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mmmmmmmmmamjnmmammmmiHBDMnaamnn PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.'. t " Fellow Citizens of the Senate ? , and o f the House of Representatives. Being suddenly called, in the midst of the last session of Congress, by a painful dispensation of Divine Providence, to the responsible station which I now hold, I contented myself with such communications to the Legis.ature as the exigency of the moment seemed to require. The country was shrouded in mourning for tiie loss of its venerated Chief Magistrate, and all hearts were penetrated with grief. ? Neither the time nor the occasion appeared to require or to justify, on my part, any general expression of political opinions, or any announcement of the principles which would govern me in the discharge of the duties to the performance of which I had been so unexpectedly called. I trust, therefore, that it may not be deemed inappro priate, if I avail myself of this opportunity of the re-assembling of Congress to make known my sentiments, in a general manner, in regard to the policy which ought to be pursued by the Government, both in its intercourse with foreign nations, and in its management and administration of internal affairs. Nations, like individuals in a state of nature, are equal and independent, possessing certain rights, and owing certain duties to each other, arising from their necessary and unavoidable relations ; which rights and duties there is no common human authority to protect and en force. Still, they are rights and duties,binding " in <innccinni>o ;inrl in hminr Ill ? P- I there is no tribunal to which an injured party can appeal but the disinterested judgment of mankind, and ultimately the arbitrament of the word. Among the acknowledged rights of nations is that, which each possesses of establishing that form of government which it may deem most conducive to the happiness and prosperity o! its own citizeus, of changing that form, as circumstances may require; and of managing its internal affairs according to its own will. The people cfthe United States claim this right for themselves, and they readily concede it to others. Hence it becomes an imperative duty not to interfere in the government or internal jx>licy of other nations; and although wo may sympathize with the unfortunate or the oppressed, every where, in their struggles for freedom, ourprboiples forbid us from-taking any part in such foreign contests. We make no wars to promote or to prevent successions to thrones; to maintain any theory of a balance of power,. or to suppress the actual government which any country chooses to establish for itself. We instigate no revolytious, nor suffer any hostile military expeditions to be fitted out in the United States to invade the territory or provinces of a friendly nation. The great law of morality ought to have a national, as well as a personal and individual application. We should act towards other nations as we wish them to act towards us: and justice and conscience should form the rule of conduct between governments, instead of mere power, self-interest, or the power of aggrandizement. To maintain a strict neutrality in foreign wars, to cultivate friendly relations, to reciprocate every noble and generous uct, and to perform punctually and scrupulously every treaty obligation?these are the dudes which we owe to other States, and by the performance of which we best entitle ourselves to like treatment from them: or if that, in anv case, He refused, we can enforce our own rights with justice and a clear conscience. In our domestic policy, the Constitution will bo my guide; and in questions of doubt, 1 shall look for its interpretation to the judicial decisions of that tribunal, which was established to expound it, and to the usage of the Government, sanctioned by the acquiescence of his country. 1 regard all its provisions as equally binding.? In all its parts it is the will of the people, expressed in the most solemn form, and the cou6titutcd authorities, are but agents to carry that will into effect. Every power which it has granted is to be exercised for the public good ; but no pretence of utility, no honest conviction, even, of what might he expedient, can justify the assumption of u??y power not granted. The (1 Allienrrn?nf firiri jsuwuia uuutcum upvu. uiu v 4 ?* *? , their distrihutiun to the several departments, are as clearly expressed in that sacred instrument as the imperfection of human language will allow : and I deem it my first duty, not to question its wisdom, add to its provisions, evade its requirements, or nullify its commands. Upon you, fellow-citizens, as representatives of the States and the people, is wisely devolved the legislative power. 1 shall comply with my duty in laying before you, from time to time, any information calculated to enable you to discharge your high and responsible trust, lor the benefit of our common constituents. My opinions will be frankly expressed upon tho leading subjects of legislation; and if, which I do not anticipate, any act should pass the two Houses of Congress which should appear to me n. .... ............ ?i ,i.? mi^uiioiiiuiiuimi) ui on r<ii luaviiniviii ?mi iiiu just power of other departments, or with provisions hastily adopted, and likely to produce consequencesinjuriousHnd unforeseen,! should not shrink from the duty of returning it to you, with my reasons, for your further consideration. Beyond the due performance of these constitutional obligations, both my respect for the legislature and my sense of propriety will restrain n>e from any attempt to control or influence your proceedings. With you is the power, the honor, and the responsibility of the legislation of tlie country. The Government of the United States is a limited Government It is confined to the exercise of powers expressly granted, and such others as may be necessary for carrying those rv/tii'neo in^A Sifftwif nnil if 1C ??! *111 (liil/ie mm <il< pedal duty to guard against any infringement on the just rights of thu States. Over the oh. jects and subjects intrusted to Congress, its legislative authority is supreme. Hut here that authority ceases, and every citizen who truly loves tire Constitution, and desires the continuance of itsoxistence and its blessings, will resolutely and firmly resist any interference in those domestic affairs, which the Constitution has clearly and unequivocally left to the exclusive authority ol the States. And every such citizen will also deprecate useless irritation among the several members of the Uuion, and all reproach and crimination tending to alienate one portion of the country fro.n another. The beau- ! ly of our system of Government consists, and ' i s safety and durability must consist, in avoid- | ing mutual collisions, and encroachments, and ! in the regular separate action of all, while each j is revolving in its own distinct orbit The Constitution has made it the duty of the President to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. In a Government like ours, in which all laws are passed by 11 majority of the representatives of the people, and these representatives are chosen lor such short periods, that, any injurious or obnoxious law can very soon be repealed, it would appear unlikely that anv great numbers should be Ibuud ready to resist the execution of the laws. Hut it must be borne in mind that the country is extensive, that there may be local interests or prejudices rendering a law odious in one part, which is not so in another, and that the tiiouirhtiess and inconsiderate, misled hv their passions, or their imaginations, may be induced madly to resist such laws as they disapprove. Such persons should recollect that, without law, there can he no real practical liberty; that, when law is trampled under foot, tyranny rules, whether it appears in the form of a military despotism or of popular violence. The law is the only sure protection of the weak, and the only ellicient restraint upon the strong. When impartially and faithfully administered, none is beneath its protection, and none above its control. You, gentlemen, and the country may bo assured, that to the utmost of my ability, and to the extent of the power vested in me, I shall, at all times, and in all places, take care that the laws he faithfully executed. In the discharge of this duty, solemnly imposed upon me by the Constitution,and by my oath of office,!shall shrink from no responsibility, and shall endeavor to meet events us they may arise, with lirtnness, as well as with prudence and discretion. * * * I am happy in being able to say that no unfavorable change in our foreign relations lias taken place since the message at the opening of the last session of Congress. Wo are at pence with all nations, and we enjoy in an eminent degree the blessings of that peace, in a prosperous and growing commerce, and in all the forms of amicable national intercourse. The unexampled growth of the country, the present amount of its population, and its ample means of self-protection, assure for it the respect of all nations; while it is trusted that its character for justice, and a regard to the rights of other States, will causo that respect to be readily and cheerfully paid. A convention was negotiated between the United States and Great llritain in April last, for facilitating and protecting the construction of a ship canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and for other purposes. This instrument has been ratified by the contracting - t 1 parties, the exchange 01 ratincauous mis ia.cu efFected, am] proclamation thereof has been duly made. In addition to the stipulations contained in convention, two other objects remain to be accomplished between the contracting powers. First, the designation and establishment of a free port at each end of the canal. Second, an agreement fixing the distance from the shore within which the belligerent maritime operations shall not be carried on. On these points there is little doubt that the two governments will conic to an understanding. The company of citizens of the United States who have acquired from the State of Nicaragua the privilege ot constructing a ship canal between the two oceans, through the territory of that State, have made progress in their preliminary arrangements. The treaty between the United States and Great Britain, of the l'Jth of April last, above referred to, being now in operation, it is to be hoped that the guaranties which it offers wilj be suilicicnt to secure the coinpletiun of the "work with all practicable ex petition. It is obvious that this result would bo indefinitely postponed; ii* any other than peaceful measures, for the purpose of harmonizing conflicting claims to territory in that quarter, should bo adopted. It will consequently be my endeavor to cuaso any further negotiations on the part of this Government, which may l>o requisite for this purpose, to be so conducted as to bring them to a speedy and successful close. Some unavoidable delay lias occurred, arising from distance and the diflieuliy of