On your assembling to perform the high trusts which the people of the United States have confided to you, of legislating for their common welfare, it gives me pleasure to congratulate you upon the happy condition of our beloved country. By the favor of Divine Providence health is again restored to us, peace reigns within our borders, abundance crowns the labors of our fields, commerce and domestic industry flourish and increase, and individual happiness rewards the private virtue and enterprise of our citizens. Our condition abroad is no less honorable than it is prosperous at home. Seeking nothing that is not right and determined to submit to nothing that is wrong, but desiring honest friendships and liberal intercourse with all nations, the United States have gained throughout the world the confidence and respect which are due to a policy so just and so congenial to the character of the American people and to the spirit of their institutions. In bringing to your notice the particular state of our foreign affairs, it affords me high gratification to inform you that they are in a condition which promises the continuance of friendship with all nations. With Great Britain the interesting question of our North East boundary remains still undecided. A negotiation, however, upon that subject has been renewed since the close of the last Congress, and a proposition has been submitted to the British Government with the view of establishing, in conformity with the resolution of the Senate, the line designated by the treaty of 1783. Though no definitive answer has been received, it may be daily looked for, and I entertain a hope that the overture may ultimately lead to a satisfactory adjustment of this important matter. I have the satisfaction to inform you that a negotiation which, by desire of the House of Representatives, was opened some years ago with the British Government, for the erection of light houses on the Bahamas, has been successful. Those works, when completed, together with those which the United States have constructed on the western side of the Gulf of Florida, will contribute essentially to the safety of navigation in that sea. This joint participation in establishments interesting to humanity and beneficial to commerce is worthy of two enlightened nations, and indicates feelings which can not fail to have a happy influence upon their political relations. It is gratifying to the friends of both to perceive that the intercourse between the two people is becoming daily more extensive, and that sentiments of mutual good will have grown up befitting their common origin and justifying the hope that by wise counsels on each side not only unsettled questions may be satisfactorily terminated, but new causes of misunderstanding prevented. Not withstanding that I continue to receive the most amicable assurances from the Government of France, and that in all other respects the most friendly relations exist between the United States and that Government, it is to be regretted that the stipulations of the convention concluded on 1831-07-04 remain in some important parts unfulfilled. By the second article of that convention it was stipulated that the sum payable to the United States should be paid at Paris, in 6 annual installments, into the hands of such person or persons as should be authorized by the Government of the United States to receive it, and by the same article the first installment was payable on 1833-02-02. By the act of Congress of 1832-07-13 it was made the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to cause the several installments, with the interest thereon, to be received from the French Government and transferred to the United States in such manner as he may deem best; and by the same act of Congress the stipulations on the part of the United States in the convention were in all respects fulfilled. Not doubting that a treaty thus made and ratified by the two Governments, and faithfully executed by the United States, would be promptly complied with by the other party, and desiring to avoid the risk and expense of intermediate agencies, the Secretary of the Treasury deemed it advisable to receive and transfer the first installment by means of a draft upon the French minister of finance. A draft for this purpose was accordingly drawn in favor of the cashier of the Bank of the United States for the amount accruing to the United States out of the first installment, and the interest payable with it. This bill was not drawn at Washington until 5 days after the installment was payable at Paris, and was accompanied by a special authority from the President authorizing the cashier or his assigns to receive the amount. The mode thus adopted of receiving the installment was officially made known to the French Government by the American chargé d'affaires at Paris, pursuant to instructions from the Department of State. The bill, however, though not presented for payment until 1833-03-23, was not paid, and for the reason assigned by the French minister of finance that no appropriation had been made by the French Chambers. It is not known to me that up to that period any appropriation had been required of the Chambers, and although a communication was subsequently made to the Chambers by direction of the King, recommending that the necessary provision should be made for carrying the convention into effect, it was at an advanced period of the session, and the subject was finally postponed until the next meeting of the Chambers. Not withstanding it has been supposed by the French ministry that the financial stipulations of the treaty can not be carried into effect without an appropriation by the Chambers, it appears to me to be not only consistent with the character of France, but due to the character of both Governments, as well as to the rights of our citizens, to treat the convention, made and ratified in proper form, as pledging the good faith of the French Government for its execution, and as imposing upon each department an obligation to fulfill it; and I have received assurances through our chargé d'affaires at Paris and the French minister plenipotentiary at Washington, and more recently through the minister of the United States at Paris, that the delay has not proceeded from any indisposition on the part of the King and his ministers to fulfill their treaty, and that measures will be presented at the next meeting of the Chambers, and with a reasonable hope of success, to obtain the necessary appropriation. It is necessary to state, however, that the documents, except certain lists of vessels captured, condemned, or burnt at sea, proper to facilitate the examination and liquidation of the reclamations comprised in the stipulations of the convention, and which by the 6th article France engaged to communicate to the United States by the intermediary of the legation, though