Keowee courier. (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, December 25, 1858, Image 3
PRESIDENT S MESSAGE.
Sscnafova untl HepronenintlvoB in <'onjjri,j'f>:
When wo compare the condition of the
country at the present day with what it was
buo your ago, at the inciting of Congress,
wo have much reason {'or gratitude to that
Almighty l'rovidenee, which has never
failed to interpose for our relief, at the
most critical periods of our history. One
year ago, the sectional strife between the
-North and tl\c Smith on the dangerous
tmhjcet nf shivery, had ajr.iiu become so
intense :is to threaten the peace ami perpetuity
of the (ioiifodoracy. The application
for the admission of Kansas ns a State into
the vnion fostered this niihajipy agitation,
and brought the whole subject once more
before Congress. It was the desire of every
patriot that such measures of legislation
mignt oo iuinptoil, as would remove the excitement
from the St ites, ami confine it to
the Territory where it legitimately belonged.
Much has pcen done, I am happy to
say, towards the accomplishment of this object,
during the last session of Congress.
The Supreme Court of the United State"
had previously decided, that all American
citizens have an eipial right to take into the
Territories, whatever is held as property under
the laws of any of the States, and to
hold such property there under the guardianship
of the Federal Constitution, so long
as the territorial condition shall remain.
j This is now a well-established position,
and the proceedings of the last session were
alone wanting to give it practical effect.?
Tim lii'ini'iiiln Itna ImiMi : -
- I t"x ^v v " 1,1 nuitii*
form or other, by an id must unanimous vote
of both house.-* of Congress, that a Territory
iins a right to come into the I'niott cither
as a free or a slave Slate, according to the
will of a majority of its people. The just
. equality of all States has thus been vindicated,
and a fruitful source of dangerous
dissension anion;; them has been removed.
Whilst such has been thobcnefieial tendency
of your legislative proceedings outside
llf t\!lll?!lU llioil- inflnnnnn 1....
. iiiiuin r uiii> UUUIIVIV
boon so happy ns within that Territory itself.
Loft to manage anil control its own
affairs in its own way, without the pressure
of external influence, the revolutionary Topeka
organization, and all resistance to the
territorial government established by Congress,
have been finally abandoned. As a
natural couserpience, that line Territory
now appears to be traiuptil and prosperous,
and isattr.ietiugand increasing thousands of
immigrants to make it their happy home.
Tlio past unfortunate experience of Kansas
has enforced the lesson so often already
taught, that resistance, to lawful authority,
umler our form of government, cannot
fail in the end to prove disastrous to its
authors. Had the people of the Territory
yielded obedience to the laws enacted by
their legislature, it would at the present
moment have contained a large additional
population of industrious and enterprising
citizens, who have been deterred from en?
- ** Vfrvufc?-tfcrfaordors by tin1 existence of civil
Ntrue ana organized rebellion.
Ft ?vaP the resistance to rightful authority
anjk the persevering attoinps to establish
a revolutionary government under tho Topekn.1^'oiisthution,
which caused the pcopje
vsas to commit tin; grave error
of rcfu.silig to vote for delegates to the conven'iihi
Jro frame a constitution, under a law
notjj^#^(l to be fair and just in its provision^
Tm his refusal to vote has been the
jh'ofyflw^ource of all the evils which have
folluwx^. In their hostility to the territo
nui government, mey cusrcgaraeci the pnn?
ciplt\ird.>.solutoly essential to the working of
?>rin of government, tluit a majority of
tlipwe who vote?not the majority who may
^r^MFaiii nt home, from whatever cause?
f-ust decide the result of an election. For
1 ~ this ieason, seeking to take advantage of
? tlieir own error, they denied the authority
A of tho convention thus elected to frame :t
' eonstitutioM.
The convention, notwithstanding, pro
*?p?CQoded to adopt a constitution unexocptioniibio
in its general fe.tiuien, and providing
for the submission of the slavery question
to !i vote of tlio in n.?
iou, they wore bound to do, under the Kang?
Has and Nebraska act. This was the allimportant
question which had alone convulsed
tlie Territory; and yet the opponents
of the lawful government, persisting
in their first error, refrained from exercising
their right to vote, and preferred that
slavery should continue, rather than surrender
their revolutionary Topeka organization.
A wiser and better spirit seemed to prevail
before the first Monday of January
last, when an election was held under the
constitution. A majority of the people
then voted for a governor and other State
officers, for a member of Congress, and
members of the State legislature. This
election was warmly contested by t two
political parties in Kansas, and a greater
vote was polled than at any previous election.
A large majority of the members of
the legislature elect belonged to that party
which had previously refused to vote.-?
Tho anti-slavery party were thus placed in
tho ascendant, and the - political power n0
the State was in their own hands. Had
Congress admitted Kansas into the I'nion
1' - 11 - ? - i - ?* * *
linger uic iiceoinpion consiuuuon, ino jegftdaturo
might, at its very first session, have
Submitted tlic rjueution to a vote of the people,
whether they would or would not have
a convention to amend their constitution
(.ither on the slavery oi' any other question,
Slid have adopted nil neeef<iry means for
ftiving speedy effect to the will of the mn"r
JoWt)\ Thus tho Knnsns question would
luiVo been iimncdintelv and finnllv srtilcil
Under these circumstance*, I submitted
to Cougrete tlio constitution thus framed,
vrilh.o.Q Ine officers already *?loot?*?1 ueccsfM*y
td^j&t the ?tato government into operation,
accompanied by a strong recommendation
in favor oftjio admission of Kansas
H;j nutate. In the course of my long pub1
Ho .Hfo I have never performed'any official
ai t which. in tho retrospect, has afforded
. > motion; hour'felt antisfuctioii. fts ndiolfl*
si' u 0 aid Iihyc inflicted no iioysihh- injury
gjfe,. t'-ing, v.hilj^would, \vjth-j
' * S< ^ i ^
vmStEL
iii u brief period, have restored peace to 1
Kansas and harmony to tlio I'nion. In ' 1
that oveiit, the slavery ijucRtion would eve ,
this have been finally settled, according to 1
the legally expressed will of n majority of
the voters, and popular sovereignty would *'
thus have been vindicated in a constitu- I 1
, tional manner. ! (
With my deep convictions of duty, 1 t
J could have pursued no other course. It is u
i true, that, as an individual, 1 had express- i '
ed no opinion, both before and during the
I session of the convention, in favor of sub- \
! nuttinir the romaiiiimr clauses of the con- t.
