales of her public lands. +We could not with honor take the lands without assuming the full payment of +all incumbencies upon them. +</p> + +<p> +Nothing has occurred since your last session to induce a doubt that the +dispositions of Texas remain unaltered. No intimation of an altered +determination on the part of her Government and people has been furnished +to the Executive. She still desires to throw herself under the protection +of our laws and to partake of the blessings of our federative system, while +every American interest would seem to require it. The extension of our +coastwise and foreign trade to an amount almost incalculable, the +enlargement of the market for our manufactures, a constantly growing market +for our agricultural productions, safety to our frontiers, and additional +strength and stability to the Union--these are the results which would +rapidly develop themselves upon the consummation of the measure of +annexation. In such event I will not doubt but that Mexico would find her +true interest to consist in meeting the advances of this Government in a +spirit of amity. Nor do I apprehend any serious complaint from any other +quarter; no sufficient ground exists for such complaint. We should +interfere in no respect with the rights of any other nation. There can not +be gathered from the act any design on our part to do so with their +possessions on this continent. We have interposed no impediments in the way +of such acquisitions of territory, large and extensive as many of them are, +as the leading powers of Europe have made from time to time in every part +of the world. We seek no conquest made by war. No intrigue will have been +resorted to or acts of diplomacy essayed to accomplish the annexation of +Texas. Free and independent herself, she asks to be received into our +Union. It is a question for our own decision whether she shall be received +or not. +</p> + +<p> +The two Governments having already agreed through their respective organs +on the terms of annexation, I would recommend their adoption by Congress in +the form of a joint resolution or act to be perfected and made binding on +the two countries when adopted in like manner by the Government of Texas. +</p> + +<p> +In order that the subject may be fully presented in all its bearings, the +correspondence which has taken place in reference to it since the +adjournment of Congress between the United States, Texas, and Mexico is +herewith transmitted. +</p> + +<p> +The amendments proposed by the Senate to the convention concluded between +the United States and Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, have been +transmitted through our minister for the concurrence of the Mexican +Government, but, although urged thereto, no action has yet been had on the +subject, nor has any answer been given which would authorize a favorable +conclusion in the future. +</p> + +<p> +The decree of September, 1843, in relation to the retail trade, the order +for the expulsion of foreigners, and that of a more recent date in regard +to passports--all which are considered as in violation of the treaty of +amity and commerce between the two countries--have led to a correspondence +of considerable length between the minister for foreign relations and our +representatives at Mexico, but without any satisfactory result. They remain +still unadjusted, and many and serious inconveniences have already resulted +to our citizens in consequence of them. +</p> + +<p> +Questions growing out of the act of disarming a body of Texan troops under +the command of Major Snively by an officer in the service of the United +States, acting under the orders of our Government, and the forcible entry +into the custom-house at Bryarlys Landing, on Red River, by certain +citizens of the United States, and taking away therefrom the goods seized +by the collector of the customs as forfeited under the laws of Texas, have +been adjusted so far as the powers of the Executive extend. The +correspondence between the two Governments in reference to both subjects +will be found amongst the accompanying documents. It contains a full +statement of all the facts and circumstances, with the views taken on both +sides and the principles on which the questions have been adjusted. It +remains for Congress to make the necessary appropriation to carry the +arrangement into effect, which I respectfully recommend. +</p> + +<p> +The greatly improved condition of the Treasury affords a subject for +general congratulation. The paralysis which had fallen on trade and +commerce, and which subjected the Government to the necessity of resorting +to loans and the issue of Treasury notes to a large amount, has passed +away, and after the payment of upward of $7,000,000 on account of the +interest, and in redemption of more than $5,000,000 of the public debt +which falls due on the 1st of January next, and setting apart upward of +$2,000,000 for the payment of outstanding Treasury notes and meeting an +installment of the debts of the corporate cities of the District of +Columbia, an estimated surplus of upward of $7,000,000 over and above the +existing appropriations will remain in the Treasury at the close of the +fiscal year. Should the Treasury notes continue outstanding as heretofore, +that surplus will be considerably augmented. Although all interest has +ceased upon them and the Government has invited their return to the +Treasury, yet they remain outstanding, affording great facilities to +commerce, and establishing the fact that under a well-regulated system of +finance the Government has resources within itself which render it +independent in time of need, not only of private loans, but also of bank +facilities. +</p> + +<p> +The only remaining subject of regret is that the remaining stocks of the +Government do not fall due at an earlier day, since their redemption would +be entirely within its control. As it is, it may be well worthy the +consideration of Congress whether the law establishing the sinking fund +(under the operation of which the debts of the Revolution and last war with +Great Britain were to a great extent extinguished) should not, with proper +modifications, so as to prevent an accumulation of surpluses, and limited +in amount to a specific sum, be reenacted. Such provision, which would +authorize the Government to go into the market for a purchase of its own +stock on fair terms, would serve to maintain its credit at the highest +point and prevent to a great extent those fluctuations in the price of its +securities which might under other circumstances affect its credit. No +apprehension of this sort is at this moment entertained, since the stocks +of the Government, which but two years ago were offered for sale to +capitalists at home and abroad at a depreciation, and could find no +purchasers, are now greatly above par in the hands of the holders; but a +wise and prudent forecast admonishes us to place beyond the reach of +contingency the public credit. +</p> + +<p> +It must also be a matter of unmingled gratification that under the existing +financial system (resting upon the act of 1789 and the resolution of 1816) +the currency of the country has attained a state of perfect soundness; and +the rates of exchange between different parts of the Union, which in 1841 +denoted by their enormous amount the great depreciation and, in fact, +worthlessness of the currency in most of the States, are now reduced to +little more than the mere expense of transporting specie from place to +place and the risk incident to the operation. In a new country like that of +the United States, where so many inducements are held out for speculation, +the depositories of the surplus revenue, consisting of banks of any +description, when it reaches any considerable amount, require the closest +vigilance on the part of the Government. All banking institutions, under +whatever denomination they may pass, are governed by an almost exclusive +regard to the interest of the stockholders. That interest consists in the +augmentation of profits in the form of dividends, and a large surplus +revenue intrusted to their custody is but too apt to lead to excessive +loans and to extravagantly large issues of paper. As a necessary +consequence prices are nominally increased and the speculative mania very +soon seizes upon the public mind. A fictitious state of prosperity for a +season exists, and, in the language of the day, money becomes plenty. +Contracts are entered into by individuals resting on this unsubstantial +state of things, but the delusion speedily passes away and the country is +overrun with an indebtedness so weighty as to overwhelm many and to visit +every department of industry with great and ruinous embarrassment. The +greatest vigilance becomes necessary on the part of Government to guard +against this state of things. The depositories must be given distinctly to +understand that the favors of the Government will be altogether withdrawn, +or substantially diminished, if its revenues shall be regarded as additions +to their banking capital or as the foundation of an enlarged circulation. +</p> + +<p> +The Government, through its revenue, has at all times an important part to +perform in connection with the currency, and it greatly depends upon its +vigilance and care whether the country be involved in embarrassments +similar to those which it has had recently to encounter, or, aided by the +action of the Treasury, shall be preserved in a sound and healthy +condition. +</p> + +<p> +The dangers to be guarded against are greatly augmented by too large a +surplus of revenue. When that surplus greatly exceeds in amount what shall +be required by a wise and prudent forecast to meet unforeseen +contingencies, the Legislature itself may come to be seized with a +disposition to indulge in extravagant appropriations to objects many of +which may, and most probably would, be found to conflict with the +Constitution. A fancied expediency is elevated above constitutional +authority, and a reckless and wasteful extravagance but too certainly +follows. +</p> + +<p> +The important power of taxation, which when exercised in its most +restricted form is a burthen on labor and production, is resorted to under +various pretexts for purposes having no affinity to the motives which +dictated its grant, and the extravagance of Government stimulates +individual extravagance until the spirit of a wild and ill-regulated +speculation involves one and all in its unfortunate results. In view of +such fatal consequences, it may be laid down as an axiom rounded in moral +and political truth that no greater taxes should be imposed than are +necessary for an economical administration of the Government, and that +whatever exists beyond should be reduced or modified. This doctrine does in +no way conflict with the exercise of a sound discrimination in the +selection of the articles to be taxed, which a due regard to the public +weal would at all times suggest to the legislative mind. It leaves the +range of selection undefined; and such selection should always be made with +an eye to the great interests of the country. Composed as is the Union of +separate and independent States, a patriotic Legislature will not fail in +consulting the interests of the parts to adopt such course as will be best +calculated to advance the harmony of the whole, and thus insure that +permanency in the policy of the Government without which all efforts to +advance the public prosperity are vain and fruitless. +</p> + +<p> +This great and vitally important task rests with Congress, and the +Executive can do no more than recommend the general principles which should +govern in its execution. +</p> + +<p> +I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War for an exhibition of the +condition of the Army, and recommend to you as well worthy your best +consideration many of the suggestions it contains. The Secretary in no +degree exaggerates the great importance of pressing forward without delay +in the work of erecting and finishing the fortifications to which he +particularly alludes. Much has been done toward placing our cities and +roadsteads in a state of security against the hazards of hostile attack +within the last four years; but considering the new elements which have +been of late years employed in the propelling of ships and the formidable +implements of destruction which have been brought into service, we can not +be too active or vigilant in preparing and perfecting the means of defense. +I refer you also to his report for a full statement of the condition of the +Indian tribes within our jurisdiction. The Executive has abated no effort +in carrying into effect the well-established policy of the Government which +contemplates a removal of all the tribes residing within the limits of the +several States beyond those limits, and it is now enabled to congratulate +the country at the prospect of an early consummation of this object. Many +of the tribes have already made great progress in the arts of civilized +life, and through the operation of the schools established among them, +aided by the efforts of the pious men of various religious denominations +who devote themselves to the task of their improvement, we may fondly hope +that the remains of the formidable tribes which were once masters of this +country will in their transition from the savage state to a condition of +refinement and cultivation add another bright trophy to adorn the labors of +a well-directed philanthropy. +</p> + +<p> +The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy will explain to you +the situation of that branch of the service. The present organization of +the Department imparts to its operations great efficiency, but I concur +fully in the propriety of a division of the Bureau of Construction, +Equipment, Increase, and Repairs into two bureaus. The subjects as now +arranged are incongruous, and require to a certain extent information and +qualifications altogether dissimilar. +</p> + +<p> +The operations of the squadron on the coast of Africa have been conducted +with all due attention to the object which led to its origination, and I am +happy to say that the officers and crews have enjoyed the best possible +health under the system adopted by the officer in command. It is believed +that the United States is the only nation which has by its laws subjected +to the punishment of death as pirates those who may be engaged in the slave +trade. A similar enactment on the part of other nations would not fail to +be attended by beneficial results. +</p> + +<p> +In consequence of the difficulties which have existed in the way of +securing titles for the necessary grounds, operations have not yet been +commenced toward the establishment of the navy-yard at Memphis. So soon as +the title is perfected no further delay will be permitted to intervene. It +is well worthy of your consideration whether Congress should not direct the +establishment of a ropewalk in connection with the contemplated navy-yard, +as a measure not only of economy, but as highly useful and necessary. The +only establishment of the sort now connected with the service is located at +Boston, and the advantages of a similar establishment convenient to the +hemp-growing region must be apparent to all. +</p> + +<p> +The report of the Secretary presents other matters to your consideration of +an important character in connection with the service. +</p> + +<p> +In referring you to the accompanying report of the Postmaster-General it +affords me continued cause of gratification to be able to advert to the +fact that the affairs of the Department for the last four years have been +so conducted as from its unaided resources to meet its large expenditures. +On my coming into office a debt of nearly $500,000 existed against the +Department, which Congress discharged by an appropriation from the +Treasury. The Department on the 4th of March next will be found, under the +management of its present efficient head, free of debt or embarrassment, +which could only have been done by the observance and practice of the +greatest vigilance and economy. The laws have contemplated throughout that +the Department should be self-sustained, but it may become necessary, with +the wisest regard to the public interests, to introduce amendments and +alterations in the system. +</p> + +<p> +There is a strong desire manifested in many quarters so to alter the tariff +of letter postage as to reduce the amount of tax at present imposed. Should +such a measure be carried into effect to the full extent desired, it can +not well be doubted but that for the first years of its operation a +diminished revenue would be collected, the supply of which would +necessarily constitute a charge upon the Treasury. Whether such a result +would be desirable it will be for Congress in its wisdom to determine. It +may in general be asserted as true that radical alterations in any system +should rather be brought about gradually than by sudden changes and by +pursuing this prudent policy in the reduction of letter postage the +Department might still sustain itself through the revenue which would +accrue by the increase of letters. The state and condition of the public +Treasury has heretofore been such as to have precluded the recommendation +of any material change. The difficulties upon this head have, however, +ceased, and a larger discretion is now left to the Government. +</p> + +<p> +I can not too strongly urge the policy of authorizing the establishment of +a line of steamships regularly to ply between this country and foreign +ports and upon our own waters for the transportation of the mail. The +example of the British Government is well worthy of imitation in this +respect. The belief is strongly entertained that the emoluments arising +from the transportation of mail matter to foreign countries would operate +of itself as an inducement to cause individual enterprise to undertake that +branch of the task, and the remuneration of the Government would consist in +the addition readily made to our steam navy in case of emergency by the +ships so employed. Should this suggestion meet your approval, the propriety +of placing such ships under the command of experienced officers of the Navy +will not escape your observation. The application of steam to the purposes +of naval warfare cogently recommends an extensive steam marine as important +in estimating the defenses of the country. Fortunately this may be obtained +by us to a great extent without incurring any large amount of expenditure. +Steam vessels to be engaged in the transportation of the mails on our +principal water courses, lakes, and ports of our coast could also be so +constructed as to be efficient as war vessels when needed, and would of +themselves constitute a formidable force in order to repel attacks from +abroad.. We can not be blind to the fact that other nations have already +added large numbers of steamships to their naval armaments and that this +new and powerful agent is destined to revolutionize the condition of the +world. It becomes the United States, therefore, looking to their security, +to adopt a similar policy, and the plan suggested will enable them to do so +at a small comparative cost. +</p> + +<p> +I take the greatest pleasure in bearing testimony to the zeal and untiring +industry which has characterized the conduct of the members of the +Executive Cabinet. Each in his appropriate sphere has rendered me the most +efficient aid in carrying on the Government, and it will not, I trust, +appear out of place for me to bear this public testimony. The cardinal +objects which should ever be held in view by those intrusted with the +administration of public affairs are rigidly, and without favor or +affection, so to interpret the national will expressed in the laws as that +injustice should be done to none, justice to all. This has been the rule +upon which they have acted, and thus it is believed that few cases, if any, +exist wherein our fellow-citizens, who from time to time have been drawn to +the seat of Government for the settlement of their transactions with the +Government, have gone away dissatisfied. Where the testimony has been +perfected and was esteemed satisfactory their claims have been promptly +audited, and this in the absence of all favoritism or partiality. The +Government which is not just to its own people can neither claim their +affection nor the respect of the world. At the same time, the Closest +attention has been paid to those matters which relate more immediately to +the great concerns of the country. Order and efficiency in each branch of +the public service have prevailed, accompanied by a system of the most +rigid responsibility on the part of the receiving and disbursing agents. +The fact, in illustration of the truth of this remark, deserves to be +noticed that the revenues of the Government, amounting in the last four +years to upward of $120,000,000, have been collected and disbursed through +the numerous governmental agents without the loss by default of any amount +worthy of serious commentary. +</p> + +<p> +The appropriations made by Congress for the improvement of the rivers of +the West and of the harbors on the Lakes are in a course of judicious +expenditure under suitable agents, and are destined, it is to be hoped, to +realize all the benefits designed to be accomplished by Congress. I can +not, however, sufficiently impress upon Congress the great importance of +withholding appropriations from improvements which are not ascertained by +previous examination and survey to be necessary for the shelter and +protection of trade from the dangers of stores and tempests. Without this +precaution the expenditures are but too apt to inure to the benefit of +individuals, without reference to the only consideration which can render +them constitutional--the public interests and the general good. +</p> + +<p> +I can not too earnestly urge upon you the interests of this District, over +which by the Constitution Congress has exclusive jurisdiction. It would be +deeply to be regretted should there be at any time ground to complain of +neglect on the part of a community which, detached as it is from the +parental care of the States of Virginia and Maryland, can only expect aid +from Congress as its local legislature. Amongst the subjects which claim +your attention is the prompt organization of an asylum for the insane who +may be found from time to time sojourning within the District. Such course +is also demanded by considerations which apply to branches of the public +service. For the necessities in this behalf I invite your particular +attention to the report of the Secretary of the Navy. +</p> + +<p> +I have thus, gentlemen of the two Houses of Congress, presented you a true +and faithful picture of the condition of public affairs, both foreign and +domestic. The wants of the public service are made known to you, and +matters of no ordinary importance are urged upon your consideration. Shall +I not be permitted to congratulate you on the happy auspices under which +you have assembled and at the important change in the condition of things +which has occurred in the last three years? During that period questions +with foreign powers of vital importance to the peace of our country have +been settled and adjusted. A desolating and wasting war with savage tribes +has been brought to a close. The internal tranquillity of the country, +threatened by agitating questions, has been preserved. The credit of the +Government, which had experienced a temporary embarrassment, has been +thoroughly restored. Its coffers, which for a season were empty, have been +replenished. A currency nearly uniform in its value has taken the place of +one depreciated and almost worthless. Commerce and manufactures, which had +suffered in common with every other interest, have once more revived, and +the whole country exhibits an aspect of prosperity and happiness. Trade and +barter, no longer governed by a wild and speculative mania, rest upon a +solid and substantial footing, and the rapid growth of our cities in every +direction bespeaks most strongly the favorable circumstances by which we +are surrounded. My happiness in the retirement which shortly awaits me is +the ardent hope which I experience that this state of prosperity is neither +deceptive nor destined to be short lived, and that measures which have not +yet received its sanction, but which I can not but regard as closely +connected with the honor, the glory, and still more enlarged prosperity of +the country, are destined at an early day to receive the approval of +Congress. Under these circumstances and with these anticipations I shall +most gladly leave to others more able than myself the noble and pleasing +task of sustaining the public prosperity. I shall carry with me into +retirement the gratifying reflection that as my sole object throughout has +been to advance the public good I may not entirely have failed in +accomplishing it; and this gratification is heightened in no small degree +by the fact that when under a deep and abiding sense of duty I have found +myself constrained to resort to the qualified veto it has neither been +followed by disapproval on the part of the people nor weakened in any +degree their attachment to that great conservative feature of our +Government. +</p> + +<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of State of the Union Addresses of John +Tyler, by John Tyler + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESSES *** + +***** This file should be named 5018-h.htm or 5018-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/1/5018/ + +Produced by James Linden. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: State of the Union Addresses of John Tyler + +Author: John Tyler + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5018] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 11, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF ADDRESSES BY JOHN TYLER *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by James Linden. + +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** + +Dates of addresses by John Tyler in this eBook: + December 7, 1841 + December 6, 1842 + December 1843 + December 3, 1844 + + + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 7, 1841 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +In coming together, fellow-citizens, to enter again upon the discharge of +the duties with which the people have charged us severally, we find great +occasion to rejoice in the general prosperity of the country. We are in the +enjoyment of all the blessings of civil and religious liberty, with +unexampled means of education, knowledge, and improvement. Through the year +which is now drawing to a close peace has been in our borders and plenty in +our habitations, and although disease has visited some few portions of the +land with distress and mortality, yet in general the health of the people +has been preserved, and we are all called upon by the highest obligations +of duty to renew our thanks and our devotion to our Heavenly Parent, who +has continued to vouchsafe to us the eminent blessings which surround us +and who has so signally crowned the year with His goodness. If we find +ourselves increasing beyond example in numbers, in strength, in wealth, in +knowledge, in everything which promotes human and social happiness, let us +ever remember our dependence for all these on the protection and merciful +dispensations of Divine Providence. + +Since your last adjournment Alexander McLeod, a British subject who was +indicted for the murder of an American citizen, and whose case has been the +subject of a correspondence heretofore communicated to you, has been +acquitted by the verdict of an impartial and intelligent jury, and has +under the judgment of the court been regularly discharged. + +Great Britain having made known to this Government that the expedition +which was fitted out from Canada for the destruction of the steamboat +Caroline in the winter of 1837, and which resulted in the destruction of +said boat and in the death of an American citizen, was undertaken by orders +emanating from the authorities of the British Government in Canada, and +demanding the discharge of McLeod upon the ground that if engaged in that +expedition he did but fulfill the orders of his Government, has thus been +answered in the only way in which she could be answered by a government the +powers of which are distributed among its several departments by the +fundamental law. Happily for the people of Great Britain, as well as those +of the United States, the only mode by which an individual arraigned for a +criminal offense before the courts of either can obtain his discharge is by +the independent action of the judiciary and by proceedings equally familiar +to the courts of both countries. + +If in Great Britain a power exists in the Crown to cause to be entered a +nolle prosequi, which is not the case with the Executive power of the +United States upon a prosecution pending in a State court, yet there no +more than here can the chief executive power rescue a prisoner from custody +without an order of the proper tribunal directing his discharge. The +precise stage of the proceedings at which such order may be made is a +matter of municipal regulation exclusively, and not to be complained of by +any other government. In cases of this kind a government becomes +politically responsible only when its tribunals of last resort are shown to +have rendered unjust and injurious judgments in matters not doubtful. To +the establishment and elucidation of this principle no nation has lent its +authority more efficiently than Great Britain. Alexander McLeod, having his +option either to prosecute a writ of error from the decision of the supreme +court of New York, which had been rendered upon his application for a +discharge, to the Supreme Court of the United States, or to submit his case +to the decision of a jury, preferred the latter, deeming it the readiest +mode of obtaining his liberation; and the result has fully sustained the +wisdom of his choice. The manner in which the issue submitted was tried +will satisfy the English Government that the principles of justice will +never fail to govern the enlightened decision of an American tribunal. I +can not fail, however, to suggest to Congress the propriety, and in some +degree the necessity, of making such provisions by law, so far as they may +constitutionally do so, for the removal at their commencement and at the +option of the party of all such cases as may hereafter arise, and which may +involve the faithful observance and execution of our international +obligations, from the State to the Federal judiciary. This Government, by +our institutions, is charged with the maintenance of peace and the +preservation of amicable relations with the nations of the earth, and ought +to possess without question all the reasonable and proper means of +maintaining the one and preserving the other. While just confidence is felt +in the judiciary of the States, yet this Government ought to be competent +in itself for the fulfillment of the high duties which have been devolved +upon it under the organic law by the States themselves. + +In the month of September a party of armed men from Upper Canada invaded +the territory of the United States and forcibly seized upon the person of +one Grogan, and under circumstances of great harshness hurriedly carried +him beyond the limits of the United States and delivered him np to the +authorities of Upper Canada. His immediate discharge was ordered by those +authorities upon the facts of the case being brought to their knowledge--a +course of procedure which was to have been expected from a nation with whom +we are at peace, and which was not more due to the rights of the United +States than to its own regard for justice. The correspondence which passed +between the Department of State and the British envoy, Mr. Fox, and with +the governor of Vermont, as soon as the facts had been made known to this +department, are herewith communicated. + +I regret that it is not in my power to make known to you an equally +satisfactory conclusion in the case of the Caroline steamer, with the +circumstances connected with the destruction of which, in December, 1837, +by an armed force fitted out in the Province of Upper Canada, you are +already made acquainted. No such atonement as was due for the public wrong +done to the United States by this invasion of her territory, so wholly +irreconcilable with her rights as an independent power, has yet been made. +In the view taken by this Government the inquiry whether the vessel was in +the employment of those who were prosecuting an unauthorized war against +that Province or was engaged by the owner in the business of transporting +passengers to and from Navy Island in hopes of private gain, which was most +probably the case, in no degree alters the real question at issue between +the two Governments. This Government can never concede to any foreign +government the power, except in a case of the most urgent and extreme +necessity, of invading its territory, either to arrest the persons or +destroy the property of those who may have violated the municipal laws of +such foreign government or have disregarded their obligations arising under +the law of nations. The territory of the United States must be regarded as +sacredly secure against all such invasions until they shall voluntarily +acknowledge their inability to acquit themselves of their duties to others. +And in announcing this sentiment I do but affirm a principle which no +nation on earth would be more ready to vindicate at all hazards than the +people and Government of Great Britain. If upon a full investigation of all +the facts it shall appear that the owner of the Caroline was governed by a +hostile intent or had made common cause with those who were in the +occupancy of Navy Island, then so far as he is concerned there can be no +claim to indemnity for the destruction of his boat which this Government +would feel itself bound to prosecute, since he would have acted not only in +derogation of the rights of Great Britain, but in clear violation of the +laws of the United States; but that is a question which, however settled, +in no manner involves the higher consideration of the violation of +territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction. To recognize it as an admissible +practice that each Government in its turn, upon any sudden and unauthorized +outbreak which, on a frontier the extent of which renders it impossible for +either to have an efficient force on every mile of it, and which outbreak, +therefore, neither may be able to suppress in a day, may take vengeance +into its own hands, and without even a remonstrance, and in the absence of +any pressing or overruling necessity may invade the territory of the other, +would inevitably lead to results equally to be deplored by both. When +border collisions come to receive the sanction or to be made on the +authority of either Government general war must be the inevitable result. +While it is the ardent desire of the United States to cultivate the +relations of peace with all nations and to fulfill all the duties of good +neighborhood toward those who possess territories adjoining their own, that +very desire would lead them to deny the right of any foreign power to +invade their boundary with an armed force. The correspondence between the +two Governments on this subject will at a future day of your session be +submitted to your consideration; and in the meantime I can not but indulge +the hope that the British Government will see the propriety of renouncing +as a rule of future action the precedent which has been set in the affair +at Schlosser. + +I herewith submit the correspondence which has recently taken place between +the American minister at the Court of St. James, Mr. Stevenson, and the +minister of foreign affairs of that Government on the right claimed by that +Government to visit and detain vessels sailing under the American flag and +engaged in prosecuting lawful commerce in the African seas. Our commercial +interests in that region have experienced considerable increase and have +become an object of much importance, and it is the duty of this Government +to protect them against all improper and vexatious interruption. However +desirous the United States may be for the suppression of the slave trade, +they can not consent to interpolations into the maritime code at the mere +will and pleasure of other governments. We deny the right of any such +interpolation to any one or all the nations of the earth without our +consent. We claim to have a voice in all amendments or alterations of that +code, and when we are given to understand, as in this instance, by a +foreign government that its treaties with other nations can not be executed +without the establishment and enforcement of new principles of maritime +police, to be applied without our consent, we must employ a language +neither of equivocal import or susceptible of misconstruction. American +citizens prosecuting a lawful commerce in the African seas under the flag +of their country are not responsible for the abuse or unlawful use of that +flag by others; nor can they rightfully on account of any such alleged +abuses be interrupted, molested, or detained while on the ocean, and if +thus molested and detained while pursuing honest voyages in the usual way +and violating no law themselves they are unquestionably entitled to +indemnity. This Government has manifested its repugnance to the slave trade +in a manner which can not be misunderstood. By its fundamental law it +prescribed limits in point of time to its continuance, and against its own +citizens who might so far forget the rights of humanity as to engage in +that wicked traffic it has long since by its municipal laws denounced the +most condign punishment. Many of the States composing this Union had made +appeals to the civilized world for its suppression long before the moral +sense of other nations had become shocked by the iniquities of the traffic. +Whether this Government should now enter into treaties containing mutual +stipulations upon this subject is a question for its mature deliberation. +Certain it is that if the right to detain American ships on the high seas +can be justified on the plea of a necessity for such detention arising out +of the existence of treaties between other nations, the same plea may, be +extended and enlarged by the new stipulations of new treaties to which the +United States may not be a party. This Government will not cease to urge +upon that of Great Britain full and ample remuneration for all losses, +whether arising from detention or otherwise, to which American citizens +have heretofore been or may hereafter be subjected by the exercise of +rights which this Government can not recognize as legitimate and proper. +Nor will I indulge a doubt but that the sense of justice of Great Britain +will constrain her to make retribution for any wrong or loss which any +American citizen engaged in the prosecution of lawful commerce may have +experienced at the hands of her cruisers or other public authorities. This +Government, at the same time, will relax no effort to prevent its citizens, +if there be any so disposed, from prosecuting a traffic so revolting to the +feelings of humanity. It seeks to do no more than to protect the fair and +honest trader from molestation and injury; but while the enterprising +mariner engaged in the pursuit of an honorable trade is entitled to its +protection, it will visit with condign punishment others of an opposite +character. + +I invite your attention to existing laws for the suppression of the African +slave trade, and recommend all such alterations as may give to them greater +force and efficacy. That the American flag is grossly abused by the +abandoned and profligate of other nations is but too probable. Congress has +not long since had this subject under its consideration, and its importance +well justifies renewed and anxious attention. + +I also communicate herewith the copy of a correspondence between Mr. +Stevenson and Lord Palmerston upon the subject, so interesting to several +of the Southern States, of the rice duties, which resulted honorably to the +justice of Great Britain and advantageously to the United States. + +At the opening of the last annual session the President informed Congress +of the progress which had then been made in negotiating a convention +between this Government and that of England with a view to the final +settlement of the question of the boundary between the territorial limits +of the two countries. I regret to say that little further advancement of +the object has been accomplished since last year, but this is owing to +circumstances no way indicative of any abatement of the desire of both +parties to hasten the negotiation to its conclusion and to settle the +question in dispute as early as possible. In the course of the session it +is my hope to be able to announce some further degree of progress toward +the accomplishment of this highly desirable end. + +The commission appointed by this Government for the exploration and survey +of the line of boundary separating the States of Maine and New Hampshire +from the conterminous British Provinces is, it is believed, about to close +its field labors and is expected soon to report the results of its +examinations to the Department of State. The report, when received, will be +laid before Congress. + +The failure on the part of Spain to pay with punctuality the interest due +under the convention of 1834 for the settlement of claims between the two +countries has made it the duty of the Executive to call the particular +attention of that Government to the subject. A disposition has been +manifested by it, which is believed to be entirely sincere, to fulfill its +obligations in this respect so soon as its internal condition and the state +of its finances will permit. An arrangement is in progress from the result +of which it is trusted that those of our citizens who have claims under the +convention will at no distant day receive the stipulated payments. + +A treaty of commerce and navigation with Belgium was concluded and signed +at Washington on the 29th of March, 1840, and was duly sanctioned by the +Senate of the United States. The treaty was ratified by His Belgian +Majesty, but did not receive the approbation of the Belgian Chambers within +the time limited by its terms, and has therefore become void. + +This occurrence assumes the graver aspect from the consideration that in +1833 a treaty negotiated between the two Governments and ratified on the +part of the United States failed to be ratified on the part of Belgium. The +representative of that Government at Washington informs the Department of +State that he has been instructed to give explanations of the causes which +occasioned delay in the approval of the late treaty by the legislature, and +to express the regret of the King at the occurrence. + +The joint commission under the convention with Texas to ascertain the true +boundary between the two countries has concluded its labors, but the final +report of the commissioner of the United States has not been received. It +is understood, however, that the meridian line as traced by the commission +lies somewhat farther east than the position hitherto generally assigned to +it, and consequently includes in Texas some part of the territory which had +been considered as belonging to the States of Louisiana and Arkansas. + +The United States can not but take a deep interest in whatever relates to +this young but growing Republic. Settled principally by emigrants from the +United States, we have the happiness to know that the great principles of +civil liberty are there destined to flourish under wise institutions and +wholesome laws, and that through its example another evidence is to be +afforded of the capacity of popular institutions to advance the prosperity, +happiness, and permanent glory of the human race. The great truth that +government was made for the people and not the people for government has +already been established in the practice and by the example of these United +States, and we can do no other than contemplate its further exemplification +by a sister republic with the deepest interest. + +Our relations with the independent States of this hemisphere, formerly +under the dominion of Spain, have not undergone any material change within +the past year. The incessant sanguinary conflicts in or between those +countries are to be greatly deplored as necessarily tending to disable them +from performing their duty as members of the community of nations and +rising to the destiny which the position and natural resources of many of +them might lead them justly to anticipate, as constantly giving occasion +also, directly or indirectly, for complaints on the part of our citizens +who resort thither for purposes of commercial intercourse, and as retarding +reparation for wrongs already committed, some of which are by no means of +recent date. + +The failure of the Congress of Ecuador to hold a session at the time +appointed for that purpose, in January last, will probably render abortive +a treaty of commerce with that Republic, which was signed at Quito on the +13th of June, 1839, and had been duly ratified on our part, but which +required the approbation of that body prior to its ratification by the +Ecuadorian Executive. + +A convention which has been concluded with the Republic of Peru, providing +for the settlement of certain claims of citizens of the United States upon +the Government of that Republic, will be duly submitted to he Senate. + +The claims of our citizens against the Brazilian Government originating +from captures and other causes are still unsatisfied. The United States +have, however, so uniformly shown a disposition to cultivate relations of +amity with that Empire that it is hoped the unequivocal tokens of the same +spirit toward us which an adjustment of the affairs referred to would +afford will be given without further avoidable delay. + +The war with the Indian tribes on the peninsula of Florida has during the +last summer and fall been prosecuted with untiring activity and zeal. A +summer campaign was resolved upon as the best mode of bringing it to a +close. Our brave officers and men who have been engaged in that service +have suffered toils and privations and exhibited an energy which in any +other war would have won for them unfading laurels. In despite of the +sickness incident to the climate, they have penetrated the fastnesses of +the Indians, broken up their encampments, and harassed them unceasingly. +Numbers have been captured, and still greater numbers have surrendered and +have been transported to join their brethren on the lands elsewhere +allotted to them by the Government, and a strong hope is entertained that +under the conduct of the gallant officer at the head of the troops in +Florida that troublesome and expensive war is destined to a speedy +termination. With all the other Indian tribes we are enjoying the blessings +of peace. Our duty as well as our best interests prompts us to observe in +all our intercourse with them fidelity in fulfilling our engagements, the +practice of strict justice, as well as the constant exercise of acts of +benevolence and kindness. These are the great instruments of civilization, +and through the use of them alone can the untutored child of the forest be +induced to listen to its teachings. + +The Secretary of State, on whom the acts of Congress have devolved the duty +of directing the proceedings for the taking of the sixth census or +enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, will report to the two +Houses the progress of that work. The enumeration of persons has been +completed, and exhibits a grand total of 17,069,453, making an increase +over the census of 1830 of 4,202,646 inhabitants, and showing a gain in a +ratio exceeding 32 1/2 per cent for the last ten years. + +From the report of the Secretary of the Treasury you will be informed of +the condition of the finances. The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of +January last, as stated in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury +submitted to Congress at the extra session, was $987,345.03. The receipts +into the Treasury during the first three quarters of this year from all +sources amount to $23,467,072.52; the estimated receipts for the fourth +quarter amount to $6,943,095.25, amounting to $30,410,167.77, and making +with the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January last $31,397,512.80. +The expenditures for the first three quarters of this year amount to +$24,734,346.97. The expenditures for the fourth quarter as estimated will +amount to $7,290,723.73, thus making a total of $32,025,070.70, and leaving +a deficit to be provided for on the 1st of January next of about +$627,557.90. + +Of the loan of $12,000,000 which was authorized by Congress at its late +session only $5,432,726.88 have been negotiated. The shortness of time +which it had to run has presented no inconsiderable impediment in the way +of its being taken by capitalists at home, while the same cause would have +operated with much greater force in the foreign market. For that reason the +foreign market has not been resorted to; and it is now submitted whether it +would not be advisable to amend the law by making what remains undisposed +of payable at a more distant day. + +Should it be necessary, in any view that Congress may take of the subject, +to revise the existing tariff of duties, I beg leave to say that in the +performance of that most delicate operation moderate counsels would seem to +be the wisest. The Government under which it is our happiness to live owes +its existence to the spirit of compromise which prevailed among its +framers; jarring and discordant opinions could only have been reconciled by +that noble spirit of patriotism which prompted conciliation and resulted in +harmony. In the same spirit the compromise bill, as it is commonly called, +was adopted at the session of 1833. While the people of no portion of the +Union will ever hesitate to pay all necessary taxes for the support of +Government, yet an innate repugnance exists to the imposition of burthens +not really necessary for that object. In imposing duties, however, for the +purposes of revenue a right to discriminate as to the articles on which the +duty shall be laid, as well as the amount, necessarily and most properly +exists; otherwise the Government would be placed in the condition of having +to levy the same duties upon all articles, the productive as well as the +unproductive. The slightest duty upon some might have the effect of causing +their importation to cease, whereas others, entering extensively into the +consumption of the country, might bear the heaviest without any sensible +diminution in the amount imported. So also the Government may be justified +in so discriminating by reference to other considerations of domestic +policy connected with our manufactures. So long as the duties shall be laid +with distinct reference to the wants of the Treasury no well-rounded +objection can exist against them. It might be esteemed desirable that no +such augmentation of the taxes should take place as would have the effect +of annulling the land-proceeds distribution act of the last session, which +act is declared to be inoperative the moment the duties are increased +beyond 20 per cent, the maximum rate established by the compromise act. +Some of the provisions of the compromise act, which will go into effect on +the 30th day of June next, may, however, be found exceedingly inconvenient +in practice under any regulations that Congress may adopt. I refer more +particularly to that relating to the home valuation. A difference in value +of the same articles to some extent will necessarily exist at different +ports, but that is altogether insignificant when compared with the +conflicts in valuation which are likely to arise from the differences of +opinion among the numerous appraisers of merchandise. In many instances the +estimates of value must be conjectural, and thus as many different rates of +value may be established as there are appraisers. These differences in +valuation may also be increased by the inclination which, without the +slightest imputation on their honesty, may arise on the part of the +appraisers in favor of their respective ports of entry. I recommend this +whole subject to the consideration of Congress with a single additional +remark. Certainty and permanency in any system of governmental policy are +in all respects eminently desirable, but more particularly is this true in +all that affects trade and commerce, the operations of which depend much +more on the certainty of their returns and calculations which embrace +distant periods of time than on high bounties or duties, which are liable +to constant fluctuations. + +At your late session I invited your attention to the condition of the +currency and exchanges and urged the necessity of adopting such measures as +were consistent with the constitutional competency of the Government in +order to correct the unsoundness of the one and, as far as practicable, the +inequalities of the other. No country can be in the enjoyment of its full +measure of prosperity without the presence of a medium of exchange +approximating to uniformity of value. What is necessary as between the +different nations of the earth is also important as between the inhabitants +of different parts of the same country. With the first the precious metals +constitute the chief medium of circulation, and such also would be the case +as to the last but for inventions comparatively modern, which have +furnished in place of gold and silver a paper circulation. I do not propose +to enter into a comparative analysis of the merits of the two systems. Such +belonged more properly to the period of the introduction of the paper +system. The speculative philosopher might find inducements to