repeatedly applied for by the American chargé d'affaires under instructions from this Government, have not yet been communicated; and this delay, it is apprehended, will necessarily prevent the completion of the duties assigned to the commissioners within the time at present prescribed by law. The reasons for delaying to communicate these documents have not been explicitly stated, and this is the more to be regretted as it is not understood that the interposition of the Chambers is in any manner required for the delivery of those papers. Under these circumstances, in a case so important to the interests of our citizens and to the character of our country, and under disappointments so unexpected, I deemed it my duty, however I might respect the general assurances to which I have adverted, no longer to delay the appointment of a minister plenipotentiary to Paris, but to dispatch him in season to communicate the result of his application to the French Government at an early period of your session. I accordingly appointed a distinguished citizen for this purpose, who proceeded on his mission in August last and was presented to the King early in the month of October. He is particularly instructed as to all matters connected with the present posture of affairs, and I indulge the hope that with the representations he is instructed to make, and from the disposition manifested by the King and his ministers in their recent assurances to our minister at Paris, the subject will be early considered, and satisfactorily disposed of at the next meeting of the Chambers. As this subject involves important interests and has attracted a considerable share of the public attention, I have deemed it proper to make this explicit statement of its actual condition, and should I be disappointed in the hope now entertained the subject will be again brought to the notice of Congress in such manner as the occasion may require. The friendly relations which have always been maintained between the United States and Russia have been further extended and strengthened by the treaty of navigation and commerce concluded on 1832-12-06, and sanctioned by the Senate before the close of its last session. The ratifications having been since exchanged, the liberal provisions of the treaty are now in full force, and under the encouragement which they have secured a flourishing and increasing commerce, yielding its benefits to the enterprise of both nations, affords to each the just recompense of wise measures, and adds new motives for that mutual friendship which the two countries have hitherto cherished toward each other. It affords me peculiar satisfaction to state that the Government of Spain has at length yielded to the justice of the claims which have been so long urged in behalf of our citizens, and has expressed a willingness to provide an indemnification as soon as the proper amount can be agreed upon. Upon this latter point it is probable an understanding had taken place between the minister of the United States and the Spanish Government before the decease of the late King of Spain; and, unless that event may have delayed its completion, there is reason to hope that it may be in my power to announce to you early in your present session the conclusion of a convention upon terms not less favorable than those entered into for similar objects with other nations. That act of justice would well accord with the character of Spain, and is due to the United States from their ancient friend. It could not fail to strengthen the sentiments of amity and good will between the two nations which it is so much the wish of the United States to cherish and so truly the interest of both to maintain. By the first section of an act of Congress passed on 1832-07-13 the tonnage duty on Spanish ships arriving from the ports of Spain previous to 1817-10-20, being 5 cents per ton. That act was intended to give effect on our side to an arrangement made with the Spanish Government by which discriminating duties of tonnage were to be abolished in the ports of the United States and Spain on he vessels of the two nations. Pursuant to that arrangement, which was carried into effect on the part of Spain on 1832-05-20, by a royal order dated 1832-04-29, American vessels in the ports of Spain have paid 5 cents per ton, which rate of duty is also paid in those ports by Spanish ships; but as American vessels pay no tonnage duty in the ports of the United States, the duty of 5 cents payable in our ports by Spanish vessels under the act above mentioned is really a discriminating duty, operating to the disadvantage of Spain. Though no complaint has yet been made on the part of Spain, we are not the less bound by the obligations of good faith to remove the discrimination, and I recommend that the act be amended accordingly. As the royal order above alluded to includes the ports of the Balearic and Canary islands as well as those of Spain, it would seem that the provisions of the act of Congress should be equally extensive, and that for the repayments of such duties as may have been improperly received an addition should be made to the sum appropriated at the last session of Congress for refunding discriminating duties. As the arrangement referred to, however, did not embrace the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, discriminating duties to the prejudice of American shipping continue to be levied there. From the extent of the commerce carried on between the United States and those islands, particularly the former, this discrimination causes serious injury to one of those great national interests which it has been considered an essential part of our policy to cherish, and has given rise to complaints on the part of our merchants. Under instructions given to our minister at Madrid, earnest representations have been made by him to the Spanish Government upon this subject, and there is reason to expect, from the friendly disposition which is entertained toward this country, that a beneficial change will be produced. The disadvantage, however, to which our shipping is subjected by the operation of these discriminating duties requires that they be met by suitable countervailing duties during your present session, power being at the same time vested in the President to modify or discontinue them as the discriminating duties on American vessels or their cargoes may be modified or discontinued at those islands. Intimations have been given to the Spanish Government that the United States may be obliged to resort to such measures as are of necessary self-defense, and there is no reason to apprehend that it would be unfavorably received. The proposed proceeding if adopted would not be permitted, however, in any degree to induce a relaxation in the efforts of our minister to effect a repeal of this irregularity by friendly negotiation, and