Nt i t nt ion, as well its that cone? mi tig slavurv, '
tn the people. Hut, ncti.ig in an official 1 l'
! character, ncitlier myself nor any huuian v
j authority had the power to re-judge tin*
: proceed in jts oftho convention, and declare u
the constitution which it had framed to be i n
a nullity. To have done this would have 1
been a violation of the Kansas and Xebras- "
ka act, which left the people of the Terri- ,
tory ." perfectly free to form and regulate t
their doines'ie institutions in their own way, ' ?
j subject only to the constitute i of the I 'ni- ; "
! ted St sites." It would equally have violated
the great principle of popular sover- t,
cignty, at the foundation of our institutions j
to deprive the neonle of (lie nnw?r. if ?i?.v : v
I I - #?# i'~ J ^
thought proper to exercise ii, of confiding |
' to delegates elected by themselves tho trust J
i of framing a constitution, without requir- ! ;i
! ing them to subject their constituents to j
1 the trouble, expense, ami delay of a second '
election. It would have been in opposition
to n,any precedents in our history, comtnen- , "
cing in the very best :<ge of the republic, i
of the admission of Territories as States t
into the I nioii. without a previous vote of 2
the people approving their constitution. !
It is to be lamented that a question so ,
J liisigulieant when viewed in its practical | )
' effect 011 t!ie people of Kansas, whether do* , I
I cidcd one way or the other, should have | '
kindled such a flanicuf excitement through i
out the country. This reflect ion may prove j j,
to he a lesson of wisdom and of warn inf.' for |
our future guidance. Practically consid- j I
ercd, the ijuestion is simply whether the j '
people <>f tha' i'erritory should first come ' 'j
into the I'nion and then change any pro- ]
vision in their constitution not agreeable to j n
thcnisolvos, or accomplish the very .same <
1 object by remaining out of the I'nion and I
: 1 ?
oihm 11v i vjwiioiiiuiiuii in auvuruancH' j ^
\vit!i (heir will '{ In cither ease, the result t
would bo precisely the sumo. Tho only | >]
I difference i'i point of fact is, that the ob- !
jcet would huvc boon ninch sooner attained 1
and the pacification of Kansas more spec- j
! dily effected, had it been admitted as a 1 .
8t?de during the last session of Congress, j ;
My recommendntion, however, tor the :|
immediate admission of Kansas, failed to \
j meet tlio approbation of Congress, They ,
i deemed it wiser to adopt a different mras- i ,
| lire for the settlement of the iiuestion. For I '1
| my own part, 1 should have been willing j 1
i to yield my absent to almost any eonstilu- 1
j tional measure to accomplish this object. (
1 I, therefore eordiallv acquiesced in what (
I lias been called the lOnglish Compromise, I
! and approved the "Act for admission of 1
the State of Kansas into the 1 niou" upon j
the terms therein prescribed. i ,
I i nuer mo ordinance wlncli ncconsptisiuJ
j the Leconipton (.'oust i til lion, (In; people of i
i Kansas had claimed double t! 1 -? rptuiit.it v ol"
public lands tor the .support of common J
schools which had ever boon previously ,
granted to any State upon cMcrinji the i
Union ; and also the alternate s< otiui;> o <
land for twelve miles on each side of two j 1
rail roads, proposed to he constructed from
the Northern to the Southern boundary. ,
and from the Eastern to the Western boun- i 1
daryof the .State. Congress, deeming those t
claims unreasonable, provided, I v the act ' 1
of May 4, 1858, to which 1 have just re- !
ferrcd, for tlio admission of the St;.to on ;
an eiptal looting with the origin:.! ."'t t t
but " upon the fundamental condition j>rc- '
cedent," that a majority of the people 1
thereof, at an election to be held for that j j
purpose, should, in place of the very lar?.cu |
public hinds v.hivh they h:;d *le- ; <
inauded under the ordinance, accept such '
grants a.s had been made to .Minnesota and ;
other new States. I'nder this act, should
a majority reject the proposition offered i
them, 11 it shall be deemed and held that j |
i_ ..?? i.- . .. i ' 1
mi- [x uiuu 01 iviiiiKii.s no not nesire minus- i v
sion into the l uion with said Constitution, i
under t)i1 conditions set ll rth in .-aid pro- i 1
position." in that event, tlie net author- I
i/.cs the people of the Territory to elect del- , (
crates to tbnn a Constitution and {State I r
government tor thcmsclves, " whenever, , ;
. and not before, it is ascertained by a census j 1
duly and legally taken, that the po]:ulution '
of said Territory equals or evcecds the m- |
tio of representation required for a men.- I
ber of the House of Representatives of tlie j >
Conjmss df tha United States." The del- 1
i . . i
cgaies iiiusmsscuidjcU ".shall lir.st determine
by a vote whether it is tin- wish of tin; peo- : ,
pic of the proposed St.:te to bo admitted
into the Cnion at that time, and, if so, shall 1
I proceed to form a Constitution, and take j ^
i all necessary steps for the establishment of (
a State government in conformity with the | ,
Federal Constitution." After this Consti- t
tution shall have boon formed, Congress, 1
carrying out the principles of popular sov- j J
c.rcignty nnd non-intervention, have left j ,
"ti-< mode and manner of its approval or '|
l>tr (li.i 'I - - 1 '
*ii* fltirjrju (M I IIU JHUJUi.-H <1 I
i State," to be " prescribed by law," :ni<l |
they "shall tlion be admitted into the Union
as ftState, under f>uoh Constitution thus
fairly nnd legally mailc, with or without>
slavery, as said Constitution may prescribe."