prosecute the +inquiry, but his researches could only lead him to conclude that the paper +system had probably better never have been introduced and that society +might have been much happier without it. The practical statesman has a very +different task to perform. He has to look at things as they are, to take +them as he finds them, to supply deficiencies and to prune excesses as far +as in him lies. The task of furnishing a corrective for derangements of the +paper medium with us is almost inexpressibly great. The power exerted by +the States to charter banking corporations, and which, having been carried +to a great excess, has filled the country with, in most of the States, an +irredeemable paper medium, is an evil which in some way or other requires a +corrective. The rates at which bills of exchange are negotiated between +different parts of the country furnish an index of the value of the local +substitute for gold and silver, which is in many parts so far depreciated +as not to be received except at a large discount in payment of debts or in +the purchase of produce. It could earnestly be desired that every bank not +possessing the means of resumption should follow the example of the late +United States Bank of Pennsylvania and go into liquidation rather than by +refusing to do so to continue embarrassments in the way of solvent +institutions, thereby augmenting the difficulties incident to the present +condition of things. Whether this Government, with due regard to the rights +of the States, has any power to constrain the banks either to resume specie +payments or to force them into liquidation, is an inquiry which will not +fail to claim your consideration. In view of the great advantages which are +allowed the corporators, not among the least of which is the authority +contained in most of their charters to make loans to three times the amount +of their capital, thereby often deriving three times as much interest on +the same amount of money as any individual is permitted by law to receive, +no sufficient apology can be urged for a long-continued suspension of +specie payments. Such suspension is productive of the greatest detriment to +the public by expelling from circulation the precious metals and seriously +hazarding the success of any effort that this Government can make to +increase commercial facilities and to advance the public interests. + +This is the more to be regretted and the indispensable necessity for a +sound currency becomes the more manifest when we reflect on the vast amount +of the internal commerce of the country. Of this we have no statistics nor +just data for forming adequate opinions. But there can be no doubt but that +the amount of transportation coastwise by sea, and the transportation +inland by railroads and canals, and by steamboats and other modes of +conveyance over the surface of our vast rivers and immense lakes, and the +value of property carried and interchanged by these means form a general +aggregate to which the foreign commerce of the country, large as it is, +makes but a distant approach. + +In the absence of any controlling power over this subject, which, by +forcing a general resumption of specie payments, would at once have the +effect of restoring a sound medium of exchange and would leave to the +country but little to desire, what measure of relief falling within the +limits of our constitutional competency does it become this Government to +adopt? It was my painful duty at your last session, under the weight of +most solemn obligations, to differ with Congress on the measures which it +proposed for my approval, and which it doubtless regarded as corrective of +existing evils. Subsequent reflection and events since occurring have only +served to confirm me in the opinions then entertained and frankly +expressed. I must be permitted to add that no scheme of governmental policy +unaided by individual exertions can be available for ameliorating the +present condition of things. Commercial modes of exchange and a good +currency are but the necessary means of commerce and intercourse, not the +direct productive sources of wealth. Wealth can only be accumulated by the +earnings of industry and the savings of frugality, and nothing can be more +ill judged than to look to facilities in borrowing or to a redundant +circulation for the power of discharging pecuniary obligations. The country +is full of resources and the people fall of energy, and the great and +permanent remedy for present embarrassments must be sought in industry, +economy, the observance of good faith, and the favorable influence of time. +In pursuance of a pledge given to you in my last message to Congress, which +pledge I urge as an apology for adventuring to present you the details of +any plan, the Secretary of the Treasury will be ready to submit to you, +should you require it, a plan of finance which, while it throws around the +public treasure reasonable guards for its protection and rests on powers +acknowledged in practice to exist from the origin of the Government, will +at the same time furnish to the country a sound paper medium and afford all +reasonable facilities for regulating the exchanges. When submitted, you +will perceive in it a plan amendatory of the existing laws in relation to +the Treasury Department, subordinate in all respects to the will of +Congress directly and the will of the people indirectly, self-sustaining +should it be found in practice to realize its promises in theory, and +repealable at the pleasure of Congress. It proposes by effectual restraints +and by invoking the true spirit of our institutions to separate the purse +from the sword, or, more properly to speak, denies any other control to the +President over the agents who may be selected to carry it into execution +but what may be indispensably necessary to secure the fidelity of such +agents, and by wise regulations keeps plainly apart from each other private +and public funds. It contemplates the establishment of a board of control +at the seat of government, with agencies at prominent commercial points or +wherever else Congress shall direct, for the safe-keeping and disbursement +of the public moneys and a substitution at the option of the public +creditor of Treasury notes in lieu of gold and silver. It proposes to limit +the issues to an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 without the express +sanction of the legislative power. It also authorizes the receipt of +individual deposits of gold and silver to a limited amount, and the +granting certificates of deposit divided into such sums as may be called +for by the depositors. It proceeds a step further and authorizes the +purchase and sale of domestic bills and drafts resting on a real and +substantial basis, payable at sight or having but a short time to run, and +drawn on places not less than 100 miles apart, which authority, except in +so far as may be necessary for Government purposes exclusively, is only to +be exerted upon the express condition that its exercise shall not be +prohibited by the State in which the agency is situated. In order to cover +the expenses incident to the plan, it will be authorized to receive +moderate premiums for certificates issued on deposits and on bills bought +and sold, and thus, as far as its dealings extend, to furnish facilities to +commercial intercourse at the lowest possible rates and to subduct from the +earnings of industry the least possible sum. It uses the State banks at a +distance from the agencies as auxiliaries without imparting any power to +trade in its name. It is subjected to such guards and restraints as have +appeared to be necessary. It is the creature of law and exists only at the +pleasure of the Legislature. It is made to rest on an actual specie basis +in order to redeem the notes at the places of issue, produces no dangerous +redundancy of circulation, affords no temptation to speculation, is +attended by no inflation of prices, is equable in its operation, makes the +Treasury notes (which it may use along with the certificates of deposit and +the notes of specie-paying banks) convertible at the place where collected, +receivable in payment of Government dues, and without violating any +principle of the Constitution affords the Government and the people such +facilities as are called for by the wants of both. Such, it has appeared to +me, are its recommendations, and in view of them it will be submitted, +whenever you may require it, to your consideration. + +I am not able to perceive that any fair and candid objection can be urged +against the plan, the principal outlines of which I have thus presented. I +can not doubt but that the notes which it proposes to furnish at the +voluntary option of the public creditor, issued in lieu of the revenue and +its certificates of deposit, will be maintained at an equality with gold +and silver everywhere. They are redeemable in gold and silver on demand at +the places of issue. They are receivable everywhere in payment of +Government dues. The Treasury notes are limited to an amount of one-fourth +less than the estimated annual receipts of the Treasury, and in addition +they rest upon the faith of the Government for their redemption. If all +these assurances are not sufficient to make them available, then the idea, +as it seems to me, of furnishing a sound paper medium of exchange may be +entirely abandoned. + +If a fear be indulged that the Government may be tempted to run into excess +in its issues at any future day, it seems to me that no such apprehension +can reasonably be entertained until all confidence in the representatives +of the States and of the people, as well as of the people themselves, shall +be lost. The weightiest considerations of policy require that the +restraints now proposed to be thrown around the measure should not for +light causes be removed. To argue against any proposed plan its liability +to possible abuse is to reject every expedient, since everything dependent +on human action is liable to abuse. Fifteen millions of Treasury notes may +be issued as the maximum, but a discretionary power is to be given to the +board of control under that sum, and every consideration will unite in +leading them to feel their way with caution. For the first eight years of +the existence of the late Bank of the United States its circulation barely +exceeded $4,000,000, and for five of its most prosperous years it was about +equal to $16,000,000; furthermore, the authority given to receive private +deposits to a limited amount and to issue certificates in such sums as may +be called for by the depositors may so far fill up the channels of +circulation as greatly to diminish the necessity of any considerable issue +of Treasury notes. A restraint upon the amount of private deposits has +seemed to be indispensably necessary from an apprehension, thought to be +well founded, that in any emergency of trade confidence might be so far +shaken in the banks as to induce a withdrawal from them of private deposits +with a view to insure their unquestionable safety when deposited with the +Government, which might prove eminently disastrous to the State banks. Is +it objected that it is proposed to authorize the agencies to deal in bills +of exchange? It is answered that such dealings are to be carried on at the +lowest possible premium, are made to rest on an unquestionably sound basis, +are designed to reimburse merely the expenses which would otherwise devolve +upon the Treasury, and are in strict subordination to the decision of the +Supreme Court in the case of the Bank of Augusta against Earle, and other +reported cases, and thereby avoids all conflict with State jurisdiction, +which I hold to be indispensably requisite. It leaves the banking +privileges of the States without interference, looks to the Treasury and +the Union, and while furnishing every facility to the first is careful of +the interests of the last. But above all, it is created by law, is +amendable by law, and is repealable by law, and, wedded as I am to no +theory, but looking solely to the advancement of the public good, I shall +be among the very first to urge its repeal if it be found not to subserve +the purposes and objects for which it may be created. Nor will the plan be +submitted in any overweening confidence in the sufficiency of my own +judgment, but with much greater reliance on the wisdom and patriotism of +Congress. I can not abandon this subject without urging upon you in the +most emphatic manner, whatever may be your action on the suggestions which +I have felt it to be my duty to submit, to relieve the Chief Executive +Magistrate, by any and all constitutional means, from a controlling power +over the public Treasury. If in the plan proposed, should you deem it +worthy of your consideration, that separation is not as complete as you may +desire, you will doubtless amend it in that particular. For myself, I +disclaim all desire to have any control over the public moneys other than +what is indispensably necessary to execute the laws which you may pass. + +Nor can I fail to advert in this connection to the debts which many of the +States of the Union have contracted abroad and under which they continue to +labor. That indebtedness amounts to a sum not less than $200,000,000, and +which has been retributed to them for the most part in works of internal +improvement which are destined to prove of vast importance in ultimately +advancing their prosperity and wealth. For the debts thus contracted the +States are alone responsible. I can do not more than express the belief +that each State will feel itself bound by every consideration of honor as +well as of interest to meet its engagements with punctuality. The failure, +however, of any one State to do so should in no degree affect the credit of +the rest, and the foreign capitalist will have no just cause to experience +alarm as to all other State stocks because any one or more of the States +may neglect to provide with punctuality the means of redeeming their +engagements. Even such States, should there be any, considering the great +rapidity with which their resources are developing themselves, will not +fail to have the means at no very distant day to redeem their obligations +to the uttermost farthing; nor will I doubt but that, in view of that +honorable conduct which has evermore governed the States and the people of +the Union, they will each and all resort to every legitimate expedient +before they will forego a faithful compliance with their obligations. + +From the report of the Secretary of War and other reports accompanying it +you will be informed of the progress which has been made in the +fortifications designed for the protection of our principal cities, +roadsteads, and inland frontier during the present year, together with +their true state and condition. They will be prosecuted to completion with +all the expedition which the means placed by Congress at the disposal of +the Executive will allow. + +I recommend particularly to your consideration that portion of the +Secretary's report which proposes the establishment of a chain of military +posts from Council Bluffs to some point on the Pacific Ocean within our +limits. The benefit thereby destined to accrue to our citizens engaged in +the fur trade over that wilderness region, added to the importance of +cultivating friendly relations with savage tribes inhabiting it, and at the +same time of giving protection to our frontier settlements and of +establishing the means of safe intercourse between the American settlements +at the mouth of the Columbia River and those on this side of the Rocky +Mountains, would seem to suggest the importance of carrying into effect the +recommendations upon this head with as little delay as may be practicable. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will place you in possession of the +present condition of that important arm of the national defense. Every +effort will be made to add to its efficiency, and I can not too strongly +urge upon you liberal appropriations to that branch of the public service. +Inducements of the weightiest character exist for the adoption of this +course of policy. Our extended and otherwise exposed maritime frontier +calls for protection, to the furnishing of which an efficient naval force +is indispensable. We look to no foreign conquests, nor do we propose to +enter into competition with any other nation for supremacy on the ocean; +but it is due not only to the honor but to the security of the people of +the United States that no nation should be permitted to invade our waters +at pleasure and subject our towns and villages to conflagration or pillage. +Economy in all branches of the public service is due from all the public +agents to the people, but parsimony alone would suggest the withholding of +the necessary means for the protection of our domestic firesides from +invasion and our national honor from disgrace. I would most earnestly +recommend to Congress to abstain from all appropriations for objects not +absolutely necessary; but I take upon myself, without a moment of +hesitancy, all the responsibility of recommending the increase and prompt +equipment of that gallant Navy which has lighted up every sea with its +victories and spread an imperishable glory over the country. + +The report of the Postmaster-General will claim your particular attention, +not only because of the valuable suggestions which it contains, but because +of the great importance which at all times attaches to that interesting +branch of the public service. The increased expense of transporting the +mail along the principal routes necessarily claims the public attention, +and has awakened a corresponding solicitude on the part of the Government. +The transmission of the mail must keep pace with those facilities of +intercommunication which are every day becoming greater through the +building of railroads and the application of steam power, but it can not be +disguised that in order to do so the Post-Office Department is subjected to +heavy exactions. The lines of communication between distant parts of the +Union are to a great extent occupied by railroads, which, in the nature of +things, possess a complete monopoly, and the Department is therefore liable +to heavy and unreasonable charges. This evil is destined to great increase +in future, and some timely measure may become necessary to guard against +it. + +I feel it my duty to bring under your consideration a practice which has +grown up in the administration of the Government, and which, I am deeply +convinced, ought to be corrected. I allude to the exercise of the power +which usage rather than reason has vested in the Presidents of removing +incumbents from office in order to substitute others more in favor with the +dominant party. My own conduct in this respect has been governed by a +conscientious purpose to exercise the removing power only in cases of +unfaithfulness or inability, or in those in which its exercise appeared +necessary in order to discountenance and suppress that spirit of active +partisanship on the part of holders of office which not only withdraws them +from the steady and impartial discharge of their official duties, but +exerts an undue and injurious influence over elections and degrades the +character of the Government itself, inasmuch as it exhibits the Chief +Magistrate as being a party through his agents in the secret plots or open +workings of political parties. + +In respect to the exercise of this power nothing should be left to +discretion which may safely be regulated by law, and it is of high +importance to restrain as far as possible the stimulus of personal +interests in public elections. Considering the great increase which has +been made in public offices in the last quarter of a century and the +probability of further increase, we incur the hazard of witnessing violent +political contests, directed too often to the single object of retaining +office by those who are in or obtaining it by those who are out. Under the +influence of these convictions I shall cordially concur in any +constitutional measure for regulating and, by regulating, restraining the +power of removal. + +I suggest for your consideration the propriety of making without further +delay some specific application of the funds derived under the will of Mr. +Smithson, of England, for the diffusion of knowledge, and which have +heretofore been vested in public stocks until such time as Congress should +think proper to give them a specific direction. Nor will you, I feel +confident, permit any abatement of the principal of the legacy to be made +should it turn out that the stocks in which the investments have been made +have undergone a depreciation. + +In conclusion I commend to your care the interests of this District, for +which you are the exclusive legislators. Considering that this city is the +residence of the Government and for a large part of the year of Congress, +and considering also the great cost of the public buildings and the +propriety of affording them at all times careful protection, it seems not +unreasonable that Congress should contribute toward the expense of an +efficient police. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 6, 1842 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +We have continued reason to express our profound gratitude to the Great +Creator of All Things for numberless benefits conferred upon us as a +people. Blessed with genial seasons, the husbandman has his garners filled +with abundance, and the necessaries of life, not to speak of its luxuries, +abound in every direction. While in some other nations steady and +industrious labor can hardly find the means of subsistence, the greatest +evil which we have to encounter is a surplus of production beyond the home +demand, which seeks, and with difficulty finds, a partial market in other +regions. The health of the country, with partial exceptions, has for the +past year been well preserved, and under their free and wise institutions +the United States are rapidly advancing toward the consummation of the high +destiny which an overruling Providence seems to have marked out for them. +Exempt from domestic convulsion and at peace with all the world, we are +left free to consult as to the best means of securing and advancing the +happiness of the people. Such are the circumstances under which you now +assemble in your respective chambers and which should lead us to unite in +praise and thanksgiving to that great Being who made us and who preserves +us as a nation. + +I congratulate you, fellow-citizens, on the happy change in the aspect of +our foreign affairs since my last annual message. Causes of complaint at +that time existed between the United States and Great Britain which, +attended by irritating circumstances, threatened most seriously the public +peace. The difficulty of adjusting amicably the questions at issue between +the two countries was in no small degree augmented by the lapse of time +since they had their origin. The opinions entertained by the Executive on +several of the leading topics in dispute were frankly set forth in the +message at the opening of your late session. The appointment of a special +minister by Great Britain to the United States with power to negotiate upon +most of the points of difference indicated a desire on her part amicably to +adjust them, and that minister was met by the Executive in the same spirit +which had dictated his mission. The treaty consequent thereon having been +duly ratified by the two Governments, a copy, together with the +correspondence which accompanied it, is herewith communicated. I trust that +whilst you may see in it nothing objectionable, it may be the means of +preserving for an indefinite period the amicable relations happily existing +between the two Governments. The question of peace or war between the +United States and Great Britain is a question of the deepest interest, not +only to themselves, but to the civilized world, since it is scarcely +possible that a war could exist between them without endangering the peace +of Christendom. The immediate effect of the treaty upon ourselves will be +felt in the security afforded to mercantile enterprise, which, no longer +apprehensive of interruption, adventures its speculations in the most +distant seas, and, freighted with the diversified productions of every +land, returns to bless our own. There is nothing in the treaty which in the +slightest degree compromits the honor or dignity of either nation. Next to +the settlement of the boundary line, which must always be a matter of +difficulty between states as between individuals, the question which seemed +to threaten the greatest embarrassment was that connected with the African +slave trade. + +By the tenth article of the treaty of Ghent it was expressly declared +that-- + +Whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of +humanity and justice, and whereas both His Majesty and the United States +are desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its entire abolition, +it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best +endeavors to accomplish so desirable an object. + +In the enforcement of the laws and treaty stipulations of Great Britain a +practice had threatened to grow up on the part of its cruisers of +subjecting to visitation ships sailing under the American flag, which, +while it seriously involved our maritime rights, would subject to vexation +a branch of our trade which was daily increasing, and which required the +fostering care of Government. And although Lord Aberdeen in his +correspondence with the American envoys at London expressly disclaimed all +right to detain an American ship on the high seas, even if found with a +cargo of slaves on board, and restricted the British pretension to a mere +claim to visit and inquire, yet it could not well be discerned by the +Executive of the United States how such visit and inquiry could be made +without detention on the voyage and consequent interruption to the trade. +It was regarded as the right of search presented only in a new form and +expressed in different words, and I therefore felt it to be my duty +distinctly to declare in my annual message to Congress that no such +concession could be made, and that the United States had both the will and +the ability to enforce their own laws and to protect their flag from being +used for purposes wholly forbidden by those laws and obnoxious to the moral +censure of the world. Taking the message as his letter of instructions, our +then minister at Paris felt himself required to assume the same ground in a +remonstrance which he felt it to be his duty to present to Mr. Guizot, and +through him to the King of the French, against what has been called the +"quintuple treaty;" and his conduct in this respect met with the approval +of this Government. In close conformity with these views the eighth article +of the treaty was framed; which provides "that each nation shall keep +afloat in the African seas a force not less than 80 guns, to act separately +and apart, under instructions from their respective Governments, and for +the enforcement of their respective laws and obligations." From this it +will be seen that the ground assumed in the message has been fully +maintained at the same time that the stipulations of the treaty of Ghent +are to be carried out in good faith by the two countries, and that all +pretense is removed for interference with our commerce for any purpose +whatever by a foreign government. While, therefore, the United States have +been standing up for the freedom of the seas, they have not thought proper +to make that a pretext for avoiding a fulfillment of their treaty +stipulations or a ground for giving countenance to a trade reprobated by +our laws. A similar arrangement by the other great powers could not fail to +sweep from the ocean the slave trade without the interpolation of any new +principle into the maritime code. We may be permitted to hope that the +example thus set will be followed by some if not all of them. We thereby +also afford suitable protection to the fair trader in those seas, thus +fulfilling at the same time the dictates of a sound policy and complying +with the claims of justice and humanity. + +It would have furnished additional cause for congratulation if the treaty +could have embraced all subjects calculated in future to lead to a +misunderstanding between the two Governments. The Territory of the United +States commonly called the Oregon Territory, lying on the Pacific Ocean +north of the forty-second degree of latitude, to a portion of which Great +Britain lays claim, begins to attract the attention of our fellow-citizens, +and the tide of population which has reclaimed what was so lately an +unbroken wilderness in more contiguous regions is preparing to flow over +those vast districts which stretch from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific +Ocean. In advance of the acquirement of individual rights to these lands, +sound policy dictates that every effort should be resorted to by the two +Governments to settle their respective claims. It became manifest at an +early hour of the late negotiations that any attempt for the time being +satisfactorily to determine those rights would lead to a protracted +discussion, which might embrace in its failure other more pressing matters, +and the Executive did not regard it as proper to waive all the advantages +of an honorable adjustment of other difficulties of great magnitude and +importance because this, not so immediately pressing, stood in the way. +Although the difficulty referred to may not for several years to come +involve the peace of the two countries, yet I shall not delay to urge on +Great Britain the importance of its early settlement. Nor will other +matters of commercial importance to the two countries be overlooked, and I +have good reason to believe that it will comport with the policy of +England, as it does with that of the United States, to seize upon this +moment, when most of the causes of irritation have passed away, to cement +the peace and amity of the two countries by wisely removing all grounds of +probable future collision. + +With the other powers of Europe our relations continue on the most amicable +footing. Treaties now existing with them should be rigidly observed, and +every opportunity compatible with the interests of the United States should +be seized upon to enlarge the basis of commercial intercourse. Peace with +all the world is the true foundation of our policy, which can only be +rendered permanent by the practice of equal and impartial justice to all. +Our great desire should be to enter only into that rivalry which looks to +the general good in the cultivation of the sciences, the enlargement of the +field for the exercise of the mechanical arts, and the spread of +commerce--that great civilizer--to every land and sea. Carefully abstaining +from interference in all questions exclusively referring themselves to the +political interests of Europe, we may be permitted to hope an equal +exemption from the interference of European Governments in what relates to +the States of the American continent. + +On the 23d of April last the commissioners on the part of the United States +under the convention with the Mexican Republic of the 11th of April, 1839, +made to the proper Department a final report in relation to the proceedings +of the commission. From this it appears that the total amount awarded to +the claimants by the commissioners and the umpire appointed under that +convention was $2,026,079.68. The arbiter having considered that his +functions were required by the convention to terminate at the same time +with those of the commissioners, returned to the board, undecided for want +of time, claims which had been allowed by the American commissioners to the +amount of $928,620.88. Other claims, in which the amount sought to be +recovered was $3,336,837.05, were submitted to the board too late for its +consideration. The minister of the United States at Mexico has been duly +authorized to make demand for payment of the awards according to the terms +of the convention and the provisions of the act of Congress of the 12th of +June, 1840. He has also been instructed to communicate to that Government +the expectations of the Government of the United States in relation to +those claims which were not disposed of according to the provisions of the +convention, and all others of citizens of the United States against the +Mexican Government. He has also been furnished with other instructions, to +be followed by him in case the Government of Mexico should not find itself +in a condition to make present payment of the amount of the awards in +specie or its equivalent. + +I am happy to be able to say that information which is esteemed favorable +both to a just satisfaction of the awards and a reasonable provision for +other claims has been recently received from Mr. Thompson, the minister of +the United States, who has promptly and efficiently executed the +instructions of his Government in regard to this important subject. + +The citizens of the United States who accompanied the late Texan expedition +to Santa Fe, and who were wrongfully taken and held as prisoners of war in +Mexico, have all been liberated. + +A correspondence has taken place between the Department of State and the +Mexican minister of foreign affairs upon the complaint of Mexico that +citizens of the United States were permitted to give aid to the inhabitants +of Texas in the war existing between her and that Republic. Copies of this +correspondence are herewith communicated to Congress, together with copies +of letters on the same subject addressed to the diplomatic corps at Mexico +by the American minister and the Mexican secretary of state. + +Mexico has thought proper to reciprocate the mission of the United States +to that Government by accrediting to this a minister of the same rank as +that of the representative of the United States in Mexico. From the +circumstances connected with his mission favorable results are anticipated +from it. It is so obviously for the interest of both countries as neighbors +and friends that all just causes of mutual dissatisfaction should be +removed that it is to be hoped neither will omit or delay the employment of +any practicable and honorable means to accomplish that end. + +The affairs pending between this Government and several others of the +States of this hemisphere formerly under the dominion of Spain have again +within the past year been materially obstructed by the military revolutions +and conflicts in those countries. + +The ratifications of the treaty between the United States and the Republic +of Ecuador of the 13th of June, 1839, have been exchanged, and that +instrument has been duly promulgated on the part of this Government. Copies +are now communicated to Congress with a view to enable that body to make +such changes in the laws applicable to our intercourse with that Republic +as may be deemed requisite. + +Provision has been made by the Government of Chile for the payment of the +claim on account of the illegal detention of the brig Warrior at Coquimbo +in 1820. This Government has reason to expect that other claims of our +citizens against Chile will be hastened to a final and satisfactory close. + +The Empire of Brazil has not been altogether exempt from those convulsions +which so constantly afflict the neighboring republics. Disturbances which +recently broke out are, however, now understood to be quieted. But these +occurrences, by threatening the stability of the governments, or by causing +incessant and violent changes in them or in the persons who administer +them, tend greatly to retard provisions for a just indemnity for losses and +injuries suffered by individual subjects or citizens of other states. The +Government of the United States will feel it to be its duty, however, to +consent to no delay not unavoidable in making satisfaction for wrongs and +injuries sustained by its own citizens. Many years having in some cases +elapsed, a decisive and effectual course of proceeding will be demanded of +the respective governments against whom claims have been preferred. + +The vexatious, harassing, and expensive war which so long prevailed with +the Indian tribes inhabiting the peninsula of Florida has happily been +terminated, whereby our Army has been relieved from a service of the most +disagreeable character and the Treasury from a large expenditure. Some +casual outbreaks may occur, such as are incident to the close proximity of +border settlers and the Indians, but these, as in all other cases, may be +left to the care of the local authorities, aided when occasion may require +by the forces of the United States. A sufficient number of troops will be +maintained in Florida so long as the remotest apprehensions of danger shall +exist, yet their duties will be limited rather to the garrisoning of the +necessary posts than to the maintenance of active hostilities. It is to be +hoped that a territory so long retarded in its growth will now speedily +recover from the evils incident to a protracted war, exhibiting in the +increased amount of its rich productions true evidences of returning wealth +and prosperity. By the practice of rigid justice toward the numerous Indian +tribes residing within our territorial limits and the exercise of a +parental vigilance over their interests, protecting them against fraud and +intrusion, and at the same time using every proper expedient to introduce +among them the arts of civilized life, we may fondly hope not only to wean +them from their love of war, but to inspire them with a love for peace and +all its avocations. With several of the tribes great progress in civilizing +them has already been made. The schoolmaster and the missionary are found +side by side, and the remnants of what were once numerous and powerful +nations may yet be preserved as the builders up of a new name for +themselves and their posterity. + +The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January, 1842, exclusive of the +amount deposited with the States, trust funds, and indemnities, was +$230,483.68. The receipts into the Treasury during the three first quarters +of the present year from all sources amount to $26,616,593.78, of which +more than fourteen millions were received from customs and about one +million from the public lands. The receipts for the fourth quarter are +estimated at nearly eight millions, of which four millions are expected +from customs and three millions and a half from loans and Treasury notes. +The expenditures of the first three quarters of the present year exceed +twenty-six millions, and those estimated for the fourth quarter amount to +about eight millions; and it is anticipated there will be a deficiency of +half a million on the 1st of January next, but that the amount of +outstanding warrants (estimated at $800,000) will leave an actual balance +of about $224,000 in the Treasury. Among the expenditures of this year are +more than eight millions for the public debt and about $600,000 on account +of the distribution to the States of the proceeds of sales of the public +lands. + +The present tariff of duties was somewhat hastily and hurriedly passed near +the close of the late session of Congress. That it should have defects can +therefore be surprising to no one. To remedy such defects as may be found +to exist in any of its numerous provisions will not fail to claim your +serious attention. It may well merit inquiry whether the exaction of all +duties in cash does not call for the introduction of a system which has +proved highly beneficial in countries where it has been adopted. I refer to +the warehousing system. The first and most prominent effect which it would +produce would be to protect the market alike against redundant or deficient +supplies of foreign fabrics, both of which in the long run are injurious as +well to the manufacturer as the importer. The quantity of goods in store +being at all times readily known, it would enable the importer with an +approach to accuracy to ascertain the actual wants of the market and to +regulate himself accordingly. If, however, he should fall into error by +importing an excess above the public wants, he could readily correct its +evils by availing himself of the benefits and advantages of the system thus +established. In the storehouse the goods imported would await the demand of +the market and their issues would be governed by the fixed principles of +demand and supply. Thus an approximation would be made to a steadiness and +uniformity of price, which if attainable would conduce to the decided +advantage of mercantile and mechanical operations. + +The apprehension may be well entertained that without something to +ameliorate the rigor of cash payments the entire import trade may fall into +the hands of a few wealthy capitalists in this country and in Europe. The +small importer, who requires all the money he can raise for investments +abroad, and who can but ill afford to pay the lowest duty, would have to +subduct in advance a portion of his funds in order to pay the duties, and +would lose the interest upon the amount thus paid for all the time the +goods might remain unsold, which might absorb his profits. The rich +capitalist, abroad as well as at home, would thus possess after a short +time an almost exclusive monopoly of the import trade, and laws designed +for the benefit of all would thus operate for the benefit of a few--a +result wholly uncongenial with the spirit of our institutions and +antirepublican in all its tendencies. The warehousing system would enable +the importer to watch the market and to select his own time for offering +his goods for sale. A profitable portion of the carrying trade in articles +entered for the benefit of drawback must also be most seriously affected +without the adoption of some expedient to relieve the cash system. The +warehousing system would afford that relief, since the carrier would have a +safe recourse to the public storehouses and might without advancing the +duty reship within some reasonable period to foreign ports. A further +effect of the measure would be to supersede the system of drawbacks, +thereby effectually protecting the Government against fraud, as the right +of debenture would not attach to goods after their withdrawal from the +public stores. + +In revising the existing tariff of duties, should you deem it proper to do +so at your present session, I can only repeat the suggestions and +recommendations which upon several occasions I have heretofore felt it to +be my duty to offer to Congress. The great primary and controlling interest +of the American people is union--union not only in the mere forms of +government, forms which may be broken, but union rounded in an attachment +of States and individuals for each other. This union in sentiment and +feeling can only be preserved by the adoption of that course of policy +which, neither giving exclusive benefits to some nor imposing unnecessary +burthens upon others, shall consult the interests of all by pursuing a +course of moderation and thereby seeking to harmonize public opinion, and +causing the people everywhere to feel and to know that the Government is +careful of the interests of all alike. Nor is there any subject in regard +to which moderation, connected with a wise discrimination, is more +necessary than in the imposition of duties on imports. Whether reference be +had to revenue, the primary object in the imposition of taxes, or to the +incidents which necessarily flow from their imposition, this is entirely +true. Extravagant duties defeat their end and object, not only by exciting +in the public mind an hostility to the manufacturing interests, but by +inducing a system of smuggling on an extensive scale and the practice of +every manner of fraud upon the revenue, which the utmost vigilance of +Government can not effectually suppress. An opposite course of policy would +be attended by results essentially different, of which every interest of +society, and none more than those of the manufacturer, would reap important +advantages. Among the most striking of its benefits would be that derived +from the general acquiescence of the country in its support and the +consequent permanency and stability which would be given to all the +operations of industry. It can not be too often repeated that no system of +legislation can be wise which is fluctuating and uncertain. No interest can +thrive under it. The prudent capitalist will never adventure his capital in +manufacturing establishments, or in any other leading pursuit of life, if +there exists a state of uncertainty as to whether the Government will +repeal to-morrow what it has enacted to-day. Fitful profits, however high, +if threatened with a ruinous reduction by a vacillating policy on the part +of Government, will scarcely tempt him to trust the money which he has +acquired by a life of labor upon the uncertain adventure. I therefore, in +the spirit of conciliation, and influenced by no other desire than to +rescue the great interests of the country from the vortex of political +contention, and in the discharge of the high and solemn duties of the place +which I now occupy, recommend moderate duties, imposed with a wise +discrimination as to their several objects, as being not only most likely +to be durable, but most advantageous to every interest of society. + +The report of the Secretary of the War Department exhibits a very full and +satisfactory account of the various and important interests committed to +the charge of that officer. It is particularly gratifying to find that the +expenditures for the military service are greatly reduced in amount--that a +strict system of economy has been introduced into the service and the +abuses of past years greatly reformed. The fortifications on our maritime +frontier have been prosecuted with much vigor, and at many points our +defenses are in a very considerable state of forwardness. The suggestions +in reference to the establishment of means of communication with our +territories on the Pacific and to the surveys so essential to a knowledge +of the resources of the intermediate country are entitled to the most +favorable consideration. While I would propose nothing inconsistent with +friendly negotiations to settle the extent of our claims in that region, +yet a prudent forecast points out the necessity of such measures as may +enable us to maintain our rights. The arrangements made for preserving our +neutral relations on the boundary between us and Texas and keeping in check +the Indians in that quarter will be maintained so long as circumstances may +require. For several years angry contentions have grown out of the +disposition directed by law to be made of the mineral lands held by the +Government in several of the States. The Government is constituted the +landlord, and the Citizens of the States wherein lie the lands are its +tenants. The relation is an unwise one, and it would be much more conducive +of the public interest that a sale of the lands should be made than that +they should remain in their present condition. The supply of the ore would +be more abundantly and certainly furnished when to be drawn from the +enterprise and the industry of the proprietor than under the present +system. + +The recommendations of the Secretary in regard to the improvements of the +Western waters and certain prominent harbors on the Lakes merit, and I +doubt not will receive, your serious attention. The great importance of +these subjects to the prosperity of the extensive region referred to and +the security of the whole country in time of war can not escape +observation. The losses of life and property which annually occur in the +navigation of the Mississippi alone because of the dangerous obstructions +in the river make a loud demand upon Congress for the adoption of efficient +measures for their removal. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will bring you acquainted with that +important branch of the public defenses. Considering the already vast and +daily increasing commerce of the country, apart from the exposure to +hostile inroad of an extended seaboard, all that relates to the Navy is +calculated to excite particular attention. Whatever tends to add to its +efficiency without entailing unnecessary charges upon the Treasury is well +worthy of your serious consideration. It will be seen that while an +appropriation exceeding by more than a million the appropriations of the +current year is asked by the Secretary, yet that in this sum is proposed to +be included $400,000 for the purchase of clothing, which when once expended +will be annually reimbursed by the sale of the clothes, and will thus +constitute a perpetual fund without any new appropriation to the same +object. To this may also be added $50,000 asked to cover the arrearages of +past years and $250,000 in order to maintain a competent squadron on the +coast of Africa; all of which when deducted will reduce the expenditures +nearly within the limits of those of the current year. While, however, the +expenditures will thus remain very nearly the same as of the antecedent +year, it is proposed to add greatly to the operations of the marine, and in +lieu of only 25 ships in commission and but little in the way of building, +to keep with the same expenditure 41 vessels afloat and to build 12 ships +of a small class. + +A strict system of accountability is established and great pains are taken +to insure industry, fidelity, and economy in every department of duty. +Experiments have been instituted to test the quality of various materials, +particularly copper, iron, and coal, so as to prevent fraud and +imposition. + +It will appear by the report of the Postmaster-General that the great point +which for several years has been so much desired has during the current +year been fully accomplished. The expenditures of the Department for +current service have been brought within its income without lessening its +general usefulness. There has been an increase of revenue equal to $166,000 +for the year 1842 over that of 1841, without, as it is believed, any +addition having been made to the number of letters and newspapers +transmitted through the mails. The post-office laws have been honestly +administered, and fidelity has been observed in accounting for and paying +over by the subordinates of the Department the moneys which have been +received. For the details of the service I refer you to the report. + +I flatter myself that the exhibition thus made of the condition of the +public administration will serve to convince you that every proper +attention has been paid to the interests of the country by those who have +been called to the heads of the different Departments. The reduction in the +annual expenditures of the Government already accomplished furnishes a sure +evidence that economy in the application of the public moneys is regarded +as a paramount duty. + +At peace with all the world, the personal liberty of the citizen sacredly +maintained and his rights secured under political institutions deriving all +their authority from the direct sanction of the people, with a soil fertile +almost beyond example and a country blessed with every diversity of climate +and production, what remains to be done in order to advance the happiness +and prosperity of such a people? Under ordinary circumstances this inquiry +could readily be answered. The best that probably could be done for a +people inhabiting such a country would be to fortify their peace and +security in the prosecution of their various pursuits by guarding them +against invasion from without and violence from within. The rest for the +greater part might be left to their own energy and enterprise. The chief +embarrassments which at the moment exhibit themselves have arisen from +overaction, and the most difficult task which remains to be accomplished is +that of correcting and overcoming its effects. Between the years 1833 and +1838 additions were made to bank capital and bank issues, in the form of +notes designed for circulation, to an extent enormously great. The question +seemed to be not how the best currency could be provided, but in what +manner the greatest amount of bank paper could be put in circulation. Thus +a vast amount of what was called money--since for the time being it +answered the purposes of money--was thrown upon the country, an overissue +which was attended, as a necessary consequence, by an extravagant increase +of the prices of all articles of property, the spread of a speculative +mania all over the country, and has finally ended in a general indebtedness +on the part of States and individuals, the prostration of public and +private credit, a depreciation in the market value of real and personal +estate, and has left large districts of country almost entirely without any +circulating medium. In view of the fact that in 1830 the whole bank-note +circulation within the United States amounted to but $61,323,898, according +to the Treasury statements, and that an addition had been made thereto of +the enormous sum of $88,000,000 in seven years (the circulation on the 1st +of January, 1837, being stated at $149,185,890), aided by the great +facilities afforded in obtaining loans from European capitalists, who were +seized with the same speculative mania which prevailed in the United +States, and the large importations of funds from abroad--the result of +stock sales and loans--no one can be surprised at the apparent but +unsubstantial state of prosperity which everywhere prevailed over the land; +and as little cause of surprise should be felt at the present prostration +of everything and the ruin which has befallen so many of our +fellow-citizens in the sudden withdrawal from circulation of so large an +amount of bank issues since 1837--exceeding, as is believed, the amount +added to the paper currency for a similar period antecedent to 1837--it +ceases to be a matter of astonishment that such extensive shipwreck should +have been made of private fortunes or that difficulties should exist in +meeting their engagements on the part of the debtor States; apart from +which, if there be taken into account the immense losses sustained in the +dishonor of numerous banks, it is less a matter of surprise that insolvency +should have visited many of our fellow-citizens than that so many should +have escaped the blighting influences of the times. + +In the solemn conviction of these truths and with an ardent desire to meet +the pressing necessities of the country, I felt it to be my duty to cause +to be submitted to you at the commencement of your last session the plan of +an exchequer, the whole power and duty of maintaining which in purity and +vigor was to be exercised by the representatives of the people and the +States, and therefore virtually by the people themselves. It was proposed +to place it under the control and direction of a Treasury board to consist +of three commissioners, whose duty it should be to see that the law of its +creation was faithfully executed and that the great end of supplying a +paper medium of exchange at all times convertible into gold and silver +should be attained. The board thus constituted was given as much permanency +as could be imparted to it without endangering the proper share of +responsibility which should attach to all public agents. In order to insure +all the advantages of a well-matured experience, the commissioners were to +hold their offices for the respective periods of two, four, and six years, +thereby securing at all times in the management of the exchequer the +services of two men of experience; and to place them in a condition to +exercise perfect independence of mind and action it was provided that their +removal should only take place for actual incapacity or infidelity to the +trust, and to be followed by the President with an exposition of the causes +of such removal, should it occur. It was proposed to establish subordinate +boards in each of the States, under the same restrictions and limitations +of the power of removal, which, with the central board, should receive, +safely keep, and disburse the public moneys. And in order to furnish a +sound paper medium of exchange the exchequer should retain of the revenues +of the Government a sum not to exceed $5,000,000 in specie, to be set apart +as required by its operations, and to pay the public creditor at his own +option either in specie or Treasury notes of denominations not less than $5 +nor exceeding $100, which notes should be redeemed at the several places of +issue, and to be receivable at all times and everywhere in payment of +Government dues, with a restraint upon such issue of bills that the same +should not exceed the maximum of $15,000,000. In order to guard against all +the hazards incident to fluctuations in trade, the Secretary of the +Treasury was invested with authority to issue $5,000,000 of Government +stock, should the same at any time be regarded as necessary in order to +place beyond hazard the prompt redemption of the bills which might be +thrown into circulation; thus in fact making the issue of $15,000,000 of +exchequer bills rest substantially on $10,000,000, and keeping in +circulation never more than one and one-half dollars for every dollar in +specie. When to this it is added that the bills are not only everywhere +receivable in Government dues, but that the Government itself would be +bound for their ultimate redemption, no rational doubt can exist that the +paper which the exchequer would furnish would readily enter into general +circulation and be maintained at all times at or above par with gold and +silver, thereby realizing the great want of the age and fulfilling the +wishes of the people. In order to reimburse the Government the expenses of +the plan, it was proposed to invest the exchequer with the limited +authority to deal in bills of exchange (unless prohibited by the State in +which an agency might be situated) having only thirty days to run and +resting on a fair and bona fide basis. The legislative will on this point +might be so plainly announced as to avoid all pretext for partiality or +favoritism. It was furthermore proposed to invest this Treasury agent with +authority to receive on deposit to a limited amount the specie funds of +individuals and to grant certificates therefor to be redeemed on +presentation, under the idea, which is believed to be well founded, that +such certificates would come in aid of the exchequer bills in supplying a +safe and ample paper circulation. Or if in place of the contemplated +dealings in exchange the exchequer should be authorized not only to +exchange its bills for actual deposits of specie, but, for specie or its +equivalent, to sell drafts, charging therefor a small but reasonable +premium, I can not doubt but that the benefits of the law would be speedily +manifested in the revival of the credit, trade, and business of the whole +country. Entertaining this opinion, it becomes my duty to urge its adoption +upon Congress by reference to the strongest considerations of the public +interests, with such alterations in its details as Congress may in its +wisdom see fit to make. + +I am well aware that this proposed alteration and amendment of the laws +establishing the Treasury Department has encountered various objections, +and that among others it has been proclaimed a Government bank of fearful +and dangerous import. It is proposed to confer upon it no extraordinary +power. It purports to do no more than pay the debts of the Government with +the redeemable paper of the Government, in which respect it accomplishes +precisely what the Treasury does daily at this time in issuing to the +public creditors the Treasury notes which under law it is authorized to +issue. It has no resemblance to an ordinary bank, as it furnishes no +profits to private stockholders and lends no capital to individuals. If it +be objected to as a Government bank and the objection be available, then +should all the laws in relation to the Treasury be repealed and the +capacity of the Government to collect what is due to it or pay what it owes +be abrogated. + +This is the chief purpose of the proposed exchequer, and surely if in the +accomplishment of a purpose so essential it affords a sound circulating +medium to the country and facilities to trade it should be regarded as no +slight recommendation of it to public consideration. Properly guarded by +the provisions of law, it can run into no dangerous evil, nor can any abuse +arise under it but such as the Legislature itself will be answerable for if +it be tolerated, since it is but the creature of the law and is susceptible +at all times of modification, amendment, or repeal at the pleasure of +Congress. I know that it has been objected that the system would be liable +to be abused by the Legislature, by whom alone it could be abused, in the +party conflicts of the day; that such abuse would manifest itself in a +change of the law which would authorize an excessive issue of paper for the +purpose of inflating prices and winning popular favor. To that it may be +answered that the ascription of such a motive to Congress is altogether +gratuitous and inadmissible. The theory of our institutions would lead us +to a different conclusion. But a perfect security against a proceeding so +reckless would be found to exist in the very nature of things. The +political party which should be so blind to the true interests of the +country as to resort to such an expedient would inevitably meet with final +overthrow in the fact that the moment the paper ceased to be convertible +into specie or otherwise promptly redeemed it would become worthless, and +would in the end dishonor the Government, involve the people in ruin and +such political party in hopeless disgrace. At the same time, such a view +involves the utter impossibility of furnishing any currency other than that +of the precious metals; for if the Government itself can not forego the +temptation of excessive paper issues what reliance can be placed in +corporations upon whom the temptations of individual aggrandizement would +most strongly operate? The people would have to blame none but themselves +for any injury that might arise from a course so reckless, since their +agents would be the wrongdoers and they the passive spectators. + +There can be but three kinds of public currency--first, gold and silver; +second, the paper of State institutions; or, third, a representative of the +precious metals provided by the General Government or under its authority. +The subtreasury system rejected the last in any form, and as it was +believed that no reliance could be placed on the issues of local +institutions for the purposes of general circulation it necessarily and +unavoidably adopted specie as the exclusive currency for its own use; and +this must ever be the case unless one of the other kinds be used. The +choice in the present state of public sentiment lies between an exclusive +specie currency on the one hand and Government issues of some kind on the +other. That these issues can not be made by a chartered institution is +supposed to be conclusively settled. They must be made, then, directly by +Government agents. For several years past they have been thus made in the +form of Treasury notes, and have answered a valuable purpose. Their +usefulness has been limited by their being transient and temporary; their +ceasing to bear interest at given periods necessarily causes their speedy +return and thus restricts their range of circulation, and being used only +in the disbursements of Government they can not reach those points where +they are most required. By rendering their use permanent, to the moderate +extent already mentioned, by offering no inducement for their return and by +exchanging them for coin and other values, they will constitute to a +certain extent the general currency so much needed to maintain the internal +trade of the country. And this is the exchequer plan so far as it may +operate in furnishing a currency. + +I can not forego the occasion to urge its importance to the credit of the +Government in a financial point of view. The great necessity of resorting +to every proper and becoming expedient in order to place the Treasury on a +footing of the highest respectability is entirely obvious. The credit of +the Government may be regarded as the very soul of the Government itself--a +principle of vitality without which all its movements are languid and all +its operations embarrassed. In this spirit the Executive felt itself bound +by the most imperative sense of duty to submit to Congress at its last +session the propriety of making a specific pledge of the land fund as the +basis for the negotiation of the loans authorized to be contracted. I then +thought that such an application of the public domain would without doubt +have placed at the command of the Government ample funds to relieve the +Treasury from the temporary embarrassments under which it labored. American +credit has suffered a considerable shock in Europe from the large +indebtedness of the States and the temporary inability of some of them to +meet the interest on their debts. The utter and disastrous prostration of +the United States Bank of Pennsylvania had contributed largely to increase +the sentiment of distrust by reason of the loss and ruin sustained by the +holders of its stock, a large portion of whom were foreigners and many of +whom were alike ignorant of our political organization and of our actual +responsibilities. + +It was the anxious desire of the Executive that in the effort to negotiate +the loan abroad the American negotiator might be able to point the money +lender to the fund mortgaged for the redemption of the principal and +interest of any loan he might contract, and thereby vindicate the +Government from all suspicion of bad faith or inability to meet its +engagements. Congress differed from the Executive in this view of the +subject. It became, nevertheless, the duty of the Executive to resort to +every expedient in its power to do so. + +After a failure in the American market a citizen of high character and +talent was sent to Europe, with no better success; and thus the mortifying +spectacle has been presented of the inability of this Government to obtain +a loan so small as not in the whole to amount to more than one-fourth of +its ordinary annual income, at a time when the Governments of Europe, +although involved in debt and with their subjects heavily burthened with +taxation, readily obtained loans of any amount at a greatly reduced rate of +interest. It would be unprofitable to look further into this anomalous +state of things, but I can not conclude without adding that for a +Government which has paid off its debts of two wars with the largest +maritime power of Europe, and now owing a debt which is almost next to +nothing when compared with its boundless resources--a Government the +strongest in the world, because emanating from the popular will and firmly +rooted in the affections of a great and free people, and whose fidelity to +its engagements has never been questioned--for such a Government to have +tendered to the capitalists of other countries an opportunity for a small +investment in its stock, and yet to have failed, implies either the most +unfounded distrust in its good faith or a purpose to obtain which the +course pursued is the most fatal which could have been adopted. It has now +become obvious to all men that the Government must look to its own means +for supplying its wants, and it is consoling to know that these means are +altogether adequate for the object. The exchequer, if adopted, will greatly +aid in bringing about this result. Upon what I regard as a well-rounded +supposition that its bills would be readily sought for by the public +creditors and that the issue would in a short time reach the maximum of +$15,000,000, it is obvious that $10,000,000 would thereby be added to the +available means of the Treasury without cost or charge. Nor can I fail to +urge the great and beneficial effects which would be produced in aid of all +the active pursuits of life. Its effects upon the solvent State banks, +while it would force into liquidation those of an opposite character +through its weekly settlements, would be highly beneficial; and with the +advantages of a sound currency the restoration of confidence and credit +would follow with a numerous train of blessings. My convictions are most +strong that these benefits would flow from the adoption of this measure; +but if the result should be adverse there is this security in connection +with it--that the law creating it may be repealed at the pleasure of the +Legislature without the slightest implication of its good faith. + +I recommend to Congress to take into consideration the propriety of +reimbursing a fine imposed on General Jackson at New Orleans at the time of +the attack and defense of that city, and paid by him. Without designing any +reflection on the judicial tribunal which imposed the fine, the remission +at this day may be regarded as not unjust or inexpedient. The voice of the +civil authority was heard amidst the glitter of arms and obeyed by those +who held the sword, thereby giving additional luster to a memorable +military achievement. If the laws were offended, their majesty was fully +vindicated; and although the penalty incurred and paid is worthy of little +regard in a pecuniary point of view, it can hardly be doubted that it would +be gratifying to the war-worn veteran, now in retirement and in the winter +of his days, to be relieved from the circumstances in which that judgment +placed him. There are cases in which public functionaries may be called on +to weigh the public interest against their own personal hazards, and if the +civil law be violated from praiseworthy motives or an overruling sense of +public danger and public necessity punishment may well be restrained within +that limit which asserts and maintains the authority of the law and the +subjection of the military to the civil power. The defense of New Orleans, +while it saved a city from the hands of the enemy, placed the name of +General Jackson among those of the greatest captains of the age and +illustrated one of the brightest pages of our history. Now that the causes +of excitement existing at the time have ceased to operate, it is believed +that the remission of this fine and whatever of gratification that +remission might cause the eminent man who incurred and paid it would be in +accordance with the general feeling and wishes of the American people. + +I have thus, fellow-citizens, acquitted myself of my duty under the +Constitution by laying before you as succinctly as I have been able the +state of the Union and by inviting your attention to measures of much +importance to the country. The executive will most zealously unite its +efforts with those of the legislative department in the accomplishment of +all that is required to relieve the wants of a common constituency or +elevate the destinies of a beloved country. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 1843 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +If any people ever had cause to render up thanks to the Supreme Being for +parental care and protection extended to them in all the trials and +difficulties to which they have been from time to time exposed, we +certainly are that people. From the first settlement of our forefathers on +this continent, through the dangers attendant upon the occupation of a +savage wilderness, through a long period of colonial dependence, through +the War of the Revolution, in the wisdom which led to the adoption of the +existing forms of republican government, in the hazards incident to a war +subsequently waged with one of the most powerful nations of the earth, in +the increase of our population, in the spread of the arts and sciences, and +in the strength and durability conferred on political institutions +emanating from the people and sustained by their will, the superintendence +of an overruling Providence has been plainly visible. As preparatory, +therefore, to entering once more upon the high duties of legislation, it +becomes us humbly to acknowledge our dependence upon Him as our guide and +protector and to implore a continuance of His parental watchfulness over +our beloved country. We have new cause for the expression of our gratitude +in the preservation of the health of our fellow-citizens, with some partial +and local exceptions, during the past season, for the abundance with which +the earth has yielded up its fruits to the labors of the husbandman, for +the renewed activity which has been imparted to commerce, for the revival +of trade in all its departments, for the increased rewards attendant on the +exercise of the mechanic arts, for the continued growth of our population +and the rapidly reviving prosperity of the whole country. I shall be +permitted to exchange congratulations with you, gentlemen of the two Houses +of Congress, on these auspicious circumstances, and to assure you in +advance of my ready disposition to cur with you in the adoption of all such +measures as shall be calculated to increase the happiness of our +constituents and to advance the glory of our common country. + +Since the last adjournment of Congress the Executive has relaxed no effort +to render indestructible the relations of amity which so happily exist +between the United States and other countries. The treaty lately concluded +with Great Britain has tended greatly to increase the good understanding +which a reciprocity of interests is calculated to encourage, and it is most +ardently to be hoped that nothing may transpire to interrupt the relations +of amity which it is so obviously the policy of both nations to cultivate. +A question of much importance still remains to be adjusted between them. +The territorial limits of the two countries relation to what is commonly +known as the Oregon Territory still remain in dispute. The United States +would be at all times indisposed to aggrandize itself at the expense of any +other nation; but while they would be restrained by principles of honor, +which should govern the conduct of nations as well as that of individuals, +from setting up a demand for territory which does not belong to them, they +would as unwillingly sent to a surrender of their rights. After the most +rigid and, as far as practicable, unbiased examination of the subject, the +United States have always contended that their rights appertain to the +entire region of country lying on the Pacific and embraced within 42° +and 54° 40' of north latitude. This claim being controverted by Great +Britain, those who have preceded the present Executive--actuated, no doubt, +by an earnest desire to adjust the matter upon terms mutually satisfactory +to both countries--have caused to be submitted to the British Government +propositions for settlement and final adjustment, which, however, have not +proved heretofore acceptable to it. Our minister at London has, under +instructions, again brought the subject to the consideration of that +Government, and while nothing will be done to compromise the rights or +honor of the United States, every proper expedient will be resorted to in +order to bring the negotiation now in the progress of resumption to a +speedy and happy termination. In the meantime it is proper to remark that +many of our citizens are either already established in the Territory or are +on their way thither for the purpose of forming permanent settlements, +while others are preparing to follow; and in view of these facts I must +repeat the recommendation contained in previous messages for the +establishment of military posts at such places on the line of travel as +will furnish security and protection to our hardy adventurers against +hostile tribes of Indians inhabiting those extensive regions. Our laws +should also follow them, so modified as the circumstances of the case may +seem to require. Under the influence of our free system of government new +republics are destined to spring up at no distant day on the shores of the +Pacific similar in policy and in feeling to those existing on this side of +the Rocky Mountains, and giving a wider and more extensive spread to the +principles of civil and religious liberty. + +I am happy to inform you that the cases which have from time to time arisen +of the detention of American vessels by British cruisers on the coast of +Africa under pretense of being engaged in the slave trade have been placed +in a fair train of adjustment. In the case of the William and Francis full +satisfaction will be allowed. In the cases of the Tygris and Seamew the +British Government admits that satisfaction is due. In the case of the +Jones the sum accruing from the sale of that vessel and cargo will be paid +to the owners, while I can not but flatter myself that full indemnification +will be allowed for all damages sustained by the detention of the vessel; +and in the case of the Douglas Her Majesty's Government has expressed its +determination to make indemnification. Strong hopes are therefore +entertained that most, if not all, of these cases will be speedily +adjusted. No new cases have arisen since the ratification of the treaty of +Washington, and it is confidently anticipated that the slave trade, under +the operation of the eighth article of that treaty, will be altogether +suppressed. + +The occasional interruption experienced by our fellow-citizens engaged in +the fisheries on the neighboring coast of Nova Scotia has not failed to +claim the attention of the Executive. Representations upon this subject +have been made, but as yet no definitive answer to those representations +has been received from the British Government. + +Two other subjects of comparatively minor importance, but nevertheless of +too much consequence to be neglected, remain still to be adjusted between +the two countries. By the treaty between the United States and Great +Britain of July, 1815, it is provided that no higher duties shall be levied +in either country on articles imported from the other than on the same +articles imported from any other place. In 1836 rough rice by act of +Parliament was admitted from the coast of Africa into Great Britain on the +payment of a duty of 1 penny a quarter, while the same article from all +other countries, including the United States, was subjected to the payment +of a duty of 20 shillings a quarter. Our minister at London has from time +to time brought this subject to the attention of the British Government, +but so far without success. He is instructed to renew his representations +upon it. + +Some years since a claim was preferred against the British Government on +the part of certain American merchants for the return of export duties paid +by them on shipments of woolen goods to the United States after the duty on +similar articles exported to other countries had been repealed, and +consequently in contravention of the commercial convention between the two +nations securing to us equality in such cases. The principle on which the +claim rests has long since been virtually admitted by Great Britain, but +obstacles to a settlement have from time to time been interposed, so that a +large portion of the amount claimed has not yet been refunded. Our minister +is now engaged in the prosecution of the claim, and I can not but persuade +myself that the British Government will no longer delay its adjustment. + +I am happy to be able to say that nothing has occurred to disturb in any +degree the relations of amity which exist between the United States and +France, Austria, and Russia, as well as with the other powers of Europe, +since the adjournment of Congress. Spain has been agitated with internal +convulsions for many years, from the effects of which, it is hoped, she is +destined speedily to recover, when, under a more liberal system of +commercial policy on her part, our trade with her may again fill its old +and, so far as her continental possessions are concerned, its almost +forsaken channels, thereby adding to the mutual prosperity of the two +countries. + +The Germanic Association of Customs and Commerce, which since its +establishment in 1833 has been steadily growing in power and importance, +and consists at this time of more than twenty German States, and embraces a +population of 27,000,000 people united for all fire purposes of commercial +intercourse with each other and with foreign states, offers to the latter +the most valuable exchanges on principles more liberal than are offered in +the fiscal system of any other European power. From its origin the +importance of the German union has never been lost sight of by the United +States. The industry, morality, and other valuable qualities of the German +nation have always been well known and appreciated. On this subject I +invite the attention of Congress to the report of the Secretary of State, +from which it will be seen that while our cotton is admitted free of duty +and the duty on rice has been much reduced (which has already led to a +greatly increased consumption), a strong disposition has been recently +evinced by that great body to reduce, upon certain conditions, their +present duty upon tobacco. This being the first intimation of a concession +on this interesting subject ever made by any European power, I can not but +regard it as well calculated to remove the only impediment which has so far +existed to the most liberal commercial intercourse between us and them. In +this view our minister at Berlin, who has heretofore industriously pursued +the subject, has been instructed to enter upon the negotiation of a +commercial treaty, which, while it will open new advantages to the +agricultural interests of the United States and a more free and expanded +field for commercial operations, will affect injuriously no existing +interest of the Union. Should the negotiation be crowned with success, its +results will be communicated to both Houses of Congress. + +I communicate herewith certain dispatches received from our minister at +Mexico, and also a correspondence which has recently occurred between the +envoy from that Republic and the Secretary of State. It must but be +regarded as not a little extraordinary that the Government of Mexico, in +anticipation of a public discussion (which it has been pleased to infer +from newspaper publications as likely to take place in Congress, relating +to the annexation of Texas to the United States), should have so far +anticipated the result of such discussion as to have announced its +determination to visit any such anticipated decision by a formal +declaration of war against the United States. If designed to prevent +Congress from introducing that question as a fit subject for its calm +deliberation and final judgment, the Executive has no reason to doubt that +it will entirely fail of its object. The representatives of a brave and +patriotic people will suffer no apprehension of future consequences to +embarrass them in the course of their proposed deliberations, nor will the +executive department of the Government fail for any such cause to discharge +its whole duty to the country. + +The war which has existed for so long a time between Mexico and Texas has +since the battle of San Jacinto consisted for the most part of predatory +incursions, which, while they have been attended with much of suffering to +individuals and have kept the borders of the two countries in a state of +constant alarm, have failed to approach to any definitive result. Mexico +has fitted out no formidable armament by land or by sea for the subjugation +of Texas. Eight years have now elapsed since Texas declared her +independence of Mexico, and during that time she has been recognized as a +sovereign power by several of the principal civilized states. Mexico, +nevertheless, perseveres in her plans of reconquest, and refuses to +recognize her independence. The predatory incursions to which I have +alluded have been attended in one instance with the breaking up of the +courts of justice, by the seizing upon the persons of the judges, jury, and +officers of the court and dragging them along with unarmed, and therefore +noncombatant, citizens into a cruel and oppressive bondage, thus leaving +crime to go unpunished and immorality to pass unreproved. A border warfare +is evermore to be deprecated, and over such a war as has existed for so +many years between these two States humanity has had great cause to lament. +Nor is such a condition of things to be deplored only because of the +individual suffering attendant upon it. The effects are far more extensive. +The Creator of the Universe has given man the earth for his resting place +and its fruits for his subsistence. Whatever, therefore, shall make the +first or any part of it a scene of desolation affects injuriously his +heritage and may be regarded as a general calamity. Wars may sometimes be +necessary, but all nations have a common interest in bringing them speedily +to a close. The United States have an immediate interest in seeing an end +put to the state of hostilities existing between Mexico and Texas. They are +our neighbors, of the same continent, with whom we are not only desirous of +cultivating the relations of amity, but of the most extended commercial +intercourse, and to practice all the rites of a neighborhood hospitality. +Our own interests are involved in the matter, since, however neutral may be +our course of policy, we can not hope to escape the effects of a spirit of +jealousy on the part of both of the powers. Nor can this Government be +indifferent to the fact that a warfare such as is waged between those two +nations is calculated to weaken both powers and finally to render them--and +especially the weaker of the two--the subjects of interference on the part +of stronger and more powerful nations, who, intent only on advancing their +own peculiar views, may sooner or later attempt to bring about a compliance +with terms as the condition of their interposition alike derogatory to the +nation granting them and detrimental to the interests of the United States. +We could not be expected quietly to permit any such interference to our +disadvantage. Considering that Texas is separated from the United States by +a mere geographical line; that her territory, in the opinion of many, down +to a late period formed a portion of the territory of the United States; +that it is homogeneous in its population and pursuits with adjoining +States, makes contributions to the commerce of the world in the same +articles with them, and that most of her inhabitants have been citizens of +the United States, speak the same language, and live under similar +political institutions with ourselves, this Government is bound by every +consideration of interest as well as of sympathy to see that she shall be +left free to act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by +force and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries. In full +view of all these considerations, the Executive has not hesitated to +express to the Government of Mexico how deeply it deprecated a continuance +of the war and how anxiously it desired to witness its termination. I can +not but think that it becomes the United States, as the oldest of the +American Republics, to hold a language to Mexico upon this subject of an +unambiguous character. It is time that this war had ceased. There must be a +limit to all wars, and if the parent state after an eight years' struggle +has failed to reduce to submission a portion of its subjects standing out +in revolt against it, and who have not only proclaimed themselves to be +independent, but have been recognized as such by other powers, she ought +not to expect that other nations will quietly look on, to their obvious +injury, upon a protraction of hostilities. These United States threw off +their colonial dependence and established independent governments, and +Great Britain, after having wasted her energies in the attempt to subdue +them for a less period than Mexico has attempted to subjugate Texas, had +the wisdom and justice to acknowledge their independence, thereby +recognizing the obligation which rested on her as one of the family of +nations. An example thus set by one of the proudest as well as most +powerful nations of the earth it could in no way disparage Mexico to +imitate. While, therefore, the Executive would deplore any collision with +Mexico or any disturbance of the friendly relations which exist between the +two countries, it can not permit that Government to control its policy, +whatever it may be, toward Texas, but will treat her--as by the recognition +of her independence the United States have long since declared they would +do--as entirely independent of Mexico. The high obligations of public duty +may enforce from the constituted authorities of the United States a policy +which the course persevered in by Mexico will have mainly contributed to +produce, and the Executive in such a touting they will with confidence +throw itself upon the patriotism of the people to sustain the Government in +its course of action. + +Measures of an unusual character have recently been adopted by the Mexican +Government, calculated in no small degree to affect the trade of other +nations with Mexico and to operate injuriously to the United States. All +foreigners, by a decree of the 23d day of September, and after six months +from the day of its promulgation, are forbidden to carry on the business of +selling by retail any goods within the confines of Mexico. Against this +decree our minister has not failed to remonstrate. + +The trade heretofore carried on by our citizens with Santa Fe, in which +much capital was already invested and which was becoming of daily +increasing importance, has suddenly been arrested by a decree of virtual +prohibition on the part of the Mexican Government. Whatever may be the +right of Mexico to prohibit any particular course of trade to the citizens +or subjects of foreign powers, this late procedure, to say the least of it, +wears a harsh and unfriendly aspect. + +The installments on the claims recently settled by the convention with +Mexico have been punctually paid as they have fallen due, and our minister +is engaged in urging the establishment of a new commission in pursuance of +the convention for the settlement of unadjusted claims. + +With the other American States our relations of amity and good will have +remained uninterrupted. Our minister near the Republic of New Granada has +succeeded in effecting an adjustment of the claim upon that Government for +the schooner By Chance, which had been pending for many years. The claim +for the brig Morris, which had its origin during the existence of the +Republic of Colombia, and indemnification for which since the dissolution +of that Republic has devolved upon its several members, will be urged with +renewed zeal. + +I have much pleasure in saying that the Government of Brazil has adjusted +the claim upon that Government in the case of the schooner John S. Bryan, +and that sanguine hopes are entertained that the same spirit of justice +will influence its councils in arriving at an early decision upon the +remaining claims, thereby removing all cause of dissension between two +powers whose interests are to some extent interwoven with each other. + +Our minister at Chili has succeeded in inducing a recognition by that +Government of the adjustment effected by his predecessor of the first claim +in the case of the Macedonian. The first installment has been received by +the claimants in the United States. + +Notice of the exchange of ratifications of the treaty with Peru, which will +take place at Lima, has not yet reached this country, but is shortly +expected to be received, when the claims upon that Republic will doubtless +be liquidated and paid. + +In consequence of a misunderstanding between this Government and that of +Buenos Ayres, occurring several years ago, this Government has remained +unrepresented at that Court, while a minister from it has been constantly +resident here. The causes of irritation have in a great measure passed +away, and it is in contemplation, in view of important interests which have +grown up in that country, at some early period during the present session +of Congress, with the concurrence of the Senate, to restore diplomatic +relations between the two countries. + +Under the provisions of an act of Congress of the last session a minister +was dispatched from the United States to China in August of the present +year, who, from the latest accounts we have from him, was at Suez, in +Egypt, on the 25th of September last, on his route to China. + +In regard to the Indian tribes residing within our jurisdictional limits, +the greatest vigilance of the Government has been exerted to preserve them +at peace among themselves and to inspire them with feelings of confidence +in the justice of this Government and to cultivate friendship with the +border inhabitants. This has happily succeeded to a great extent, but it is +a subject of regret that they suffer themselves in some instances to be +imposed upon by artful and designing men and this notwithstanding all +efforts of the Government to prevent it. + +The receipts into the Treasury for the calendar year 1843, exclusive of +loans, were little more than $ 18,000,000, and the expenditures, exclusive +of the payments on the public debt, will have been about $23,000,000. By +the act of 1842 a new arrangement of the fiscal year was made, so that it +should commence on the 1st day of July in each year. The accounts and +estimates for the current fiscal year will show that the loans and Treasury +notes made and issued before the close of the last Congress to meet the +anticipated deficiency have not been entirely adequate. Although on the 1st +of October last there was a balance in the Treasury, in consequence of the +provisions thus made, of $3,914,082.77, yet the appropriations already made +by Congress will absorb that balance and leave a probable deficiency of +$2,000,000 at the close of the present fiscal year. There are outstanding +Treasury notes to about the amount of $4,600,000, and should they be +returned upon the Treasury during the fiscal year they will require +provision for their redemption. I do not, however, regard this as probable, +since they have obviously entered into the currency of the country and will +continue to form a portion of it if the system now adopted be continued. +The loan of 1841, amounting to $5,672,976.88, falls due on the 1st day of +January, 1845, and must be provided for or postponed by a new loan; and +unless the resources of revenue should be materially increased by you there +will be a probable deficiency for the service of the fiscal year ending +June 30, 1845, of upward of $4,000,000. + +The delusion incident to an enormously excessive paper circulation, which +gave a fictitious value to everything and stimulated adventure and +speculation to an extravagant extent, has been happily succeeded by the +substitution of the precious metals and paper promptly redeemable in +specie; and thus false values have disappeared and a sounder condition of +things has been introduced. This transition, although intimately connected +with the prosperity of the country, has nevertheless been attended with +much embarrassment to the Government in its financial concerns. So long as +the foreign importers could receive payment for their cargoes in a currency +of greatly less value than that in Europe, but fully available here in the +purchase of our agricultural productions (their profits being immeasurably +augmented by the operation), the shipments were large and the revenues of +the Government became superabundant. But the change in the character of the +circulation from a nominal and apparently real value in the first stage of +its existence to an obviously depreciated value in its second, so that it +no longer answered the purposes of exchange or barter, and its ultimate +substitution by a sound metallic and paper circulation combined, has been +attended by diminished importations and a consequent falling off in the +revenue. This has induced Congress, from 1837, to resort to the expedient +of issuing Treasury notes, and finally of funding them, in order to supply +deficiencies. I can not, however, withhold the remark that it is in no way +compatible with the dignity of the Government that a public debt should be +created in time of peace to meet the current expenses of the Government, or +that temporary expedients should be resorted to an hour longer than it is +possible to avoid them. The Executive can do no more than apply the means +which Congress places in its hands for the support of Government, and, +happily for the good of the country and for the preservation of its +liberties, it possesses no power to levy exactions on the people or to +force from them contributions to the public revenue in any form. It can +only recommend such measures as may in its opinion be called for by the +wants of the public service to Congress, with whom alone rests the power to +"lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises." This duty has upon +several occasions heretofore been performed. The present condition of +things gives flattering promise that trade and commerce are rapidly +reviving, and, fortunately for the country, the sources of revenue have +only to be opened in order to prove abundant. + +While we can anticipate no considerable increase in the proceeds of the +sales of the public lands, for reasons perfectly obvious to all, for +several years to come, yet the public lands can not otherwise than be +regarded as the foundation of the public credit. With so large a body of +the most fertile lands in the world under the control and at the disposal +of this Government, no one can reasonably doubt the entire ability to meet +its engagements under every emergency. In seasons of trial and difficulty +similar to those through which we are passing the capitalist makes his +investments in the Government cut stocks with the most assured confidence +of ultimate reimbursement; and whatever may be said of a period of great +financial prosperity, such as existed for some years after 1833, I should +regard it as suicidal in a season of financial embarrassment either to +alienate the lands themselves or the proceeds arising from their sales. The +first and paramount duty of those to whom may be intrusted the +administration of public affairs is to guard the public credit. In +reestablishing the credit of this central Government the readiest and most +obvious mode is taken to restore the credit of the States. The extremities +can only be made sound by producing a healthy action in the central +Government, and the history of the present day fully establishes the fact +that an increase in the value of the stocks of this Government will in a +great majority of instances be attended by an increase in the value of the +stocks of the States. It should therefore be a matter of general +congratulation that amidst all the embarrassments arising from surrounding +circumstances the credit of the Government should have been so fully +restored that it has been enabled to effect a loan of $7,000,000 to redeem +that amount of Treasury notes on terms more favorable than any that have +been offered for many years. And the 6 per cent stock which was created in +1842 has advanced in the hands of the holders nearly 20 per cent above its +par value. The confidence of the people in the integrity of their +Government has thus been signally manifested. These opinions relative to +the public lands do not in any manner conflict with the observance of the +most liberal policy toward those of our fellow-citizens who press forward +into the wilderness and are the pioneers in the work of its reclamation. In +securing to all such their rights of preemption the Government performs but +an act of retributive justice for sufferings encountered and hardships +endured, and finds ample remuneration in the comforts which its policy +insures and the happiness which it imparts. + +Should a revision of the tariff with a view to revenue become necessary in +the estimation of Congress, I doubt not you will approach the subject with +a just and enlightened regard to the interests of the whole Union. The +principles and views which I have heretofore had occasion to submit remain +unchanged. It can, however, never be too often repeated that the prominent +interest of every important pursuit of life requires for success permanency +and stability in legislation. These can only be attained by adopting as the +basis of action moderation in all things, which is as indispensably +necessary to secure the harmonious action of the political as of the animal +system. In our political organization no one section of the country should +desire to have its supposed interests advanced at the sacrifice of all +others, but union, being the great interest, equally precious to all, +should be fostered and sustained by mutual concessions and the cultivation +of that spirit of compromise from which the Constitution itself proceeded. + +You will be informed by the report from the Treasury Department of the +measures taken under the act of the last session authorizing the reissue of +Treasury notes in lieu of those then outstanding. The system adopted in +pursuance of existing laws seems well calculated to save the country a +large amount of interest, while it affords conveniences and obviates +dangers and expense in the transmission of funds to disbursing agents. I +refer you also to that report for the means proposed by the Secretary to +increase the revenue, and particularly to that portion of it which relates +to the subject of the warehousing system, which I earnestly urged upon +Congress at its last session and as to the importance of which my opinion +has undergone no change. + +In view of the disordered condition of the currency at the time and the +high rates of exchange between different parts of the country, I felt it to +be incumbent on me to present to the consideration of your predecessors a +proposition conflicting in no degree with the Constitution or with the +rights of the States and having the sanction (not in detail, but in +principle) of some of the eminent men who have preceded me in the Executive +office. That proposition contemplated the issuing of Treasury notes of +denominations of not less than $5 nor more than $100, to be employed in the +payment of the obligations of the Government in lieu of gold and silver at +the option of the public creditor, and to an amount not exceeding +$15,000,000. It was proposed to make them receivable everywhere and to +establish at various points depositories of gold and silver to be held in +trust for the redemption of such notes, so as to insure their +convertibility into specie. No doubt was entertained that such notes would +have maintained a par value with gold and silver, thus furnishing a paper +currency of equal value over the Union, thereby meeting the just +expectations of the people and fulfilling the duties of a parental +government. Whether the depositories should be permitted to sell or +purchase bills under very limited restrictions, together with all its other +details, was submitted to the wisdom of Congress and was regarded as of +secondary importance. I thought then and think now that such an arrangement +would have been attended with the happiest results. The whole matter of the +currency would have been placed where by the Constitution it was designed +to be placed--under the immediate supervision and control of Congress. The +action of the Government would have been independent of all corporations, +and the same eye which rests unceasingly on the specie currency and guards +it against adulteration would also have rested on the paper currency, to +control and regulate its issues and protect it against depreciation. The +same reasons which would forbid Congress from parting with the power over +the coinage would seem to operate with nearly equal force hi regard to any +substitution for the precious metals in the form of a circulating medium. +Paper when substituted for specie constitutes a standard of value by which +the operations of society are regulated, and whatsoever causes its +depreciation affects society to an extent nearly, if not quite, equal to +the adulteration of the coin. Nor can I whithold the remark that its +advantages contrasted with a bank of the United States, apart from the fact +that a bank was esteemed as obnoxious to the public sentiment as well on +the score of expediency as of constitutionality, appeared to me to be +striking and obvious. The relief which a bank would afford by an issue of +$15,000,000 of its notes, judging from the experience of the late United +States Bank, would not have occurred in less than fifteen years, whereas +under the proposed arrangement the relief arising from the issue of +$15,000,000 of Treasury notes would have been consummated in one year, thus +furnishing in one-fifteenth part of the time in which a bank could have +accomplished it a paper medium of exchange equal in amount to the real +wants of the country at par value with gold and silver. The saving to the +Government would have been equal to all the interest which it has had to +pay on Treasury notes of previous as well as subsequent issues, thereby +relieving the Government and at the same time affording relief to the +people. Under all the responsibilities attached to the station which I +occupy, and in redemption of a pledge given to the last Congress at the +close of its first session, I submitted the suggestion to its consideration +at two consecutive sessions. The recommendation, however, met with no favor +at its hands. While I am free to admit that the necessities of the times +have since become greatly ameliorated and that there is good reason to hope +that the country is safely and rapidly emerging from the difficulties and +embarrassments which everywhere surrounded it in 1841, yet I can not but +think that its restoration to a sound and healthy condition would be +greatly expedited by a resort to the expedient in a modified form. + +The operations of the Treasury now rest upon the act of 1789 and the +resolution of 1816, and those laws have been so administered as to produce +as great a quantum of good to the country as their provisions are capable +of yielding. If there had been any distinct expression of opinion going to +show that public sentiment is averse to the plan, either as heretofore +recommended to Congress or in a modified form, while my own opinion in +regard to it would remain unchanged I should be very far from again +presenting it to your consideration. The Government has originated with the +States and the people, for their own benefit and advantage, and it would be +subversive of the foundation principles of the political edifice which they +have reared to persevere in a measure which in their mature judgments they +had either repudiated or condemned. The will of our constituents clearly +expressed should be regarded as the light to guide our footsteps, the true +difference between a monarchical or aristocratical government and a +republic being that in the first the will of the few prevails over the will +of the many, while in the last the will of the many should be alone +consulted. + +The report of the Secretary of War will bring you acquainted with the +condition of that important branch of the public service. The Army may be +regarded, in consequence of the small number of the rank and file in each +company and regiment, as little more than a nucleus around which to rally +the military force of the country in case of war, and yet its services in +preserving the peace of the frontiers are of a most important nature. In +all cases of emergency the reliance of the country is properly placed in +the militia of the several States, and it may well deserve the +consideration of Congress whether a new and more perfect organization might +not be introduced, looking mainly to the volunteer companies of the Union +for the