it might serve to give force to his representations by showing the dangers to which that valuable trade is exposed by the obstructions and burdens which a system of discriminating and countervailing duties necessarily produces. The selection and preparation of the Florida archives for the purpose of being delivered over to the United States, in conformity with the royal order as mentioned in my last annual message, though in progress, has not yet been completed. This delay has been produced partly by causes which were unavoidable, particularly the prevalence of the cholera at Havana; but measures have been taken which it is believed will expedite the delivery of those important records. Congress were informed at the opening of the last session that "owing, as was alleged, to embarrassments in the finances of Portugal, consequent upon the civil war in which that nation was engaged", payment had been made of only one installment of the amount which the Portuguese Government had stipulated to pay for indemnifying our citizens for property illegally captured in the blockade of Terceira. Since that time a postponement for two years, with interest, of the 2 remaining installments was requested by the Portuguese Government, and as a consideration it offered to stipulate that rice of the United States should be admitted into Portugal at the same duties as Brazilian rice. Being satisfied that no better arrangement could be made, my consent was given, and a royal order of the King of Portugal was accordingly issued on 1833-02-04 for the reduction of the duty on rice of the United States. It would give me great pleasure if in speaking of that country, in whose prosperity the United States are so much interested, and with whom a long- subsisting, extensive, and mutually advantageous commercial intercourse has strengthened the relation of friendship, I could announce to you the restoration of its internal tranquillity. Subsequently to the commencement of the last session of Congress the final installment payable by Denmark under the convention of 1830-03-28 was received. The commissioners for examining the claims have since terminated their labors, and their awards have been paid at the Treasury as they have been called for. The justice rendered to our citizens by that Government is thus completed, and a pledge is thereby afforded for the maintenance of that friendly intercourse becoming the relations that the two nations mutually bear to each other. It is satisfactory to inform you that the Danish Government have recently issued an ordinance by which the commerce with the island of St. Croix is placed on a more liberal footing than heretofore. This change can not fail to prove beneficial to the trade between the United States and that colony, and the advantages likely to flow from it may lead to greater relaxations in the colonial systems of other nations. The ratifications of the convention with the King of the two Sicilies have been duly exchanged, and the commissioners appointed for examining the claims under it have entered upon the duties assigned to them by law. The friendship that the interests of the two nations require of them being now established, it may be hoped that each will enjoy the benefits which a liberal commerce should yield to both. A treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and Belgium was concluded during the last winter and received the sanction of the Senate, but the exchange of the ratifications has been hitherto delayed, in consequence, in the first instance, of some delay in the reception of the treaty at Brussels, and, subsequently, of the absence of the Belgian minister of foreign affairs at the important conferences in which his Government is engaged at London. That treaty does but embody those enlarged principles of friendly policy which it is sincerely hoped will always regulate the conduct of the two nations having such strong motives to maintain amicable relations toward each other and so sincerely desirous to cherish them. With all the other European powers with whom the United States have formed diplomatic relations and with the Sublime Porte the best understanding prevails. From all I continue to receive assurances of good will toward the United States -- assurances which it gives me no less pleasure to reciprocate than to receive. With all, the engagements which have been entered into are fulfilled with good faith on both sides. Measures have also been taken to enlarge our friendly relations and extend our commercial intercourse with other States. The system we have pursued of aiming at no exclusive advantages, of dealing with all on terms of fair and equal reciprocity, and of adhering scrupulously to all our engagements is well calculated to give success to efforts intended to be mutually beneficial. The wars of which the southern part of this continent was so long the theater, and which were carried on either by the mother country against the States which had formerly been her colonies or by the States against each other, having terminated, and their civil dissensions having so far subsided as with few exceptions no longer to disturb the public tranquillity, it is earnestly hoped those States will be able to employ themselves without interruption in perfecting their institutions, cultivating the arts of peace, and promoting by wise councils and able exertions the public and private prosperity which their patriotic struggles so well entitle them to enjoy. With those States our relations have under-gone but little change during the present year. No reunion having yet taken place between the States which composed the Republic of Colombia, our chargé d'affaires at Bogota has been accredited to the Government of New Grenada, and we have, therefore, no diplomatic relations with Venezuela and Equator, except as they may be included in those heretofore formed with the Colombian Republic. It is understood that representatives from the three stattes were about to assemble at Bogota to confer on the subject of their mutual interests, particularly that of their union, and if the result should render it necessary, measures will be taken on our part to preserve with each that friendship and those liberal commercial connections which it has been the constant desire of the United States to cultivate with their sister Republics of this hemisphere. Until the important question of reunion shall be settled, however, the different matters which have been under discussion between the United States and the Republic of Colombia, or either of the States which composed it, are not likely to be brought to a satisfactory issue. In consequence of the illness of the chargé d'affaires appointed to Central America at the last session of Congress, he was prevented from proceeding on his mission until the month of October. It is hoped, however, that he is by this time