An election was held throughout Kansas, in
purgninica of the provisions el' (his net, on the
HCCon<l <lay of Aupust lust, nnd it resulted in
the rejection, liy a large majority, of tho prop- f
osition submitted lo llio itcimln In fntiffrp-a ? i
j Thin beinj? the ca-e, tlicy nro "now authorized ; !|
lo form nnother constitution, preparatory to ad- i
mission info the l.'nion, but not until their nirni- ' 1
ber, as a?cerlnincd by a census, slinll equal or i '
exceed tho ratio required to elect a member lo '
tbo House of lleprcs.cnt alive.". '
It is not probablo, in the prenenl slate of '
lite case, tlint a third constitution can bo law- | '
fully framed ami presented to tl? -"xress l?y .
Kantian, before its population shall have roach- . 3
i en ino ucmgnatcu mm.Iter. i\or i* it lo (.0 I '
' presumcil llint, aflor tlieir antl cxjtpiicnce in re- i o
ulxting (he teiVitorJal lu\v?, flH-y <vill j
W" * < ?
s\ .V '
ii adopt ft constition in express violation of
lie provisions of im net of CongresH. 1 Hiring
he session of l!;">t3, much of I lie time of O011:ri'K3
wid occupied on the question of adrniting
Kansas under tlie Topeku constitution.
V, nearly the whole of tl<o hist session was
levotcd to the quostiou of its adinissiou under
lie I.econiplon eonsiitutiou. Surely it is not
itnvfts iimhlo to require the people of Knnsits
o wait, before milking a iliird attempt, until
lie number of their inhabitants shftll amount to
linet v-tliree thousand four hundred and twenty.
Hiring this brief period the harmony of the
laics, us well as tlie great business interests
f the country, demand tliul (lie people of the
.'nion shall not for a third time be convulsed
\y another agitation on the Kansas question.
>y waiting for a short time, ami acting in ohe- !
ienee to law, Kansas will glide into the Union
rithout the slightest impediment.
This excellent provision, which Congress
ave applied to Kansas, ought to be extended
ltd rendered applicable to all Territories which
lav hereafter seek admission into the t nion.
Whilst Congress possrs.s the undoubted power
i aunnning a new folate into I lie Union, liowver
small may be (lie number of its inhabiants,
yet this power ought not, in my ojiliiioii.
o lie exercised before the population sliall
mount to the ratio required by tlie act for the
,dmissi<>n of Knmns. 11 ail (his beon previousv
the rule, the country wouhl linve escaped nil
lit- evil-ami misfortunes to which it has been
x posed l?y (he Kansas question.
(Jf course, it wouhl be unjust to give tliis
ule a retrospective application, ami exclude a
itate \vhi<'h, acting upon the past practice of '
lie government, lias already formed its consliution,
vleclcd its legislature and other ollicois,
nd is now prepared to enter the Union.
The rule ou^ht to be adopted, whether we
onsider its (leaving OH the ptople of the Tovi i- !
cries or upon ilu- people of the existing Stales.
J any of the serious dissensions which have
ircvailed in t'ongresa ami throughout thccounry,
would liave been avoided, had tliis rule
ieen established at an earlier period of the
;ovennncnl,
Immediately upon the formation of a new
'erritory, [ eoplc from dillereiit Slates, and
rom foreign countries, rush into it. for the
itudnble purpose of improving their condition,
'heir lir.-t duly to themselves is to opt n and
ultivate farns. to construct- roads, to establish
ehools, to erect places of religious worship,
nd to devote their energies generally to relaim
the wilderness and to lay the foundation j
if a flourishing and prosperous couituonwealth.
f, iii this ineipeitt condition, wit 11 a po]>uhiion
of n few tlion<nixl, they should premature- j
y enter the I'nion, tliev are oppressed l?y the
nuden of State taxation, ni:<l the mer.ns u?cssury
for the improvement of the Territory !
nil the advancement of their own interests, a.rc
litis diverted to very different purposes.
The federal Government has ever been n lil>ral
parent to the Territories* and a general
untrihntor t<> iho useful enterprises of thoe.iry
settlers. It has paid tho expenses of their
.overiiment ami legislative assemblies out of
he. common treasury, ami thus relieved them
i-oiii u iicavy charge. I mler these cireumtances,
nothing cau bo better calculated to
e. tart I their material progesj Ihv.u 11? ?li vert
hem from their useful employments, by prematurely
exciting angry political contests
mnng themselves, for tlio benefit of n.-piring
cadets. It is surely no hardship for embryo
lowrnors, Senators ami Members ol t'ongicss i
o wait until the number of iulmhitunts shall
'(]ual those, of a single. congressional district.
I'liey surely ought. not to he permitted to rush
iiin the I iii.ni with a population less than one- I
tall' of several of the largo eounties in the in- j
erior of some of the States. This was the j
:om!ition of Kansas when it made application |
o he admitted umlur the Topeka constitution.
>csiiles, it ve<|tiires some time to remlur the1
miss of a papulation in a new Territory at all
lomogcncous, and to unite them on anything j
i!> a I \? il policy. Establish the rule, ami all
.ill look forward to it and govern themselves I
iM uMingly.