intercourse between this Government and that of Nicaragua, but, as intelligence has just been received of the appointment of an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of that | Government to reside at Washington, whose arrival may soon l?o expected, it is hoped that * ? * mi t i * no lurtlicr uiipeunueuis win ue experionccu in tlic prompt transaction of business between the two Governments. Citizens of the United States have undertaken the connexion of the two oceans by means of a Railroad across the Isthmus of Tchuantc, pec, under grants of that Republic. It is uu. derstood that a thorough survey of the course of the comuiunication is in preparation and there is every reason to expect that it will he prosecuted with characteristic energy, especially when that Government shall have consented to such stipulations with the Government of the United .States as may he necessary to impart a feeling of security to those, who may imhark their pr?|>erty in the enterprise. Ne'rnfi'itimiK ;iri> nt-tld'ni" fur till? arcnmnli JimiMil of tli.it object, and a hope is confidently otitcrtaini'd that, when the Government of Mexico shall become duly sensible of the advantages which that country cannot fail to derive from the work, and learn that the Government of the United States desires that the right of sovereignty of .Mexico in the isthmus shall remain unimpaired, the stipulations referred to will he agreed to with alacrity. ]>y the last advices from Mexico it would appear, however, that that Goverumsnt entertains strong objections to some of her stipulations which the parties concerned in the project of! the railroad deem necessary for their protec-: lion and security. Further consideration, it is ' hoped, or some modification of terms, may, yet! reconcile the differences existing between two Governments in this respect. Fresh instructions have recently been given to the Minister of the United States in Mexico, who is prosecuting the subject with promptitude and ability. Although the negotiations with Portugal* for the payment of claims of citizens of tiie Uuited States against that Government, have not yet resulted in a formal treaty, yet a proposition made by the Government of Portugal for the final adjustment and payment of those claims,, has recently been accepted on the part of the United States. It gives me pleasure to say that Mr. Clay, to whom the#negotiation on the parr of the United States had been entrusted, discharged the duties of his appointment with ability and discretion, acting always within the instructions of his Government. It is expected that a regular convention will be immediately negotiated for carrying the a- j greement between the two Governments into | effect. * * * * I refer you to the report of the Secretary of j the Treasury for a detailed statement of the fi- ! nance. The total receipts into the Treasury, tor the year ending 30th of June last, were forty seven million four hundred and twenly-ouo thousand seven hundred and forty-eight dollars and ninety cents, (847,421,748 1)0.) The total expenditures during the same period were forty-three million two thousand one hundred and sixty-eight dollars and ninety cents, (813,002,108 90.) 1)3- the 19th section of the act of 28th January, 1817, the proceeds of thy sales of the public lands were pledged for the interest and principal of the public debt The great amount of these lands subsequently granted by Congress for military bounties will, it is believed, very nearly supply the public demand for several years to come and but little reliance can, therefore 1)0 placed 011 that hitherto fruitful source of revenue. Aside front the permanent annual cxpendi tures, which have necessarily largely increased, a portion of the public debt, amounting to eight million seventy-five thousand nine hundred and eighty-six dollars and fifty-nine cents (?8,075,080 50) must he provided for within the next two fiscal years, ft is most desirable that these accruing demands should be met without resortiug to new loans. All experience has demonstrated the wisdom and policy of raising a large-portion of revenue for the support of Government from duties on foods imported. The power to lay these duties is unquestionable, and its chief object, of course, is to replenish the treasury. But if, in doing this, an incidental advantage may be gained by encouraging the indastry of our own citizens, it is our duty to avail ourselves of that advantage. A duty laid upon an article wnien cannot ne produced in this country?such as tea or coflee ?adds to the cost of the article, and is chiefly or wholly paid by the consumer. But a duty laid upon an article which may be produced here stimulates the skill and industry of our own country to produce the same article* which is brought into the market in competition with the foreign article, and the importer is thus compelled to reduce his price to that at which the domestic article can be sold, thereby throwing a part of the duty upon the producer of the foreign article. The continuance of tiiie process creates the skill, and invites the capital, which finally enable us to produce the articlu much cheaper than it could have been procured from abroad, thereby benefiting both producer and consumer at home. The consequence of this is, that the artisau, and the agriculturist, are brought together, each affords a ready market for the produce of the other, the whole country ' .iii OCCOmes prosperous ; auu mo iiuimy m pi uiiuoo every necessary of life renders us independent in war as well as in peace. A higher