present and of easy application to the great body of the militia in +time of war. + +The expenditures of the War Department have been considerably reduced in +the last two years. Contingencies, however, may arise which would call for +the filling up of the regiments with a full complement of men and make it +very desirable to remount the corps of dragoons, which by an act of the +last Congress was directed to be dissolved. + +I refer you to the accompanying report of the Secretary for information in +relation to the Navy of the United States. While every effort has been and +will continue to be made to retrench all superfluities and lop off all +excrescences which from time to time may have grown up, yet it has not been +regarded as wise or prudent to recommend any material change in the annual +appropriations. The interests which are involved are of too important a +character to lead to the recommendation of any other than a liberal policy. +Adequate appropriations ought to be made to enable the Executive to fit out +all the ships that are now in a course of building or that require repairs +for active service in the shortest possible time should any emergency arise +which may require it. An efficient navy, while it is the cheapest means of +public defense, enlists in its support the feelings of pride and confidence +which brilliant deeds and heroic valor have heretofore served to strengthen +and confirm. + +I refer you particularly to that part of the Secretary's report which has +reference to recent experiments in the application of steam and in the +construction of our war steamers, made under the superintendence of +distinguished officers of the Navy. In addition to other manifest +improvements in the construction of the steam engine and application of the +motive power which has rendered them more appropriate to the uses of ships +of war, one of those officers has brought into use a power which makes the +steamship most formidable either for attack or defense. I can not too +strongly recommend this subject to your consideration and do not hesitate +to express my entire conviction of its great importance. + +I call your particular attention also to that portion of the Secretary's +report which has reference to the act of the late session of Congress which +prohibited the transfer of any balance of appropriation from other heads of +appropriation to that for building, equipment, and repair. The repeal of +that prohibition will enable the Department to give renewed employment to a +large class of workmen who have been necessarily discharged in consequence +of the want of means to pay them--a circumstance attended, especially at +this season of the year, with much privation and suffering. + +It gives me great pain to announce to you the loss of the steamship the +Missouri by fire in the Bay of Gibraltar, where she had stopped to renew +her supplies of coal on her voyage to Alexandria, with Mr. Cushing, the +American minister to China, on board. There is ground for high commendation +of the officers and men for the coolness and intrepidity and perfect +submission to discipline evinced under the most trying circumstances. +Surrounded by a raging fire, which the utmost exertions could not subdue, +and which threatened momentarily the explosion of her well-supplied +magazines, the officers exhibited no signs of fear and the men obeyed every +order with alacrity. Nor was she abandoned until the last gleam of hope of +saving her had expired. It is well worthy of your consideration whether the +losses sustained by the officers and crew in this unfortunate affair should +not be reimbursed to them. + +I can not take leave of this painful subject without adverting to the aid +rendered upon the occasion by the British authorities at Gibraltar and the +commander, officers, and crew of the British ship of the line the Malabar, +which was lying at the time in the bay. Everything that generosity or +humanity could dictate was promptly performed. It is by such acts of good +will by one to another of the family of nations that fraternal feelings are +nourished and the blessings of permanent peace secured. + +The report of the Postmaster-General will bring you acquainted with the +operations of that Department during the past year, and will suggest to you +such modifications of the existing laws as in your opinion the exigencies +of the public service may require. The change which the country has +undergone of late years in the mode of travel and transportation has +afforded so many facilities for the transmission of mail matter out of the +regular mail as to require the greatest vigilance and circumspection in +order to enable the officer at the head of the Department to restrain the +expenditures within the income. There is also too much reason to fear that +the franking privilege has run into great abuse. The Department, +nevertheless, has been conducted with the greatest vigor, and has attained +at the least possible expense all the useful objects for which it was +established. + +In regard to all the Departments, I am quite happy in the belief that +nothing has been left undone which was called for by a true spirit of +economy or by a system of accountability rigidly enforced. This is in some +degree apparent from the fact that the Government has sustained no loss by +the default of any of its agents. In the complex, but at the same time +beautiful, machinery of our system of government, it is not a matter of +surprise that some remote agency may have failed for an instant to fulfill +its desired office; but I feel confident in the assertion that nothing has +occurred to interrupt the harmonious action of the Government itself, and +that, while the laws have been executed with efficiency and vigor, the +rights neither of States nor individuals have been trampled on or +disregarded. + +In the meantime the country has been steadily advancing in all that +contributes to national greatness. The tide of population continues +unbrokenly to flow into the new States and Territories, where a refuge is +found not only for our native-born fellow-citizens, but for emigrants from +all parts of the civilized world, who come among us to partake of the +blessings of our free institutions and to aid by their labor to swell the +current of our wealth and power. + +It is due to every consideration of public policy that the lakes and rivers +of the West should receive all such attention at the hands of Congress as +the Constitution will enable it to bestow. Works in favorable and proper +situations on the Lakes would be found to be as indispensably necessary, in +case of war, to carry on safe and successful naval operations as +fortifications on the Atlantic seaboard. The appropriation made by the last +Congress for the improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi River has +been diligently and efficiently applied. + +I can not close this communication, gentlemen, without recommending to your +most favorable consideration the interests of this District. Appointed by +the Constitution its exclusive legislators, and forming in this particular +the only anomaly in our system of government--of the legislative body being +elected by others than those for whose advantage they are to legislate--you +will feel a superadded obligation to look well into their condition and to +leave no cause for complaint or regret. The seat of Government of our +associated republics can not but be regarded as worthy of your parental +care. + +In connection with its other interests, as well as those of the whole +country, I recommend that at your present session you adopt such measures +in order to carry into effect the Smithsonian bequest as in your judgment +will be best calculated to consummate the liberal intent of the testator. + +When, under a dispensation of Divine Providence, I succeeded to the +presidential office, the state of public affairs was embarrassing and +critical. To add to the irritation consequent upon a long-standing +controversy with one of the most powerful nations of modern times, +involving not only questions of boundary (which under the most favorable +circumstances are always embarrassing), but at the same time important and +high principles of maritime law, border controversies between the citizens +and subjects of the two countries had engendered a state of feeling and of +conduct which threatened the most calamitous consequences. The hazards +incident to this state of things were greatly heightened by the arrest and +imprisonment of a subject of Great Britain, who, acting (as it was alleged) +as a part of a military force, had aided in the commission of an act +violative of the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and +involving the murder of a citizen, of the State of New York. A large amount +of claims against the Government of Mexico remained unadjusted and a war of +several years' continuance with the savage tribes of Florida still +prevailed, attended with the desolation of a large portion of that +beautiful Territory and with the sacrifice of many valuable lives. To +increase the embarrassments of the Government, individual and State credit +had been nearly stricken down and confidence in the General Government was +so much impaired that-loans of a small amount could only be negotiated at a +considerable sacrifice. As a necessary consequence of the blight which had +fallen on commerce and mechanical industry, the ships of the one were +thrown out of employment and the operations of the other had been greatly +diminished. Owing to the condition of the currency, exchanges between +different parts of the country had become ruinously high and trade had to +depend on a depreciated paper currency in conducting its transactions. I +shall be permitted to congratulate the country that under an overruling +Providence peace was preserved without a sacrifice of the national honor; +the war in Florida was brought to a speedy termination; a large portion of +the claims on Mexico have been fully adjudicated and are in a course of +payment, while justice has been rendered to us in other matters by other +nations; confidence between man and man is in a great measure restored and +the credit of this Government fully and perfectly reestablished; commerce +is becoming more and more extended in its operations and manufacturing and +mechanical industry once more reap the rewards of skill and labor honestly +applied; the operations of trade rest on a sound currency and the rates of +exchange are reduced to their lowest amount. + +In this condition of things I have felt it to be my duty to bring to your +favorable consideration matters of great interest in their present and +ultimate results; and the only desire which I feel in connection with the +future is and will continue to be to leave the country prosperous and its +institutions unimpaired. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 3, 1844 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +We have continued cause for expressing our gratitude to the Supreme Ruler +of the Universe for the benefits and blessings which our country, under His +kind providence, has enjoyed during the past year. Notwithstanding the +exciting scenes through which we have passed, nothing has occurred to +disturb the general peace or to derange the harmony of our political +system. The great moral spectacle has been exhibited of a nation +approximating in number to 20,000,000 people having performed the high and +important function of electing their Chief Magistrate for the term of four +years without the commission of any acts of violence or the manifestation +of a spirit of insubordination to the laws. The great and inestimable right +of suffrage has been exercised by all who were invested with it under the +laws of the different States in a spirit dictated alone by a desire, in the +selection of the agent, to advance the interests of the country and to +place beyond jeopardy the institutions under which it is our happiness to +live. That the deepest interest has been manifested by all our countrymen +in the result of the election is not less true than highly creditable to +them. Vast multitudes have assembled from time to time at various places +for the purpose of canvassing the merits and pretensions of those who were +presented for their suffrages, but no armed soldiery has been necessary to +restrain within proper limits the popular zeal or to prevent violent +outbreaks. A principle much more controlling was found in the love of order +and obedience to the laws, which, with mere individual exceptions, +everywhere possesses the American mind, and controls with an influence far +more powerful than hosts of armed men. We can not dwell upon this picture +without recognizing in it that deep and devoted attachment on the part of +the people to the institutions under which we live which proclaims their +perpetuity. The great objection which has always prevailed against the +election by the people of their chief executive officer has been the +apprehension of tumults and disorders which might involve in ruin the +entire Government. A security against this is found not only in the fact +before alluded to, trot in the additional fact that we live under a +Confederacy embracing already twenty-six States, no one of which has power +to control the election. The popular vote in each State is taken at the +time appointed by the laws, and such vote is announced by the electoral +college without reference to the decision of other States. The right of +suffrage and the mode of conducting the election are regulated by the laws +of each State, and the election is distinctly federative in all its +prominent features. Thus it is that, unlike what might be the results under +a consolidated system, riotous proceedings, should they prevail, could only +affect the elections in single States without disturbing to any dangerous +extent the tranquillity of others. The great experiment of a political +confederation each member of which is supreme as to all matters +appertaining to its local interests and its internal peace and happiness, +while by a voluntary compact with others it confides to the united power of +all the protection of its citizens in matters not domestic has been so far +crowned with complete success. The world has witnessed its rapid growth in +wealth and population, and under the guide and direction of a +superintending Providence the developments of the past may be regarded but +as the shadowing forth of the mighty future. In the bright prospects of +that future we shall find, as patriots and philanthropists, the highest +inducements to cultivate and cherish a love of union and to frown down +every measure or effort which may be made to alienate the States or the +people of the States in sentiment and feeling from each other. A rigid and +close adherence to the terms of our political compact and, above all, a +sacred observance of the guaranties of the Constitution will preserve union +on a foundation which can not be shaken, while personal liberty is placed +beyond hazard or jeopardy. The guaranty of religious freedom, of the +freedom of the press, of the liberty of speech, of the trial by jury, of +the habeas corpus, and of the domestic institutions of each of the States, +leaving the private citizen in the full exercise of the high and ennobling +attributes of his nature and to each State the privilege (which can only be +judiciously exerted by itself) of consulting the means best calculated to +advance its own happiness--these are the great and important guaranties of +the Constitution which the lovers of liberty must cherish and the advocates +of union must ever cultivate. Preserving these and avoiding all +interpolations by forced construction under the guise of an imagined +expediency upon the Constitution, the influence of our political system is +destined to be as actively and as beneficially felt on the distant shores +of the Pacific as it is now on those of the Atlantic Ocean. The only +formidable impediments in the way of its successful expansion (time and +space) are so far in the progress of modification by the improvements of +the age as to render no longer speculative the ability of representatives +from that remote region to come up to the Capitol, so that their +constituents shall participate in all the benefits of Federal legislation. +Thus it is that in the progress of time the inestimable principles of civil +liberty will be enjoyed by millions yet unborn and the great benefits of +our system of government be extended to now distant and uninhabited +regions. In view of the vast wilderness yet to be reclaimed, we may well +invite the lover of freedom of every land to take up his abode among us and +assist us in the great work of advancing the standard of civilization and +giving a wider spread to the arts and refinements of cultivated life. Our +prayers should evermore be offered up to the Father of the Universe for His +wisdom to direct us in the path of our duty so as to enable us to +consummate these high purposes. + +One of the strongest objections which has been urged against confederacies +by writers on government is the liability of the members to be tampered +with by foreign governments or the people of foreign states, either in +their local affairs or in such as affected the peace of others or +endangered the safety of the whole confederacy. We can not hope to be +entirely exempt from such attempts on our peace and safety. The United +States are becoming too important in population and resources not to +attract the observation of other nations. It therefore may in the progress +of time occur that opinions entirely abstract in the States which they may +prevail and in no degree affecting their domestic institutions may be +artfully but secretly encouraged with a view to undermine the Union. Such +opinions may become the foundation of political parties, until at last the +conflict of opinion, producing an alienation of friendly feeling among the +people of the different States, may involve in general destruction the +happy institutions under which we live. It should ever be borne in mind +that what is true in regard to individuals is equally so in regard to +states. An interference of one in the affairs of another is the fruitful +cause of family dissensions and neighborhood disputes, and the same cause +affects the peace, happiness, and prosperity of states. It may be most +devoutly hoped that the good sense of the American people will ever be +ready to repel all such attempts should they ever be made. + +There has been no material change in our foreign relations since my last +annual message to Congress. With all the powers of Europe we continue on +the most friendly terms. Indeed, it affords me much satisfaction to state +that at no former period has the peace of that enlightened and important +quarter of the globe ever been, apparently, more firmly established. The +conviction that peace is the true policy of nations would seem to be +growing and becoming deeper amongst the enlightened everywhere, and there +is no people who have a stronger interest in cherishing the sentiments and +adopting the means of preserving and giving it permanence than those of the +United States. Amongst these, the first and most effective are, no doubt, +the strict observance of justice and the honest and punctual fulfillment of +all engagements. But it is not to be forgotten that in the present state of +the world it is no less necessary to be ready to enforce their observance +and fulfillment in reference to ourselves than to observe and fulfill them +on our part in regard to others. + +Since the close of your last session a negotiation has been formally +entered upon between the Secretary of State and Her Britannic Majesty's +minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary residing at Washington +relative to the rights of their respective nations in and over the Oregon +Territory. That negotiation is still pending. Should it during your session +be brought to a definitive conclusion, the result will be promptly +communicated to Congress. I would, however, again call your attention to +the recommendations contained in previous messages designed to protect and +facilitate emigration to that Territory. The establishment of military +posts at suitable points upon the extended line of land travel would enable +our citizens to emigrate in comparative safety to the fertile regions below +the Falls of the Columbia, and make the provision of the existing +convention for the joint occupation of the territory by subjects of Great +Britain and the citizens of the United States more available than +heretofore to the latter. These posts would constitute places of rest for +the weary emigrant, where he would be sheltered securely against the danger +of attack from the Indians and be enabled to recover from the exhaustion of +a long line of travel. Legislative enactments should also be made which +should spread over him the aegis of our laws, so as to afford protection to +his person and property when he shall have reached his distant home. In +this latter respect the British Government has been much more careful of +the interests of such of her people as are to be found in that country than +the United States. She has made necessary provision for their security and +protection against the acts of the viciously disposed and lawless, and her +emigrant reposes in safety under the panoply of her laws. Whatever may be +the result of the pending negotiation, such measures are necessary. It will +afford me the greatest pleasure to witness a happy and favorable +termination to the existing negotiation upon terms compatible with the +public honor, and the best efforts of the Government will continue to be +directed to this end. + +It would have given me the highest gratification in this my last annual +communication to Congress to have been able to announce to you the complete +and entire settlement and adjustment of other matters in difference between +the United States and the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, which were +adverted to in a previous message. It is so obviously the interest of both +countries, in respect to the large and valuable commerce which exists +between them, that all causes of complaint, however inconsiderable, should +be with the greatest promptitude removed that it must be regarded as cause +of regret that any unnecessary delays should be permitted to intervene. It +is true that in a pecuniary point of view the matters alluded to are +altogether insignificant in amount when compared with the ample resources +of that great nation, but they nevertheless, more particularly that limited +class which arise under seizures and detentions of American ships on the +coast of Africa upon the mistaken supposition indulged in at the time the +wrong was committed of their being engaged in the slave trade, deeply +affect the sensibilities of this Government and people. Great Britain, +having recognized her responsibility to repair all such wrongs by her +action in other cases, leaves nothing to be regretted upon the subject aa +to all cases arising prior to the treaty of Washington than the delay in +making suitable reparation in such of them as fall plainly within the +principle of others which she has long since adjusted. The injury inflicted +by delays in the settlement of these claims falls with severity upon the +individual claimants and makes a strong appeal to her magnanimity and sense +of justice for a speedy settlement. Other matters arising out of the +construction of existing treaties also remain unadjusted, and will continue +to be urged upon her attention. + +The labors of the joint commission appointed by the two Governments to run +the dividing line established by the treaty of Washington were, +unfortunately, much delayed in the commencement of the season by the +failure of Congress at its last session to make a timely appropriation of +funds to meet the expenses of the American party, and by other causes. The +United States commissioner, however, expresses his expectation that by +increased diligence and energy the party will be able to make up for lost +time. + +We continue to receive assurances of the most friendly feelings on the part +of all the other European powers, with each and all of whom it is so +obviously our interest to cultivate the most amicable relations; nor can I +anticipate the occurrence of any event which would be likely in any degree +to disturb those relations. Russia, the great northern power, under the +judicious sway of her Emperor, is constantly advancing in the road of +science and improvement, while France, guided by the counsels of her wise +Sovereign, pursues a course calculated to consolidate the general peace. +Spain has obtained a breathing spell of some duration from the internal +convulsions which have through so many years marred her prosperity, while +Austria, the Netherlands, Prussia, Belgium, and the other powers of Europe +reap a rich harvest of blessings from the prevailing peace. + +I informed the two Houses of Congress in my message of December last that +instructions had been given to Mr. Wheaton, our minister at Berlin, to +negotiate a treaty with the Germanic States composing the Zollverein if it +could be done, stipulating, as far as it was practicable to accomplish it, +for a reduction of the heavy and onerous duties levied on our tobacco and +other leading articles of agricultural production, and yielding in return +on our part a reduction of duties on such articles the product of their +industry as should not come into competition, or but a limited one, with +articles the product of our manufacturing industry. The Executive in giving +such instructions considered itself as acting in strict conformity with the +wishes of Congress as made known through several measures which it had +adopted, all directed to the accomplishment of this important result. The +treaty was therefore negotiated, by which essential reductions were secured +in the duties levied by the Zollverein on tobacco, rice, and lard, +accompanied by a stipulation for the admission of raw cotton free of duty; +in exchange for which highly important concessions a reduction of duties +imposed by the laws of the United States on a variety of articles, most of +which were admitted free of all duty under the act of Congress commonly +known as the compromise law, and but few of which were produced in the +United States, was stipulated for on our part. This treaty was communicated +to the Senate at an early day of its last session, but not acted upon until +near its close, when, for the want (as I am bound to presume) of full time +to consider it, it was laid upon the table. This procedure had the effect +of virtually rejecting it, in consequence of a stipulation contained in the +treaty that its ratifications should be exchanged on or before a day which +has already passed. The Executive, acting upon the fair inference that the +Senate did not intend its absolute rejection, gave instructions to our +minister at Berlin to reopen the negotiation so far as to obtain an +extension of time for the exchange of ratifications. I regret, however, to +say that his ,efforts in this respect have been unsuccessful. I am +nevertheless not without hope that the great advantages which were intended +to be secured by the treaty may yet be realized. + +I am happy to inform you that Belgium has, by an "arrete royale" issued in +July last, assimilated the flag of the United States to her own, so far as +the direct trade between the two countries is concerned. This measure will +prove of great service to our shipping interest, the trade having +heretofore been carried on chiefly in foreign bottoms. I flatter myself +that she will speedily resort to a modification of her system relating to +the tobacco trade, which would decidedly benefit the agriculture of the +United States and operate to the mutual advantage of both countries. + +No definitive intelligence has yet been received from our minister of the +conclusion of a treaty with the Chinese Empire, but enough is known to +induce the strongest hopes that the mission will be crowned with success. + +With Brazil our relations continue on the most friendly footing. The +commercial intercourse between that growing Empire and the United States is +becoming daily of greater importance to both, and it is to the interest of +both that the firmest relations of amity and good will should continue to +be cultivated between them. + +The Republic of New Granada still withholds, notwithstanding the most +persevering efforts have been employed by our charge d'affaires, Mr. +Blackford, to produce a different result, indemnity in the case of the brig +Morris; and the Congress of Venezuela, although an arrangement has been +effected between our minister and the minister of foreign affairs of that +Government for the payment of $18,000 in discharge of its liabilities in +the same case, has altogether neglected to make provision for its payment. +It is to be hoped that a sense of justice will soon induce a settlement of +these claims. + +Our late minister to Chili, Mr. Pendleton, has returned to the United +States without having effected an adjustment in the second claim of the +Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds altogether frivolous and untenable. +Mr. Pendleton's successor has been directed to urge the claim in the +strongest terms, and, in the event of a failure to obtain a prompt +adjustment, to report the fact to the Executive at as early a day as +possible, so that the whole matter may be communicated to Congress. + +At your last session I submitted to the attention of Congress the +convention with the Republic of Peru of the 17th March, 1841, providing for +the adjustment of the claims of citizens of the United States against that +Republic, but no definitive action was taken upon the subject. I again +invite to it your attention and prompt action. + +In my last annual message I felt it to be my duty to make known to +Congress, in terms both plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard to the war +which has so long existed between Mexico and Texas which since the battle +of San Jacinto has consisted altogether of predatory incursions, attended +by circumstances revolting to humanity. I repeat now what I then said, that +after eight years of feeble and ineffectual efforts to reconquer Texas it +was time that the war should have ceased. The United States have a direct +interest in the question. The contiguity of the two nations to our +territory was but too well calculated to involve our peace. Unjust +suspicions were engendered in the mind of one or the other of the +belligerents against us, and as a necessary consequence American interests +were made to suffer and our peace became daily endangered; in addition to +which it must have been obvious to all that the exhaustion produced by the +war subjected both Mexico and Texas to the interference of other powers, +which, without the interposition of this Government, might eventuate in the +most serious injury to the United States. This Government from time to time +exerted its friendly offices to bring about a termination of hostilities +upon terms honorable alike to both the belligerents. Its efforts in this +behalf proved unavailing. Mexico seemed almost without an object to +persevere in the war, and no other alternative was left the Executive but +to take advantage of the well-known dispositions of Texas and to invite her +to enter into a treaty for annexing her territory to that of the United +States. + +Since your last session Mexico has threatened to renew the war, and has +either made or proposes to make formidable preparations for invading Texas. +She has issued decrees and proclamations, preparatory to the commencement +of hostilities, full of threats revolting to humanity, and which if carried +into effect would arouse the attention of all Christendom. This new +demonstration of feeling, there is too much reason to believe, has been +produced in consequence of the negotiation of the late treaty of annexation +with Texas. The Executive, therefore, could not be indifferent to such +proceedings, and it felt it to be due as well to itself as to the honor of +the country that a strong representation should be made to the Mexican +Government upon the subject. This was accordingly done, as will be seen by +the copy of the accompanying dispatch from the Secretary of State to the +United States envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no right to jeopard the peace of +the world by urging any longer a useless and fruitless contest. Such a +condition of things would not be tolerated on the European continent. Why +should it be on this? A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by +Mexico, can not be waged without involving our peace and tranquillity. It +is idle to believe that such a war could be looked upon with indifference +by our own citizens inhabiting adjoining States; and our neutrality would +be violated in despite of all efforts on the part of the Government to +prevent it. The country is settled by emigrants from the United States +under invitations held out to them by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants +have left behind them friends and relatives, who would not fail to +sympathize with them in their difficulties, and who would be led by those +sympathies to participate in their struggles, however energetic the action +of the Government to prevent it. Nor would the numerous and formidable +bands of Indians -- the most warlike to be found in any land -- which +occupy the extensive regions contiguous to the States of Arkansas and +Missouri, and who are in possession of large tracts of country within the +limits of Texas, be likely to remain passive. The inclinations of those +numerous tribes lead them invariably to war whenever pretexts exist. + +Mexico had no just ground of displeasure against this Government or people +for negotiating the treaty. What interest of hers was affected by the +treaty? She was despoiled of nothing, since Texas was forever lost to her. +The independence of Texas was recognized by several of the leading powers +of the earth. She was free to treat, free to adopt her own line of policy, +free to take the course which she believed was best calculated to secure +her happiness. + +Her Government and people decided on annexation to the United States, and +the Executive saw in the acquisition of such a territory the means of +advancing their permanent happiness and glory. What principle of good +faith, then, was violated? What rule of political morals trampled under +foot? So far as Mexico herself was concerned, the measure should have been +regarded by her as highly beneficial. Her inability to reconquer Texas had +been exhibited, I repeat, by eight (now nine) years of fruitless and +ruinous contest. In the meantime Texas has been growing in population and +resources. Emigration has flowed into her territory from all parts of the +world in a current which continues to increase in strength. Mexico requires +a permanent boundary between that young Republic and herself. Texas at no +distant day, if she continues separate and detached from the United States, +will inevitably seek to consolidate her strength by adding to her domain +the contiguous Provinces of Mexico. The spirit of revolt from the control +of the central Government has heretofore manifested itself in some of those +Provinces, and it is fair to infer that they would be inclined to take the +first favorable opportunity to proclaim their independence and to form +close alliances with Texas. The war would thus be endless, or if cessations +of hostilities should occur they would only endure for a season. The +interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better consulted than +in a peace with her neighbors which would result in the establishment of a +permanent boundary. Upon the ratification of the treaty the Executive was +prepared to treat with her on the most liberal basis. Hence the boundaries +of Texas were left undefined by the treaty. The Executive proposed to +settle these upon terms that all the world should have pronounced just and +reasonable. No negotiation upon that point could have been undertaken +between the United States and Mexico in advance of the ratification of the +treaty. We should have had no right, no power, no authority, to have +conducted such a negotiation, and to have undertaken it would have been an +assumption equally revolting to the pride of Mexico and Texas and +subjecting us to the charge of arrogance, while to have proposed in advance +of annexation to satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest she might have +in Texas would have been to have treated Texas not as an independent power, +but as a mere dependency of Mexico. This assumption could not have been +acted on by the Executive without setting at defiance your own solemn +declaration that that Republic was an independent State. Mexico had, it is +true, threatened war against the United States in the event the treaty of +annexation was ratified. The Executive could not permit itself to be +influenced by this threat. It represented in this the spirit of our people, +who are ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimidation. A +war under any circumstances is greatly to be deplored, and the United +States is the last nation to desire it; but if, as the condition of peace, +it be required of us to forego the unquestionable right of treating with an +independent power of our own continent upon matters highly interesting to +both, and that upon a naked and unsustained pretension of claim by a third +power to control the free will of the power with whom we treat, devoted as +we may be to peace and anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the +whole world, the Executive does not hesitate to say that the people of the +United States would be ready to brave all consequences sooner than submit +to such condition. But no apprehension of war was entertained by the +Executive, and I must express frankly the opinion that had the treaty been +ratified by the Senate it would have been followed by a prompt settlement, +to the entire satisfaction of Mexico, of every matter in difference between +the two countries. Seeing, then, that new preparations for hostile invasion +of Texas were about to be adopted by Mexico, and that these were brought +about because Texas had adopted the suggestions of the Executive upon the +subject of annexation, it could not passively have folded its arms and +permitted a war, threatened to be accompanied by every act that could mark +a barbarous age, to be waged against her because she had done so. + +Other considerations of a controlling character influenced the course of +the Executive. The treaty which had thus been negotiated had failed to +receive the ratification of the Senate. One of the chief objections which +was urged against it was found to consist in the fact that the question of +annexation had not been submitted to the ordeal of public opinion in the +United States. However untenable such an objection was esteemed to be, in +view of the unquestionable power of the Executive to negotiate the treaty +and the great and lasting interests involved in the question, I felt it to +be my duty to submit the whole subject to Congress as the best expounders +of popular sentiment. No definitive action having been taken on the subject +by Congress, the question referred itself directly to the decision of the +States and people. The great popular election which has just terminated +afforded the best opportunity of ascertaining the will of the States and +the people upon it. Pending that issue it became the imperative duty of the +Executive to inform Mexico that the question of annexation was still before +the American people, and that until their decision was pronounced any +serious invasion of Texas would be regarded as an attempt to forestall +their judgment and could not be looked upon with indifference. I am most +happy to inform you that no such invasion has taken place; and I trust that +whatever your action may be upon it Mexico will see the importance of +deciding the matter by a resort to peaceful expedients in preference to +those of arms. The decision of the people and the States on this great and +interesting subject has been decisively manifested. The question of +annexation has been presented nakedly to their consideration. By the treaty +itself all collateral and incidental issues which were calculated to divide +and distract the public councils were carefully avoided. These were left to +the wisdom of the future to determine. It presented, I repeat, the isolated +question of annexation, and in that form it has been submitted to the +ordeal of public sentiment. A controlling majority of the people and a +large majority of the States have declared in favor of immediate +annexation. Instructions have thus come up to both branches of Congress +from their respective constituents in terms the most emphatic. It is the +will of both the people and the States that Texas shall be annexed to the +Union promptly and immediately. It may be hoped that in carrying into +execution the public will thus declared all collateral issues may be +avoided. Future Legislatures can best decide as to the number of States +which should be formed out of the territory when the time has arrived for +deciding that question. So with all others. By the treaty the United States +assumed the payment of the debts of Texas to an amount not exceeding +$10,000,000, to be paid, with the exception of a sum falling short of +$400,000, exclusively out of the proceeds of the sales of her public lands. +We could not with honor take the lands without assuming the full payment of +all incumbencies upon them. + +Nothing has occurred since your last session to induce a doubt that the +dispositions of Texas remain unaltered. No intimation of an altered +determination on the part of her Government and people has been furnished +to the Executive. She still desires to throw herself under the protection +of our laws and to partake of the blessings of our federative system, while +every American interest would seem to require it. The extension of our +coastwise and foreign trade to an amount almost incalculable, the +enlargement of the market for our manufactures, a constantly growing market +for our agricultural productions, safety to our frontiers, and additional +strength and stability to the Union--these are the results which would +rapidly develop themselves upon the consummation of the measure of +annexation. In such event I will not doubt but that Mexico would find her +true interest to consist in meeting the advances of this Government in a +spirit of amity. Nor do I apprehend any serious complaint from any other +quarter; no sufficient ground exists for such complaint. We should +interfere in no respect with the rights of any other nation. There can not +be gathered from the act any design on our part to do so with their +possessions on this continent. We have interposed no impediments in the way +of such acquisitions of territory, large and extensive as many of them are, +as the leading powers of Europe have made from time to time in every part +of the world. We seek no conquest made by war. No intrigue will have been +resorted to or acts of diplomacy essayed to accomplish the annexation of +Texas. Free and independent herself, she asks to be received into our +Union. It is a question for our own decision whether she shall be received +or not. + +The two Governments having already agreed through their respective organs +on the terms of annexation, I would recommend their adoption by Congress in +the form of a joint resolution or act to be perfected and made binding on +the two countries when adopted in like manner by the Government of Texas. + +In order that the subject may be fully presented in all its bearings, the +correspondence which has taken place in reference to it since the +adjournment of Congress between the United States, Texas, and Mexico is +herewith transmitted. + +The amendments proposed by the Senate to the convention concluded between +the United States and Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, have been +transmitted through our minister for the concurrence of the Mexican +Government, but, although urged thereto, no action has yet been had on the +subject, nor has any answer been given which would authorize a favorable +conclusion in the future. + +The decree of September, 1843, in relation to the retail trade, the order +for the expulsion of foreigners, and that of a more recent date in regard +to passports--all which are considered as in violation of the treaty of +amity and commerce between the two countries--have led to a correspondence +of considerable length between the minister for foreign relations and our +representatives at Mexico, but without any satisfactory result. They remain +still unadjusted, and many and serious inconveniences have already resulted +to our citizens in consequence of them. + +Questions growing out of the act of disarming a body of Texan troops under +the command of Major Snively by an officer in the service of the United +States, acting under the orders of our Government, and the forcible entry +into the custom-house at Bryarlys Landing, on Red River, by certain +citizens of the United States, and taking away therefrom the goods seized +by the collector of the customs as forfeited under the laws of Texas, have +been adjusted so far as the powers of the Executive extend. The +correspondence between the two Governments in reference to both subjects +will be found amongst the accompanying documents. It contains a full +statement of all the facts and circumstances, with the views taken on both +sides and the principles on which the questions have been adjusted. It +remains for Congress to make the necessary appropriation to carry the +arrangement into effect, which I respectfully recommend. + +The greatly improved condition of the Treasury affords a subject for +general congratulation. The paralysis which had fallen on trade and +commerce, and which subjected the Government to the necessity of resorting +to loans and the issue of Treasury notes to a large amount, has passed +away, and after the payment of upward of $7,000,000 on account of the +interest, and in redemption of more than $5,000,000 of the public debt +which falls due on the 1st of January next, and setting apart upward of +$2,000,000 for the payment of outstanding Treasury notes and meeting an +installment of the debts of the corporate cities of the District of +Columbia, an estimated surplus of upward of $7,000,000 over and above the +existing appropriations will remain in the Treasury at the close of the +fiscal year. Should the Treasury notes continue outstanding as heretofore, +that surplus will be considerably augmented. Although all interest has +ceased upon them and the Government has invited their return to the +Treasury, yet they remain outstanding, affording great facilities to +commerce, and establishing the fact that under a well-regulated system of +finance the Government has resources within itself which render it +independent in time of need, not only of private loans, but also of bank +facilities. + +The only remaining subject of regret is that the remaining stocks of the +Government do not fall due at an earlier day, since their redemption would +be entirely within its control. As it is, it may be well worthy the +consideration of Congress whether the law establishing the sinking fund +(under the operation of which the debts of the Revolution and last war with +Great Britain were to a great extent extinguished) should not, with proper +modifications, so as to prevent an accumulation of surpluses, and limited +in amount to a specific sum, be reenacted. Such provision, which would +authorize the Government to go into the market for a purchase of its own +stock on fair terms, would serve to maintain its credit at the highest +point and prevent to a great extent those fluctuations in the price of its +securities which might under other circumstances affect its credit. No +apprehension of this sort is at this moment entertained, since the stocks +of the Government, which but two years ago were offered for sale to +capitalists at home and abroad at a depreciation, and could find no +purchasers, are now greatly above par in the hands of the holders; but a +wise and prudent forecast admonishes us to place beyond the reach of +contingency the public credit. + +It must also be a matter of unmingled gratification that under the existing +financial system (resting upon the act of 1789 and the resolution of 1816) +the currency of the country has attained a state of perfect soundness; and +the rates of exchange between different parts of the Union, which in 1841 +denoted by their enormous amount the great depreciation and, in fact, +worthlessness of the currency in most of the States, are now reduced to +little more than the mere expense of transporting specie from place to +place and the risk incident to the operation. In a new country like that of +the United States, where so many inducements are held out for speculation, +the depositories of the surplus revenue, consisting of banks of any +description, when it reaches any considerable amount, require the closest +vigilance on the part of the Government. All banking institutions, under +whatever denomination they may pass, are governed by an almost exclusive +regard to the interest of the stockholders. That interest consists in the +augmentation of profits in the form of dividends, and a large surplus +revenue intrusted to their custody is but too apt to lead to excessive +loans and to extravagantly large issues of paper. As a necessary +consequence prices are nominally increased and the speculative mania very +soon seizes upon the public mind. A fictitious state of prosperity for a +season exists, and, in the language of the day, money becomes plenty. +Contracts are entered into by individuals resting on this unsubstantial +state of things, but the delusion speedily passes away and the country is +overrun with an indebtedness so weighty as to overwhelm many and to visit +every department of industry with great and ruinous embarrassment. The +greatest vigilance becomes necessary on the part of Government to guard +against this state of things. The depositories must be given distinctly to +understand that the favors of the Government will be altogether withdrawn, +or substantially diminished, if its revenues shall be regarded as additions +to their banking capital or as the foundation of an enlarged circulation. + +The Government, through its revenue, has at all times an important part to +perform in connection with the currency, and it greatly depends upon its +vigilance and care whether the country be involved in embarrassments +similar to those which it has had recently to encounter, or, aided by the +action of the Treasury, shall be preserved in a sound and healthy +condition. + +The dangers to be guarded against are greatly augmented by too large a +surplus of revenue. When that surplus greatly exceeds in amount what shall +be required by a wise and prudent forecast to meet unforeseen +contingencies, the Legislature itself may come to be seized with a +disposition to indulge in extravagant appropriations to objects many of +which may, and most probably would, be found to conflict with the +Constitution. A fancied expediency is elevated above constitutional +authority, and a reckless and wasteful extravagance but too certainly +follows. + +The important power of taxation, which when exercised in its most +restricted form is a burthen on labor and production, is resorted to under +various pretexts for purposes having no affinity to the motives which +dictated its grant, and the extravagance of Government stimulates +individual extravagance until the spirit of a wild and ill-regulated +speculation involves one and all in its unfortunate results. In view of +such fatal consequences, it may be laid down as an axiom rounded in moral +and political truth that no greater taxes should be imposed than are +necessary for an economical administration of the Government, and that +whatever exists beyond should be reduced or modified. This doctrine does in +no way conflict with the exercise of a sound discrimination in the +selection of the articles to be taxed, which a due regard to the public +weal would at all times suggest to the legislative mind. It leaves the +range of selection undefined; and such selection should always be made with +an eye to the great interests of the country. Composed as is the Union of +separate and independent States, a patriotic Legislature will not fail in +consulting the interests of the parts to adopt such course as will be best +calculated to advance the harmony of the whole, and thus insure that +permanency in the policy of the Government without which all efforts to +advance the public prosperity are vain and fruitless. + +This great and vitally important task rests with Congress, and the +Executive can do no more than recommend the general principles which should +govern in its execution. + +I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War for an exhibition of the +condition of the Army, and recommend to you as well worthy your best +consideration many of the suggestions it contains. The Secretary in no +degree exaggerates the great importance of pressing forward without delay +in the work of erecting and finishing the fortifications to which he +particularly alludes. Much has been done toward placing our cities and +roadsteads in a state of security against the hazards of hostile attack +within the last four years; but considering the new elements which have +been of late years employed in the propelling of ships and the formidable +implements of destruction which have been brought into service, we can not +be too active or vigilant in preparing and perfecting the means of defense. +I refer you also to his report for a full statement of the condition of the +Indian tribes within our jurisdiction. The Executive