Hut ju -tice to the people of the several States
iji.ii',tl.at this rule should be establisheu ly |
nil. >' >..t. v. - c..... 1
1. . ??*?v ?r? v: 11? II i\;u IVI u>n orilil- j
o> , and, ?l least. one llppresentutive in Con- i
';s. Should the people of (lie Elates f.sil to i
! : a Vleo President, t!io power devolves upon j
ho Sen itc to rolcei th'n ofiieer from tin: two
lighesi . in lidates on ilie list. In ease of the
Si'itI It of tin- President, (lie Vice Presdent; thus
'Km ied t>y (lie Senate, lieeomos President ot
ho I'niled States. On all questions ol le<>isaliou,
I lie Senators from tin- smallest States of |
lie I'nion have an equal vole with those from
he largest. The same may he said in regard
o tin? ratilicalion of treaties and of Kxeeutive
ipp liniments. All this has worked admirably
ii praotiee, whilst i( conforms in principle wirli |
Ik- diameter of a government instituted by
icvereign Stales!. 1 presume no Ameii an eition
would <1 'sire lite idightest change in the ur'aitgcmeut.
Still, is it net unjust ami unequal
o t!ie existing Slates to invest some forty or
ilty thousand people, eollecteil in a Territory
>iili flii* ?H)'ilu'li's of Ki.vcreicnt v. ami place
liein on an equ si footing with Virginia uml
\e\v York in the Sen.lie of the I'nitud States?
For ihoso reayoits, 1 earnestly recommend
lie ji;?ss?a:;e of a general act, which shall proiilethat
upon the a; plication of a territorial
egislaturc, declaring their belief that the 'i'crit'iry
contains a number of inhabitants, whicl , j
I' in a State, would entitle them to elect a j
..u.u-M . ill < im-n-n>, II milli 1 1)1* llll'limy 01 1110
'resident to cause a census of the inhabitants
ii ho I il;cn, ami if found sufficient, then hy
he terms of this art to authorize them to proceil
"in th ?ir own way'' to frame a State cmitituiiiri,
preparatory to admission in the l.'nom.
I als > recosniii'-nd that an appropriation
nay he made, to enable the President to take
kcensus of the people of Kansas.
'flic present condition of ihc Territory of
"tah, wncn contrasted with what it was one
( ear ago. is a Htbject for congi'ntulution. It
vas then in a state of open rebellion, and, co.st
V-1... I if ft." ..I -
iiimiiiiri ui nil' J^OYerillllCIII |
c.111 mi:.I, that tliij rebellion tdiould he suji- j
>ro*reil anil the Mormons compelled to yield
ihcdicnee to ttie constitution ami laws. In drier
to accomplish I his object, us 1 informed
on in iny l ist annual jnessuge, I appointed a
lew governor in.it ca-.l of llrighnui Vounjt, and
iilicr leder.il ollicers to take the place ot those
vlio, consulting their peis.mal safety, had '
bund it necessary to withdraw from the Tcrri- i
ory. To pr> feel the.-c civil olliceis, and to aid
hem, as a j>on/f coinilotiis. in the c&Q.'iition of I
he laws in ease of need, I ordered a demolition!
ot the lirruy to accompany tliein to I'tah.
The necessity of adopting these measures is
low dfilnollKtinted.
On the 1 !5Mi of fteptciuhvr, 1<S."i7, 0overnor j
'oiiilg issued his proclamation,in tho siyle ol'aii J
ndopendent sovereign, announcing his purpose j
<> resist !>y force of nuns I lie entry of the ;
ruitoil States troops into our own Territory of 1
lull. )ty tliis he required all lite forces in I lie j
territory, to "hold themselves in readiness to 1
uurch at a moment's notice to repel any and
ill such invasion, and established martial law |
rom its date throughout tho Territory. These j
roved to he no idle threats. Ports Bridget* j
ill?l Hlllililv WOl'ft ninl KiU'nf !.? i
lie Mormons, (o doprivo out- troops oft ii- slieini-after
their long and fatiguing niftrcli. 0r.
wort-issued by Dnrffcl II. NN ulls. styling
limself " I,icutenant-ftoiicral, Nnnvop Legion,"
o stampede the animals of the United States
roops on their inarch, to sot fire lo their trains,
o burn the grass and the whole country before
hem and on their flanks, to keep them from
lee ping by night surprises, and to blockade ilio
oad by felling trcos, and destroying the fordi
f liver.*, fee.
inwtv orucrs were pronipiiy an I cflccli'J'y I
4H: " /
^ar /
obeyad. On tlie 4()i ?>f October, 1807, tIto Mor- |
mons captured and burned, on Gi'COn llivcr, ;
thrccot our supply trains, consisting of Hevon- :
ty-tivc wugons loaded with provisions ?n?l tents '
for tlic aruiy, ami earricil awny ecvciiiI hundred
animals. This diminished the supply of j
provisions So materially that General Johnston
was obliged to reduce the ration, and even with !
this precaution, there was only suiiicienl left to j
subsist tho troops until the fust of .lune.
Our iitile uiiiiy behaved admirably in their j
encampment at !' ; ( Bridget*, under their try- !
ing privations. In the midst of the mountains, I
in :i drearv. unsettled- nod inliiisniii.l.li, I
more (li:tn a thousand miles fvom home, they i
passed tho severe and iuclcnicjtt winter without
a murmur. They looked forward with confidence
lor relief from thoir country in (lno soa8on,
anil in this they were not disn|>| oin?e<l.
'I lie Secret, ry of War employed nil his enorgics
to forward them the necessary supplies,
and to muster and send such a military force
to I'tnh as would render resistance on the purl
ot the Mormons hopeless, and thus terminate !
the war without tlio etftision of blood. I i liis 1
effort# he was etlii icutly sustained b.v Congress.
They granted appropriations suHicicnt to cover
the deficiency thus necessarily created, tin.1 al- j
so provided for raising two regiments of volunteers.
"for the purpose of <|iiellittg disturlmn- ;
ccs in the Territory of I'tnh, for the protection
of supply and ckuigrant trains, and the suppression
of Indian hostilities on the frontier.'' !