tariff can never he permanent It will cause dissatisfaction and will he changed. It excludes competition, and thereby invites the investment of capital in manufactures to such excess, that when changed it brings distress, bankruptcy and ruin upon all who have been misled by its faithless protection. What the manufacturer wants, is uniformity and permanency that be is not to be ruined by sudden changes. Hut to make a tari If uniform and permanent, it is not only necessary that the law should not he altered, but that the duties should not fluctuate. To effect this, all duties should should be specific, wherever the nature of the article is such as to admit of it. Advalorcm duties fluctuate with the price, and offer strong temptations to fraud and perjury. Specific duties, on the contrary, are equal and uniform in -11 .....I ..II tin mu unci odor ;t ?frnn?r in. <111 |>U<W>, ...... ... .....vc, ....... a ... dncement to I lie importer to bring the best arlicle, as he pays uoniore duty upon that than upon one of ioferiurquality. 1 therefore strongly recommend a inodilication of the psesent tariff", which has prostrated some of our most important and necessary manufuctures, and that specific duties ho inijiosed sufficient to raise tlie requisite revenue, making such discrimination in favor of the industrial pursuits of our own country as to encourage home production, without excluding foreign competition. It is also important that an unfortunate provision in the present tariff* which imposes a much higher duty upon the raw material that enters into our iimiinlMetiires than unoit the manufactured arti ?" * " -J ? cle, should lie remedied- * * * There being no mint in California, I sun infirmed that the laborers in the mines are compelled to dispose of their gold dust at a large discount. This appears to be a heavy and unjust tax upon the labors of those employed in extracting this precious metal; and 1 doubt not you will be disposed, at the earliest period possible, lo relieve them from it by the establishment of a mint. In the mean time, as an assayer's olliee is established there, I would respectfully submit for your consideration the proprioty of authorizing gold bullion, which lias been assayed and stamped, to be received in payment of (invermiiciit duos. 1 cannot conceive that the treasury would sutler any loss by such ;i proviso, wliicli will at once raise bullion to its par valui', and thereby savo (il l am rightly informed) many millions of dollars lo tin* laborers wliicli are now paid in brokerage to convert this precious metal into avalilahlc funds. Tins discount upon their heard earning is a heavy tax, ."lid every eHnrt should he made by the (iovernmeuL to relievo them from so great a burden. More than three-fourths of our population are engaged in the cultivation of the soil. The commercial, manufacturing, and navigating interests arc all lo a great extent, dependent on the agricultural, jt is, theiefore, the most important interest of the nation, and has a just claim to the fostering care and protection of the Government, so far as they can he extended consistently with the provisins of the Constitution. As this cannot be done by the ordinary' modes of legislation, I respectfully recommended the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau, to he charged with the duty of giving to this leading branch of American industry the encouragement which it so well deserves. In view of the immeuse mineral resources of our country, provision should also he made for the employment of a competent mineralogist and chemist, who should he required, under the direction of the head ofthe bureau, to collect specimens of the various minerals of our country, and to ascertain, by careful analysis, their respective elements and properties, and their adaptation to useful purposes, lie should abo be required to examine mid report upon the qualities of different soils, and the manures best calculated to improve their productiveness. By publishing the results of such experiments, with suitable explanations, and by the collection and distribution of rare seeds and plants, with instructions as to the best system of cultivation, much may be done to promote this great national interest * * * The annexation of Texas and the acquisition of California and New Mexico have given increased importance to our Indian relations.? The various tribes brought under our jurisdiction by these enlargements of our boundaries are estimated to embrace a population of one hundred and twenty-four thousand. Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by powerful tribes of Indians, who are a source of constant terror and annoyance to the inhabitants. Separating into small predatory bands, and always mounted, they overrun the country, devastating farms, destroying crops, driving off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally murdering the inhabitants or carrying them into captivity. The great roads leading into the country are infested with thorn, whereby trav^1! n i* * a roitflunwl in-trrtmol n-iirntiC onr] U'lII^ I tliutl WAliCIIICIJ Ulill^VM/UOj UiiU immigration is almost entirely arrested. The Mexican frontier, which, by the 11th article of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, we are bound to protect against the Indians within our border is exposed to these incursions equally witii our own. The military force stationed in that country (although forming a largo proportion of the armmy) is represented as entiioly inadequate to our own protection and the fulfilment of our treaty