at his post, and that the official intercourse, unfortunately so long interrupted, has been thus renewed on the part of the two nations so amicably and advantageously connected by engagements founded on the most enlarged principles of commercial reciprocity. It is gratifying to state that since my last annual message some of the most important claims of our fellow citizens upon the Government of Brazil have been satisfactorily adjusted, and a reliance is placed on the friendly dispositions manifested by it that justice will also be done in others. No new causes of complaint have arisen, and the trade between the two countries flourishes under the encouragement secured to it by the liberal provisions of the treaty. It is cause of regret that, owing, probably, to the civil dissensions which have occupied the attention of the Mexican Government, the time fixed by the treaty of limits with the United States for the meeting of the commissioners to define the boundaries between the two nations has been suffered to expire without the appointment of any commissioners on the part of that Government. While the true boundary remains in doubt by either party it is difficult to give effect to those measures which are necessary to the protection and quiet of our numerous citizens residing near that frontier. The subject is one of great solicitude to the United States, and will not fail to receive my earnest attention. The treaty concluded with Chili and approved by the Senate at its last session was also ratified by the Chilian Government, but with certain additional and explanatory articles of a nature to have required it to be again submitted to the Senate. The time limited for the exchange of the ratification, however, having since expired, the action of both Governments on the treaty will again become necessary. The negotiations commenced with the Argentine Republic relative to the outrages committed on our vessels engaged in the fisheries at the Falkland Islands by persons acting under the color of its authority, as well as the other matters in controversy between the two Governments, have been suspended by the departure of the chargé d'affaires of the United States from Buenos Ayres. It is understood, however, that a minister was subsequently appointed by that Government to renew the negotiation in the United States, but though daily expected he has not yet arrived in this country. With Peru no treaty has yet been formed, and with Bolivia no diplomatic intercourse has yet been established. It will be my endeavor to encourage those sentiments of amity and that liberal commerce which belong to the relations in which all the independent States of this continent stand toward each other. I deem it proper to recommend to your notice the revision of our consular system. This has become an important branch of the public service, in as much as it is intimately connected with the preservation of our national character abroad, with the interest of our citizens in foreign countries, with the regulation and care of our commerce, and with the protection of our sea men. At the close of the last session of Congress I communicated a report from the Secretary of State upon the subject, to which I now refer, as containing information which may be useful in any inquiries that Congress may see fit to institute with a view to a salutary reform of the system. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you upon the prosperous condition of the finances of the country, as will appear from the report which the Secretary of the Treasury will in due time lay before you. The receipts into the Treasury during the present year will amount to more than $32,000,000. The revenue derived from customs will, it is believed, be more than $28,000,000, and the public lands will yield about $3,0900,000. The expenditures within the year for all objects, including $2,572,240.99 on account of the public debt, will not amount to $25,000,000, and a large balance will remain in the Treasury after satisfying all the appropriations chargeable on the revenue for the present year. The measures taken by the Secretary of the Treasury will probably enable to pay off in the course of the present year the residue of the exchanged 4.5% stock, redeemable on 1834-01-01. It has therefore been included in the estimated expenditures of this year, and forms a part of the sum above stated to have been paid on account of the public debt. The payment of this stock will reduce the whole debt of the United States, funded and unfunded, to the sum of $4,760,082.08, and as provision has already been made for the 4.5% stocks above mentioned, and charged in the expenses of the present year, the sum last stated is all that now remains of the national debt; and the revenue of the coming year, together with the balance now in the Treasury, will be sufficient to discharge it, after meeting the current expenses of the Government. Under the power given to the commissioners of the sinking fund, it will, I have no doubt, be purchased on favorable terms within the year. From this view of the state of the finances and the public engagements yet to be fulfilled you will perceive that if Providence permits me to meet you at another session I shall have the high gratification of announcing to you that the national debt is extinguished. I can not refrain from expressing the pleasure I feel at the near approach of that desirable event. The short period of time within which the public debt will have been discharged is strong evidence of the abundant resources of the country and of the prudence and economy with which the Government has heretofore been administered. We have waged two wars since we became a nation, with one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world, both of them undertaken in defense of our dearest rights, been successfully prosecuted and honorably terminated; and many of those who partook in the first struggle as well as in the second will have lived to see the last item of the debt incurred in these necessary but expensive conflicts faithfully and honestly discharged. And we shall have the proud satisfaction of bequeathing to the public servants who follow us in the administration of the Government the rare blessing of a revenue sufficiently abundant, raised without injustice or oppression to our citizens, and unencumbered with any burdens but what they themselves shall think proper to impose upon it. The flourishing state of the finances ought not, however, to encourage us to indulge in a lavish expenditure of the public treasure. The receipts of the present year do not furnish the test by which we are to estimate the income of the next. The changes made in our revenue system by the acts of Congress of 1832 and 1833, and more especially by the former, have swelled the receipts of the present year far beyond the amount to be