Happily. there was no oceasion In call these !
regiments into service. li tlffcve had horn. 1 j
should Imvo felt serious cuihiifrnssii'iMit in sc- J
lceling them. >o grent was the number of our
briivc nnd pariotie citizens anxious to servo J
their country in tliis distant and apparently '
dangerous espt'dition. Tint* it ha* ever liccn,
and thus may it ever he!
The wisdom an 1 economy of sending su'ii- '
cicnt reitiloreemenls to I tali are established
net only hy tlie event, hut in the opinion of
those who, from I heir position and opporturti- \
ties, are tlie moat capable of forming a corrct t ,
judgment. Ocneral Johnston. tin; commander (
ol tiictV'COs, in addressing the Secretary of
War iro'n l-'orl llridger, under date of October i
IS, Is >7, e\:ilVS !S tilt* Otliliw.tl t!nll nnliwo ??
large force is s- hi h'-re, IV the nil tiro ??t" the |
con. try. 11 protracted war on tluir [the Mor- j
nions) pirt h insvit tb'.t*." This lie considered
v.c cs-iirv, to terminate the war smwdily and
more economically than if at I emote 5 hy iosv.flicii
tit means."
In the meantime. if wai my nnxiotis desire i
rliat the Mormons should _? .old obedience to the
constitution atnl the biws. witho-it rendoring ii
necesimry l<i resort to military force. To aid
in accomplishing this object. I deemed it ndvisahlc
in April list, to dispatch two diMinguished
citizcns of the United States. Messrs. Powell
and .Mcf'ulloch, to Utah. Tliey bore with
them si proclamation addressed hy myself to
the inhabitants of I'mh, dulod on the sixth day i
of IIirI iiimi1111, warning tho:n of tlicit* true eon- |
dltion. and how h-ypalcss it was on Ilici 1* part to
pers'st in rebellion against the 1'nited States,
an I offering all those who should submit to the
laws a full pnrdon for their j>a^t seditious and ,
treasons. At the Baine lime, I assured those |
who shi .'d persist in rebellion against the I'ni- j
ted States, that they lint-t expect no further i
lenity, but look to he rigorously dealt with ae-j
cording to t heir deserts. The instructions to'
these agents, as well as a copy of the jiroela- ,
inatioti, and their reports, are herewith submit
ted. It will be seen hv their report o!' the Hd )
of July last, that they have fully eon firmed Che
on UIOll CX |>rCSS<.'l' l>,v liCllCIMl .(Oi.listoll 111 till" I
previousOctober, ?.< to lite necessity ol' sending
reinforcements to ("tali. In tlii.they state,
lliut they "lire firmly impressed with the belief |
lluit tin- presence ol' tlie in my hero and the .
large nddit ional force that had been ordered to ;
the Territory, were I lie chief inducement.* that
caused tin' Mormons to abandon the idea of;
rotating the authority of the United States. A ;
less decisive policy would probably Imvc vekiiltcd
in a long, bloody and expensive war.
These gentlemen conducted themselves to my
entire sattal'ietion. nnd rendered useful services i
in executing the humane intentions at' tlx.1 gov- ;
eminent.
It also nlVords mo gven' satisfaction to state.
t ?::: I riovcrnor (.'mnniinj^ lias performed liis tin - |
ty in an able ami conciliatory manner, with tlie j
bstppiesl effect. 1 cannot. ill litis ronncsioil, '
lofruiii froiii mentioning the vulutihle serxieos
of C.il. Thomas L. Kane, xvlio, from motives of j
pure benevolence, nml without any oIIk ial ,
character or pecuniary compensation, vixite?l !
I'tali fbirio^ tbe la.-t inclement winter, lor I lie !
purpose of eontributing to the pacification os
the Territory.
I rttii happy to inform you. that the governor j
and other civil ofttcera of Utah, arc now |?i?v- j
forming their appropriate functions without re- j
.istftuce. 'J'he autl.rity of the constitution and |
the laws has been fully restored, and pence prevails
throughout the. Ti ritory.
A portion o' he troops sent to Utah arc now
encamped ii ( e lar valley, foriy-four miles
southwest of i : I.uke City ; and the remainder
have been n lei'edtoOregon losuppress Indian
hosti'.itie.
The march < .ho army to .Salt J.ake t ity, j
through the Indian Territory, has had a pow- j
erfnl effect in restraining the hostile feelings
against the United Slates, which exi.ted among i
the Indians in that region, mid in securing c:n- j
igrants to the I'ar West against their depredations.
This will also be the lueans of establishing
military posts and promoting settlements
along the route.
1 ree?"<nnend that the benefits of our land
lawsa >< pre-einj tion system be. extended to |
l!ie people of I t. h. bv the critalilisbiuoiil ?.?"
IiiikI oliiee in that Territory.
I linvc occasion, also, Id congratulate you on |
the re.Htilt of our negotiations villi Chimi.
You were informed by my last iinniiul mcs- i
sage, that our minuter lia I lieen instructed to '
occupy a neutral position in tlie ho tilities eon- 1
ducted by (Ireat iliitain and Franco against !
Canton, lie was, however, at the same time,
directed to co-operate cordially with the ilrilisii |
ami l-'rclich ministers, in all peacel'ii' measures ,
to secure by treaty those just conceit* -.'isto foreign
commerce, which the nations ol' the world i
had a right to di.tiand. It was impossible lor
me to proceed Curt her than this, on mv own author,!
. wiil.mii
' ' wii* |H'wor,
which. under I lie constitution, belong-* exclu- [
jsj v?.?1 y to Congress.
Ucsidcn, n 11 ci' n careful examination of tlio |
nature and extent of ?>ur grievances, I ?li<l not |
believe (liey woi'o of sii'.'h ? pressing elm meter, !
as would have justified CongreSH in declaring
war against the Chinese empire, without first j
making another earnest ntfeip^t to adjust them i
by jieueefnl uogoliaticn. 1 was ilie more in- !
clined to thin opinion, because of tlte ncvcro ;
ehastisriocnt which hnd then but recently been
iuflieteil upon the Chinese by our r><|uadron. in !
the capluif. run I destruction of the Harrier forts, I
to avenge an nllcjicd insult to our 11 :ijr.