stipulations with .Mexico. The principal deficiency is in cavalry, and I re-commend that Congress should, at as early a period as practicable, provide for the raising of one or more regiments of mounted men. For further suggestions on this subjected others connected with our domestic interests, and the defence of our frontier, I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Interior and of the Secretary of War. * * I am gratified in being able to state, that the estimates ot expenditure for the navy in the ensuing year are less, by more than one million of dollars, than those of the present, excepting the appropriation which may become necessary for the construction of a duck on the coast of the Pacific, propositions for which are now being considered, aud on which a special report may be expected early in your present session. There is an evident justness in the suggestion of the same report, that appropriations for the naval service proper should be separated from those for fixed and permanent objects, such as building docks and navy yards, aud the fixtures attached; aud from the extraordinary objects under the care of the Department which, however important, are not essentially naval. * At the close of the last fiscal year, the length of the inland mail routes in the United States (not embracing the service in Oregon and California) was 178,072 miles; the annual transportation thereon 40,541,423 miles; and the annual cost of such transportation ?2,724,420. The increase of the annual transportation over that of the preceding year, was 3,097,354 miles, and the increase in cost was ?312,410. The number of post oilices in the United States, on the first day of July last, was 18,417 ?being an increase of 1070 during the preceding year. The gross revenues of the Depaitnient for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1850, amounted to ?5,552,971 IN, including the annual appropriation of ?200,000 for the franked matter of the departments,and excluding the foreign postages collected for and payable to the British Government. The expenditures for the same period were |S," ?11.1 iir > 4 <> l : r .1 f io?leaving a uaiuiicu 01 revenue over expenditures of $.*$40,018 O.j. 1 am happy lo find that the fiscal i'<jfklitinii of tho Department is such as to just?f) io Postmaster (Jenoral in recommending the reduction of our inland letter postage to three cents tho single letter when prepaid, and five cents when not prepaid. Ho also recommends that the prepaid rate shall l>o reduced to two cents whenever tho revenues of the Department, after tho reduction, shall exceed its expenditures by more than live per cent for two consecutive years; that the postage upon California and other letters sent by our ocean steamers shall ho much reduced; and that the rates of postage on newspapers, pamphlets, periodicals, and other printed matter shall he modified, and some reduction thereon made. it cannot. iKMimiiticti uiai 1110 proposed reductions will, lor the present, diminish the revenues of the department. It is believed that the deficiency, after the surplus already accumulated shall be exhausted; may ho almost wholly met, either by abolishing the existing privileges of sending free matter through the mails, or by paying out of the Treasury to the l'ost Office Department a sum equivalent to the postage of whieh it is derived by micIi privileges. The last is supposed to be the preferable mode, and will, if not entirely, so nearly supply that deficiency as: to m.'ilti1 niiv further appropriation that may he found necessary so inconsiderable as to form no obstacle lo tin* proposed reductions. I entertain no douht of the authority of Congress to make appropriations for leading objects in that class of public works comprising what are usually called works of internal improvement. This authority I suppose to he derived chiefly from the power of regulating commerce with foreign nations, and among lie States, and the power of laying and collecting imposts. Wh^re commerce is to be carried on, and imposts collected, there must be ports and harbors, as well a3 wharves and custom-houses. If ships, laden with valuable cargoes, approach the shore, or sail along the coast, light-houses are necessary at suitable points for tiie protection of life and property. Other facilities and securities for commerce and navigation are hardly less important; and those clauses of the Constitution, therefore, to which 1 have referred, have roceived from the origin of the Government a liberal and beneficial construction. JSot only have light-houses, buoys, and beacons been established. and floating lights maintained, but har hors have bee11 cleared ami improved, piers constructed, and oven break waters for the safety of slopping; and sea walls to protect harbors Iron) being filled up, and rendered useless, by the action of the ocean, have beerv erected at very great expense. And this eon-struction of the Constitution appears the more reasonable from the consideration, that ii' these works, of such evident importance and utility,, are not to be accomplished at all. By the a^doption of the Constitution the several States: voluntarily parted with the power of collecting: duties of impost in their own ports; and it Unot to be expected that they should raise money, by internal taxation, direct or indirect, for the benefit of that commerce, the revenues derived from which do not, either in whole or in part, go into their own treasuries. Nor do 1 per ceivc any difference between the power of Congress to make appropriations for