expected in future years upon the reduced tariff of duties. The shortened credits on revenue bonds and the cash duties on woolens which were introduced by the act of 1832, and took effect on 1832-03-04, have brought large sums into the Treasury in 1833, which, according to the credits formerly given, would not have been payable until 1834, and would have formed a part of the income of that year. These causes would of themselves produce a great diminution of the receipts in the year 1834 as compared with the present one, and they will be still more diminished by the reduced rates of duties which take place on 1834-01-01 on some of the most important and productive articles. Upon the best estimates that can be made the receipts of the next year, with the aid of the unappropriated amount now in the Treasury, will not be much more than sufficient to meet the expenses of the year and pay the small remnant of the national debt which yet remains unsatisfied. I can not, therefore, recommend to you any alteration in the present tariff of duties. The rate as now fixed by law on the various articles was adopted at the last session of Congress, as a matter of compromise, with unusual unanimity, and unless it is found to produce more than the necessities of the Government call for there would seem to be no reason at this time to justify a change. But while I forbear to recommend any further reduction of the duties beyond that already provided for by the existing laws, I must earnestly and respectfully press upon Congress the importance of abstaining from all appropriations which are not absolutely required for the public interest and authorized by the powers clearly delegated to the United States. We are beginning a new era in our Government. The national debt, which has so long been a burden on the Treasury, will be finally discharged in the course of the ensuing year. No more memory will afterwards be needed than what may be necessary to meet the ordinary expenses of the Government. Now, then, is the proper moment to fix our system of expenditure on firm and durable principles, and I can not too strongly urge the necessity of a rigid economy and an inflexible determination not to enlarge the income beyond the real necessities of the Government and not to increase the wants of the Government by unnecessary and profuse expenditures. If a contrary course should be pursued, it may happen that the revenue of 1834 will fall short of the demands upon it, and after reducing the tariff in order to lighten the burdens of the people, and providing for a still further reduction to take effect hereafter, it would be much to be deplored if at the end of another year we should find ourselves obliged to retrace our steps and impose additional taxes to meet unnecessary expenditures. It is my duty on this occasion to call your attention to the destruction of the public building occupied by the Treasury Department, which happened since the last adjournment of Congress. A thorough inquiry into the causes of this loss was directed and made at the time, the result of which will be duly communicated to you. I take pleasure, however, in stating here that by the laudable exertions of the officers of the Department and many of the citizens of the District but few papers were lost, and none that will materially affect the public interest. The public convenience requires that another building should be erected as soon as practicable, and in providing for it it will be advisable to enlarge in some manner the accommodations for the public officers of the several Departments, and to authorize the erection of suitable depositories for the safe-keeping of the public documents and records. Since the last adjournment of Congress the Secretary of the Treasury has directed the money of the United States to be deposited in certain State banks designated by him, and he will immediately lay before you his reasons for this direction. I concur with him entirely in the view he has taken on the subject, and some months before the removal I urged upon the Department the propriety of taking that step. The near approach of the day on which the charter   will expire, as well as the conduct of the bank, appeared to me to call for this measure upon the high considerations of public interest and public duty. The extent of its misconduct, however, although known to be great, was not at that time fully developed by proof. It was not until late in the month of August that I received from the Government directors an official report establishing beyond question that this great and powerful institution had been actively engaged in attempting to influence the elections of the public officers by means of its money, and that, in violation of the express provisions of its charter, it had by a formal resolution placed its funds at the disposition of its president to be employed in sustaining the political power of the bank. A copy of this resolution is contained in the report of the Government directors before referred to, and how ever the object may be disguised by cautious language, no one can doubt that this money was in truth intended for electioneering purposes, and the particular uses to which it was proved to have been applied abundantly show that it was so understood. Not only was the evidence complete as to the past application of the money and power of the bank to electioneering purposes, but that the resolution of the board of directors authorized the same course to be pursued in future. It being thus established by unquestionable proof that the Bank of the United States was converted into a permanent electioneering engine, it appeared to me that the path of duty which the executive department of the Government ought to pursue was not doubtful. As by the terms of the bank charter no officer but the Secretary of the Treasury could remove the deposits, it seemed to me that this authority ought to be at once exerted to deprive that great corporation of the support and countenance of the Government in such an use of its funds   and such an exertion of its power. In this point of the case the question is distinctly presented whether the people of the United States are to govern through representatives chosen by their unbiased suffrages or whether the money and power of a great corporation are to be secretly exerted to influence their judgment and control their decisions. It must now be determined whether the bank is to have its candidates for all offices in the country, from the highest to the lowest, or whether candidates on both sides of political questions shall be brought forward as heretofore and supported by the usual means. At this time the efforts of the bank to control public opinion, through the distresses of some and the fears of others, are equally apparent, and, if possible, more objectionable. By a curtailment of its accommodations