has abated no effort +in carrying into effect the well-established policy of the Government which +contemplates a removal of all the tribes residing within the limits of the +several States beyond those limits, and it is now enabled to congratulate +the country at the prospect of an early consummation of this object. Many +of the tribes have already made great progress in the arts of civilized +life, and through the operation of the schools established among them, +aided by the efforts of the pious men of various religious denominations +who devote themselves to the task of their improvement, we may fondly hope +that the remains of the formidable tribes which were once masters of this +country will in their transition from the savage state to a condition of +refinement and cultivation add another bright trophy to adorn the labors of +a well-directed philanthropy. + +The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy will explain to you +the situation of that branch of the service. The present organization of +the Department imparts to its operations great efficiency, but I concur +fully in the propriety of a division of the Bureau of Construction, +Equipment, Increase, and Repairs into two bureaus. The subjects as now +arranged are incongruous, and require to a certain extent information and +qualifications altogether dissimilar. + +The operations of the squadron on the coast of Africa have been conducted +with all due attention to the object which led to its origination, and I am +happy to say that the officers and crews have enjoyed the best possible +health under the system adopted by the officer in command. It is believed +that the United States is the only nation which has by its laws subjected +to the punishment of death as pirates those who may be engaged in the slave +trade. A similar enactment on the part of other nations would not fail to +be attended by beneficial results. + +In consequence of the difficulties which have existed in the way of +securing titles for the necessary grounds, operations have not yet been +commenced toward the establishment of the navy-yard at Memphis. So soon as +the title is perfected no further delay will be permitted to intervene. It +is well worthy of your consideration whether Congress should not direct the +establishment of a ropewalk in connection with the contemplated navy-yard, +as a measure not only of economy, but as highly useful and necessary. The +only establishment of the sort now connected with the service is located at +Boston, and the advantages of a similar establishment convenient to the +hemp-growing region must be apparent to all. + +The report of the Secretary presents other matters to your consideration of +an important character in connection with the service. + +In referring you to the accompanying report of the Postmaster-General it +affords me continued cause of gratification to be able to advert to the +fact that the affairs of the Department for the last four years have been +so conducted as from its unaided resources to meet its large expenditures. +On my coming into office a debt of nearly $500,000 existed against the +Department, which Congress discharged by an appropriation from the +Treasury. The Department on the 4th of March next will be found, under the +management of its present efficient head, free of debt or embarrassment, +which could only have been done by the observance and practice of the +greatest vigilance and economy. The laws have contemplated throughout that +the Department should be self-sustained, but it may become necessary, with +the wisest regard to the public interests, to introduce amendments and +alterations in the system. + +There is a strong desire manifested in many quarters so to alter the tariff +of letter postage as to reduce the amount of tax at present imposed. Should +such a measure be carried into effect to the full extent desired, it can +not well be doubted but that for the first years of its operation a +diminished revenue would be collected, the supply of which would +necessarily constitute a charge upon the Treasury. Whether such a result +would be desirable it will be for Congress in its wisdom to determine. It +may in general be asserted as true that radical alterations in any system +should rather be brought about gradually than by sudden changes and by +pursuing this prudent policy in the reduction of letter postage the +Department might still sustain itself through the revenue which would +accrue by the increase of letters. The state and condition of the public +Treasury has heretofore been such as to have precluded the recommendation +of any material change. The difficulties upon this head have, however, +ceased, and a larger discretion is now left to the Government. + +I can not too strongly urge the policy of authorizing the establishment of +a line of steamships regularly to ply between this country and foreign +ports and upon our own waters for the transportation of the mail. The +example of the British Government is well worthy of imitation in this +respect. The belief is strongly entertained that the emoluments arising +from the transportation of mail matter to foreign countries would operate +of itself as an inducement to cause individual enterprise to undertake that +branch of the task, and the remuneration of the Government would consist in +the addition readily made to our steam navy in case of emergency by the +ships so employed. Should this suggestion meet your approval, the propriety +of placing such ships under the command of experienced officers of the Navy +will not escape your observation. The application of steam to the purposes +of naval warfare cogently recommends an extensive steam marine as important +in estimating the defenses of the country. Fortunately this may be obtained +by us to a great extent without incurring any large amount of expenditure. +Steam vessels to be engaged in the transportation of the mails on our +principal water courses, lakes, and ports of our coast could also be so +constructed as to be efficient as war vessels when needed, and would of +themselves constitute a formidable force in order to repel attacks from +abroad.. We can not be blind to the fact that other nations have already +added large numbers of steamships to their naval armaments and that this +new and powerful agent is destined to revolutionize the condition of the +world. It becomes the United States, therefore, looking to their security, +to adopt a similar policy, and the plan suggested will enable them to do so +at a small comparative cost. + +I take the greatest pleasure in bearing testimony to the zeal and untiring +industry which has characterized the conduct of the members of the +Executive Cabinet. Each in his appropriate sphere has rendered me the most +efficient aid in carrying on the Government, and it will not, I trust, +appear out of place for me to bear this public testimony. The cardinal +objects which should ever be held in view by those intrusted with the +administration of public affairs are rigidly, and without favor or +affection, so to interpret the national will expressed in the laws as that +injustice should be done to none, justice to all. This has been the rule +upon which they have acted, and thus it is believed that few cases, if any, +exist wherein our fellow-citizens, who from time to time have been drawn to +the seat of Government for the settlement of their transactions with the +Government, have gone away dissatisfied. Where the testimony has been +perfected and was esteemed satisfactory their claims have been promptly +audited, and this in the absence of all favoritism or partiality. The +Government which is not just to its own people can neither claim their +affection nor the respect of the world. At the same time, the Closest +attention has been paid to those matters which relate more immediately to +the great concerns of the country. Order and efficiency in each branch of +the public service have prevailed, accompanied by a system of the most +rigid responsibility on the part of the receiving and disbursing agents. +The fact, in illustration of the truth of this remark, deserves to be +noticed that the revenues of the Government, amounting in the last four +years to upward of $120,000,000, have been collected and disbursed through +the numerous governmental agents without the loss by default of any amount +worthy of serious commentary. + +The appropriations made by Congress for the improvement of the rivers of +the West and of the harbors on the Lakes are in a course of judicious +expenditure under suitable agents, and are destined, it is to be hoped, to +realize all the benefits designed to be accomplished by Congress. I can +not, however, sufficiently impress upon Congress the great importance of +withholding appropriations from improvements which are not ascertained by +previous examination and survey to be necessary for the shelter and +protection of trade from the dangers of stores and tempests. Without this +precaution the expenditures are but too apt to inure to the benefit of +individuals, without reference to the only consideration which can render +them constitutional--the public interests and the general good. + +I can not too earnestly urge upon you the interests of this District, over +which by the Constitution Congress has exclusive jurisdiction. It would be +deeply to be regretted should there be at any time ground to complain of +neglect on the part of a community which, detached as it is from the +parental care of the States of Virginia and Maryland, can only expect aid +from Congress as its local legislature. Amongst the subjects which claim +your attention is the prompt organization of an asylum for the insane who +may be found from time to time sojourning within the District. Such course +is also demanded by considerations which apply to branches of the public +service. For the necessities in this behalf I invite your particular +attention to the report of the Secretary of the Navy. + +I have thus, gentlemen of the two Houses of Congress, presented you a true +and faithful picture of the condition of public affairs, both foreign and +domestic. The wants of the public service are made known to you, and +matters of no ordinary importance are urged upon your consideration. Shall +I not be permitted to congratulate you on the happy auspices under which +you have assembled and at the important change in the condition of things +which has occurred in the last three years? During that period questions +with foreign powers of vital importance to the peace of our country have +been settled and adjusted. A desolating and wasting war with savage tribes +has been brought to a close. The internal tranquillity of the country, +threatened by agitating questions, has been preserved. The credit of the +Government, which had experienced a temporary embarrassment, has been +thoroughly restored. Its coffers, which for a season were empty, have been +replenished. A currency nearly uniform in its value has taken the place of +one depreciated and almost worthless. Commerce and manufactures, which had +suffered in common with every other interest, have once more revived, and +the whole country exhibits an aspect of prosperity and happiness. Trade and +barter, no longer governed by a wild and speculative mania, rest upon a +solid and substantial footing, and the rapid growth of our cities in every +direction bespeaks most strongly the favorable circumstances by which we +are surrounded. My happiness in the retirement which shortly awaits me is +the ardent hope which I experience that this state of prosperity is neither +deceptive nor destined to be short lived, and that measures which have not +yet received its sanction, but which I can not but regard as closely +connected with the honor, the glory, and still more enlarged prosperity of +the country, are destined at an early day to receive the approval of +Congress. Under these circumstances and with these anticipations I shall +most gladly leave to others more able than myself the noble and pleasing +task of sustaining the public prosperity. I shall carry with me into +retirement the gratifying reflection that as my sole object throughout has +been to advance the public good I may not entirely have failed in +accomplishing it; and this gratification is heightened in no small degree +by the fact that when under a deep and abiding sense of duty I have found +myself constrained to resort to the qualified veto it has neither been +followed by disapproval on the part of the people nor weakened in any +degree their attachment to that great conservative feature of our +Government. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF ADDRESSES BY JOHN TYLER *** + +This file should be named sutyl10.txt or sutyl10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, sutyl11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, sutyl10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: State of the Union Addresses of John Tyler + +Author: John Tyler + +Release Date: February, 2004 [EBook #5018] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on April 11, 2002] +[Date last updated: December 16, 2004] + +Edition: 11 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF ADDRESSES BY JOHN TYLER *** + + + + +This eBook was produced by James Linden. + +The addresses are separated by three asterisks: *** + +Dates of addresses by John Tyler in this eBook: + December 7, 1841 + December 6, 1842 + December 1843 + December 3, 1844 + + + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 7, 1841 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +In coming together, fellow-citizens, to enter again upon the discharge of +the duties with which the people have charged us severally, we find great +occasion to rejoice in the general prosperity of the country. We are in the +enjoyment of all the blessings of civil and religious liberty, with +unexampled means of education, knowledge, and improvement. Through the year +which is now drawing to a close peace has been in our borders and plenty in +our habitations, and although disease has visited some few portions of the +land with distress and mortality, yet in general the health of the people +has been preserved, and we are all called upon by the highest obligations +of duty to renew our thanks and our devotion to our Heavenly Parent, who +has continued to vouchsafe to us the eminent blessings which surround us +and who has so signally crowned the year with His goodness. If we find +ourselves increasing beyond example in numbers, in strength, in wealth, in +knowledge, in everything which promotes human and social happiness, let us +ever remember our dependence for all these on the protection and merciful +dispensations of Divine Providence. + +Since your last adjournment Alexander McLeod, a British subject who was +indicted for the murder of an American citizen, and whose case has been the +subject of a correspondence heretofore communicated to you, has been +acquitted by the verdict of an impartial and intelligent jury, and has +under the judgment of the court been regularly discharged. + +Great Britain having made known to this Government that the expedition +which was fitted out from Canada for the destruction of the steamboat +Caroline in the winter of 1837, and which resulted in the destruction of +said boat and in the death of an American citizen, was undertaken by orders +emanating from the authorities of the British Government in Canada, and +demanding the discharge of McLeod upon the ground that if engaged in that +expedition he did but fulfill the orders of his Government, has thus been +answered in the only way in which she could be answered by a government the +powers of which are distributed among its several departments by the +fundamental law. Happily for the people of Great Britain, as well as those +of the United States, the only mode by which an individual arraigned for a +criminal offense before the courts of either can obtain his discharge is by +the independent action of the judiciary and by proceedings equally familiar +to the courts of both countries. + +If in Great Britain a power exists in the Crown to cause to be entered a +nolle prosequi, which is not the case with the Executive power of the +United States upon a prosecution pending in a State court, yet there no +more than here can the chief executive power rescue a prisoner from custody +without an order of the proper tribunal directing his discharge. The +precise stage of the proceedings at which such order may be made is a +matter of municipal regulation exclusively, and not to be complained of by +any other government. In cases of this kind a government becomes +politically responsible only when its tribunals of last resort are shown to +have rendered unjust and injurious judgments in matters not doubtful. To +the establishment and elucidation of this principle no nation has lent its +authority more efficiently than Great Britain. Alexander McLeod, having his +option either to prosecute a writ of error from the decision of the supreme +court of New York, which had been rendered upon his application for a +discharge, to the Supreme Court of the United States, or to submit his case +to the decision of a jury, preferred the latter, deeming it the readiest +mode of obtaining his liberation; and the result has fully sustained the +wisdom of his choice. The manner in which the issue submitted was tried +will satisfy the English Government that the principles of justice will +never fail to govern the enlightened decision of an American tribunal. I +can not fail, however, to suggest to Congress the propriety, and in some +degree the necessity, of making such provisions by law, so far as they may +constitutionally do so, for the removal at their commencement and at the +option of the party of all such cases as may hereafter arise, and which may +involve the faithful observance and execution of our international +obligations, from the State to the Federal judiciary. This Government, by +our institutions, is charged with the maintenance of peace and the +preservation of amicable relations with the nations of the earth, and ought +to possess without question all the reasonable and proper means of +maintaining the one and preserving the other. While just confidence is felt +in the judiciary of the States, yet this Government ought to be competent +in itself for the fulfillment of the high duties which have been devolved +upon it under the organic law by the States themselves. + +In the month of September a party of armed men from Upper Canada invaded +the territory of the United States and forcibly seized upon the person of +one Grogan, and under circumstances of great harshness hurriedly carried +him beyond the limits of the United States and delivered him up to the +authorities of Upper Canada. His immediate discharge was ordered by those +authorities upon the facts of the case being brought to their knowledge--a +course of procedure which was to have been expected from a nation with whom +we are at peace, and which was not more due to the rights of the United +States than to its own regard for justice. The correspondence which passed +between the Department of State and the British envoy, Mr. Fox, and with +the governor of Vermont, as soon as the facts had been made known to this +department, are herewith communicated. + +I regret that it is not in my power to make known to you an equally +satisfactory conclusion in the case of the Caroline steamer, with the +circumstances connected with the destruction of which, in December, 1837, +by an armed force fitted out in the Province of Upper Canada, you are +already made acquainted. No such atonement as was due for the public wrong +done to the United States by this invasion of her territory, so wholly +irreconcilable with her rights as an independent power, has yet been made. +In the view taken by this Government the inquiry whether the vessel was in +the employment of those who were prosecuting an unauthorized war against +that Province or was engaged by the owner in the business of transporting +passengers to and from Navy Island in hopes of private gain, which was most +probably the case, in no degree alters the real question at issue between +the two Governments. This Government can never concede to any foreign +government the power, except in a case of the most urgent and extreme +necessity, of invading its territory, either to arrest the persons or +destroy the property of those who may have violated the municipal laws of +such foreign government or have disregarded their obligations arising under +the law of nations. The territory of the United States must be regarded as +sacredly secure against all such invasions until they shall voluntarily +acknowledge their inability to acquit themselves of their duties to others. +And in announcing this sentiment I do but affirm a principle which no +nation on earth would be more ready to vindicate at all hazards than the +people and Government of Great Britain. If upon a full investigation of all +the facts it shall appear that the owner of the Caroline was governed by a +hostile intent or had made common cause with those who were in the +occupancy of Navy Island, then so far as he is concerned there can be no +claim to indemnity for the destruction of his boat which this Government +would feel itself bound to prosecute, since he would have acted not only in +derogation of the rights of Great Britain, but in clear violation of the +laws of the United States; but that is a question which, however settled, +in no manner involves the higher consideration of the violation of +territorial sovereignty and jurisdiction. To recognize it as an admissible +practice that each Government in its turn, upon any sudden and unauthorized +outbreak which, on a frontier the extent of which renders it impossible for +either to have an efficient force on every mile of it, and which outbreak, +therefore, neither may be able to suppress in a day, may take vengeance +into its own hands, and without even a remonstrance, and in the absence of +any pressing or overruling necessity may invade the territory of the other, +would inevitably lead to results equally to be deplored by both. When +border collisions come to receive the sanction or to be made on the +authority of either Government general war must be the inevitable result. +While it is the ardent desire of the United States to cultivate the +relations of peace with all nations and to fulfill all the duties of good +neighborhood toward those who possess territories adjoining their own, that +very desire would lead them to deny the right of any foreign power to +invade their boundary with an armed force. The correspondence between the +two Governments on this subject will at a future day of your session be +submitted to your consideration; and in the meantime I can not but indulge +the hope that the British Government will see the propriety of renouncing +as a rule of future action the precedent which has been set in the affair +at Schlosser. + +I herewith submit the correspondence which has recently taken place between +the American minister at the Court of St. James, Mr. Stevenson, and the +minister of foreign affairs of that Government on the right claimed by that +Government to visit and detain vessels sailing under the American flag and +engaged in prosecuting lawful commerce in the African seas. Our commercial +interests in that region have experienced considerable increase and have +become an object of much importance, and it is the duty of this Government +to protect them against all improper and vexatious interruption. However +desirous the United States may be for the suppression of the slave trade, +they can not consent to interpolations into the maritime code at the mere +will and pleasure of other governments. We deny the right of any such +interpolation to any one or all the nations of the earth without our +consent. We claim to have a voice in all amendments or alterations of that +code, and when we are given to understand, as in this instance, by a +foreign government that its treaties with other nations can not be executed +without the establishment and enforcement of new principles of maritime +police, to be applied without our consent, we must employ a language +neither of equivocal import or susceptible of misconstruction. American +citizens prosecuting a lawful commerce in the African seas under the flag +of their country are not responsible for the abuse or unlawful use of that +flag by others; nor can they rightfully on account of any such alleged +abuses be interrupted, molested, or detained while on the ocean, and if +thus molested and detained while pursuing honest voyages in the usual way +and violating no law themselves they are unquestionably entitled to +indemnity. This Government has manifested its repugnance to the slave trade +in a manner which can not be misunderstood. By its fundamental law it +prescribed limits in point of time to its continuance, and against its own +citizens who might so far forget the rights of humanity as to engage in +that wicked traffic it has long since by its municipal laws denounced the +most condign punishment. Many of the States composing this Union had made +appeals to the civilized world for its suppression long before the moral +sense of other nations had become shocked by the iniquities of the traffic. +Whether this Government should now enter into treaties containing mutual +stipulations upon this subject is a question for its mature deliberation. +Certain it is that if the right to detain American ships on the high seas +can be justified on the plea of a necessity for such detention arising out +of the existence of treaties between other nations, the same plea may, be +extended and enlarged by the new stipulations of new treaties to which the +United States may not be a party. This Government will not cease to urge +upon that of Great Britain full and ample remuneration for all losses, +whether arising from detention or otherwise, to which American citizens +have heretofore been or may hereafter be subjected by the exercise of +rights which this Government can not recognize as legitimate and proper. +Nor will I indulge a doubt but that the sense of justice of Great Britain +will constrain her to make retribution for any wrong or loss which any +American citizen engaged in the prosecution of lawful commerce may have +experienced at the hands of her cruisers or other public authorities. This +Government, at the same time, will relax no effort to prevent its citizens, +if there be any so disposed, from prosecuting a traffic so revolting to the +feelings of humanity. It seeks to do no more than to protect the fair and +honest trader from molestation and injury; but while the enterprising +mariner engaged in the pursuit of an honorable trade is entitled to its +protection, it will visit with condign punishment others of an opposite +character. + +I invite your attention to existing laws for the suppression of the African +slave trade, and recommend all such alterations as may give to them greater +force and efficacy. That the American flag is grossly abused by the +abandoned and profligate of other nations is but too probable. Congress has +not long since had this subject under its consideration, and its importance +well justifies renewed and anxious attention. + +I also communicate herewith the copy of a correspondence between Mr. +Stevenson and Lord Palmerston upon the subject, so interesting to several +of the Southern States, of the rice duties, which resulted honorably to the +justice of Great Britain and advantageously to the United States. + +At the opening of the last annual session the President informed Congress +of the progress which had then been made in negotiating a convention +between this Government and that of England with a view to the final +settlement of the question of the boundary between the territorial limits +of the two countries. I regret to say that little further advancement of +the object has been accomplished since last year, but this is owing to +circumstances no way indicative of any abatement of the desire of both +parties to hasten the negotiation to its conclusion and to settle the +question in dispute as early as possible. In the course of the session it +is my hope to be able to announce some further degree of progress toward +the accomplishment of this highly desirable end. + +The commission appointed by this Government for the exploration and survey +of the line of boundary separating the States of Maine and New Hampshire +from the conterminous British Provinces is, it is believed, about to close +its field labors and is expected soon to report the results of its +examinations to the Department of State. The report, when received, will be +laid before Congress. + +The failure on the part of Spain to pay with punctuality the interest due +under the convention of 1834 for the settlement of claims between the two +countries has made it the duty of the Executive to call the particular +attention of that Government to the subject. A disposition has been +manifested by it, which is believed to be entirely sincere, to fulfill its +obligations in this respect so soon as its internal condition and the state +of its finances will permit. An arrangement is in progress from the result +of which it is trusted that those of our citizens who have claims under the +convention will at no distant day receive the stipulated payments. + +A treaty of commerce and navigation with Belgium was concluded and signed +at Washington on the 29th of March, 1840, and was duly sanctioned by the +Senate of the United States. The treaty was ratified by His Belgian +Majesty, but did not receive the approbation of the Belgian Chambers within +the time limited by its terms, and has therefore become void. + +This occurrence assumes the graver aspect from the consideration that in +1833 a treaty negotiated between the two Governments and ratified on the +part of the United States failed to be ratified on the part of Belgium. The +representative of that Government at Washington informs the Department of +State that he has been instructed to give explanations of the causes which +occasioned delay in the approval of the late treaty by the legislature, and +to express the regret of the King at the occurrence. + +The joint commission under the convention with Texas to ascertain the true +boundary between the two countries has concluded its labors, but the final +report of the commissioner of the United States has not been received. It +is understood, however, that the meridian line as traced by the commission +lies somewhat farther east than the position hitherto generally assigned to +it, and consequently includes in Texas some part of the territory which had +been considered as belonging to the States of Louisiana and Arkansas. + +The United States can not but take a deep interest in whatever relates to +this young but growing Republic. Settled principally by emigrants from the +United States, we have the happiness to know that the great principles of +civil liberty are there destined to flourish under wise institutions and +wholesome laws, and that through its example another evidence is to be +afforded of the capacity of popular institutions to advance the prosperity, +happiness, and permanent glory of the human race. The great truth that +government was made for the people and not the people for government has +already been established in the practice and by the example of these United +States, and we can do no other than contemplate its further exemplification +by a sister republic with the deepest interest. + +Our relations with the independent States of this hemisphere, formerly +under the dominion of Spain, have not undergone any material change within +the past year. The incessant sanguinary conflicts in or between those +countries are to be greatly deplored as necessarily tending to disable them +from performing their duty as members of the community of nations and +rising to the destiny which the position and natural resources of many of +them might lead them justly to anticipate, as constantly giving occasion +also, directly or indirectly, for complaints on the part of our citizens +who resort thither for purposes of commercial intercourse, and as retarding +reparation for wrongs already committed, some of which are by no means of +recent date. + +The failure of the Congress of Ecuador to hold a session at the time +appointed for that purpose, in January last, will probably render abortive +a treaty of commerce with that Republic, which was signed at Quito on the +13th of June, 1839, and had been duly ratified on our part, but which +required the approbation of that body prior to its ratification by the +Ecuadorian Executive. + +A convention which has been concluded with the Republic of Peru, providing +for the settlement of certain claims of citizens of the United States upon +the Government of that Republic, will be duly submitted to the Senate. + +The claims of our citizens against the Brazilian Government originating +from captures and other causes are still unsatisfied. The United States +have, however, so uniformly shown a disposition to cultivate relations of +amity with that Empire that it is hoped the unequivocal tokens of the same +spirit toward us which an adjustment of the affairs referred to would +afford will be given without further avoidable delay. + +The war with the Indian tribes on the peninsula of Florida has during the +last summer and fall been prosecuted with untiring activity and zeal. A +summer campaign was resolved upon as the best mode of bringing it to a +close. Our brave officers and men who have been engaged in that service +have suffered toils and privations and exhibited an energy which in any +other war would have won for them unfading laurels. In despite of the +sickness incident to the climate, they have penetrated the fastnesses of +the Indians, broken up their encampments, and harassed them unceasingly. +Numbers have been captured, and still greater numbers have surrendered and +have been transported to join their brethren on the lands elsewhere +allotted to them by the Government, and a strong hope is entertained that +under the conduct of the gallant officer at the head of the troops in +Florida that troublesome and expensive war is destined to a speedy +termination. With all the other Indian tribes we are enjoying the blessings +of peace. Our duty as well as our best interests prompts us to observe in +all our intercourse with them fidelity in fulfilling our engagements, the +practice of strict justice, as well as the constant exercise of acts of +benevolence and kindness. These are the great instruments of civilization, +and through the use of them alone can the untutored child of the forest be +induced to listen to its teachings. + +The Secretary of State, on whom the acts of Congress have devolved the duty +of directing the proceedings for the taking of the sixth census or +enumeration of the inhabitants of the United States, will report to the two +Houses the progress of that work. The enumeration of persons has been +completed, and exhibits a grand total of 17,069,453, making an increase +over the census of 1830 of 4,202,646 inhabitants, and showing a gain in a +ratio exceeding 32 1/2 per cent for the last ten years. + +From the report of the Secretary of the Treasury you will be informed of +the condition of the finances. The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of +January last, as stated in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury +submitted to Congress at the extra session, was $987,345.03. The receipts +into the Treasury during the first three quarters of this year from all +sources amount to $23,467,072.52; the estimated receipts for the fourth +quarter amount to $6,943,095.25, amounting to $30,410,167.77, and making +with the balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January last $31,397,512.80. +The expenditures for the first three quarters of this year amount to +$24,734,346.97. The expenditures for the fourth quarter as estimated will +amount to $7,290,723.73, thus making a total of $32,025,070.70, and leaving +a deficit to be provided for on the 1st of January next of about +$627,557.90. + +Of the loan of $12,000,000 which was authorized by Congress at its late +session only $5,432,726.88 have been negotiated. The shortness of time +which it had to run has presented no inconsiderable impediment in the way +of its being taken by capitalists at home, while the same cause would have +operated with much greater force in the foreign market. For that reason the +foreign market has not been resorted to; and it is now submitted whether it +would not be advisable to amend the law by making what remains undisposed +of payable at a more distant day. + +Should it be necessary, in any view that Congress may take of the subject, +to revise the existing tariff of duties, I beg leave to say that in the +performance of that most delicate operation moderate counsels would seem to +be the wisest. The Government under which it is our happiness to live owes +its existence to the spirit of compromise which prevailed among its +framers; jarring and discordant opinions could only have been reconciled by +that noble spirit of patriotism which prompted conciliation and resulted in +harmony. In the same spirit the compromise bill, as it is commonly called, +was adopted at the session of 1833. While the people of no portion of the +Union will ever hesitate to pay all necessary taxes for the support of +Government, yet an innate repugnance exists to the imposition of burthens +not really necessary for that object. In imposing duties, however, for the +purposes of revenue a right to discriminate as to the articles on which the +duty shall be laid, as well as the amount, necessarily and most properly +exists; otherwise the Government would be placed in the condition of having +to levy the same duties upon all articles, the productive as well as the +unproductive. The slightest duty upon some might have the effect of causing +their importation to cease, whereas others, entering extensively into the +consumption of the country, might bear the heaviest without any sensible +diminution in the amount imported. So also the Government may be justified +in so discriminating by reference to other considerations of domestic +policy connected with our manufactures. So long as the duties shall be laid +with distinct reference to the wants of the Treasury no well-rounded +objection can exist against them. It might be esteemed desirable that no +such augmentation of the taxes should take place as would have the effect +of annulling the land-proceeds distribution act of the last session, which +act is declared to be inoperative the moment the duties are increased +beyond 20 per cent, the maximum rate established by the compromise act. +Some of the provisions of the compromise act, which will go into effect on +the 30th day of June next, may, however, be found exceedingly inconvenient +in practice under any regulations that Congress may adopt. I refer more +particularly to that relating to the home valuation. A difference in value +of the same articles to some extent will necessarily exist at different +ports, but that is altogether insignificant when compared with the +conflicts in valuation which are likely to arise from the differences of +opinion among the numerous appraisers of merchandise. In many instances the +estimates of value must be conjectural, and thus as many different rates of +value may be established as there are appraisers. These differences in +valuation may also be increased by the inclination which, without the +slightest imputation on their honesty, may arise on the part of the +appraisers in favor of their respective ports of entry. I recommend this +whole subject to the consideration of Congress with a single additional +remark. Certainty and permanency in any system of governmental policy are +in all respects eminently desirable, but more particularly is this true in +all that affects trade and commerce, the operations of which depend much +more on the certainty of their returns and calculations which embrace +distant periods of time than on high bounties or duties, which are liable +to constant fluctuations. + +At your late session I invited your attention to the condition of the +currency and exchanges and urged the necessity of adopting such measures as +were consistent with the constitutional competency of the Government in +order to correct the unsoundness of the one and, as far as practicable, the +inequalities of the other. No country can be in the enjoyment of its full +measure of prosperity without the presence of a medium of exchange +approximating to uniformity of value. What is necessary as between the +different nations of the earth is also important as between the inhabitants +of different parts of the same country. With the first the precious metals +constitute the chief medium of circulation, and such also would be the case +as to the last but for inventions comparatively modern, which have +furnished in place of gold and silver a paper circulation. I do not propose +to enter into a comparative analysis of the merits of the two systems. Such +belonged more properly to the period of the introduction of the paper +system. The speculative philosopher might find inducements to prosecute the +inquiry, but his researches could only lead him to conclude that the paper +system had probably better never have been introduced and that society +might have been much happier without it. The practical statesman has a very +different task to perform. He has to look at things as they are, to take +them as he finds them, to supply deficiencies and to prune excesses as far +as in him lies. The task of furnishing a corrective for derangements of the +paper medium with us is almost inexpressibly great. The power exerted by +the States to charter banking corporations, and which, having been carried +to a great excess, has filled the country with, in most of the States, an +irredeemable paper medium, is an evil which in some way or other requires a +corrective. The rates at which bills of exchange are negotiated between +different parts of the country furnish an index of the value of the local +substitute for gold and silver, which is in many parts so far depreciated +as not to be received except at a large discount in payment of debts or in +the purchase of produce. It could earnestly be desired that every bank not +possessing the means of resumption should follow the example of the late +United States Bank of Pennsylvania and go into liquidation rather than by +refusing to do so to continue embarrassments in the way of solvent +institutions, thereby augmenting the difficulties incident to the present +condition of things. Whether this Government, with due regard to the rights +of the States, has any power to constrain the banks either to resume specie +payments or to force them into liquidation, is an inquiry which will not +fail to claim your consideration. In view of the great advantages which are +allowed the corporators, not among the least of which is the authority +contained in most of their charters to make loans to three times the amount +of their capital, thereby often deriving three times as much interest on +the same amount of money as any individual is permitted by law to receive, +no sufficient apology can be urged for a long-continued suspension of +specie payments. Such suspension is productive of the greatest detriment to +the public by expelling from circulation the precious metals and seriously +hazarding the success of any effort that this Government can make to +increase commercial facilities and to advance the public interests. + +This is the more to be regretted and the indispensable necessity for a +sound currency becomes the more manifest when we reflect on the vast amount +of the internal commerce of the country. Of this we have no statistics nor +just data for forming adequate opinions. But there can be no doubt but that +the amount of transportation coastwise by sea, and the transportation +inland by railroads and canals, and by steamboats and other modes of +conveyance over the surface of our vast rivers and immense lakes, and the +value of property carried and interchanged by these means form a general +aggregate to which the foreign commerce of the country, large as it is, +makes but a distant approach. + +In the absence of any controlling power over this subject, which, by +forcing a general resumption of specie payments, would at once have the +effect of restoring a sound medium of exchange and would leave to the +country but little to desire, what measure of relief falling within the +limits of our constitutional competency does it become this Government to +adopt? It was my painful duty at your last session, under the weight of +most solemn obligations, to differ with Congress on the measures which it +proposed for my approval, and which it doubtless regarded as corrective of +existing evils. Subsequent reflection and events since occurring have only +served to confirm me in the opinions then entertained and frankly +expressed. I must be permitted to add that no scheme of governmental policy +unaided by individual exertions can be available for ameliorating the +present condition of things. Commercial modes of exchange and a good +currency are but the necessary means of commerce and intercourse, not the +direct productive sources of wealth. Wealth can only be accumulated by the +earnings of industry and the savings of frugality, and nothing can be more +ill judged than to look to facilities in borrowing or to a redundant +circulation for the power of discharging pecuniary obligations. The country +is full of resources and the people fall of energy, and the great and +permanent remedy for present embarrassments must be sought in industry, +economy, the observance of good faith, and the favorable influence of time. +In pursuance of a pledge given to you in my last message to Congress, which +pledge I urge as an apology for adventuring to present you the details of +any plan, the Secretary of the Treasury will be ready to submit to you, +should you require it, a plan of finance which, while it throws around the +public treasure reasonable guards for its protection and rests on powers +acknowledged in practice to exist from the origin of the Government, will +at the same time furnish to the country a sound paper medium and afford all +reasonable facilities for regulating the exchanges. When submitted, you +will perceive in it a plan amendatory of the existing laws in relation to +the Treasury Department, subordinate in all respects to the will of +Congress directly and the will of the people indirectly, self-sustaining +should it be found in practice to realize its promises in theory, and +repealable at the pleasure of Congress. It proposes by effectual restraints +and by invoking the true spirit of our institutions to separate the purse +from the sword, or, more properly to speak, denies any other control to the +President over the agents who may be selected to carry it into execution +but what may be indispensably necessary to secure the fidelity of such +agents, and by wise regulations keeps plainly apart from each other private +and public funds. It contemplates the establishment of a board of control +at the seat of government, with agencies at prominent commercial points or +wherever else Congress shall direct, for the safe-keeping and disbursement +of the public moneys and a substitution at the option of the public +creditor of Treasury notes in lieu of gold and silver. It proposes to limit +the issues to an amount not to exceed $15,000,000 without the express +sanction of the legislative power. It also authorizes the receipt of +individual deposits of gold and silver to a limited amount, and the +granting certificates of deposit divided into such sums as may be called +for by the depositors. It proceeds a step further and authorizes the +purchase and sale of domestic bills and drafts resting on a real and +substantial basis, payable at sight or having but a short time to run, and +drawn on places not less than 100 miles apart, which authority, except in +so far as may be necessary for Government purposes exclusively, is only to +be exerted upon the express condition that its exercise shall not be +prohibited by the State in which the agency is situated. In order to cover +the expenses incident to the plan, it will be authorized to receive +moderate premiums for certificates issued on deposits and on bills bought +and sold, and thus, as far as its dealings extend, to furnish facilities to +commercial intercourse at the lowest possible rates and to subduct from the +earnings of industry the least possible sum. It uses the State banks at a +distance from the agencies as auxiliaries without imparting any power to +trade in its name. It is subjected to such guards and restraints as have +appeared to be necessary. It is the creature of law and exists only at the +pleasure of the Legislature. It is made to rest on an actual specie basis +in order to redeem the notes at the places of issue, produces no dangerous +redundancy of circulation, affords no temptation to speculation, is +attended by no inflation of prices, is equable in its operation, makes the +Treasury notes (which it may use along with the certificates of deposit and +the notes of specie-paying banks) convertible at the place where collected, +receivable in payment of Government dues, and without violating any +principle of the Constitution affords the Government and the people such +facilities as are called for by the wants of both. Such, it has appeared to +me, are its recommendations, and in view of them it will be submitted, +whenever you may require it, to your consideration. + +I am not able to perceive that any fair and candid objection can be urged +against the plan, the principal outlines of which I have thus presented. I +can not doubt but that the notes which it proposes to furnish at the +voluntary option of the public creditor, issued in lieu of the revenue and +its certificates of deposit, will be maintained at an equality with gold +and silver everywhere. They are redeemable in gold and silver on demand at +the places of issue. They are receivable everywhere in payment of +Government dues. The Treasury notes are limited to an amount of one-fourth +less than the estimated annual receipts of the Treasury, and in addition +they rest upon the faith of the Government for their redemption. If all +these assurances are not sufficient to make them available, then the idea, +as it seems to me, of furnishing a sound paper medium of exchange may be +entirely abandoned. + +If a fear be indulged that the Government may be tempted to run into excess +in its issues at any future day, it seems to me that no such apprehension +can reasonably be entertained until all confidence in the representatives +of the States and of the people, as well as of the people themselves, shall +be lost. The weightiest considerations of policy require that the +restraints now proposed to be thrown around the measure should not for +light causes be removed. To argue against any proposed plan its liability +to possible abuse is to reject every expedient, since everything dependent +on human action is liable to abuse. Fifteen millions of Treasury notes may +be issued as the maximum, but a discretionary power is to be given to the +board of control under that sum, and every consideration will unite in +leading them to feel their way with caution. For the first eight years of +the existence of the late Bank of the United States its circulation barely +exceeded $4,000,000, and for five of its most prosperous years it was about +equal to $16,000,000; furthermore, the authority given to receive private +deposits to a limited amount and to issue certificates in such sums as may +be called for by the depositors may so far fill up the channels of +circulation as greatly to diminish the necessity of any considerable issue +of Treasury notes. A restraint upon the amount of private deposits has +seemed to be indispensably necessary from an apprehension, thought to be +well founded, that in any emergency of trade confidence might be so far +shaken in the banks as to induce a withdrawal from them of private deposits +with a view to insure their unquestionable safety when deposited with the +Government, which might prove eminently disastrous to the State banks. Is +it objected that it is proposed to authorize the agencies to deal in bills +of exchange? It is answered that such dealings are to be carried on at the +lowest possible premium, are made to rest on an unquestionably sound basis, +are designed to reimburse merely the expenses which would otherwise devolve +upon the Treasury, and are in strict subordination to the decision of the +Supreme Court in the case of the Bank of Augusta against Earle, and other +reported cases, and thereby avoids all conflict with State jurisdiction, +which I hold to be indispensably requisite. It leaves the banking +privileges of the States without interference, looks to the Treasury and +the Union, and while furnishing every facility to the first is careful of +the interests of the last. But above all, it is created by law, is +amendable by law, and is repealable by law, and, wedded as I am to no +theory, but looking solely to the advancement of the public good, I shall +be among the very first to urge its repeal if it be found not to subserve +the purposes and objects for which it may be created. Nor will the plan be +submitted in any overweening confidence in the sufficiency of my own +judgment, but with much greater reliance on the wisdom and patriotism of +Congress. I can not abandon this subject without urging upon you in the +most emphatic manner, whatever may be your action on the suggestions which +I have felt it to be my duty to submit, to relieve the Chief Executive +Magistrate, by any and all constitutional means, from a controlling power +over the public Treasury. If in the plan proposed, should you deem it +worthy of your consideration, that separation is not as complete as you may +desire, you will doubtless amend it in that particular. For myself, I +disclaim all desire to have any control over the public moneys other than +what is indispensably necessary to execute the laws which you may pass. + +Nor can I fail to advert in this connection to the debts which many of the +States of the Union have contracted abroad and under which they continue to +labor. That indebtedness amounts to a sum not less than $200,000,000, and +which has been retributed to them for the most part in works of internal +improvement which are destined to prove of vast importance in ultimately +advancing their prosperity and wealth. For the debts thus contracted the +States are alone responsible. I can do not more than express the belief +that each State will feel itself bound by every consideration of honor as +well as of interest to meet its engagements with punctuality. The failure, +however, of any one State to do so should in no degree affect the credit of +the rest, and the foreign capitalist will have no just cause to experience +alarm as to all other State stocks because any one or more of the States +may neglect to provide with punctuality the means of redeeming their +engagements. Even such States, should there be any, considering the great +rapidity with which their resources are developing themselves, will not +fail to have the means at no very distant day to redeem their obligations +to the uttermost farthing; nor will I doubt but that, in view of that +honorable conduct which has evermore governed the States and the people of +the Union, they will each and all resort to every legitimate expedient +before they will forego a faithful compliance with their obligations. + +From the report of the Secretary of War and other reports accompanying it +you will be informed of the progress which has been made in the +fortifications designed for the protection of our principal cities, +roadsteads, and inland frontier during the present year, together with +their true state and condition. They will be prosecuted to completion with +all the expedition which the means placed by Congress at the disposal of +the Executive will allow. + +I recommend particularly to your consideration that portion of the +Secretary's report which proposes the establishment of a chain of military +posts from Council Bluffs to some point on the Pacific Ocean within our +limits. The benefit thereby destined to accrue to our citizens engaged in +the fur trade over that wilderness region, added to the importance of +cultivating friendly relations with savage tribes inhabiting it, and at the +same time of giving protection to our frontier settlements and of +establishing the means of safe intercourse between the American settlements +at the mouth of the Columbia River and those on this side of the Rocky +Mountains, would seem to suggest the importance of carrying into effect the +recommendations upon this head with as little delay as may be practicable. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will place you in possession of the +present condition of that important arm of the national defense. Every +effort will be made to add to its efficiency, and I can not too strongly +urge upon you liberal appropriations to that branch of the public service. +Inducements of the weightiest character exist for the adoption of this +course of policy. Our extended and otherwise exposed maritime frontier +calls for protection, to the furnishing of which an efficient naval force +is indispensable. We look to no foreign conquests, nor do we propose to +enter into competition with any other nation for supremacy on the ocean; +but it is due not only to the honor but to the security of the people of +the United States that no nation should be permitted to invade our waters +at pleasure and subject our towns and villages to conflagration or pillage. +Economy in all branches of the public service is due from all the public +agents to the people, but parsimony alone would suggest the withholding of +the necessary means for the protection of our domestic firesides from +invasion and our national honor from disgrace. I would most earnestly +recommend to Congress to abstain from all appropriations for objects not +absolutely necessary; but I take upon myself, without a moment of +hesitancy, all the responsibility of recommending the increase and prompt +equipment of that gallant Navy which has lighted up every sea with its +victories and spread an imperishable glory over the country. + +The report of the Postmaster-General will claim your particular attention, +not only because of the valuable suggestions which it contains, but because +of the great importance which at all times attaches to that interesting +branch of the public service. The increased expense of transporting the +mail along the principal routes necessarily claims the public attention, +and has awakened a corresponding solicitude on the part of the Government. +The transmission of the mail must keep pace with those facilities of +intercommunication which are every day becoming greater through the +building of railroads and the application of steam power, but it can not be +disguised that in order to do so the Post-Office Department is subjected to +heavy exactions. The lines of communication between distant parts of the +Union are to a great extent occupied by railroads, which, in the nature of +things, possess a complete monopoly, and the Department is therefore liable +to heavy and unreasonable charges. This evil is destined to great increase +in future, and some timely measure may become necessary to guard against +it. + +I feel it my duty to bring under your consideration a practice which has +grown up in the administration of the Government, and which, I am deeply +convinced, ought to be corrected. I allude to the exercise of the power +which usage rather than reason has vested in the Presidents of removing +incumbents from office in order to substitute others more in favor with the +dominant party. My own conduct in this respect has been governed by a +conscientious purpose to exercise the removing power only in cases of +unfaithfulness or inability, or in those in which its exercise appeared +necessary in order to discountenance and suppress that spirit of active +partisanship on the part of holders of office which not only withdraws them +from the steady and impartial discharge of their official duties, but +exerts an undue and injurious influence over elections and degrades the +character of the Government itself, inasmuch as it exhibits the Chief +Magistrate as being a party through his agents in the secret plots or open +workings of political parties. + +In respect to the exercise of this power nothing should be left to +discretion which may safely be regulated by law, and it is of high +importance to restrain as far as possible the stimulus of personal +interests in public elections. Considering the great increase which has +been made in public offices in the last quarter of a century and the +probability of further increase, we incur the hazard of witnessing violent +political contests, directed too often to the single object of retaining +office by those who are in or obtaining it by those who are out. Under the +influence of these convictions I shall cordially concur in any +constitutional measure for regulating and, by regulating, restraining the +power of removal. + +I suggest for your consideration the propriety of making without further +delay some specific application of the funds derived under the will of Mr. +Smithson, of England, for the diffusion of knowledge, and which have +heretofore been vested in public stocks until such time as Congress should +think proper to give them a specific direction. Nor will you, I feel +confident, permit any abatement of the principal of the legacy to be made +should it turn out that the stocks in which the investments have been made +have undergone a depreciation. + +In conclusion I commend to your care the interests of this District, for +which you are the exclusive legislators. Considering that this city is the +residence of the Government and for a large part of the year of Congress, +and considering also the great cost of the public buildings and the +propriety of affording them at all times careful protection, it seems not +unreasonable that Congress should contribute toward the expense of an +efficient police. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 6, 1842 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +We have continued reason to express our profound gratitude to the Great +Creator of All Things for numberless benefits conferred upon us as a +people. Blessed with genial seasons, the husbandman has his garners filled +with abundance, and the necessaries of life, not to speak of its luxuries, +abound in every direction. While in some other nations steady and +industrious labor can hardly find the means of subsistence, the greatest +evil which we have to encounter is a surplus of production beyond the home +demand, which seeks, and with difficulty finds, a partial market in other +regions. The health of the country, with partial exceptions, has for the +past year been well preserved, and under their free and wise institutions +the United States are rapidly advancing toward the consummation of the high +destiny which an overruling Providence seems to have marked out for them. +Exempt from domestic convulsion and at peace with all the world, we are +left free to consult as to the best means of securing and advancing the +happiness of the people. Such are the circumstances under which you now +assemble in your respective chambers and which should lead us to unite in +praise and thanksgiving to that great Being who made us and who preserves +us as a nation. + +I congratulate you, fellow-citizens, on the happy change in the aspect of +our foreign affairs since my last annual message. Causes of complaint at +that time existed between the United States and Great Britain which, +attended by irritating circumstances, threatened most seriously the public +peace. The difficulty of adjusting amicably the questions at issue between +the two countries was in no small degree augmented by the lapse of time +since they had their origin. The opinions entertained by the Executive on +several of the leading topics in dispute were frankly set forth in the +message at the opening of your late session. The appointment of a special +minister by Great Britain to the United States with power to negotiate upon +most of the points of difference indicated a desire on her part amicably to +adjust them, and that minister was met by the Executive in the same spirit +which had dictated his mission. The treaty consequent thereon having been +duly ratified by the two Governments, a copy, together with the +correspondence which accompanied it, is herewith communicated. I trust that +whilst you may see in it nothing objectionable, it may be the means of +preserving for an indefinite period the amicable relations happily existing +between the two Governments. The question of peace or war between the +United States and Great Britain is a question of the deepest interest, not +only to themselves, but to the civilized world, since it is scarcely +possible that a war could exist between them without endangering the peace +of Christendom. The immediate effect of the treaty upon ourselves will be +felt in the security afforded to mercantile enterprise, which, no longer +apprehensive of interruption, adventures its speculations in the most +distant seas, and, freighted with the diversified productions of every +land, returns to bless our own. There is nothing in the treaty which in the +slightest degree compromits the honor or dignity of either nation. Next to +the settlement of the boundary line, which must always be a matter of +difficulty between states as between individuals, the question which seemed +to threaten the greatest embarrassment was that connected with the African +slave trade. + +By the tenth article of the treaty of Ghent it was expressly declared +that-- + +Whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of +humanity and justice, and whereas both His Majesty and the United States +are desirous of continuing their efforts to promote its entire abolition, +it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best +endeavors to accomplish so desirable an object. + +In the enforcement of the laws and treaty stipulations of Great Britain a +practice had threatened to grow up on the part of its cruisers of +subjecting to visitation ships sailing under the American flag, which, +while it seriously involved our maritime rights, would subject to vexation +a branch of our trade which was daily increasing, and which required the +fostering care of Government. And although Lord Aberdeen in his +correspondence with the American envoys at London expressly disclaimed all +right to detain an American ship on the high seas, even if found with a +cargo of slaves on board, and restricted the British pretension to a mere +claim to visit and inquire, yet it could not well be discerned by the +Executive of the United States how such visit and inquiry could be made +without detention on the voyage and consequent interruption to the trade. +It was regarded as the right of search presented only in a new form and +expressed in different words, and I therefore felt it to be my duty +distinctly to declare in my annual message to Congress that no such +concession could be made, and that the United States had both the will and +the ability to enforce their own laws and to protect their flag from being +used for purposes wholly forbidden by those laws and obnoxious to the moral +censure of the world. Taking the message as his letter of instructions, our +then minister at Paris felt himself required to assume the same ground in a +remonstrance which he felt it to be his duty to present to Mr. Guizot, and +through him to the King of the French, against what has been called the +"quintuple treaty;" and his conduct in this respect met with the approval +of this Government. In close conformity with these views the eighth article +of the treaty was framed; which provides "that each nation shall keep +afloat in the African seas a force not less than 80 guns, to act separately +and apart, under instructions from their respective Governments, and for +the enforcement of their respective laws and obligations." From this it +will be seen that the ground assumed in the message has been fully +maintained at the same time that the stipulations of the treaty of Ghent +are to be carried out in good faith by the two countries, and that all +pretense is removed for interference with our commerce for any purpose +whatever by a foreign government. While, therefore, the United States have +been standing up for the freedom of the seas, they have not thought proper +to make that a pretext for avoiding a fulfillment of their treaty +stipulations or a ground for giving countenance to a trade reprobated by +our laws. A similar arrangement by the other great powers could not fail to +sweep from the ocean the slave trade without the interpolation of any new +principle into the maritime code. We may be permitted to hope that the +example thus set will be followed by some if not all of them. We thereby +also afford suitable protection to the fair trader in those seas, thus +fulfilling at the same time the dictates of a sound policy and complying +with the claims of justice and humanity. + +It would have furnished additional cause for congratulation if the treaty +could have embraced all subjects calculated in future to lead to a +misunderstanding between the two Governments. The Territory of the United +States commonly called the Oregon Territory, lying on the Pacific Ocean +north of the forty-second degree of latitude, to a portion of which Great +Britain lays claim, begins to attract the attention of our fellow-citizens, +and the tide of population which has reclaimed what was so lately an +unbroken wilderness in more contiguous regions is preparing to flow over +those vast districts which stretch from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific +Ocean. In advance of the acquirement of individual rights to these lands, +sound policy dictates that every effort should be resorted to by the two +Governments to settle their respective claims. It became manifest at an +early hour of the late negotiations that any attempt for the time being +satisfactorily to determine those rights would lead to a protracted +discussion, which might embrace in its failure other more pressing matters, +and the Executive did not regard it as proper to waive all the advantages +of an honorable adjustment of other difficulties of great magnitude and +importance because this, not so immediately pressing, stood in the way. +Although the difficulty referred to may not for several years to come +involve the peace of the two countries, yet I shall not delay to urge on +Great Britain the importance of its early settlement. Nor will other +matters of commercial importance to the two countries be overlooked, and I +have good reason to believe that it will comport with the policy of +England, as it does with that of the United States, to seize upon this +moment, when most of the causes of irritation have passed away, to cement +the peace and amity of the two countries by wisely removing all grounds of +probable future collision. + +With the other powers of Europe our relations continue on the most amicable +footing. Treaties now existing with them should be rigidly observed, and +every opportunity compatible with the interests of the United States should +be seized upon to enlarge the basis of commercial intercourse. Peace with +all the world is the true foundation of our policy, which can only be +rendered permanent by the practice of equal and impartial justice to all. +Our great desire should be to enter only into that rivalry which looks to +the general good in the cultivation of the sciences, the enlargement of the +field for the exercise of the mechanical arts, and the spread of +commerce--that great civilizer--to every land and sea. Carefully abstaining +from interference in all questions exclusively referring themselves to the +political interests of Europe, we may be permitted to hope an equal +exemption from the interference of European Governments in what relates to +the States of the American continent. + +On the 23d of April last the commissioners on the part of the United States +under the convention with the Mexican Republic of the 11th of April, 1839, +made to the proper Department a final report in relation to the proceedings +of the commission. From this it appears that the total amount awarded to +the claimants by the commissioners and the umpire appointed under that +convention was $2,026,079.68. The arbiter having considered that his +functions were required by the convention to terminate at the same time +with those of the commissioners, returned to the board, undecided for want +of time, claims which had been allowed by the American commissioners to the +amount of $928,620.88. Other claims, in which the amount sought to be +recovered was $3,336,837.05, were submitted to the board too late for its +consideration. The minister of the United States at Mexico has been duly +authorized to make demand for payment of the awards according to the terms +of the convention and the provisions of the act of Congress of the 12th of +June, 1840. He has also been instructed to communicate to that Government +the expectations of the Government of the United States in relation to +those claims which were not disposed of according to the provisions of the +convention, and all others of citizens of the United States against the +Mexican Government. He has also been furnished with other instructions, to +be followed by him in case the Government of Mexico should not find itself +in a condition to make present payment of the amount of the awards in +specie or its equivalent. + +I am happy to be able to say that information which is esteemed favorable +both to a just satisfaction of the awards and a reasonable provision for +other claims has been recently received from Mr. Thompson, the minister of +the United States, who has promptly and efficiently executed the +instructions of his Government in regard to this important subject. + +The citizens of the United States who accompanied the late Texan expedition +to Santa Fe, and who were wrongfully taken and held as prisoners of war in +Mexico, have all been liberated. + +A correspondence has taken place between the Department of State and the +Mexican minister of foreign affairs upon the complaint of Mexico that +citizens of the United States were permitted to give aid to the inhabitants +of Texas in the war existing between her and that Republic. Copies of this +correspondence are herewith communicated to Congress, together with copies +of letters on the same subject addressed to the diplomatic corps at Mexico +by the American minister and the Mexican secretary of state. + +Mexico has thought proper to reciprocate the mission of the United States +to that Government by accrediting to this a minister of the same rank as +that of the representative of the United States in Mexico. From the +circumstances connected with his mission favorable results are anticipated +from it. It is so obviously for the interest of both countries as neighbors +and friends that all just causes of mutual dissatisfaction should be +removed that it is to be hoped neither will omit or delay the employment of +any practicable and honorable means to accomplish that end. + +The affairs pending between this Government and several others of the +States of this hemisphere formerly under the dominion of Spain have again +within the past year been materially obstructed by the military revolutions +and conflicts in those countries. + +The ratifications of the treaty between the United States and the Republic +of Ecuador of the 13th of June, 1839, have been exchanged, and that +instrument has been duly promulgated on the part of this Government. Copies +are now communicated to Congress with a view to enable that body to make +such changes in the laws applicable to our intercourse with that Republic +as may be deemed requisite. + +Provision has been made by the Government of Chile for the payment of the +claim on account of the illegal detention of the brig Warrior at Coquimbo +in 1820. This Government has reason to expect that other claims of our +citizens against Chile will be hastened to a final and satisfactory close. + +The Empire of Brazil has not been altogether exempt from those convulsions +which so constantly afflict the neighboring republics. Disturbances which +recently broke out are, however, now understood to be quieted. But these +occurrences, by threatening the stability of the governments, or by causing +incessant and violent changes in them or in the persons who administer +them, tend greatly to retard provisions for a just indemnity for losses and +injuries suffered by individual subjects or citizens of other states. The +Government of the United States will feel it to be its duty, however, to +consent to no delay not unavoidable in making satisfaction for wrongs and +injuries sustained by its own citizens. Many years having in some cases +elapsed, a decisive and effectual course of proceeding will be demanded of +the respective governments against whom claims have been preferred. + +The vexatious, harassing, and expensive war which so long prevailed with +the Indian tribes inhabiting the peninsula of Florida has happily been +terminated, whereby our Army has been relieved from a service of the most +disagreeable character and the Treasury from a large expenditure. Some +casual outbreaks may occur, such as are incident to the close proximity of +border settlers and the Indians, but these, as in all other cases, may be +left to the care of the local authorities, aided when occasion may require +by the forces of the United States. A sufficient number of troops will be +maintained in Florida so long as the remotest apprehensions of danger shall +exist, yet their duties will be limited rather to the garrisoning of the +necessary posts than to the maintenance of active hostilities. It is to be +hoped that a territory so long retarded in its growth will now speedily +recover from the evils incident to a protracted war, exhibiting in the +increased amount of its rich productions true evidences of returning wealth +and prosperity. By the practice of rigid justice toward the numerous Indian +tribes residing within our territorial limits and the exercise of a +parental vigilance over their interests, protecting them against fraud and +intrusion, and at the same time using every proper expedient to introduce +among them the arts of civilized life, we may fondly hope not only to wean +them from their love of war, but to inspire them with a love for peace and +all its avocations. With several of the tribes great progress in civilizing +them has already been made. The schoolmaster and the missionary are found +side by side, and the remnants of what were once numerous and powerful +nations may yet be preserved as the builders up of a new name for +themselves and their posterity. + +The balance in the Treasury on the 1st of January, 1842, exclusive of the +amount deposited with the States, trust funds, and indemnities, was +$230,483.68. The receipts into the Treasury during the three first quarters +of the present year from all sources amount to $26,616,593.78, of which +more than fourteen millions were received from customs and about one +million from the public lands. The receipts for the fourth quarter are +estimated at nearly eight millions, of which four millions are expected +from customs and three millions and a half from loans and Treasury notes. +The expenditures of the first three quarters of the present year exceed +twenty-six millions, and those estimated for the fourth quarter amount to +about eight millions; and it is anticipated there will be a deficiency of +half a million on the 1st of January next, but that the amount of +outstanding warrants (estimated at $800,000) will leave an actual balance +of about $224,000 in the Treasury. Among the expenditures of this year are +more than eight millions for the public debt and about $600,000 on account +of the distribution to the States of the proceeds of sales of the public +lands. + +The present tariff of duties was somewhat hastily and hurriedly passed near +the close of the late session of Congress. That it should have defects can +therefore be surprising to no one. To remedy such defects as may be found +to exist in any of its numerous provisions will not fail to claim your +serious attention. It may well merit inquiry whether the exaction of all +duties in cash does not call for the introduction of a system which has +proved highly beneficial in countries where it has been adopted. I refer to +the warehousing system. The first and most prominent effect which it would +produce would be to protect the market alike against redundant or deficient +supplies of foreign fabrics, both of which in the long run are injurious as +well to the manufacturer as the importer. The quantity of goods in store +being at all times readily known, it would enable the importer with an +approach to accuracy to ascertain the actual wants of the market and to +regulate himself accordingly. If, however, he should fall into error by +importing an excess above the public wants, he could readily correct its +evils by availing himself of the benefits and advantages of the system thus +established. In the storehouse the goods imported would await the demand of +the market and their issues would be governed by the fixed principles of +demand and supply. Thus an approximation would be made to a steadiness and +uniformity of price, which if attainable would conduce to the decided +advantage of mercantile and mechanical operations. + +The apprehension may be well entertained that without something to +ameliorate the rigor of cash payments the entire import trade may fall into +the hands of a few wealthy capitalists in this country and in Europe. The +small importer, who requires all the money he can raise for investments +abroad, and who can but ill afford to pay the lowest duty, would have to +subduct in advance a portion of his funds in order to pay the duties, and +would lose the interest upon the amount thus paid for all the time the +goods might remain unsold, which might absorb his profits. The rich +capitalist, abroad as well as at home, would thus possess after a short +time an almost exclusive monopoly of the import trade, and laws designed +for the benefit of all would thus operate for the benefit of a few--a +result wholly uncongenial with the spirit of our institutions and +antirepublican in all its tendencies. The warehousing system would enable +the importer to watch the market and to select his own time for offering +his goods for sale. A profitable portion of the carrying trade in articles +entered for the benefit of drawback must also be most seriously affected +without the adoption of some expedient to relieve the cash system. The +warehousing system would afford that relief, since the carrier would have a +safe recourse to the public storehouses and might without advancing the +duty reship within some reasonable period to foreign ports. A further +effect of the measure would be to supersede the system of drawbacks, +thereby effectually protecting the Government against fraud, as the right +of debenture would not attach to goods after their withdrawal from the +public stores. + +In revising the existing tariff of duties, should you deem it proper to do +so at your present session, I can only repeat the suggestions and +recommendations which upon several occasions I have heretofore felt it to +be my duty to offer to Congress. The great primary and controlling interest +of the American people is union--union not only in the mere forms of +government, forms which may be broken, but union rounded in an attachment +of States and individuals for each other. This union in sentiment and +feeling can only be preserved by the adoption of that course of policy +which, neither giving exclusive benefits to some nor imposing unnecessary +burthens upon others, shall consult the interests of all by pursuing a +course of moderation and thereby seeking to harmonize public opinion, and +causing the people everywhere to feel and to know that the Government is +careful of the interests of all alike. Nor is there any subject in regard +to which moderation, connected with a wise discrimination, is more +necessary than in the imposition of duties on imports. Whether reference be +had to revenue, the primary object in the imposition of taxes, or to the +incidents which necessarily flow from their imposition, this is entirely +true. Extravagant duties defeat their end and object, not only by exciting +in the public mind an hostility to the manufacturing interests, but by +inducing a system of smuggling on an extensive scale and the practice of +every manner of fraud upon the revenue, which the utmost vigilance of +Government can not effectually suppress. An opposite course of policy would +be attended by results essentially different, of which every interest of +society, and none more than those of the manufacturer, would reap important +advantages. Among the most striking of its benefits would be that derived +from the general acquiescence of the country in its support and the +consequent permanency and stability which would be given to all the +operations of industry. It can not be too often repeated that no system of +legislation can be wise which is fluctuating and uncertain. No interest can +thrive under it. The prudent capitalist will never adventure his capital in +manufacturing establishments, or in any other leading pursuit of life, if +there exists a state of uncertainty as to whether the Government will +repeal to-morrow what it has enacted to-day. Fitful profits, however high, +if threatened with a ruinous reduction by a vacillating policy on the part +of Government, will scarcely tempt him to trust the money which he has +acquired by a life of labor upon the uncertain adventure. I therefore, in +the spirit of conciliation, and influenced by no other desire than to +rescue the great interests of the country from the vortex of political +contention, and in the discharge of the high and solemn duties of the place +which I now occupy, recommend moderate duties, imposed with a wise +discrimination as to their several objects, as being not only most likely +to be durable, but most advantageous to every interest of society. + +The report of the Secretary of the War Department exhibits a very full and +satisfactory account of the various and important interests committed to +the charge of that officer. It is particularly gratifying to find that the +expenditures for the military service are greatly reduced in amount--that a +strict system of economy has been introduced into the service and the +abuses of past years greatly reformed. The fortifications on our maritime +frontier have been prosecuted with much vigor, and at many points our +defenses are in a very considerable state of forwardness. The suggestions +in reference to the establishment of means of communication with our +territories on the Pacific and to the surveys so essential to a knowledge +of the resources of the intermediate country are entitled to the most +favorable consideration. While I would propose nothing inconsistent with +friendly negotiations to settle the extent of our claims in that region, +yet a prudent forecast points out the necessity of such measures as may +enable us to maintain our rights. The arrangements made for preserving our +neutral relations on the boundary between us and Texas and keeping in check +the Indians in that quarter will be maintained so long as circumstances may +require. For several years angry contentions have grown out of the +disposition directed by law to be made of the mineral lands held by the +Government in several of the States. The Government is constituted the +landlord, and the Citizens of the States wherein lie the lands are its +tenants. The relation is an unwise one, and it would be much more conducive +of the public interest that a sale of the lands should be made than that +they should remain in their present condition. The supply of the ore would +be more abundantly and certainly furnished when to be drawn from the +enterprise and the industry of the proprietor than under the present +system. + +The recommendations of the Secretary in regard to the improvements of the +Western waters and certain prominent harbors on the Lakes merit, and I +doubt not will receive, your serious attention. The great importance of +these subjects to the prosperity of the extensive region referred to and +the security of the whole country in time of war can not escape +observation. The losses of life and property which annually occur in the +navigation of the Mississippi alone because of the dangerous obstructions +in the river make a loud demand upon Congress for the adoption of efficient +measures for their removal. + +The report of the Secretary of the Navy will bring you acquainted with that +important branch of the public defenses. Considering the already vast and +daily increasing commerce of the country, apart from the exposure to +hostile inroad of an extended seaboard, all that relates to the Navy is +calculated to excite particular attention. Whatever tends to add to its +efficiency without entailing unnecessary charges upon the Treasury is well +worthy of your serious consideration. It will be seen that while an +appropriation exceeding by more than a million the appropriations of the +current year is asked by the Secretary, yet that in this sum is proposed to +be included $400,000 for the purchase of clothing, which when once expended +will be annually reimbursed by the sale of the clothes, and will thus +constitute a perpetual fund without any new appropriation to the same +object. To this may also be added $50,000 asked to cover the arrearages of +past years and $250,000 in order to maintain a competent squadron on the +coast of Africa; all of which when deducted will reduce the expenditures +nearly within the limits of those of the current year. While, however, the +expenditures will thus remain very nearly the same as of the antecedent +year, it is proposed to add greatly to the operations of the marine, and in +lieu of only 25 ships in commission and but little in the way of building, +to keep with the same expenditure 41 vessels afloat and to build 12 ships +of a small class. + +A strict system of accountability is established and great pains are taken +to insure industry, fidelity, and economy in every department of duty. +Experiments have been instituted to test the quality of various materials, +particularly copper, iron, and coal, so as to prevent fraud and +imposition. + +It will appear by the report of the Postmaster-General that the great point +which for several years has been so much desired has during the current +year been fully accomplished. The expenditures of the Department for +current service have been brought within its income without lessening its +general usefulness. There has been an increase of revenue equal to $166,000 +for the year 1842 over that of 1841, without, as it is believed, any +addition having been made to the number of letters and newspapers +transmitted through the mails. The post-office laws have been honestly +administered, and fidelity has been observed in accounting for and paying +over by the subordinates of the Department the moneys which have been +received. For the details of the service I refer you to the report. + +I flatter myself that the exhibition thus made of the condition of the +public administration will serve to convince you that every proper +attention has been paid to the interests of the country by those who have +been called to the heads of the different Departments. The reduction in the +annual expenditures of the Government already accomplished furnishes a sure +evidence that economy in the application of the public moneys is regarded +as a paramount duty. + +At peace with all the world, the personal liberty of the citizen sacredly +maintained and his rights secured under political institutions deriving all +their authority from the direct sanction of the people, with a soil fertile +almost beyond example and a country blessed with every diversity of climate +and production, what remains to be done in order to advance the happiness +and prosperity of such a people? Under ordinary circumstances this inquiry +could readily be answered. The best that probably could be done for a +people inhabiting such a country would be to fortify their peace and +security in the prosecution of their various pursuits by guarding them +against invasion from without and violence from within. The rest for the +greater part might be left to their own energy and enterprise. The chief +embarrassments which at the moment exhibit themselves have arisen from +overaction, and the most difficult task which remains to be accomplished is +that of correcting and overcoming its effects. Between the years 1833 and +1838 additions were made to bank capital and bank issues, in the form of +notes designed for circulation, to an extent enormously great. The question +seemed to be not how the best currency could be provided, but in what +manner the greatest amount of bank paper could be put in circulation. Thus +a vast amount of what was called money--since for the time being it +answered the purposes of money--was thrown upon the country, an overissue +which was attended, as a necessary consequence, by an extravagant increase +of the prices of all articles of property, the spread of a speculative +mania all over the country, and has finally ended in a general indebtedness +on the part of States and individuals, the prostration of public and +private credit, a depreciation in the market value of real and personal +estate, and has left large districts of country almost entirely without any +circulating medium. In view of the fact that in 1830 the whole bank-note +circulation within the United States amounted to but $61,323,898, according +to the Treasury statements, and that an addition had been made thereto of +the enormous sum of $88,000,000 in seven years (the circulation on the 1st +of January, 1837, being stated at $149,185,890), aided by the great +facilities afforded in obtaining loans from European capitalists, who were +seized with the same speculative mania which prevailed in the United +States, and the large importations of funds from abroad--the result of +stock sales and loans--no one can be surprised at the apparent but +unsubstantial state of prosperity which everywhere prevailed over the land; +and as little cause of surprise should be felt at the present prostration +of everything and the ruin which has befallen so many of our +fellow-citizens in the sudden withdrawal from circulation of so large an +amount of bank issues since 1837--exceeding, as is believed, the amount +added to the paper currency for a similar period antecedent to 1837--it +ceases to be a matter of astonishment that such extensive shipwreck should +have been made of private fortunes or that difficulties should exist in +meeting their engagements on the part of the debtor States; apart from +which, if there be taken into account the immense losses sustained in the +dishonor of numerous banks, it is less a matter of surprise that insolvency +should have visited many of our fellow-citizens than that so many should +have escaped the blighting influences of the times. + +In the solemn conviction of these truths and with an ardent desire to meet +the pressing necessities of the country, I felt it to be my duty to cause +to be submitted to you at the commencement of your last session the plan of +an exchequer, the whole power and duty of maintaining which in purity and +vigor was to be exercised by the representatives of the people and the +States, and therefore virtually by the people themselves. It was proposed +to place it under the control and direction of a Treasury board to consist +of three commissioners, whose duty it should be to see that the law of its +creation was faithfully executed and that the great end of supplying a +paper medium of exchange at all times convertible into gold and silver +should be attained. The board thus constituted was given as much permanency +as could be imparted to it without endangering the proper share of +responsibility which should attach to all public agents. In order to insure +all the advantages of a well-matured experience, the commissioners were to +hold their offices for the respective periods of two, four, and six years, +thereby securing at all times in the management of the exchequer the +services of two men of experience; and to place them in a condition to +exercise perfect independence of mind and action it was provided that their +removal should only take place for actual incapacity or infidelity to the +trust, and to be followed by the President with an exposition of the causes +of such removal, should it occur. It was proposed to establish subordinate +boards in each of the States, under the same restrictions and limitations +of the power of removal, which, with the central board, should receive, +safely keep, and disburse the public moneys. And in order to furnish a +sound paper medium of exchange the exchequer should retain of the revenues +of the Government a sum not to exceed $5,000,000 in specie, to be set apart +as required by its operations, and to pay the public creditor at his own +option either in specie or Treasury notes of denominations not less than $5 +nor exceeding $100, which notes should be redeemed at the several places of +issue, and to be receivable at all times and everywhere in payment of +Government dues, with a restraint upon such issue of bills that the same +should not exceed the maximum of $15,000,000. In order to guard against all +the hazards incident to fluctuations in trade, the Secretary of the +Treasury was invested with authority to issue $5,000,000 of Government +stock, should the same at any time be regarded as necessary in order to +place beyond hazard the prompt redemption of the bills which might be +thrown into circulation; thus in fact making the issue of $15,000,000 of +exchequer bills rest substantially on $10,000,000, and keeping in +circulation never more than one and one-half dollars for every dollar in +specie. When to this it is added that the bills are not only everywhere +receivable in Government dues, but that the Government itself would be +bound for their ultimate redemption, no rational doubt can exist that the +paper which the exchequer would furnish would readily enter into general +circulation and be maintained at all times at or above par with gold and +silver, thereby realizing the great want of the age and fulfilling the +wishes of the people. In order to reimburse the Government the expenses of +the plan, it was proposed to invest the exchequer with the limited +authority to deal in bills of exchange (unless prohibited by the State in +which an agency might be situated) having only thirty days to run and +resting on a fair and bona fide basis. The legislative will on this point +might be so plainly announced as to avoid all pretext for partiality or +favoritism. It was furthermore proposed to invest this Treasury agent with +authority to receive on deposit to a limited amount the specie funds of +individuals and to grant certificates therefor to be redeemed on +presentation, under the idea, which is believed to be well founded, that +such certificates would come in aid of the exchequer bills in supplying a +safe and ample paper circulation. Or if in place of the contemplated +dealings in exchange the exchequer should be authorized not only to +exchange its bills for actual deposits of specie, but, for specie or its +equivalent, to sell drafts, charging therefor a small but reasonable +premium, I can not doubt but that the benefits of the law would be speedily +manifested in the revival of the credit, trade, and business of the whole +country. Entertaining this opinion, it becomes my duty to urge its adoption +upon Congress by reference to the strongest considerations of the public +interests, with such alterations in its details as Congress may in its +wisdom see fit to make. + +I am well aware that this proposed alteration and amendment of the laws +establishing the Treasury Department has encountered various objections, +and that among others it has been proclaimed a Government bank of fearful +and dangerous import. It is proposed to confer upon it no extraordinary +power. It purports to do no more than pay the debts of the Government with +the redeemable paper of the Government, in which respect it accomplishes +precisely what the Treasury does daily at this time in issuing to the +public creditors the Treasury notes which under law it is authorized to +issue. It has no resemblance to an ordinary bank, as it furnishes no +profits to private stockholders and lends no capital to individuals. If it +be objected to as a Government bank and the objection be available, then +should all the laws in relation to the Treasury be repealed and the +capacity of the Government to collect what is due to it or pay what it owes +be abrogated. + +This is the chief purpose of the proposed exchequer, and surely if in the +accomplishment of a purpose so essential it affords a sound circulating +medium to the country and facilities to trade it should be regarded as no +slight recommendation of it to public consideration. Properly guarded by +the provisions of law, it can run into no dangerous evil, nor can any abuse +arise under it but such as the Legislature itself will be answerable for if +it be tolerated, since it is but the creature of the law and is susceptible +at all times of modification, amendment, or repeal at the pleasure of +Congress. I know that it has been objected that the system would be liable +to be abused by the Legislature, by whom alone it could be abused, in the +party conflicts of the day; that such abuse would manifest itself in a +change of the law which would authorize an excessive issue of paper for the +purpose of inflating prices and winning popular favor. To that it may be +answered that the ascription of such a motive to Congress is altogether +gratuitous and inadmissible. The theory of our institutions would lead us +to a different conclusion. But a perfect security against a proceeding so +reckless would be found to exist in the very nature of things. The +political party which should be so blind to the true interests of the +country as to resort to such an expedient would inevitably meet with final +overthrow in the fact that the moment the paper ceased to be convertible +into specie or otherwise promptly redeemed it would become worthless, and +would in the end dishonor the Government, involve the people in ruin and +such political party in hopeless disgrace. At the same time, such a view +involves the utter impossibility of furnishing any currency other than that +of the precious metals; for if the Government itself can not forego the +temptation of excessive paper issues what reliance can be placed in +corporations upon whom the temptations of individual aggrandizement would +most strongly operate? The people would have to blame none but themselves +for any injury that might arise from a course so reckless, since their +agents would be the wrongdoers and they the passive spectators. + +There can be but three kinds of public currency--first, gold and silver; +second, the paper of State institutions; or, third, a representative of the +precious metals provided by the General Government or under its authority. +The subtreasury system rejected the last in any form, and as it was +believed that no reliance could be placed on the issues of local +institutions for the purposes of general circulation it necessarily and +unavoidably adopted specie as the exclusive currency for its own use; and +this must ever be the case unless one of the other kinds be used. The +choice in the present state of public sentiment lies between an exclusive +specie currency on the one hand and Government issues of some kind on the +other. That these issues can not be made by a chartered institution is +supposed to be conclusively settled. They must be made, then, directly by +Government agents. For several years past they have been thus made in the +form of Treasury notes, and have answered a valuable purpose. Their +usefulness has been limited by their being transient and temporary; their +ceasing to bear interest at given periods necessarily causes their speedy +return and thus restricts their range of circulation, and being used only +in the disbursements of Government they can not reach those points where +they are most required. By rendering their use permanent, to the moderate +extent already mentioned, by offering no inducement for their return and by +exchanging them for coin and other values, they will constitute to a +certain extent the general currency so much needed to maintain the internal +trade of the country. And this is the exchequer plan so far as it may +operate in furnishing a currency. + +I can not forego the occasion to urge its importance to the credit of the +Government in a financial point of view. The great necessity of resorting +to every proper and becoming expedient in order to place the Treasury on a +footing of the highest respectability is entirely obvious. The credit of +the Government may be regarded as the very soul of the Government itself--a +principle of vitality without which all its movements are languid and all +its operations embarrassed. In this spirit the Executive felt itself bound +by the most imperative sense of duty to submit to Congress at its last +session the propriety of making a specific pledge of the land fund as the +basis for the negotiation of the loans authorized to be contracted. I then +thought that such an application of the public domain would without doubt +have placed at the command of the Government ample funds to relieve the +Treasury from the temporary embarrassments under which it labored. American +credit has suffered a considerable shock in Europe from the large +indebtedness of the States and the temporary inability of some of them to +meet the interest on their debts. The utter and disastrous prostration of +the United States Bank of Pennsylvania had contributed largely to increase +the sentiment of distrust by reason of the loss and ruin sustained by the +holders of its stock, a large portion of whom were foreigners and many of +whom were alike ignorant of our political organization and of our actual +responsibilities. + +It was the anxious desire of the Executive that in the effort to negotiate +the loan abroad the American negotiator might be able to point the money +lender to the fund mortgaged for the redemption of the principal and +interest of any loan he might contract, and thereby vindicate the +Government from all suspicion of bad faith or inability to meet its +engagements. Congress differed from the Executive in this view of the +subject. It became, nevertheless, the duty of the Executive to resort to +every expedient in its power to do so. + +After a failure in the American market a citizen of high character and +talent was sent to Europe, with no better success; and thus the mortifying +spectacle has been presented of the inability of this Government to obtain +a loan so small as not in the whole to amount to more than one-fourth of +its ordinary annual income, at a time when the Governments of Europe, +although involved in debt and with their subjects heavily burthened with +taxation, readily obtained loans of any amount at a greatly reduced rate of +interest. It would be unprofitable to look further into this anomalous +state of things, but I can not conclude without adding that for a +Government which has paid off its debts of two wars with the largest +maritime power of Europe, and now owing a debt which is almost next to +nothing when compared with its boundless resources--a Government the +strongest in the world, because emanating from the popular will and firmly +rooted in the affections of a great and free people, and whose fidelity to +its engagements has never been questioned--for such a Government to have +tendered to the capitalists of other countries an opportunity for a small +investment in its stock, and yet to have failed, implies either the most +unfounded distrust in its good faith or a purpose to obtain which the +course pursued is the most fatal which could have been adopted. It has now +become obvious to all men that the Government must look to its own means +for supplying its wants, and it is consoling to know that these means are +altogether adequate for the object. The exchequer, if adopted, will greatly +aid in bringing about this result. Upon what I regard as a well-rounded +supposition that its bills would be readily sought for by the public +creditors and that the issue would in a short time reach the maximum of +$15,000,000, it is obvious that $10,000,000 would thereby be added to the +available means of the Treasury without cost or charge. Nor can I fail to +urge the great and beneficial effects which would be produced in aid of all +the active pursuits of life. Its effects upon the solvent State banks, +while it would force into liquidation those of an opposite character +through its weekly settlements, would be highly beneficial; and with the +advantages of a sound currency the restoration of confidence and credit +would follow with a numerous train of blessings. My convictions are most +strong that these benefits would flow from the adoption of this measure; +but if the result should be adverse there is this security in connection +with it--that the law creating it may be repealed at the pleasure of the +Legislature without the slightest implication of its good faith. + +I recommend to Congress to take into consideration the propriety of +reimbursing a fine imposed on General Jackson at New Orleans at the time of +the attack and defense of that city, and paid by him. Without designing any +reflection on the judicial tribunal which imposed the fine, the remission +at this day may be regarded as not unjust or inexpedient. The voice of the +civil authority was heard amidst the glitter of arms and obeyed by those +who held the sword, thereby giving additional luster to a memorable +military achievement. If the laws were offended, their majesty was fully +vindicated; and although the penalty incurred and paid is worthy of little +regard in a pecuniary point of view, it can hardly be doubted that it would +be gratifying to the war-worn veteran, now in retirement and in the winter +of his days, to be relieved from the circumstances in which that judgment +placed him. There are cases in which public functionaries may be called on +to weigh the public interest against their own personal hazards, and if the +civil law be violated from praiseworthy motives or an overruling sense of +public danger and public necessity punishment may well be restrained within +that limit which asserts and maintains the authority of the law and the +subjection of the military to the civil power. The defense of New Orleans, +while it saved a city from the hands of the enemy, placed the name of +General Jackson among those of the greatest captains of the age and +illustrated one of the brightest pages of our history. Now that the causes +of excitement existing at the time have ceased to operate, it is believed +that the remission of this fine and whatever of gratification that +remission might cause the eminent man who incurred and paid it would be in +accordance with the general feeling and wishes of the American people. + +I have thus, fellow-citizens, acquitted myself of my duty under the +Constitution by laying before you as succinctly as I have been able the +state of the Union and by inviting your attention to measures of much +importance to the country. The executive will most zealously unite its +efforts with those of the legislative department in the accomplishment of +all that is required to relieve the wants of a common constituency or +elevate the destinies of a beloved country. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 1843 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +If any people ever had cause to render up thanks to the Supreme Being for +parental care and protection extended to them in all the trials and +difficulties to which they have been from time to time exposed, we +certainly are that people. From the first settlement of our forefathers on +this continent, through the dangers attendant upon the occupation of a +savage wilderness, through a long period of colonial dependence, through +the War of the Revolution, in the wisdom which led to the adoption of the +existing forms of republican government, in the hazards incident to a war +subsequently waged with one of the most powerful nations of the earth, in +the increase of our population, in the spread of the arts and sciences, and +in the strength and durability conferred on political institutions +emanating from the people and sustained by their will, the superintendence +of an overruling Providence has been plainly visible. As preparatory, +therefore, to entering once more upon the high duties of legislation, it +becomes us humbly to acknowledge our dependence upon Him as our guide and +protector and to implore a continuance of His parental watchfulness over +our beloved country. We have new cause for the expression of our gratitude +in the preservation of the health of our fellow-citizens, with some partial +and local exceptions, during the past season, for the abundance with which +the earth has yielded up its fruits to the labors of the husbandman, for +the renewed activity which has been imparted to commerce, for the revival +of trade in all its departments, for the increased rewards attendant on the +exercise of the mechanic arts, for the continued growth of our population +and the rapidly reviving prosperity of the whole country. I shall be +permitted to exchange congratulations with you, gentlemen of the two Houses +of Congress, on these auspicious circumstances, and to assure you in +advance of my ready disposition to concur with you in the adoption of all +such measures as shall be calculated to increase the happiness of our +constituents and to advance the glory of our common country. + +Since the last adjournment of Congress the Executive has relaxed no effort +to render indestructible the relations of amity which so happily exist +between the United States and other countries. The treaty lately concluded +with Great Britain has tended greatly to increase the good understanding +which a reciprocity of interests is calculated to encourage, and it is most +ardently to be hoped that nothing may transpire to interrupt the relations +of amity which it is so obviously the policy of both nations to cultivate. +A question of much importance still remains to be adjusted between them. +The territorial limits of the two countries relation to what is commonly +known as the Oregon Territory still remain in dispute. The United States +would be at all times indisposed to aggrandize itself at the expense of any +other nation; but while they would be restrained by principles of honor, +which should govern the conduct of nations as well as that of individuals, +from setting up a demand for territory which does not belong to them, they +would as unwillingly sent to a surrender of their rights. After the most +rigid and, as far as practicable, unbiased examination of the subject, the +United States have always contended that their rights appertain to the +entire region of country lying on the Pacific and embraced within 42° +and 54° 40' of north latitude. This claim being controverted by Great +Britain, those who have preceded the present Executive--actuated, no doubt, +by an earnest desire to adjust the matter upon terms mutually satisfactory +to both countries--have caused to be submitted to the British Government +propositions for settlement and final adjustment, which, however, have not +proved heretofore acceptable to it. Our minister at London has, under +instructions, again brought the subject to the consideration of that +Government, and while nothing will be done to compromise the rights or +honor of the United States, every proper expedient will be resorted to in +order to bring the negotiation now in the progress of resumption to a +speedy and happy termination. In the meantime it is proper to remark that +many of our citizens are either already established in the Territory or are +on their way thither for the purpose of forming permanent settlements, +while others are preparing to follow; and in view of these facts I must +repeat the recommendation contained in previous messages for the +establishment of military posts at such places on the line of travel as +will furnish security and protection to our hardy adventurers against +hostile tribes of Indians inhabiting those extensive regions. Our laws +should also follow them, so modified as the circumstances of the case may +seem to require. Under the influence of our free system of government new +republics are destined to spring up at no distant day on the shores of the +Pacific similar in policy and in feeling to those existing on this side of +the Rocky Mountains, and giving a wider and more extensive spread to the +principles of civil and religious liberty. + +I am happy to inform you that the cases which have from time to time arisen +of the detention of American vessels by British cruisers on the coast of +Africa under pretense of being engaged in the slave trade have been placed +in a fair train of adjustment. In the case of the William and Francis full +satisfaction will be allowed. In the cases of the Tygris and Seamew the +British Government admits that satisfaction is due. In the case of the +Jones the sum accruing from the sale of that vessel and cargo will be paid +to the owners, while I can not but flatter myself that full indemnification +will be allowed for all damages sustained by the detention of the vessel; +and in the case of the Douglas Her Majesty's Government has expressed its +determination to make indemnification. Strong hopes are therefore +entertained that most, if not all, of these cases will be speedily +adjusted. No new cases have arisen since the ratification of the treaty of +Washington, and it is confidently anticipated that the slave trade, under +the operation of the eighth article of that treaty, will be altogether +suppressed. + +The occasional interruption experienced by our fellow-citizens engaged in +the fisheries on the neighboring coast of Nova Scotia has not failed to +claim the attention of the Executive. Representations upon this subject +have been made, but as yet no definitive answer to those representations +has been received from the British Government. + +Two other subjects of comparatively minor importance, but nevertheless of +too much consequence to be neglected, remain still to be adjusted between +the two countries. By the treaty between the United States and Great +Britain of July, 1815, it is provided that no higher duties shall be levied +in either country on articles imported from the other than on the same +articles imported from any other place. In 1836 rough rice by act of +Parliament was admitted from the coast of Africa into Great Britain on the +payment of a duty of 1 penny a quarter, while the same article from all +other countries, including the United States, was subjected to the payment +of a duty of 20 shillings a quarter. Our minister at London has from time +to time brought this subject to the attention of the British Government, +but so far without success. He is instructed to renew his representations +upon it. + +Some years since a claim was preferred against the British Government on +the part of certain American merchants for the return of export duties paid +by them on shipments of woolen goods to the United States after the duty on +similar articles exported to other countries had been repealed, and +consequently in contravention of the commercial convention between the two +nations securing to us equality in such cases. The principle on which the +claim rests has long since been virtually admitted by Great Britain, but +obstacles to a settlement have from time to time been interposed, so that a +large portion of the amount claimed has not yet been refunded. Our minister +is now engaged in the prosecution of the claim, and I can not but persuade +myself that the British Government will no longer delay its adjustment. + +I am happy to be able to say that nothing has occurred to disturb in any +degree the relations of amity which exist between the United States and +France, Austria, and Russia, as well as with the other powers of Europe, +since the adjournment of Congress. Spain has been agitated with internal +convulsions for many years, from the effects of which, it is hoped, she is +destined speedily to recover, when, under a more liberal system of +commercial policy on her part, our trade with her may again fill its old +and, so far as her continental possessions are concerned, its almost +forsaken channels, thereby adding to the mutual prosperity of the two +countries. + +The Germanic Association of Customs and Commerce, which since its +establishment in 1833 has been steadily growing in power and importance, +and consists at this time of more than twenty German States, and embraces a +population of 27,000,000 people united for all fire purposes of commercial +intercourse with each other and with foreign states, offers to the latter +the most valuable exchanges on principles more liberal than are offered in +the fiscal system of any other European power. From its origin the +importance of the German union has never been lost sight of by the United +States. The industry, morality, and other valuable qualities of the German +nation have always been well known and appreciated. On this subject I +invite the attention of Congress to the report of the Secretary of State, +from which it will be seen that while our cotton is admitted free of duty +and the duty on rice has been much reduced (which has already led to a +greatly increased consumption), a strong disposition has been recently +evinced by that great body to reduce, upon certain conditions, their +present duty upon tobacco. This being the first intimation of a concession +on this interesting subject ever made by any European power, I can not but +regard it as well calculated to remove the only impediment which has so far +existed to the most liberal commercial intercourse between us and them. In +this view our minister at Berlin, who has heretofore industriously pursued +the subject, has been instructed to enter upon the negotiation of a +commercial treaty, which, while it will open new advantages to the +agricultural interests of the United States and a more free and expanded +field for commercial operations, will affect injuriously no existing +interest of the Union. Should the negotiation be crowned with success, its +results will be communicated to both Houses of Congress. + +I communicate herewith certain dispatches received from our minister at +Mexico, and also a correspondence which has recently occurred between the +envoy from that Republic and the Secretary of State. It must but be +regarded as not a little extraordinary that the Government of Mexico, in +anticipation of a public discussion (which it has been pleased to infer +from newspaper publications as likely to take place in Congress, relating +to the annexation of Texas to the United States), should have so far +anticipated the result of such discussion as to have announced its +determination to visit any such anticipated decision by a formal +declaration of war against the United States. If designed to prevent +Congress from introducing that question as a fit subject for its calm +deliberation and final judgment, the Executive has no reason to doubt that +it will entirely fail of its object. The representatives of a brave and +patriotic people will suffer no apprehension of future consequences to +embarrass them in the course of their proposed deliberations, nor will the +executive department of the Government fail for any such cause to discharge +its whole duty to the country. + +The war which has existed for so long a time between Mexico and Texas has +since the battle of San Jacinto consisted for the most part of predatory +incursions, which, while they have been attended with much of suffering to +individuals and have kept the borders of the two countries in a state of +constant alarm, have failed to approach to any definitive result. Mexico +has fitted out no formidable armament by land or by sea for the subjugation +of Texas. Eight years have now elapsed since Texas declared her +independence of Mexico, and during that time she has been recognized as a +sovereign power by several of the principal civilized states. Mexico, +nevertheless, perseveres in her plans of reconquest, and refuses to +recognize her independence. The predatory incursions to which I have +alluded have been attended in one instance with the breaking up of the +courts of justice, by the seizing upon the persons of the judges, jury, and +officers of the court and dragging them along with unarmed, and therefore +noncombatant, citizens into a cruel and oppressive bondage, thus leaving +crime to go unpunished and immorality to pass unreproved. A border warfare +is evermore to be deprecated, and over such a war as has existed for so +many years between these two States humanity has had great cause to lament. +Nor is such a condition of things to be deplored only because of the +individual suffering attendant upon it. The effects are far more extensive. +The Creator of the Universe has given man the earth for his resting place +and its fruits for his subsistence. Whatever, therefore, shall make the +first or any part of it a scene of desolation affects injuriously his +heritage and may be regarded as a general calamity. Wars may sometimes be +necessary, but all nations have a common interest in bringing them speedily +to a close. The United States have an immediate interest in seeing an end +put to the state of hostilities existing between Mexico and Texas. They are +our neighbors, of the same continent, with whom we are not only desirous of +cultivating the relations of amity, but of the most extended commercial +intercourse, and to practice all the rites of a neighborhood hospitality. +Our own interests are involved in the matter, since, however neutral may be +our course of policy, we can not hope to escape the effects of a spirit of +jealousy on the part of both of the powers. Nor can this Government be +indifferent to the fact that a warfare such as is waged between those two +nations is calculated to weaken both powers and finally to render them--and +especially the weaker of the two--the subjects of interference on the part +of stronger and more powerful nations, who, intent only on advancing their +own peculiar views, may sooner or later attempt to bring about a compliance +with terms as the condition of their interposition alike derogatory to the +nation granting them and detrimental to the interests of the United States. +We could not be expected quietly to permit any such interference to our +disadvantage. Considering that Texas is separated from the United States by +a mere geographical line; that her territory, in the opinion of many, down +to a late period formed a portion of the territory of the United States; +that it is homogeneous in its population and pursuits with adjoining +States, makes contributions to the commerce of the world in the same +articles with them, and that most of her inhabitants have been citizens of +the United States, speak the same language, and live under similar +political institutions with ourselves, this Government is bound by every +consideration of interest as well as of sympathy to see that she shall be +left free to act, especially in regard to her domestic affairs, unawed by +force and unrestrained by the policy or views of other countries. In full +view of all these considerations, the Executive has not hesitated to +express to the Government of Mexico how deeply it deprecated a continuance +of the war and how anxiously it desired to witness its termination. I can +not but think that it becomes the United States, as the oldest of the +American Republics, to hold a language to Mexico upon this subject of an +unambiguous character. It is time that this war had ceased. There must be a +limit to all wars, and if the parent state after an eight years' struggle +has failed to reduce to submission a portion of its subjects standing out +in revolt against it, and who have not only proclaimed themselves to be +independent, but have been recognized as such by other powers, she ought +not to expect that other nations will quietly look on, to their obvious +injury, upon a protraction of hostilities. These United States threw off +their colonial dependence and established independent governments, and +Great Britain, after having wasted her energies in the attempt to subdue +them for a less period than Mexico has attempted to subjugate Texas, had +the wisdom and justice to acknowledge their independence, thereby +recognizing the obligation which rested on her as one of the family of +nations. An example thus set by one of the proudest as well as most +powerful nations of the earth it could in no way disparage Mexico to +imitate. While, therefore, the Executive would deplore any collision with +Mexico or any disturbance of the friendly relations which exist between the +two countries, it can not permit that Government to control its policy, +whatever it may be, toward Texas, but will treat her--as by the recognition +of her independence the United States have long since declared they would +do--as entirely independent of Mexico. The high obligations of public duty +may enforce from the constituted authorities of the United States a policy +which the course persevered in by Mexico will have mainly contributed to +produce, and the Executive in such a touting they will with confidence +throw itself upon the patriotism of the people to sustain the Government in +its course of action. + +Measures of an unusual character have recently been adopted by the Mexican +Government, calculated in no small degree to affect the trade of other +nations with Mexico and to operate injuriously to the United States. All +foreigners, by a decree of the 23d day of September, and after six months +from the day of its promulgation, are forbidden to carry on the business of +selling by retail any goods within the confines of Mexico. Against this +decree our minister has not failed to remonstrate. + +The trade heretofore carried on by our citizens with Santa Fe, in which +much capital was already invested and which was becoming of daily +increasing importance, has suddenly been arrested by a decree of virtual +prohibition on the part of the Mexican Government. Whatever may be the +right of Mexico to prohibit any particular course of trade to the citizens +or subjects of foreign powers, this late procedure, to say the least of it, +wears a harsh and unfriendly aspect. + +The installments on the claims recently settled by the convention with +Mexico have been punctually paid as they have fallen due, and our minister +is engaged in urging the establishment of a new commission in pursuance of +the convention for the settlement of unadjusted claims. + +With the other American States our relations of amity and good will have +remained uninterrupted. Our minister near the Republic of New Granada has +succeeded in effecting an adjustment of the claim upon that Government for +the schooner By Chance, which had been pending for many years. The claim +for the brig Morris, which had its origin during the existence of the +Republic of Colombia, and indemnification for which since the dissolution +of that Republic has devolved upon its several members, will be urged with +renewed zeal. + +I have much pleasure in saying that the Government of Brazil has adjusted +the claim upon that Government in the case of the schooner John S. Bryan, +and that sanguine hopes are entertained that the same spirit of justice +will influence its councils in arriving at an early decision upon the +remaining claims, thereby removing all cause of dissension between two +powers whose interests are to some extent interwoven with each other. + +Our minister at Chili has succeeded in inducing a recognition by that +Government of the adjustment effected by his predecessor of the first claim +in the case of the Macedonian. The first installment has been received by +the claimants in the United States. + +Notice of the exchange of ratifications of the treaty with Peru, which will +take place at Lima, has not yet reached this country, but is shortly +expected to be received, when the claims upon that Republic will doubtless +be liquidated and paid. + +In consequence of a misunderstanding between this Government and that of +Buenos Ayres, occurring several years ago, this Government has remained +unrepresented at that Court, while a minister from it has been constantly +resident here. The causes of irritation have in a great measure passed +away, and it is in contemplation, in view of important interests which have +grown up in that country, at some early period during the present session +of Congress, with the concurrence of the Senate, to restore diplomatic +relations between the two countries. + +Under the provisions of an act of Congress of the last session a minister +was dispatched from the United States to China in August of the present +year, who, from the latest accounts we have from him, was at Suez, in +Egypt, on the 25th of September last, on his route to China. + +In regard to the Indian tribes residing within our jurisdictional limits, +the greatest vigilance of the Government has been exerted to preserve them +at peace among themselves and to inspire them with feelings of confidence +in the justice of this Government and to cultivate friendship with the +border inhabitants. This has happily succeeded to a great extent, but it is +a subject of regret that they suffer themselves in some instances to be +imposed upon by artful and designing men and this notwithstanding all +efforts of the Government to prevent it. + +The receipts into the Treasury for the calendar year 1843, exclusive of +loans, were little more than $ 18,000,000, and the expenditures, exclusive +of the payments on the public debt, will have been about $23,000,000. By +the act of 1842 a new arrangement of the fiscal year was made, so that it +should commence on the 1st day of July in each year. The accounts and +estimates for the current fiscal year will show that the loans and Treasury +notes made and issued before the close of the last Congress to meet the +anticipated deficiency have not been entirely adequate. Although on the 1st +of October last there was a balance in the Treasury, in consequence of the +provisions thus made, of $3,914,082.77, yet the appropriations already made +by Congress will absorb that balance and leave a probable deficiency of +$2,000,000 at the close of the present fiscal year. There are outstanding +Treasury notes to about the amount of $4,600,000, and should they be +returned upon the Treasury during the fiscal year they will require +provision for their redemption. I do not, however, regard this as probable, +since they have obviously entered into the currency of the country and will +continue to form a portion of it if the system now adopted be continued. +The loan of 1841, amounting to $5,672,976.88, falls due on the 1st day of +January, 1845, and must be provided for or postponed by a new loan; and +unless the resources of revenue should be materially increased by you there +will be a probable deficiency for the service of the fiscal year ending +June 30, 1845, of upward of $4,000,000. + +The delusion incident to an enormously excessive paper circulation, which +gave a fictitious value to everything and stimulated adventure and +speculation to an extravagant extent, has been happily succeeded by the +substitution of the precious metals and paper promptly redeemable in +specie; and thus false values have disappeared and a sounder condition of +things has been introduced. This transition, although intimately connected +with the prosperity of the country, has nevertheless been attended with +much embarrassment to the Government in its financial concerns. So long as +the foreign importers could receive payment for their cargoes in a currency +of greatly less value than that in Europe, but fully available here in the +purchase of our agricultural productions (their profits being immeasurably +augmented by the operation), the shipments were large and the revenues of +the Government became superabundant. But the change in the character of the +circulation from a nominal and apparently real value in the first stage of +its existence to an obviously depreciated value in its second, so that it +no longer answered the purposes of exchange or barter, and its ultimate +substitution by a sound metallic and paper circulation combined, has been +attended by diminished importations and a consequent falling off in the +revenue. This has induced Congress, from 1837, to resort to the expedient +of issuing Treasury notes, and finally of funding them, in order to supply +deficiencies. I can not, however, withhold the remark that it is in no way +compatible with the dignity of the Government that a public debt should be +created in time of peace to meet the current expenses of the Government, or +that temporary expedients should be resorted to an hour longer than it is +possible to avoid them. The Executive can do no more than apply the means +which Congress places in its hands for the support of Government, and, +happily for the good of the country and for the preservation of its +liberties, it possesses no power to levy exactions on the people or to +force from them contributions to the public revenue in any form. It can +only recommend such measures as may in its opinion be called for by the +wants of the public service to Congress, with whom alone rests the power to +"lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises." This duty has upon +several occasions heretofore been performed. The present condition of +things gives flattering promise that trade and commerce are rapidly +reviving, and, fortunately for the country, the sources of revenue have +only to be opened in order to prove abundant. + +While we can anticipate no considerable increase in the proceeds of the +sales of the public lands, for reasons perfectly obvious to all, for +several years to come, yet the public lands can not otherwise than be +regarded as the foundation of the public credit. With so large a body of +the most fertile lands in the world under the control and at the disposal +of this Government, no one can reasonably doubt the entire ability to meet +its engagements under every emergency. In seasons of trial and difficulty +similar to those through which we are passing the capitalist makes his +investments in the Government cut stocks with the most assured confidence +of ultimate reimbursement; and whatever may be said of a period of great +financial prosperity, such as existed for some years after 1833, I should +regard it as suicidal in a season of financial embarrassment either to +alienate the lands themselves or the proceeds arising from their sales. The +first and paramount duty of those to whom may be intrusted the +administration of public affairs is to guard the public credit. In +reestablishing the credit of this central Government the readiest and most +obvious mode is taken to restore the credit of the States. The extremities +can only be made sound by producing a healthy action in the central +Government, and the history of the present day fully establishes the fact +that an increase in the value of the stocks of this Government will in a +great majority of instances be attended by an increase in the value of the +stocks of the States. It should therefore be a matter of general +congratulation that amidst all the embarrassments arising from surrounding +circumstances the credit of the Government should have been so fully +restored that it has been enabled to effect a loan of $7,000,000 to redeem +that amount of Treasury notes on terms more favorable than any that have +been offered for many years. And the 6 per cent stock which was created in +1842 has advanced in the hands of the holders nearly 20 per cent above its +par value. The confidence of the people in the integrity of their +Government has thus been signally manifested. These opinions relative to +the public lands do not in any manner conflict with the observance of the +most liberal policy toward those of our fellow-citizens who press forward +into the wilderness and are the pioneers in the work of its reclamation. In +securing to all such their rights of preemption the Government performs but +an act of retributive justice for sufferings encountered and hardships +endured, and finds ample remuneration in the comforts which its policy +insures and the happiness which it imparts. + +Should a revision of the tariff with a view to revenue become necessary in +the estimation of Congress, I doubt not you will approach the subject with +a just and enlightened regard to the interests of the whole Union. The +principles and views which I have heretofore had occasion to submit remain +unchanged. It can, however, never be too often repeated that the prominent +interest of every important pursuit of life requires for success permanency +and stability in legislation. These can only be attained by adopting as the +basis of action moderation in all things, which is as indispensably +necessary to secure the harmonious action of the political as of the animal +system. In our political organization no one section of the country should +desire to have its supposed interests advanced at the sacrifice of all +others, but union, being the great interest, equally precious to all, +should be fostered and sustained by mutual concessions and the cultivation +of that spirit of compromise from which the Constitution itself proceeded. + +You will be informed by the report from the Treasury Department of the +measures taken under the act of the last session authorizing the reissue of +Treasury notes in lieu of those then outstanding. The system adopted in +pursuance of existing laws seems well calculated to save the country a +large amount of interest, while it affords conveniences and obviates +dangers and expense in the transmission of funds to disbursing agents. I +refer you also to that report for the means proposed by the Secretary to +increase the revenue, and particularly to that portion of it which relates +to the subject of the warehousing system, which I earnestly urged upon +Congress at its last session and as to the importance of which my opinion +has undergone no change. + +In view of the disordered condition of the currency at the time and the +high rates of exchange between different parts of the country, I felt it to +be incumbent on me to present to the consideration of your predecessors a +proposition conflicting in no degree with the Constitution or with the +rights of the States and having the sanction (not in detail, but in +principle) of some of the eminent men who have preceded me in the Executive +office. That proposition contemplated the issuing of Treasury notes of +denominations of not less than $5 nor more than $100, to be employed in the +payment of the obligations of the Government in lieu of gold and silver at +the option of the public creditor, and to an amount not exceeding +$15,000,000. It was proposed to make them receivable everywhere and to +establish at various points depositories of gold and silver to be held in +trust for the redemption of such notes, so as to insure their +convertibility into specie. No doubt was entertained that such notes would +have maintained a par value with gold and silver, thus furnishing a paper +currency of equal value over the Union, thereby meeting the just +expectations of the people and fulfilling the duties of a parental +government. Whether the depositories should be permitted to sell or +purchase bills under very limited restrictions, together with all its other +details, was submitted to the wisdom of Congress and was regarded as of +secondary importance. I thought then and think now that such an arrangement +would have been attended with the happiest results. The whole matter of the +currency would have been placed where by the Constitution it was designed +to be placed--under the immediate supervision and control of Congress. The +action of the Government would have been independent of all corporations, +and the same eye which rests unceasingly on the specie currency and guards +it against adulteration would also have rested on the paper currency, to +control and regulate its issues and protect it against depreciation. The +same reasons which would forbid Congress from parting with the power over +the coinage would seem to operate with nearly equal force hi regard to any +substitution for the precious metals in the form of a circulating medium. +Paper when substituted for specie constitutes a standard of value by which +the operations of society are regulated, and whatsoever causes its +depreciation affects society to an extent nearly, if not quite, equal to +the adulteration of the coin. Nor can I withhold the remark that its +advantages contrasted with a bank of the United States, apart from the fact +that a bank was esteemed as obnoxious to the public sentiment as well on +the score of expediency as of constitutionality, appeared to me to be +striking and obvious. The relief which a bank would afford by an issue of +$15,000,000 of its notes, judging from the experience of the late United +States Bank, would not have occurred in less than fifteen years, whereas +under the proposed arrangement the relief arising from the issue of +$15,000,000 of Treasury notes would have been consummated in one year, thus +furnishing in one-fifteenth part of the time in which a bank could have +accomplished it a paper medium of exchange equal in amount to the real +wants of the country at par value with gold and silver. The saving to the +Government would have been equal to all the interest which it has had to +pay on Treasury notes of previous as well as subsequent issues, thereby +relieving the Government and at the same time affording relief to the +people. Under all the responsibilities attached to the station which I +occupy, and in redemption of a pledge given to the last Congress at the +close of its first session, I submitted the suggestion to its consideration +at two consecutive sessions. The recommendation, however, met with no favor +at its hands. While I am free to admit that the necessities of the times +have since become greatly ameliorated and that there is good reason to hope +that the country is safely and rapidly emerging from the difficulties and +embarrassments which everywhere surrounded it in 1841, yet I can not but +think that its restoration to a sound and healthy condition would be +greatly expedited by a resort to the expedient in a modified form. + +The operations of the Treasury now rest upon the act of 1789 and the +resolution of 1816, and those laws have been so administered as to produce +as great a quantum of good to the country as their provisions are capable +of yielding. If there had been any distinct expression of opinion going to +show that public sentiment is averse to the plan, either as heretofore +recommended to Congress or in a modified form, while my own opinion in +regard to it would remain unchanged I should be very far from again +presenting it to your consideration. The Government has originated with the +States and the people, for their own benefit and advantage, and it would be +subversive of the foundation principles of the political edifice which they +have reared to persevere in a measure which in their mature judgments they +had either repudiated or condemned. The will of our constituents clearly +expressed should be regarded as the light to guide our footsteps, the true +difference between a monarchical or aristocratical government and a +republic being that in the first the will of the few prevails over the will +of the many, while in the last the will of the many should be alone +consulted. + +The report of the Secretary of War will bring you acquainted with the +condition of that important branch of the public service. The Army may be +regarded, in consequence of the small number of the rank and file in each +company and regiment, as little more than a nucleus around which to rally +the military force of the country in case of war, and yet its services in +preserving the peace of the frontiers are of a most important nature. In +all cases of emergency the reliance of the country is properly placed in +the militia of the several States, and it may well deserve the +consideration of Congress whether a new and more perfect organization might +not be introduced, looking mainly to the volunteer companies of the Union +for the present and of easy application to the great body of the militia in +time of war. + +The expenditures of the War Department have been considerably reduced in +the last two years. Contingencies, however, may arise which would call for +the filling up of the regiments with a full complement of men and make it +very desirable to remount the corps of dragoons, which by an act of the +last Congress was directed to be dissolved. + +I refer you to the accompanying report of the Secretary for information in +relation to the Navy of the United States. While every effort has been and +will continue to be made to retrench all superfluities and lop off all +excrescences which from time to time may have grown up, yet it has not been +regarded as wise or prudent to recommend any material change in the annual +appropriations. The interests which are involved are of too important a +character to lead to the recommendation of any other than a liberal policy. +Adequate appropriations ought to be made to enable the Executive to fit out +all the ships that are now in a course of building or that require repairs +for active service in the shortest possible time should any emergency arise +which may require it. An efficient navy, while it is the cheapest means of +public defense, enlists in its support the feelings of pride and confidence +which brilliant deeds and heroic valor have heretofore served to strengthen +and confirm. + +I refer you particularly to that part of the Secretary's report which has +reference to recent experiments in the application of steam and in the +construction of our war steamers, made under the superintendence of +distinguished officers of the Navy. In addition to other manifest +improvements in the construction of the steam engine and application of the +motive power which has rendered them more appropriate to the uses of ships +of war, one of those officers has brought into use a power which makes the +steamship most formidable either for attack or defense. I can not too +strongly recommend this subject to your consideration and do not hesitate +to express my entire conviction of its great importance. + +I call your particular attention also to that portion of the Secretary's +report which has reference to the act of the late session of Congress which +prohibited the transfer of any balance of appropriation from other heads of +appropriation to that for building, equipment, and repair. The repeal of +that prohibition will enable the Department to give renewed employment to a +large class of workmen who have been necessarily discharged in consequence +of the want of means to pay them--a circumstance attended, especially at +this season of the year, with much privation and suffering. + +It gives me great pain to announce to you the loss of the steamship the +Missouri by fire in the Bay of Gibraltar, where she had stopped to renew +her supplies of coal on her voyage to Alexandria, with Mr. Cushing, the +American minister to China, on board. There is ground for high commendation +of the officers and men for the coolness and intrepidity and perfect +submission to discipline evinced under the most trying circumstances. +Surrounded by a raging fire, which the utmost exertions could not subdue, +and which threatened momentarily the explosion of her well-supplied +magazines, the officers exhibited no signs of fear and the men obeyed every +order with alacrity. Nor was she abandoned until the last gleam of hope of +saving her had expired. It is well worthy of your consideration whether the +losses sustained by the officers and crew in this unfortunate affair should +not be reimbursed to them. + +I can not take leave of this painful subject without adverting to the aid +rendered upon the occasion by the British authorities at Gibraltar and the +commander, officers, and crew of the British ship of the line the Malabar, +which was lying at the time in the bay. Everything that generosity or +humanity could dictate was promptly performed. It is by such acts of good +will by one to another of the family of nations that fraternal feelings are +nourished and the blessings of permanent peace secured. + +The report of the Postmaster-General will bring you acquainted with the +operations of that Department during the past year, and will suggest to you +such modifications of the existing laws as in your opinion the exigencies +of the public service may require. The change which the country has +undergone of late years in the mode of travel and transportation has +afforded so many facilities for the transmission of mail matter out of the +regular mail as to require the greatest vigilance and circumspection in +order to enable the officer at the head of the Department to restrain the +expenditures within the income. There is also too much reason to fear that +the franking privilege has run into great abuse. The Department, +nevertheless, has been conducted with the greatest vigor, and has attained +at the least possible expense all the useful objects for which it was +established. + +In regard to all the Departments, I am quite happy in the belief that +nothing has been left undone which was called for by a true spirit of +economy or by a system of accountability rigidly enforced. This is in some +degree apparent from the fact that the Government has sustained no loss by +the default of any of its agents. In the complex, but at the same time +beautiful, machinery of our system of government, it is not a matter of +surprise that some remote agency may have failed for an instant to fulfill +its desired office; but I feel confident in the assertion that nothing has +occurred to interrupt the harmonious action of the Government itself, and +that, while the laws have been executed with efficiency and vigor, the +rights neither of States nor individuals have been trampled on or +disregarded. + +In the meantime the country has been steadily advancing in all that +contributes to national greatness. The tide of population continues +unbrokenly to flow into the new States and Territories, where a refuge is +found not only for our native-born fellow-citizens, but for emigrants from +all parts of the civilized world, who come among us to partake of the +blessings of our free institutions and to aid by their labor to swell the +current of our wealth and power. + +It is due to every consideration of public policy that the lakes and rivers +of the West should receive all such attention at the hands of Congress as +the Constitution will enable it to bestow. Works in favorable and proper +situations on the Lakes would be found to be as indispensably necessary, in +case of war, to carry on safe and successful naval operations as +fortifications on the Atlantic seaboard. The appropriation made by the last +Congress for the improvement of the navigation of the Mississippi River has +been diligently and efficiently applied. + +I can not close this communication, gentlemen, without recommending to your +most favorable consideration the interests of this District. Appointed by +the Constitution its exclusive legislators, and forming in this particular +the only anomaly in our system of government--of the legislative body being +elected by others than those for whose advantage they are to legislate--you +will feel a superadded obligation to look well into their condition and to +leave no cause for complaint or regret. The seat of Government of our +associated republics can not but be regarded as worthy of your parental +care. + +In connection with its other interests, as well as those of the whole +country, I recommend that at your present session you adopt such measures +in order to carry into effect the Smithsonian bequest as in your judgment +will be best calculated to consummate the liberal intent of the testator. + +When, under a dispensation of Divine Providence, I succeeded to the +presidential office, the state of public affairs was embarrassing and +critical. To add to the irritation consequent upon a long-standing +controversy with one of the most powerful nations of modern times, +involving not only questions of boundary (which under the most favorable +circumstances are always embarrassing), but at the same time important and +high principles of maritime law, border controversies between the citizens +and subjects of the two countries had engendered a state of feeling and of +conduct which threatened the most calamitous consequences. The hazards +incident to this state of things were greatly heightened by the arrest and +imprisonment of a subject of Great Britain, who, acting (as it was alleged) +as a part of a military force, had aided in the commission of an act +violative of the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and +involving the murder of a citizen, of the State of New York. A large amount +of claims against the Government of Mexico remained unadjusted and a war of +several years' continuance with the savage tribes of Florida still +prevailed, attended with the desolation of a large portion of that +beautiful Territory and with the sacrifice of many valuable lives. To +increase the embarrassments of the Government, individual and State credit +had been nearly stricken down and confidence in the General Government was +so much impaired that-loans of a small amount could only be negotiated at a +considerable sacrifice. As a necessary consequence of the blight which had +fallen on commerce and mechanical industry, the ships of the one were +thrown out of employment and the operations of the other had been greatly +diminished. Owing to the condition of the currency, exchanges between +different parts of the country had become ruinously high and trade had to +depend on a depreciated paper currency in conducting its transactions. I +shall be permitted to congratulate the country that under an overruling +Providence peace was preserved without a sacrifice of the national honor; +the war in Florida was brought to a speedy termination; a large portion of +the claims on Mexico have been fully adjudicated and are in a course of +payment, while justice has been rendered to us in other matters by other +nations; confidence between man and man is in a great measure restored and +the credit of this Government fully and perfectly reestablished; commerce +is becoming more and more extended in its operations and manufacturing and +mechanical industry once more reap the rewards of skill and labor honestly +applied; the operations of trade rest on a sound currency and the rates of +exchange are reduced to their lowest amount. + +In this condition of things I have felt it to be my duty to bring to your +favorable consideration matters of great interest in their present and +ultimate results; and the only desire which I feel in connection with the +future is and will continue to be to leave the country prosperous and its +institutions unimpaired. + +*** + +State of the Union Address +John Tyler +December 3, 1844 + +To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States: + +We have continued cause for expressing our gratitude to the Supreme Ruler +of the Universe for the benefits and blessings which our country, under His +kind providence, has enjoyed during the past year. Notwithstanding the +exciting scenes through which we have passed, nothing has occurred to +disturb the general peace or to derange the harmony of our political +system. The great moral spectacle has been exhibited of a nation +approximating in number to 20,000,000 people having performed the high and +important function of electing their Chief Magistrate for the term of four +years without the commission of any acts of violence or the manifestation +of a spirit of insubordination to the laws. The great and inestimable right +of suffrage has been exercised by all who were invested with it under the +laws of the different States in a spirit dictated alone by a desire, in the +selection of the agent, to advance the interests of the country and to +place beyond jeopardy the institutions under which it is our happiness to +live. That the deepest interest has been manifested by all our countrymen +in the result of the election is not less true than highly creditable to +them. Vast multitudes have assembled from time to time at various places +for the purpose of canvassing the merits and pretensions of those who were +presented for their suffrages, but no armed soldiery has been necessary to +restrain within proper limits the popular zeal or to prevent violent +outbreaks. A principle much more controlling was found in the love of order +and obedience to the laws, which, with mere individual exceptions, +everywhere possesses the American mind, and controls with an influence far +more powerful than hosts of armed men. We can not dwell upon this picture +without recognizing in it that deep and devoted attachment on the part of +the people to the institutions under which we live which proclaims