Tl.. > ....
i iic uvciii mis 11rove(i i in; wisdom of our neutrality.
Our milliliter has exceultnl his instruction*
with eminent skill mul ability. In conjunction
with tho Russian plenipotentiary, lie
hnspeacefully, lint eftVctunlly co-operiitcd with j
the Mnglisli a ltd French pleipotoniiftries ; and I
each oil lie four poworn lifts ooiielutlcd ft separate ;
treaty with Chiou, of a highly fftlit iholory |
character. Tlic treaty concluded ny our own |
plenipotentiary will i in mediately bo submitted
to fhe Senate.
I am hjippy to nnuounco that, Hlron^h 'he
viii-rgi-iii' vi1! conciliatory citorlr> or our coiiuul- |
^ ncrnl in Janiin, n n.^w tivnty lms been concluded
w'idv tliaf umpire, tvliiulf iiiuy<bo expectod
niulci'i.illy (d iiii^iih-ui o\ir tmde And intereourPe
Jfi flutt quimer. mud remove from our
countrymen tlic disabilities which hnvc heretofore
been imposed upon tlio e*eVei*'e of 0?*>?r
religion. Tho treaty Klinll he ptibmitied (o the
Senate for approval without delay.
>''?** ' - - -,M* Vtf! '
y i?i> .<
It is my earnest desire Unit every misun*
derstundinjx wiili tlie Government ?>t* lirowt
Britain should be nuiicably and speedily adjusted.
It bus been the misfortune of both
countries, ulmost ever tdnco the period of the
revolution, to have been annoyed by a sue
cession of irritating and dangerous questions
threatening tlioir friendly relations. This
has partially prevented two full development
of thoseleelinga of mutual friendship between ;
the people of the two countries, so natural in
themselves and so conductive to their common
interest. Any serious interruption of
the commerce between the United Stales and
Grout Britain would bo equally injurious to
both. In fact, no two nations have over existed
on the face of the earth, which could do
each other so much good or so much harm. j
l'nteriaining these sentiments. I am gratified
to inform you, that the long-pending con
trovoisy bctwien the two governments, in ! i
relation to the question of visitation and j
>ciiic(i iius licc.i aoiicably ?*<t.juh ed. The |
claim on tho nnrt of (Ireat Britain, forcibly I i
In visit American vessels 011 tlie high seas in j
time (if jioaeo, could not bo unstained undor
(lie law of itations, and it had been overruled ; ;
by her own most eminent jurists. This cjucs- , i
tion was recently brought to an issue, by the j
repeated acts of British cruisers, in boarding i i
and searching our inercliant vessels in the i
(Julf of Mexico and the adjacent seas. These i
actswcie tlie more injurious and annoying, j i
as these wateis are traversed by a large portion
of tho commerce and n ivic-iitiun nf tbo !
... n " i
I mtCil States ami tlieir lVeo ami unrtMrio- j
ted use is essential t<> tlio security of tlx*
coastwise trade between different States of
tlio luion. Smjii vexations interruptions i
could not fail to excite the fuolings of the j i
e u:ntrv. aiid to require the interpjsitiou of i
the government. Kemonstrnnc** were ad- |
dressed to 11li:itish government against j
these violations of our c glits of sovrut-Mjiiitv. | i
and a naval fu:ce was at the same time or- |
dered to the Cohan waters, with direetioi.s )
" to protect all vessels of the United States j i
on tlio high seas, |Y ?m search or detention 1>_\ \ i
the vessels of war of any ot'mr nation."? i
The e measures received the unqualified and !
CVCIiClltllU iast ic Jiiiliroliilt ion ol the Aineri- i
?.':iit people. M >M fortunately. however. no | ,
collision tool; pU<<-/. -.mil the llritish govern- j
nient j.rnip.jvIv nvowed its recognition of the !
principles of ititcrmilioiitil law upon this sub- I i
jeet, as laid flown I?y I lie* government of the ,
I'tiilcd .States, in a iiulu to the Svresary o! .
Statebythe II. iti- h ministurat Washington,of (
April 10, 1 which secure tlic \esse1s ol i
tin' United Sta'es ujion the high seas from 1
visitation or ncnrvli in time of poaeo, under !
attv e.irenni-tain cs whatever. The claim ha.been
abandoned ill a manner rellecting hhi- i
or on the liritisli goveri nwlit, ami evincing
a just regard lor the la w of nations, ami canlint
fail to strengthen th<j vuoicablc l'Ola.ious
between the two countries.
The I'ritish (i ivornment, at the same time
proposed to the IJiiiieiPSjtate.s that mime mode
should bo adopted, by a mutual arrangement
between the two countries,, of a character
which may in* loumi ciiortive without heing I i
olfenshe, for verifying tin; nationality of vo>- (
scls &u>pccteil n? ji.iucl grotMiili* <>C carrying j
fals. Tliey have also inviteil tin: f'tii- |
ted Stall's to lake the initiat'ne. ami propose ;
measures lor this purpose. Whilst doolin- ,
ing lo assume .so gra\e a responsibility, tliu j
Soereiary of S'.ate lias informed British g>?v- ; i
eminent tliat \vc arc ready to rccoivo any
propo>a!s which tliev may leel disposed to ,
offer, liavilig this object in view, ami to con- .
filler thorn in an anticaMc spirit. -V strontr !
opinion is. however, expressed, tlnst the. oc- j
ea>ional abuse of the llag of any nation, is an i
evil far less to he deprecated, than would l>e
the establishment of any regulation* which
might he incompatible with the freedom of j
the seas. This government lias yet received |
no eoinmunication specifying the manner in j
which the British go\en ;ient would propose !
to carry out their bUggtMtion* ; and 1 am in- '
clincl to believe, that no plan which can be \
devised, will he free from grave embarrass- j
ments. Still. I shall form no decided opinion
on the subject, until 1 shall have carefully
and in the best spirit examined any pro- i
pOsals which thev may think proper to make. ]
I am truly >rry I cannot also inform you i
thai the complications betwen tlreat Britain '
and the I'nited State", arising out of the
i ' ..i i i? i--- a 1
>-i.i)inu iiini uimvtT wraiy 01 .vpl'li, IfiOU, (
lone been finally adjusted.