more rapid than any emergency requires, and even while it retains specie to an almost unprecedented amount in its vaults, it is attempting to produce great embarrassment in one portion of the community, while through presses known to have been sustained by its money it attempts by unfounded alarms to create a panic in all. These are the means by which it seems to expect that it can force a restoration of the deposits, and as a necessary consequence extort from Congress a renewal of its charter. I am happy to know that through the good sense of our people the effort to get up a panic has hitherto failed, and that through the increased accommodations which the State banks have been enabled to afford, no public distress has followed the exertions of the bank, and it can not be doubted that the exercise of its power and the expenditure of its money, as well as its efforts to spread groundless alarm, will be met and rebuked as they deserve. In my own sphere of duty I should feel myself called on by the facts disclosed to order a scire facias against the bank, with a view to put an end to the chartered rights it has so palpably violated, were it not that the charter itself will expire as soon as a decision would probably be obtained from the court of last resort. I called the attention of Congress to this subject in my last annual message, and informed them that such measures as were within the reach of the Secretary of the Treasury had been taken to enable him to judge whether the public deposits in the Bank of the United States were entirely safe; but that as his single powers might be inadequate to the object, I recommended the subject to Congress as worthy of their serious investigation, declaring it as my opinion that an inquiry into the transactions of that institution, embracing the branches as well as the principal bank, was called for by the credit which was given throughout the country to many serious charges impeaching their character, and which, if true, might justly excite the apprehension that they were no longer a safe depository for the public money. The extent to which the examination thus recommended was gone into is spread upon your journals, and is too well known to require to be stated. Such as was made resulted in a report from a majority of the Committee of Ways and Means touching certain specified points only, concluding with a resolution that the Government deposits might safely be continued in the Bank of the United States. This resolution was adopted at the close of the session by the vote of a majority of the House of Representatives. Although I may not always be able to concur in the views of the public interest or the duties of its agents which may be taken by the other departments of the Government or either of its branches, I am, not withstanding, wholly incapable of receiving otherwise than with the most sincere respect all opinions or suggestions proceeding from such a source, and in respect to none am I more inclined to do so than to the House of Representatives. But it will be seen from the brief views at this time taken of the subject by myself, as well as the more ample ones presented by the Secretary of the Treasury, that the change in the deposits which has been ordered has been deemed to be called for by considerations which are not affected by the proceedings referred to, and which, if correctly viewed by that Department, rendered its act a matter of imperious duty. Coming as you do, for the most part, immediately from the people and the States by election, and possessing the fullest opportunity to know their sentiments, the present Congress will be sincerely solicitous to carry into full and fair effect the will of their constituents in regard to this institution. It will be for those in whose behalf we all act to decide whether the executive department of the Government, in the steps which it has taken on this subject, has been found in the line of its duty. The accompanying report of the Secretary of War, with the documents annexed to it, exhibits the operations of the War Department for the past year and the condition of the various subjects intrusted to its administration. It will be seen from them that the Army maintains the character it has heretofore acquired for efficiency and military knowledge. Nothing has occurred since your last session to require its services beyond the ordinary routine duties which upon the sea-board and the in-land frontier devolve upon it in a time of peace. The system so wisely adopted and so long pursued of constructing fortifications at exposed points and of preparing and collecting the supplies necessary for the military defense of the country, and thus providently furnishing in peace the means of defense in war, has been continued with the usual results. I recommend to your consideration the various subjects suggested in the report of the Secretary of War. Their adoption would promote the public service and meliorate the condition of the Army. Our relations with the various Indian tribes have been undisturbed since the termination of the difficulties growing out of the hostile aggressions of the Sac and Fox Indians. Several treaties have been formed for the relinquishment of territory to the United States and for the migration of the occupants to   the region assigned for their residence West of the Mississippi. Should these treaties be ratified by the Senate, provision will have been made for the removal of almost all the tribes remaining E of that river and for the termination of many difficult and embarrassing questions arising out of their anomalous political condition. It is to be hoped that those portions of two of the Southern tribes, which in that event will present the only remaining difficulties, will realize the necessity of emigration, and will speedily resort to it. My original convictions upon this subject have been confirmed by the course of events for several years, and experience is every day adding to their strength. That those tribes can not exist surrounded by our settlements and in continual contact with our citizens is certain. They have neither the intelligence, the industry, the moral habits, nor the desire of improvement which are essential to any favorable change in their condition. Established in the midst of another and a superior race, and without appreciating the causes of their inferiority or seeking to control them, they must necessarily yield to the force of circumstances and ere long disappear. Such has been their fate heretofore, and if it is to be averted -- and it is -- it can only be done by a general removal beyond our boundary and by the reorganization of their political system upon principles adapted to the new relations in which they will be placed. The experiment which has been recently made has so far proved successful. The emigrants generally are represented