their +perpetuity. The great objection which has always prevailed against the +election by the people of their chief executive officer has been the +apprehension of tumults and disorders which might involve in ruin the +entire Government. A security against this is found not only in the fact +before alluded to, trot in the additional fact that we live under a +Confederacy embracing already twenty-six States, no one of which has power +to control the election. The popular vote in each State is taken at the +time appointed by the laws, and such vote is announced by the electoral +college without reference to the decision of other States. The right of +suffrage and the mode of conducting the election are regulated by the laws +of each State, and the election is distinctly federative in all its +prominent features. Thus it is that, unlike what might be the results under +a consolidated system, riotous proceedings, should they prevail, could only +affect the elections in single States without disturbing to any dangerous +extent the tranquillity of others. The great experiment of a political +confederation each member of which is supreme as to all matters +appertaining to its local interests and its internal peace and happiness, +while by a voluntary compact with others it confides to the united power of +all the protection of its citizens in matters not domestic has been so far +crowned with complete success. The world has witnessed its rapid growth in +wealth and population, and under the guide and direction of a +superintending Providence the developments of the past may be regarded but +as the shadowing forth of the mighty future. In the bright prospects of +that future we shall find, as patriots and philanthropists, the highest +inducements to cultivate and cherish a love of union and to frown down +every measure or effort which may be made to alienate the States or the +people of the States in sentiment and feeling from each other. A rigid and +close adherence to the terms of our political compact and, above all, a +sacred observance of the guaranties of the Constitution will preserve union +on a foundation which can not be shaken, while personal liberty is placed +beyond hazard or jeopardy. The guaranty of religious freedom, of the +freedom of the press, of the liberty of speech, of the trial by jury, of +the habeas corpus, and of the domestic institutions of each of the States, +leaving the private citizen in the full exercise of the high and ennobling +attributes of his nature and to each State the privilege (which can only be +judiciously exerted by itself) of consulting the means best calculated to +advance its own happiness--these are the great and important guaranties of +the Constitution which the lovers of liberty must cherish and the advocates +of union must ever cultivate. Preserving these and avoiding all +interpolations by forced construction under the guise of an imagined +expediency upon the Constitution, the influence of our political system is +destined to be as actively and as beneficially felt on the distant shores +of the Pacific as it is now on those of the Atlantic Ocean. The only +formidable impediments in the way of its successful expansion (time and +space) are so far in the progress of modification by the improvements of +the age as to render no longer speculative the ability of representatives +from that remote region to come up to the Capitol, so that their +constituents shall participate in all the benefits of Federal legislation. +Thus it is that in the progress of time the inestimable principles of civil +liberty will be enjoyed by millions yet unborn and the great benefits of +our system of government be extended to now distant and uninhabited +regions. In view of the vast wilderness yet to be reclaimed, we may well +invite the lover of freedom of every land to take up his abode among us and +assist us in the great work of advancing the standard of civilization and +giving a wider spread to the arts and refinements of cultivated life. Our +prayers should evermore be offered up to the Father of the Universe for His +wisdom to direct us in the path of our duty so as to enable us to +consummate these high purposes. + +One of the strongest objections which has been urged against confederacies +by writers on government is the liability of the members to be tampered +with by foreign governments or the people of foreign states, either in +their local affairs or in such as affected the peace of others or +endangered the safety of the whole confederacy. We can not hope to be +entirely exempt from such attempts on our peace and safety. The United +States are becoming too important in population and resources not to +attract the observation of other nations. It therefore may in the progress +of time occur that opinions entirely abstract in the States which they may +prevail and in no degree affecting their domestic institutions may be +artfully but secretly encouraged with a view to undermine the Union. Such +opinions may become the foundation of political parties, until at last the +conflict of opinion, producing an alienation of friendly feeling among the +people of the different States, may involve in general destruction the +happy institutions under which we live. It should ever be borne in mind +that what is true in regard to individuals is equally so in regard to +states. An interference of one in the affairs of another is the fruitful +cause of family dissensions and neighborhood disputes, and the same cause +affects the peace, happiness, and prosperity of states. It may be most +devoutly hoped that the good sense of the American people will ever be +ready to repel all such attempts should they ever be made. + +There has been no material change in our foreign relations since my last +annual message to Congress. With all the powers of Europe we continue on +the most friendly terms. Indeed, it affords me much satisfaction to state +that at no former period has the peace of that enlightened and important +quarter of the globe ever been, apparently, more firmly established. The +conviction that peace is the true policy of nations would seem to be +growing and becoming deeper amongst the enlightened everywhere, and there +is no people who have a stronger interest in cherishing the sentiments and +adopting the means of preserving and giving it permanence than those of the +United States. Amongst these, the first and most effective are, no doubt, +the strict observance of justice and the honest and punctual fulfillment of +all engagements. But it is not to be forgotten that in the present state of +the world it is no less necessary to be ready to enforce their observance +and fulfillment in reference to ourselves than to observe and fulfill them +on our part in regard to others. + +Since the close of your last session a negotiation has been formally +entered upon between the Secretary of State and Her Britannic Majesty's +minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary residing at Washington +relative to the rights of their respective nations in and over the Oregon +Territory. That negotiation is still pending. Should it during your session +be brought to a definitive conclusion, the result will be promptly +communicated to Congress. I would, however, again call your attention to +the recommendations contained in previous messages designed to protect and +facilitate emigration to that Territory. The establishment of military +posts at suitable points upon the extended line of land travel would enable +our citizens to emigrate in comparative safety to the fertile regions below +the Falls of the Columbia, and make the provision of the existing +convention for the joint occupation of the territory by subjects of Great +Britain and the citizens of the United States more available than +heretofore to the latter. These posts would constitute places of rest for +the weary emigrant, where he would be sheltered securely against the danger +of attack from the Indians and be enabled to recover from the exhaustion of +a long line of travel. Legislative enactments should also be made which +should spread over him the aegis of our laws, so as to afford protection to +his person and property when he shall have reached his distant home. In +this latter respect the British Government has been much more careful of +the interests of such of her people as are to be found in that country than +the United States. She has made necessary provision for their security and +protection against the acts of the viciously disposed and lawless, and her +emigrant reposes in safety under the panoply of her laws. Whatever may be +the result of the pending negotiation, such measures are necessary. It will +afford me the greatest pleasure to witness a happy and favorable +termination to the existing negotiation upon terms compatible with the +public honor, and the best efforts of the Government will continue to be +directed to this end. + +It would have given me the highest gratification in this my last annual +communication to Congress to have been able to announce to you the complete +and entire settlement and adjustment of other matters in difference between +the United States and the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, which were +adverted to in a previous message. It is so obviously the interest of both +countries, in respect to the large and valuable commerce which exists +between them, that all causes of complaint, however inconsiderable, should +be with the greatest promptitude removed that it must be regarded as cause +of regret that any unnecessary delays should be permitted to intervene. It +is true that in a pecuniary point of view the matters alluded to are +altogether insignificant in amount when compared with the ample resources +of that great nation, but they nevertheless, more particularly that limited +class which arise under seizures and detentions of American ships on the +coast of Africa upon the mistaken supposition indulged in at the time the +wrong was committed of their being engaged in the slave trade, deeply +affect the sensibilities of this Government and people. Great Britain, +having recognized her responsibility to repair all such wrongs by her +action in other cases, leaves nothing to be regretted upon the subject as +to all cases arising prior to the treaty of Washington than the delay in +making suitable reparation in such of them as fall plainly within the +principle of others which she has long since adjusted. The injury inflicted +by delays in the settlement of these claims falls with severity upon the +individual claimants and makes a strong appeal to her magnanimity and sense +of justice for a speedy settlement. Other matters arising out of the +construction of existing treaties also remain unadjusted, and will continue +to be urged upon her attention. + +The labors of the joint commission appointed by the two Governments to run +the dividing line established by the treaty of Washington were, +unfortunately, much delayed in the commencement of the season by the +failure of Congress at its last session to make a timely appropriation of +funds to meet the expenses of the American party, and by other causes. The +United States commissioner, however, expresses his expectation that by +increased diligence and energy the party will be able to make up for lost +time. + +We continue to receive assurances of the most friendly feelings on the part +of all the other European powers, with each and all of whom it is so +obviously our interest to cultivate the most amicable relations; nor can I +anticipate the occurrence of any event which would be likely in any degree +to disturb those relations. Russia, the great northern power, under the +judicious sway of her Emperor, is constantly advancing in the road of +science and improvement, while France, guided by the counsels of her wise +Sovereign, pursues a course calculated to consolidate the general peace. +Spain has obtained a breathing spell of some duration from the internal +convulsions which have through so many years marred her prosperity, while +Austria, the Netherlands, Prussia, Belgium, and the other powers of Europe +reap a rich harvest of blessings from the prevailing peace. + +I informed the two Houses of Congress in my message of December last that +instructions had been given to Mr. Wheaton, our minister at Berlin, to +negotiate a treaty with the Germanic States composing the Zollverein if it +could be done, stipulating, as far as it was practicable to accomplish it, +for a reduction of the heavy and onerous duties levied on our tobacco and +other leading articles of agricultural production, and yielding in return +on our part a reduction of duties on such articles the product of their +industry as should not come into competition, or but a limited one, with +articles the product of our manufacturing industry. The Executive in giving +such instructions considered itself as acting in strict conformity with the +wishes of Congress as made known through several measures which it had +adopted, all directed to the accomplishment of this important result. The +treaty was therefore negotiated, by which essential reductions were secured +in the duties levied by the Zollverein on tobacco, rice, and lard, +accompanied by a stipulation for the admission of raw cotton free of duty; +in exchange for which highly important concessions a reduction of duties +imposed by the laws of the United States on a variety of articles, most of +which were admitted free of all duty under the act of Congress commonly +known as the compromise law, and but few of which were produced in the +United States, was stipulated for on our part. This treaty was communicated +to the Senate at an early day of its last session, but not acted upon until +near its close, when, for the want (as I am bound to presume) of full time +to consider it, it was laid upon the table. This procedure had the effect +of virtually rejecting it, in consequence of a stipulation contained in the +treaty that its ratifications should be exchanged on or before a day which +has already passed. The Executive, acting upon the fair inference that the +Senate did not intend its absolute rejection, gave instructions to our +minister at Berlin to reopen the negotiation so far as to obtain an +extension of time for the exchange of ratifications. I regret, however, to +say that his efforts in this respect have been unsuccessful. I am +nevertheless not without hope that the great advantages which were intended +to be secured by the treaty may yet be realized. + +I am happy to inform you that Belgium has, by an "arrete royale" issued in +July last, assimilated the flag of the United States to her own, so far as +the direct trade between the two countries is concerned. This measure will +prove of great service to our shipping interest, the trade having +heretofore been carried on chiefly in foreign bottoms. I flatter myself +that she will speedily resort to a modification of her system relating to +the tobacco trade, which would decidedly benefit the agriculture of the +United States and operate to the mutual advantage of both countries. + +No definitive intelligence has yet been received from our minister of the +conclusion of a treaty with the Chinese Empire, but enough is known to +induce the strongest hopes that the mission will be crowned with success. + +With Brazil our relations continue on the most friendly footing. The +commercial intercourse between that growing Empire and the United States is +becoming daily of greater importance to both, and it is to the interest of +both that the firmest relations of amity and good will should continue to +be cultivated between them. + +The Republic of New Granada still withholds, notwithstanding the most +persevering efforts have been employed by our charge d'affaires, Mr. +Blackford, to produce a different result, indemnity in the case of the brig +Morris; and the Congress of Venezuela, although an arrangement has been +effected between our minister and the minister of foreign affairs of that +Government for the payment of $18,000 in discharge of its liabilities in +the same case, has altogether neglected to make provision for its payment. +It is to be hoped that a sense of justice will soon induce a settlement of +these claims. + +Our late minister to Chili, Mr. Pendleton, has returned to the United +States without having effected an adjustment in the second claim of the +Macedonian, which is delayed on grounds altogether frivolous and untenable. +Mr. Pendleton's successor has been directed to urge the claim in the +strongest terms, and, in the event of a failure to obtain a prompt +adjustment, to report the fact to the Executive at as early a day as +possible, so that the whole matter may be communicated to Congress. + +At your last session I submitted to the attention of Congress the +convention with the Republic of Peru of the 17th March, 1841, providing for +the adjustment of the claims of citizens of the United States against that +Republic, but no definitive action was taken upon the subject. I again +invite to it your attention and prompt action. + +In my last annual message I felt it to be my duty to make known to +Congress, in terms both plain and emphatic, my opinion in regard to the war +which has so long existed between Mexico and Texas which since the battle +of San Jacinto has consisted altogether of predatory incursions, attended +by circumstances revolting to humanity. I repeat now what I then said, that +after eight years of feeble and ineffectual efforts to reconquer Texas it +was time that the war should have ceased. The United States have a direct +interest in the question. The contiguity of the two nations to our +territory was but too well calculated to involve our peace. Unjust +suspicions were engendered in the mind of one or the other of the +belligerents against us, and as a necessary consequence American interests +were made to suffer and our peace became daily endangered; in addition to +which it must have been obvious to all that the exhaustion produced by the +war subjected both Mexico and Texas to the interference of other powers, +which, without the interposition of this Government, might eventuate in the +most serious injury to the United States. This Government from time to time +exerted its friendly offices to bring about a termination of hostilities +upon terms honorable alike to both the belligerents. Its efforts in this +behalf proved unavailing. Mexico seemed almost without an object to +persevere in the war, and no other alternative was left the Executive but +to take advantage of the well-known dispositions of Texas and to invite her +to enter into a treaty for annexing her territory to that of the United +States. + +Since your last session Mexico has threatened to renew the war, and has +either made or proposes to make formidable preparations for invading Texas. +She has issued decrees and proclamations, preparatory to the commencement +of hostilities, full of threats revolting to humanity, and which if carried +into effect would arouse the attention of all Christendom. This new +demonstration of feeling, there is too much reason to believe, has been +produced in consequence of the negotiation of the late treaty of annexation +with Texas. The Executive, therefore, could not be indifferent to such +proceedings, and it felt it to be due as well to itself as to the honor of +the country that a strong representation should be made to the Mexican +Government upon the subject. This was accordingly done, as will be seen by +the copy of the accompanying dispatch from the Secretary of State to the +United States envoy at Mexico. Mexico has no right to jeopard the peace of +the world by urging any longer a useless and fruitless contest. Such a +condition of things would not be tolerated on the European continent. Why +should it be on this? A war of desolation, such as is now threatened by +Mexico, can not be waged without involving our peace and tranquillity. It +is idle to believe that such a war could be looked upon with indifference +by our own citizens inhabiting adjoining States; and our neutrality would +be violated in despite of all efforts on the part of the Government to +prevent it. The country is settled by emigrants from the United States +under invitations held out to them by Spain and Mexico. Those emigrants +have left behind them friends and relatives, who would not fail to +sympathize with them in their difficulties, and who would be led by those +sympathies to participate in their struggles, however energetic the action +of the Government to prevent it. Nor would the numerous and formidable +bands of Indians--the most warlike to be found in any land--which +occupy the extensive regions contiguous to the States of Arkansas and +Missouri, and who are in possession of large tracts of country within the +limits of Texas, be likely to remain passive. The inclinations of those +numerous tribes lead them invariably to war whenever pretexts exist. + +Mexico had no just ground of displeasure against this Government or people +for negotiating the treaty. What interest of hers was affected by the +treaty? She was despoiled of nothing, since Texas was forever lost to her. +The independence of Texas was recognized by several of the leading powers +of the earth. She was free to treat, free to adopt her own line of policy, +free to take the course which she believed was best calculated to secure +her happiness. + +Her Government and people decided on annexation to the United States, and +the Executive saw in the acquisition of such a territory the means of +advancing their permanent happiness and glory. What principle of good +faith, then, was violated? What rule of political morals trampled under +foot? So far as Mexico herself was concerned, the measure should have been +regarded by her as highly beneficial. Her inability to reconquer Texas had +been exhibited, I repeat, by eight (now nine) years of fruitless and +ruinous contest. In the meantime Texas has been growing in population and +resources. Emigration has flowed into her territory from all parts of the +world in a current which continues to increase in strength. Mexico requires +a permanent boundary between that young Republic and herself. Texas at no +distant day, if she continues separate and detached from the United States, +will inevitably seek to consolidate her strength by adding to her domain +the contiguous Provinces of Mexico. The spirit of revolt from the control +of the central Government has heretofore manifested itself in some of those +Provinces, and it is fair to infer that they would be inclined to take the +first favorable opportunity to proclaim their independence and to form +close alliances with Texas. The war would thus be endless, or if cessations +of hostilities should occur they would only endure for a season. The +interests of Mexico, therefore, could in nothing be better consulted than +in a peace with her neighbors which would result in the establishment of a +permanent boundary. Upon the ratification of the treaty the Executive was +prepared to treat with her on the most liberal basis. Hence the boundaries +of Texas were left undefined by the treaty. The Executive proposed to +settle these upon terms that all the world should have pronounced just and +reasonable. No negotiation upon that point could have been undertaken +between the United States and Mexico in advance of the ratification of the +treaty. We should have had no right, no power, no authority, to have +conducted such a negotiation, and to have undertaken it would have been an +assumption equally revolting to the pride of Mexico and Texas and +subjecting us to the charge of arrogance, while to have proposed in advance +of annexation to satisfy Mexico for any contingent interest she might have +in Texas would have been to have treated Texas not as an independent power, +but as a mere dependency of Mexico. This assumption could not have been +acted on by the Executive without setting at defiance your own solemn +declaration that that Republic was an independent State. Mexico had, it is +true, threatened war against the United States in the event the treaty of +annexation was ratified. The Executive could not permit itself to be +influenced by this threat. It represented in this the spirit of our people, +who are ready to sacrifice much for peace, but nothing to intimidation. A +war under any circumstances is greatly to be deplored, and the United +States is the last nation to desire it; but if, as the condition of peace, +it be required of us to forego the unquestionable right of treating with an +independent power of our own continent upon matters highly interesting to +both, and that upon a naked and unsustained pretension of claim by a third +power to control the free will of the power with whom we treat, devoted as +we may be to peace and anxious to cultivate friendly relations with the +whole world, the Executive does not hesitate to say that the people of the +United States would be ready to brave all consequences sooner than submit +to such condition. But no apprehension of war was entertained by the +Executive, and I must express frankly the opinion that had the treaty been +ratified by the Senate it would have been followed by a prompt settlement, +to the entire satisfaction of Mexico, of every matter in difference between +the two countries. Seeing, then, that new preparations for hostile invasion +of Texas were about to be adopted by Mexico, and that these were brought +about because Texas had adopted the suggestions of the Executive upon the +subject of annexation, it could not passively have folded its arms and +permitted a war, threatened to be accompanied by every act that could mark +a barbarous age, to be waged against her because she had done so. + +Other considerations of a controlling character influenced the course of +the Executive. The treaty which had thus been negotiated had failed to +receive the ratification of the Senate. One of the chief objections which +was urged against it was found to consist in the fact that the question of +annexation had not been submitted to the ordeal of public opinion in the +United States. However untenable such an objection was esteemed to be, in +view of the unquestionable power of the Executive to negotiate the treaty +and the great and lasting interests involved in the question, I felt it to +be my duty to submit the whole subject to Congress as the best expounders +of popular sentiment. No definitive action having been taken on the subject +by Congress, the question referred itself directly to the decision of the +States and people. The great popular election which has just terminated +afforded the best opportunity of ascertaining the will of the States and +the people upon it. Pending that issue it became the imperative duty of the +Executive to inform Mexico that the question of annexation was still before +the American people, and that until their decision was pronounced any +serious invasion of Texas would be regarded as an attempt to forestall +their judgment and could not be looked upon with indifference. I am most +happy to inform you that no such invasion has taken place; and I trust that +whatever your action may be upon it Mexico will see the importance of +deciding the matter by a resort to peaceful expedients in preference to +those of arms. The decision of the people and the States on this great and +interesting subject has been decisively manifested. The question of +annexation has been presented nakedly to their consideration. By the treaty +itself all collateral and incidental issues which were calculated to divide +and distract the public councils were carefully avoided. These were left to +the wisdom of the future to determine. It presented, I repeat, the isolated +question of annexation, and in that form it has been submitted to the +ordeal of public sentiment. A controlling majority of the people and a +large majority of the States have declared in favor of immediate +annexation. Instructions have thus come up to both branches of Congress +from their respective constituents in terms the most emphatic. It is the +will of both the people and the States that Texas shall be annexed to the +Union promptly and immediately. It may be hoped that in carrying into +execution the public will thus declared all collateral issues may be +avoided. Future Legislatures can best decide as to the number of States +which should be formed out of the territory when the time has arrived for +deciding that question. So with all others. By the treaty the United States +assumed the payment of the debts of Texas to an amount not exceeding +$10,000,000, to be paid, with the exception of a sum falling short of +$400,000, exclusively out of the proceeds of the sales of her public lands. +We could not with honor take the lands without assuming the full payment of +all incumbencies upon them. + +Nothing has occurred since your last session to induce a doubt that the +dispositions of Texas remain unaltered. No intimation of an altered +determination on the part of her Government and people has been furnished +to the Executive. She still desires to throw herself under the protection +of our laws and to partake of the blessings of our federative system, while +every American interest would seem to require it. The extension of our +coastwise and foreign trade to an amount almost incalculable, the +enlargement of the market for our manufactures, a constantly growing market +for our agricultural productions, safety to our frontiers, and additional +strength and stability to the Union--these are the results which would +rapidly develop themselves upon the consummation of the measure of +annexation. In such event I will not doubt but that Mexico would find her +true interest to consist in meeting the advances of this Government in a +spirit of amity. Nor do I apprehend any serious complaint from any other +quarter; no sufficient ground exists for such complaint. We should +interfere in no respect with the rights of any other nation. There can not +be gathered from the act any design on our part to do so with their +possessions on this continent. We have interposed no impediments in the way +of such acquisitions of territory, large and extensive as many of them are, +as the leading powers of Europe have made from time to time in every part +of the world. We seek no conquest made by war. No intrigue will have been +resorted to or acts of diplomacy essayed to accomplish the annexation of +Texas. Free and independent herself, she asks to be received into our +Union. It is a question for our own decision whether she shall be received +or not. + +The two Governments having already agreed through their respective organs +on the terms of annexation, I would recommend their adoption by Congress in +the form of a joint resolution or act to be perfected and made binding on +the two countries when adopted in like manner by the Government of Texas. + +In order that the subject may be fully presented in all its bearings, the +correspondence which has taken place in reference to it since the +adjournment of Congress between the United States, Texas, and Mexico is +herewith transmitted. + +The amendments proposed by the Senate to the convention concluded between +the United States and Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, have been +transmitted through our minister for the concurrence of the Mexican +Government, but, although urged thereto, no action has yet been had on the +subject, nor has any answer been given which would authorize a favorable +conclusion in the future. + +The decree of September, 1843, in relation to the retail trade, the order +for the expulsion of foreigners, and that of a more recent date in regard +to passports--all which are considered as in violation of the treaty of +amity and commerce between the two countries--have led to a correspondence +of considerable length between the minister for foreign relations and our +representatives at Mexico, but without any satisfactory result. They remain +still unadjusted, and many and serious inconveniences have already resulted +to our citizens in consequence of them. + +Questions growing out of the act of disarming a body of Texan troops under +the command of Major Snively by an officer in the service of the United +States, acting under the orders of our Government, and the forcible entry +into the custom-house at Bryarlys Landing, on Red River, by certain +citizens of the United States, and taking away therefrom the goods seized +by the collector of the customs as forfeited under the laws of Texas, have +been adjusted so far as the powers of the Executive extend. The +correspondence between the two Governments in reference to both subjects +will be found amongst the accompanying documents. It contains a full +statement of all the facts and circumstances, with the views taken on both +sides and the principles on which the questions have been adjusted. It +remains for Congress to make the necessary appropriation to carry the +arrangement into effect, which I respectfully recommend. + +The greatly improved condition of the Treasury affords a subject for +general congratulation. The paralysis which had fallen on trade and +commerce, and which subjected the Government to the necessity of resorting +to loans and the issue of Treasury notes to a large amount, has passed +away, and after the payment of upward of $7,000,000 on account of the +interest, and in redemption of more than $5,000,000 of the public debt +which falls due on the 1st of January next, and setting apart upward of +$2,000,000 for the payment of outstanding Treasury notes and meeting an +installment of the debts of the corporate cities of the District of +Columbia, an estimated surplus of upward of $7,000,000 over and above the +existing appropriations will remain in the Treasury at the close of the +fiscal year. Should the Treasury notes continue outstanding as heretofore, +that surplus will be considerably augmented. Although all interest has +ceased upon them and the Government has invited their return to the +Treasury, yet they remain outstanding, affording great facilities to +commerce, and establishing the fact that under a well-regulated system of +finance the Government has resources within itself which render it +independent in time of need, not only of private loans, but also of bank +facilities. + +The only remaining subject of regret is that the remaining stocks of the +Government do not fall due at an earlier day, since their redemption would +be entirely within its control. As it is, it may be well worthy the +consideration of Congress whether the law establishing the sinking fund +(under the operation of which the debts of the Revolution and last war with +Great Britain were to a great extent extinguished) should not, with proper +modifications, so as to prevent an accumulation of surpluses, and limited +in amount to a specific sum, be reenacted. Such provision, which would +authorize the Government to go into the market for a purchase of its own +stock on fair terms, would serve to maintain its credit at the highest +point and prevent to a great extent those fluctuations in the price of its +securities which might under other circumstances affect its credit. No +apprehension of this sort is at this moment entertained, since the stocks +of the Government, which but two years ago were offered for sale to +capitalists at home and abroad at a depreciation, and could find no +purchasers, are now greatly above par in the hands of the holders; but a +wise and prudent forecast admonishes us to place beyond the reach of +contingency the public credit. + +It must also be a matter of unmingled gratification that under the existing +financial system (resting upon the act of 1789 and the resolution of 1816) +the currency of the country has attained a state of perfect soundness; and +the rates of exchange between different parts of the Union, which in 1841 +denoted by their enormous amount the great depreciation and, in fact, +worthlessness of the currency in most of the States, are now reduced to +little more than the mere expense of transporting specie from place to +place and the risk incident to the operation. In a new country like that of +the United States, where so many inducements are held out for speculation, +the depositories of the surplus revenue, consisting of banks of any +description, when it reaches any considerable amount, require the closest +vigilance on the part of the Government. All banking institutions, under +whatever denomination they may pass, are governed by an almost exclusive +regard to the interest of the stockholders. That interest consists in the +augmentation of profits in the form of dividends, and a large surplus +revenue intrusted to their custody is but too apt to lead to excessive +loans and to extravagantly large issues of paper. As a necessary +consequence prices are nominally increased and the speculative mania very +soon seizes upon the public mind. A fictitious state of prosperity for a +season exists, and, in the language of the day, money becomes plenty. +Contracts are entered into by individuals resting on this unsubstantial +state of things, but the delusion speedily passes away and the country is +overrun with an indebtedness so weighty as to overwhelm many and to visit +every department of industry with great and ruinous embarrassment. The +greatest vigilance becomes necessary on the part of Government to guard +against this state of things. The depositories must be given distinctly to +understand that the favors of the Government will be altogether withdrawn, +or substantially diminished, if its revenues shall be regarded as additions +to their banking capital or as the foundation of an enlarged circulation. + +The Government, through its revenue, has at all times an important part to +perform in connection with the currency, and it greatly depends upon its +vigilance and care whether the country be involved in embarrassments +similar to those which it has had recently to encounter, or, aided by the +action of the Treasury, shall be preserved in a sound and healthy +condition. + +The dangers to be guarded against are greatly augmented by too large a +surplus of revenue. When that surplus greatly exceeds in amount what shall +be required by a wise and prudent forecast to meet unforeseen +contingencies, the Legislature itself may come to be seized with a +disposition to indulge in extravagant appropriations to objects many of +which may, and most probably would, be found to conflict with the +Constitution. A fancied expediency is elevated above constitutional +authority, and a reckless and wasteful extravagance but too certainly +follows. + +The important power of taxation, which when exercised in its most +restricted form is a burthen on labor and production, is resorted to under +various pretexts for purposes having no affinity to the motives which +dictated its grant, and the extravagance of Government stimulates +individual extravagance until the spirit of a wild and ill-regulated +speculation involves one and all in its unfortunate results. In view of +such fatal consequences, it may be laid down as an axiom rounded in moral +and political truth that no greater taxes should be imposed than are +necessary for an economical administration of the Government, and that +whatever exists beyond should be reduced or modified. This doctrine does in +no way conflict with the exercise of a sound discrimination in the +selection of the articles to be taxed, which a due regard to the public +weal would at all times suggest to the legislative mind. It leaves the +range of selection undefined; and such selection should always be made with +an eye to the great interests of the country. Composed as is the Union of +separate and independent States, a patriotic Legislature will not fail in +consulting the interests of the parts to adopt such course as will be best +calculated to advance the harmony of the whole, and thus insure that +permanency in the policy of the Government without which all efforts to +advance the public prosperity are vain and fruitless. + +This great and vitally important task rests with Congress, and the +Executive can do no more than recommend the general principles which should +govern in its execution. + +I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War for an exhibition of the +condition of the Army, and recommend to you as well worthy your best +consideration many of the suggestions it contains. The Secretary in no +degree exaggerates the great importance of pressing forward without delay +in the work of erecting and finishing the fortifications to which he +particularly alludes. Much has been done toward placing our cities and +roadsteads in a state of security against the hazards of hostile attack +within the last four years; but considering the new elements which have +been of late years employed in the propelling of ships and the formidable +implements of destruction which have been brought into service, we can not +be too active or vigilant in preparing and perfecting the means of defense. +I refer you also to his report for a full statement of the condition of the +Indian tribes within our jurisdiction. The Executive has abated no effort +in carrying into effect the well-established policy of the Government which +contemplates a removal of all the tribes residing within the limits of the +several States beyond those limits, and it is now enabled to congratulate +the country at the prospect of an early consummation of this object. Many +of the tribes have already made great progress in the arts of civilized +life, and through the operation of the schools established among them, +aided by the efforts of the pious men of various religious denominations +who devote themselves to the task of their improvement, we may fondly hope +that the remains of the formidable tribes which were once masters of this +country will in their transition from the savage state to a condition of +refinement and cultivation add another bright trophy to adorn the labors of +a well-directed philanthropy. + +The accompanying report of the Secretary of the Navy will explain to you +the situation of that branch of the service. The present organization of +the Department imparts to its operations great efficiency, but I concur +fully in the propriety of a division of the Bureau of Construction, +Equipment, Increase, and Repairs into two bureaus. The subjects as now +arranged are incongruous, and require to a certain extent information and +qualifications altogether dissimilar. + +The operations of the squadron on the coast of Africa have been conducted +with all due attention to the object which led to its origination, and I am +happy to say that the officers and crews have enjoyed the best possible +health under the system adopted by the officer in command. It is believed +that the United States is the only nation which has by its laws subjected +to the punishment of death as pirates those who may be engaged in the slave +trade. A similar enactment on the part of other nations would not fail to +be attended by beneficial results. + +In consequence of the difficulties which have existed in the way of +securing titles for the necessary grounds, operations have not yet been +commenced toward the establishment of the navy-yard at Memphis. So soon as +the title is perfected no further delay will be permitted to intervene. It +is well worthy of your consideration whether Congress should not direct the +establishment of a ropewalk in connection with the contemplated navy-yard, +as a measure not only of economy, but as highly useful and necessary. The +only establishment of the sort now connected with the service is located at +Boston, and the advantages of a similar establishment convenient to the +hemp-growing region must be apparent to all. + +The report of the Secretary presents other matters to your consideration of +an important character in connection with the service. + +In referring you to the accompanying report of the Postmaster-General it +affords me continued cause of gratification to be able to advert to the +fact that the affairs of the Department for the last four years have been +so conducted as from its unaided resources to meet its large expenditures. +On my coming into office a debt of nearly $500,000 existed against the +Department, which Congress discharged by an appropriation from the +Treasury. The Department on the 4th of March next will be found, under the +management of its present efficient head, free of debt or embarrassment, +which could only have been done by the observance and practice of the +greatest vigilance and economy. The laws have contemplated throughout that +the Department should be self-sustained, but it may become necessary, with +the wisest regard to the public interests, to introduce amendments and +alterations in the system. + +There is a strong desire manifested in many quarters so to alter the tariff +of letter postage as to reduce the amount of tax at present imposed. Should +such a measure be carried into effect to the full extent desired, it can +not well be doubted but that for the first years of its operation a +diminished revenue would be collected, the supply of which would +necessarily constitute a charge upon the Treasury. Whether such a result +would be desirable it will be for Congress in its wisdom to determine. It +may in general be asserted as true that radical alterations in any system +should rather be brought about gradually than by sudden changes and by +pursuing this prudent policy in the reduction of letter postage the +Department might still sustain itself through the revenue which would +accrue by the increase of letters. The state and condition of the public +Treasury has heretofore been such as to have precluded the recommendation +of any material change. The difficulties upon this head have, however, +ceased, and a larger discretion is now left to the Government. + +I can not too strongly urge the policy of authorizing the establishment of +a line of steamships regularly to ply between this country and foreign +ports and upon our own waters for the transportation of the mail. The +example of the British Government is well worthy of imitation in this +respect. The belief is strongly entertained that the emoluments arising +from the transportation of mail matter to foreign countries would operate +of itself as an inducement to cause individual enterprise to undertake that +branch of the task, and the remuneration of the Government would consist in +the addition readily made to our steam navy in case of emergency by the +ships so employed. Should this suggestion meet your approval, the propriety +of placing such ships under the command of experienced officers of the Navy +will not escape your observation. The application of steam to the purposes +of naval warfare cogently recommends an extensive steam marine as important +in estimating the defenses of the country. Fortunately this may be obtained +by us to a great extent without incurring any large amount of expenditure. +Steam vessels to be engaged in the transportation of the mails on our +principal water courses, lakes, and ports of our coast could also be so +constructed as to be efficient as war vessels when needed, and would of +themselves constitute a formidable force in order to repel attacks from +abroad.. We can not be blind to the fact that other nations have already +added large numbers of steamships to their naval armaments and that this +new and powerful agent is destined to revolutionize the condition of the +world. It becomes the United States, therefore, looking to their security, +to adopt a similar policy, and the plan suggested will enable them to do so +at a small comparative cost. + +I take the greatest pleasure in bearing testimony to the zeal and untiring +industry which has characterized the conduct of the members of the +Executive Cabinet. Each in his appropriate sphere has rendered me the most +efficient aid in carrying on the Government, and it will not, I trust, +appear out of place for me to bear this public testimony. The cardinal +objects which should ever be held in view by those intrusted with the +administration of public affairs are rigidly, and without favor or +affection, so to interpret the national will expressed in the laws as that +injustice should be done to none, justice to all. This has been the rule +upon which they have acted, and thus it is believed that few cases, if any, +exist wherein our fellow-citizens, who from time to time have been drawn to +the seat of Government for the settlement of their transactions with the +Government, have gone away dissatisfied. Where the testimony has been +perfected and was esteemed satisfactory their claims have been promptly +audited, and this in the absence of all favoritism or partiality. The +Government which is not just to its own people can neither claim their +affection nor the respect of the world. At the same time, the Closest +attention has been paid to those matters which relate more immediately to +the great concerns of the country. Order and efficiency in each branch of +the public service have prevailed, accompanied by a system of the most +rigid responsibility on the part of the receiving and disbursing agents. +The fact, in illustration of the truth of this remark, deserves to be +noticed that the revenues of the Government, amounting in the last four +years to upward of $120,000,000, have been collected and disbursed through +the numerous governmental agents without the loss by default of any amount +worthy of serious commentary. + +The appropriations made by Congress for the improvement of the rivers of +the West and of the harbors on the Lakes are in a course of judicious +expenditure under suitable agents, and are destined, it is to be hoped, to +realize all the benefits designed to be accomplished by Congress. I can +not, however, sufficiently impress upon Congress the great importance of +withholding appropriations from improvements which are not ascertained by +previous examination and survey to be necessary for the shelter and +protection of trade from the dangers of stores and tempests. Without this +precaution the expenditures are but too apt to inure to the benefit of +individuals, without reference to the only consideration which can render +them constitutional--the public interests and the general good. + +I can not too earnestly urge upon you the interests of this District, over +which by the Constitution Congress has exclusive jurisdiction. It would be +deeply to be regretted should there be at any time ground to complain of +neglect on the part of a community which, detached as it is from the +parental care of the States of Virginia and Maryland, can only expect aid +from Congress as its local legislature. Amongst the subjects which claim +your attention is the prompt organization of an asylum for the insane who +may be found from time to time sojourning within the District. Such course +is also demanded by considerations which apply to branches of the public +service. For the necessities in this behalf I invite your particular +attention to the report of the Secretary of the Navy. + +I have thus, gentlemen of the two Houses of Congress, presented you a true +and faithful picture of the condition of public affairs, both foreign and +domestic. The wants of the public service are made known to you, and +matters of no ordinary importance are urged upon your consideration. Shall +I not be permitted to congratulate you on the happy auspices under which +you have assembled and at the important change in the condition of things +which has occurred in the last three years? During that period questions +with foreign powers of vital importance to the peace of our country have +been settled and adjusted. A desolating and wasting war with savage tribes +has been brought to a close. The internal tranquillity of the country, +threatened by agitating questions, has been preserved. The credit of the +Government, which had experienced a temporary embarrassment, has been +thoroughly restored. Its coffers, which for a season were empty, have been +replenished. A currency nearly uniform in its value has taken the place of +one depreciated and almost worthless. Commerce and manufactures, which had +suffered in common with every other interest, have once more revived, and +the whole country exhibits an aspect of prosperity and happiness. Trade and +barter, no longer governed by a wild and speculative mania, rest upon a +solid and substantial footing, and the rapid growth of our cities in every +direction bespeaks most strongly the favorable circumstances by which we +are surrounded. My happiness in the retirement which shortly awaits me is +the ardent hope which I experience that this state of prosperity is neither +deceptive nor destined to be short lived, and that measures which have not +yet received its sanction, but which I can not but regard as closely +connected with the honor, the glory, and still more enlarged prosperity of +the country, are destined at an early day to receive the approval of +Congress. Under these circumstances and with these anticipations I shall +most gladly leave to others more able than myself the noble and pleasing +task of sustaining the public prosperity. I shall carry with me into +retirement the gratifying reflection that as my sole object throughout has +been to advance the public good I may not entirely have failed in +accomplishing it; and this gratification is heightened in no small degree +by the fact that when under a deep and abiding sense of duty I have found +myself constrained to resort to the qualified veto it has neither been +followed by disapproval on the part of the people nor weakened in any +degree their attachment to that great conservative feature of our +Government. + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OF ADDRESSES BY JOHN TYLER *** + +This file should be named sutyl11.txt or sutyl11.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, sutyl12.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, sutyl10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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