Attbo iD.niiK'iicoinoiit of your last. session, |
1 had ic.i o i tu hope that, emancipating
tin iukcIvos from further unavailing (liseus-j
sums, tlio two goNornmcnts would proceed ti i
settle tlio Ceu ral American questions in a j
piv.oficni inftiu or. alike liouorablo and satis- '
factory to both and this hope I have not yet ,
u'iinumn'ii. in i. y msr tin it 11:11 message, I 1
'li.it oyoi-hirrs I>:i< 1 been mailt) 1?v tli<? !
British (Soveinnient for this purpose, in a
IViciiillv irit, which I cordially reciprocated.
Their proposal was, to withdraw these
questionsfioiii a direct negotiation between
the two governments, but to accomplish the
same object by a negotiation between the
British Government and each of the Central j
American Republics whose territorial interests
ure imiucdinlcl v involved. The settle-^
incut was to l,c made in accordance with tho i
general tenor of the interpretation placed |
it)> >! the CJIayton and llnlwer treaty by the
United States, with certain modifications.?
As negotiations arc still pending ii]><>ti this
ha>is, it would not he proper for mo now to
communicate their present condition. A linal
-clilcmciit til thtiiC questions is greatly to he
desired, as tbis would wipe out the last remaining
subject of dispute between the two
countries.
Our relations with tho great empires of i
Franco tin I Russia, as well as with all other '
govrn>ii cits on the rcmtincnl ol IJuropo. oxeept
that of .Spain, continue to hct.f the most
Iriomlly character.
With Spain our relations remain in an tinsatisfactory
condition. In my menage of'
December last, 1 informed you that our envoy j
extrm nlinary nnd minister plcuipotcutiiirv
to Madrid hml asked for his recall; and it
was my purpofo to send out a new minister j
to that Court, with special instructions on all i
juc ition.? pending between the two govern- :
incuts, and with a determination to have >
them speedily and amicably adjusted, if thai I
were possible. This purpose has teen hither- 1
to (h'l'cttted hy c.nscs which 1 need not ciiu
IIK'I'UiC.
The mission to Spain litis boon intrusted to j
si distinguished citi'/.Ciiof Kohtucky, who will j
proceed to Madrid without dclny, and make
r.nother nnd u limit attempt to obtain justice
l'ront thai government.
(Spanish officials. under tho direct control
oftneCaptan. (Jeueral of Cuba. hav? insulted
our national ling,' and. in repented instances,
lirtvo from time to time indicted injuries on
the persons and property of Our citizens.?
Thcro have given birth to numerous claims j
against the Spanish Government, the merits !
r ...i.: I. I I. ?i.i.. .1: 1 r - - - I
iji wiui ii uutv ii?Mjii ituiv ftt?r 'V ho- ?
rios of yoM-s, by our Biyjco^tfivy diplomatic
representatives. KofalthMntidiug thin, \vc
Jinvo riot arrived at a practical result in any
fiingt'6 instance, umIc-sh \vd may cscopt the
;caso of tlio Black Warrior, under tho lafq ndiniiiistrntiou
: and.'.liut presented an nutrngo
of such a character as would luivo juflilicd
fcV . <t *.: - !/v,
iin iiiiinodinto resort to war. All our attempt*
to obtain mlnvi8 have boon baHloil and il<?~
foutcil. The frequent an?.5 oft-rccurring eliiui"
pes in the Spanish ministry, have been cmployed
tin reasons for delay. Wo have been
compelled to wait, again and again, until the
new mini.ster shall liavo ha>l time to investigate
the justice of our demands.
Kven what Invve been denominated " tho
Cuban Claims," in whieli more than a bun
(Ired of our citizens arc directly interested,
have furnished no exception. Those claims
were for the refunding of duties unjustly exacted
from Americau vessels at dilferent cust
un-housc.s in Culm, so long ago as the year
1844. The principles upon which tlicy rest
are so manifestly equitable anil just, that
alter a period of nearly ten yours, in 18.il,
they were recognized by the .Spanish government.
lVoceeding* were afterwards instituted
to ascertain their amount, and this
was finally fixed according to their own statement
fwii.ji which wo were satisfied) at the
sum of ono hundred and tw enty-eight thousand
six hundred a- J thirty-fivo dollars niul
lilty-four cents. J>..t at the moment, after
;v delay of fourteen years, when we had rea~
son to expect tluit this sum would Ijo repaid
with interest, we have received a proposal,
idfer'.ng to refund one-third of that amount,,
forty-two thousand eight hundred and seventy-ei^ht
dollars and forty-one fonts,) hut with"
mit interest, if we would accept tWs fn full'
si!it>!ai tii-n. The ofW is. ivl'so, accompanied'
I>v a declaration that this indemnification is>
not founded on any reason of strict justice;,
hut is made aS a special favor.
One alleged ea'f-c for procrastination in tlioexamination
ami adjustment of our claims
urises from an obstacle which it is the duty
i>fthe Spanish Government to remove. Whilst
llic Captaiu-<ienerul of Cuba is invested with
'^ neral despotic authoritv in 'lie government
,.? KI0...1 11 1.1...1.1 iv
Iti 111 to examine ami redrosw wrongs commit* I
fed l?y ofho'.alx under hiscontrol, on citi/.cns
dI t'lo 1'iiited S at vs. Instead of making
'hir complaints dircctly to liim at Havana,
we arc obliged to present them through our
Minister tit Madrid. These nrc then referred
buck to tin1 ('aptuin-tichciui for information :
ill id much limit is thus consumed in j?icliininarv
investigations and correspondence bo
woo:i Madrid and (.'aba. before the Spanish
Iiovi'mmout will consent to proceed to negotiation.