to be prosperous and contented, the country suitable to their wants and habits, and the essential articles of subsistence easily procured. When the report of the commissioners now engaged in investigating the condition and prospects of these Indians and in devising a plan for their intercourse and government is received, I trust ample means of information will be in possession of the Government for adjusting all the unsettled questions connected with this interesting subject. The operations of the Navy during the year and its present condition are fully exhibited in the annual report from the Navy Department. Suggestions are made by the Secretary of various improvements, which deserve careful consideration, and most of which, if adopted, bid fair to promote the efficiency of this important branch of the public service. Among these are the new organization of the Navy Board, the revision of the pay to officers, and a change in the period of time or in the manner of making the annual appropriations, to which I beg leave to call your particular attention. The views which are presented on almost every portion of our naval concerns, and especially on the amount of force and the number of officers, and the general course of policy appropriate in the present state of our country for securing the great and useful purposes of naval protection in peace and due preparation for the contingencies of war, meet with my entire approbation. It will be perceived from the report referred to that the fiscal concerns of the establishment are in an excellent condition, and it is hoped that Congress may feel disposed to make promptly every suitable provision desired either for preserving or improving the system. The general Post Office Department has continued, upon the strength of its own resources, to facilitate the means of communication between the various portions of the Union with increased activity. The method, however, in which the accounts of the transportation of the mail have always been kept appears to have presented an imperfect view of its expenses. It has recently been discovered that from the earliest records of the Department the annual statements have been calculated to exhibit an amount considerably short of the actual expense incurred for that service. These illusory statements, together with the expense of carrying into effect the law of the last session of Congress establishing new mail routes, and a disposition on the part of the head of the Department to gratify the wishes of the public in the extension of mail facilities, have induced him to incur responsibilities for their improvement beyond what the current resources of the Department would sustain. As soon as he had discovered the imperfection of the method he caused an investigation to be made of its results and applied the proper remedy to correct the evil. It became necessary for him to withdraw some of the improvements which he had made to bring the expenses of the Department within its own resources. These expenses were incurred for the public good, and the public have enjoyed their benefit. They are now but partially suspended, and that where they may be discontinued with the least inconvenience to the country. The progressive increase in the income from postages has equaled the highest expectations, and it affords demonstrative evidence of the growing importance and great utility of this Department. The details are exhibited in the accompanying report of the PostMaster General. The many distressing accidents which have of late occurred in that portion of our navigation carried on by the use of steam power deserve the immediate and unremitting attention of the constituted authorities of the country. The fact that the number of those fatal disasters is constantly increasing, not withstanding the great improvements which are every where made in the machinery employed and in the rapid advances which have made in that branch of science, shows very clearly that they are in a great degree the result of criminal negligence on the part of those by whom the vessels are navigated and to whose care and attention the lives and property of our citizens are so extensively intrusted. That these evils may be greatly lessened, if not substantially removed, by means of precautionary and penal legislation seems to be highly probable  . So far, therefore, as the subject can be regarded as within the constitutional purview of Congress I earnestly recommend it to your prompt and serious consideration. I would also call your attention to the views I have heretofore expressed of the propriety of amending the Constitution in relation to the mode of electing the President and the Vice-President of the United States. Regarding it as all important to the future quiet and harmony of the people that every intermediate agency in the election of these officers should be removed and that their eligibility should be limited to one term of either 4 or 6 years, I can not too earnestly invite your consideration of the subject. Trusting that your deliberations on all the topics of general interest to which I have adverted, and such others as your more extensive knowledge of the wants of our beloved country may suggest, may be crowned with success, I tender you in conclusion the cooperation which it may be in my power to afford them.
On your assembling to perform the high trusts which the people of the United States have confided to you, of legislating for their common welfare, it gives me pleasure to congratulate you upon the happy condition of our beloved country. By the favor of Divine Providence health is again restored to us, peace reigns within our borders, abundance crowns the labors of our fields, commerce and domestic industry flourish and increase, and individual happiness rewards the private virtue and enterprise of our citizens. Our condition abroad is no less honorable than it is prosperous at home. Seeking nothing that is not right and determined to submit to nothing that is wrong, but desiring honest friendships and liberal intercourse with all nations, the United States have gained throughout the world the confidence and respect which are due to a policy so just and so congenial to the character of the American people and to the spirit of their institutions. In bringing to your notice the particular state of our foreign affairs, it affords me high gratification to inform you that they are in a condition which promises the continuance of friendship with all nations. With Great Britain the interesting question of our North East boundary remains still undecided. A negotiation, however, upon that subject has been renewed since the close of the last Congress, and a proposition has been submitted to the British Government with the view of establishing, in conformity with the resolution of the Senate, the line designated by the treaty of 