objects ol this, kind on the ocean and the power to make appropriations for similar objects ou lakes and rivers, wherever they are large enough to bear i on their waters an extensive traffic. I The magnificent Mississippi and its tributa- I ries, and the vast lakes of the north aud the \ M northwest, appear to me to fall wiltbin the ex- \M ercisc of the power, as justly aud as clearly as the Ocean aud the Gulf of Mexico. It is a H mistake to regard expenditures judiciously made H lor these objects as expenditures for local pur- H poses. The position, or site of the work, is necessarily local; but its utility is general. A ship canal around the falls of St Mary of less 1 than a mile in length, though local in its con- " struction, would be national in its purpose and its benefits, as it would remove the only obstruction to a navigation of more than a thousand miles, affecting several States, as well as our commercial relations with Canada. So, too, the Jlrealcwater at the mouth of the Delaware is erected, not for the exclusive benefit of the States bordering on the bay and river of that name, but for that of the whole coastwise navigation of the United States, and to & considerable extent, also, of foreign commerce. If a ship be lost on the bar at the entrance of a southern port for want of sufficient depth of water, it is very likely to be a northern ship; and ita steamboat he sunk in any part of the Mississippi, on account of its channel not having been properly cleared of obstructions, it may be a boat belonging to either eight or ten States, I may add as somewhat remarkable, that among afi the thirty-one States, there is none that is not, to a greater or less extent, 1 bounded on the ocean, or'the Gulf of Mexico, ; or one of the great lakes, or some navigable ri- I ver. . \ In fulliling our constitution du'ies, feilow- J j citizens, on this subject, as in carrying into ef- jj feet all othor powers conferred by the Consti- (I i.nion, we should consider ourselves as delibe- I rutin? and nctin? for one and the same coun- I ^ O 4 H try, and boar constantly in mind, that our regard fl and our duty arc due, not to a particular part 1 only, bat to the whole. fl 1 therefore recommend that appropriations I be made for completing such works as have been 1 already begun, and for commencing such others | as mav soeui to the wisdom of Congress to bo of public and general importance. It was hardly to have been expected the series of measures passed at your last session, with view of healing the sectional difference which had sprung from the slavery and territoral {question, should once have real'zed their beneficial pur osc. AH mutual concession in the nature of a compromise must necessarily be unwelcome to men rf extreme ooininn. And though without such concessions our Constitution could not have been formed and cannot be permanently sustained, yet we have seen them made the subject of bitter controversy in both sections of the the Republic. It required many months of discussion and deliberation to se> r e r*? cure me concurrence oi a iii?juni_v i?i v;"iis'"o , iheir favor. It would be strange if they had been received with immediate approbation bv people and States, prejudiced and heated by the excitin r controversies of their representatves. I believe those measures to have been required by the circum .anceand condition of the country. I he'ieve they were necessary to allay asperities and animosities that were rapidly alienating one section of the country from another, and destroying t) ose I fraternal sentiments which are the strongest sup- 1 ports of the Constitution. They were adopted in 1 the spirit of conciliation, and for the purpose of con- I ciliation. I believe that, a great majo-ity of our I fellowcitizenr sympathize in that spirit, and that I nurnose, and in the main sppove, and are pre- ^ pared, in all respects, to sustain these enactments. I cannot doubt tiiat the A m irican people, hound together by kindred blood and common traditions, still cherish a paramount regard for the Union of H their fathers; and that they ate ready to rchukc any fl attempt to violate its integrity, to disturb the com- M promises on which it is based, or to rcsis the laws H which have been enacted under its authority. The series of measures which I have alluded to are regarded by nic as a settlement, in principle and substancc-a final settlement, of the dangerous arid exciting subjects which lliey embraced. Most of these Eubjets. indeed, are beyond your reach, as the. legislation which dis|>osed of litem was, in its character, t.nal and irrevocable. It may be presumed; from the opposition which they all eucountered that H none of tliosc measures was free from imperfec-. H tions, but in their mutual dct>eudeiire and connec-. tion they formed a system of compromise, the most V conciliatory, and best for the entire country, that M could be obtained fiom conflicting sectional inter osts and opinions. For this reason I recommend your adherence to 1 the adjustment established by those measures, un 1 til time and experience shall demonstrate the ne- J cessity of further legislation to guard against eva. eion or abuse. By that adjustment we have been rescued from the wide and boundless agitation that sumunded us. and have a firm, distinct and Ic^al ground o rest upon. And the occasion, f trust, will justify me in exhorting my countrymen to rally upon and maintain that ground as the best, if not the only means, of re#torihg peace and quiet to the country and maintain inviolate the integrity of the Union. k