Manv of tlu> ililiienlties between
ii,., i.i i? ..i.i i
I?n ?.??? ^Mniiiinjiu.' HIMIIH III- inn lilU'U, illlU
ii long trainof negotiali>>n s?v? !?!<*? 1. ifthe ('?itain-(ieueral
woioinvestcd with authority to
sottlo question* of easy solution on the spot,
where all the laet.> are froj.li, ami could l (r>
promptly :uul satisfactorily ascertained. ^ iv
have hitherto in vain urged upon the Spanish
(?' veruBnent, to uoufor this power upon
the ('aptnin-Ucnernl, ami our Minister to
Spain will again hi; instructed to urge thi
subject on thair notice. In this respect. wo
i?o< npy a: iliilVrciit position from the poweis
of Kufopc. Cuba in almost within sight of
i>ur shores: our commerce with it is far
greater than that of any other nation, including
Spain itself, ami our citizens are in ha! its
of daily and extended personal in Icroon ten
with every part of the Island. It is, therefore,
a great grievance that, when any difficulty
occurs, do mutter how iitioorfimt wlii. l.
be readily sottle?l at the moment, wo
should bo obliged to resort t?> Madrid. especially
when the very lirst stop tu be taken
thore is to refer it haek to Cuba.
The truth is, that Cuba, in its existing
colonial condition, is a constant source) uf
injury and annoyance to the American pie.
It is the only spot in the civilized world
where the African t-la\c-trade is tolerated;
and we are bound by treaty with
(ireat Hritain, to nmintain a naval force on
the coast of Africa, at much expense, both nf
life ami treasure, solely fur the purpose > f
arresting slavers bound to that Island. The.
late serious dilliciiUies between the United'
.....i r:,,...#
?. ? % v ' n',M * ^ i V II V I# I I I M l II I V..- | ?v t |...fc Ill*, I IJ^I I u
of search, now so happily terminated, could
never huve arisen if Cuba had not alforded
a market for slaves. As long as this market
shall remain open. there can he no hope f< r
the civilization of benighted Africa. "\Vliilpt
the dcuiami i*>r slaves continues in (,'ul a,
wars will be waged among the petty and
barbarous*'chiefs in ATvica. for tlic purpo>o
of coizing subjects to mipply the trade, lit
such a Condition of allairs, it is impossible
tliat tho Jight of civilization and religion can
e> cr ponttlfttb these d.;rk abodes.
U has hooujuodc known to the world by
my predecessors, that the Inited States haveon
se\eral occasion, endcuvoied to acquito
n. i .. i* *j.. - i .. i * ? *
i iimil iiuiii ojmiiii i>\ iiuiiiiraiiio negoinmoii.
It' tliis wore n?:coi\iul)<|lied( the last relic ot*
the slave trade would instantly disappear.
We would nut, if wq could. acquire vuha
in nnv other manner. This is due to <>nr
national eli.u ao(<??'? .-.4NW ie territory which
we have anpiirccl t>inco 'tfjjj origin ol' tlie government.
lias horn l?y tnir purchase iroin
France. *pain and Mexico, or by the freo
and volnr.tary act of the independent State
of Texas, in blending her destinies with our
own. This course we shall ever pursue, unless
circumstances i-hould occur, which wo
do not now anticipate, rendering a departure
from it (di avly .jtistiliablo. under the imperii
tive itii'I oven tiling law of scir-preservation.
The Island iif Cuba, from its gcogriipiual
position.. commands tho mouth uf the Missis-hijipi.
ami the immense and annunlly-incrensin;;
traili'. foreign and coastwise, from thevalley
of that noble river, now embracing
half the sovereign States of the Union..
With that l-!and under the dominion of a
distant foreign power, thib trade,"of vital imjiortanee
to tlic~o States, is exposed to tbo
danger of being destroyed in-time of war.
it11it it lias hitlici to been subjected to perpetual
injury ami annoyance in tui.o oC
peace. Our relations with Spain, wliicli
might to he of the most friendly character,
must illwt|ys he placed in jeopardy, whilst
the existing colonial government over tlio
Island shall remain in its present condition..
Whilst the possession of tho Island would
he of vast impoitance to the United States,
its value to Statin is, comparatively, unimportant.
Sucli was tho relative ntiutioii of
the parties, when the great Napoleon transferred
Louisiana to the United States. Jealous.
as lie oxer was. of the national honor
and iiiteiorttniof Franco, no portion tlirouglioiit
tlio world, lias in.^iuto'l hliwno to hint,
for accepting a pecuniary equivalent for tliis
t'OHsion.
The publicity which ha* been given to.
our former negotiation* upon tliis mili'mM,
ami the large npprowiatiou wliich may liorequired
to efleet tlio purpose, render it expedient.
botoro making another attempt to
renew tlio negotiation, that 1 tiliould lay tlio
wnoio Huiijcct iHuorc UongrcB*. l his m 0!?~.
pecinlly necofnary, ns it mnv bdeotn'o
pcnKuhlo to success. tfiftt I should bo intrusted
with tho means of making nfi advance
to the Spanish government immedi-atoly
after tho nigningof the trinity, without
auditing the ratification of it l>y tfic Senate,,
i am- encouraged to m.iko 'm suggestion,
by tho example of Mr. i^efttTfon previous
to thft purchase of r<ouitdituu from Franco*
and by that of Mr'. Polk in vtow of, tho nc
.. c a r r .
<111 ir11ii>ii ui ivrriiurjr lruiii rauxivn* i roior*
the >V-Iv;!c aultyjci to Cong^ e^f, and CJiuiwudl
''*!? l tfi /i