1783. Though no definitive answer has been received, it may be daily looked for, and I entertain a hope that the overture may ultimately lead to a satisfactory adjustment of this important matter. I have the satisfaction to inform you that a negotiation which, by desire of the House of Representatives, was opened some years ago with the British Government, for the erection of light houses on the Bahamas, has been successful. Those works, when completed, together with those which the United States have constructed on the western side of the Gulf of Florida, will contribute essentially to the safety of navigation in that sea. This joint participation in establishments interesting to humanity and beneficial to commerce is worthy of two enlightened nations, and indicates feelings which can not fail to have a happy influence upon their political relations. It is gratifying to the friends of both to perceive that the intercourse between the two people is becoming daily more extensive, and that sentiments of mutual good will have grown up befitting their common origin and justifying the hope that by wise counsels on each side not only unsettled questions may be satisfactorily terminated, but new causes of misunderstanding prevented. Not withstanding that I continue to receive the most amicable assurances from the Government of France, and that in all other respects the most friendly relations exist between the United States and that Government, it is to be regretted that the stipulations of the convention concluded on 1831-07-04 remain in some important parts unfulfilled. By the second article of that convention it was stipulated that the sum payable to the United States should be paid at Paris, in 6 annual installments, into the hands of such person or persons as should be authorized by the Government of the United States to receive it, and by the same article the first installment was payable on 1833-02-02. By the act of Congress of 1832-07-13 it was made the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to because the several installments, with the interest thereon, to be received from the French Government and transferred to the United States in such manner as he may deem best; and by the same act of Congress the stipulations on the part of the United States in the convention were in all respects fulfilled. Not doubting that a treaty thus made and ratified by the two Governments, and faithfully executed by the United States, would be promptly complied with by the other party, and desiring to avoid the risk and expense of intermediate agencies, the Secretary of the Treasury deemed it advisable to receive and transfer the first installment by means of a draft upon the French minister of finance. A draft for this purpose was accordingly drawn in favor of the cashier of the Bank of the United States for the amount accruing to the United States out of the first installment, and the interest payable with it. This bill was not drawn at Washington until 5 days after the installment was payable at Paris, and was accompanied by a special authority from the President authorizing the cashier or his assigns to receive the amount. The mode thus adopted of receiving the installment was officially made known to the French Government by the American chargé d'affaires at Paris, pursuant to instructions from the Department of State. The bill, however, though not presented for payment until 1833-03-23, was not paid, and for the reason assigned by the French minister of finance that no appropriation had been made by the French Chambers. It is not known to me that up to that period any appropriation had been required of the Chambers, and although a communication was subsequently made to the Chambers by direction of the King, recommending that the necessary provision should be made for carrying the convention into effect, it was at an advanced period of the session, and the subject was finally postponed until the next meeting of the Chambers. Not withstanding it has been supposed by the French ministry that the financial stipulations of the treaty can not be carried into effect without an appropriation by the Chambers, it appears to me to be not only consistent with the character of France, but due to the character of both Governments, as well as to the rights of our citizens, to treat the convention, made and ratified in proper form, as pledging the good faith of the French Government for its execution, and as imposing upon each department an obligation to fulfill it; and I have received assurances through our chargé d'affaires at Paris and the French minister plenipotentiary at Washington, and more recently through the minister of the United States at Paris, that the delay has not proceeded from any indisposition on the part of the King and his ministers to fulfill their treaty, and that measures will be presented at the next meeting of the Chambers, and with a reasonable hope of success, to obtain the necessary appropriation. It is necessary to state, however, that the documents, except certain lists of vessels captured, condemned, or burnt at sea, proper to facilitate the examination and liquidation of the reclamations comprised in the stipulations of the convention, and which by the 6th article France engaged to communicate to the United States by the intermediary of the legation, though repeatedly applied for by the American chargé d'affaires under instructions from this Government, have not yet been communicated; and this delay, it is apprehended, will necessarily prevent the completion of the duties assigned to the commissioners within the time at present prescribed by law. The reasons for delaying to communicate these documents have not been explicitly stated, and this is the more to be regretted as it is not understood that the interposition of the Chambers is in any manner required for the delivery of those papers. Under these circumstances, in a case so important to the interests of our citizens and to the character of our country, and under disappointments so unexpected, I deemed it my duty, however I might respect the general assurances to which I have adverted, no longer to delay the appointment of a minister plenipotentiary to Paris, but to dispatch him in season to communicate the result of his application to the French Government at an early period of your session. I accordingly appointed a distinguished citizen for this purpose, who proceeded on his mission in August last and was presented to the King early in the month of October. He is particularly instructed as to all matters connected with the present posture of affairs, and I indulge the hope that with the representations he is instructed to make, and from the disposition manifested by the King and his ministers in their recent assurances to our minister at Paris, the subject will be early considered, and satisfactorily disposed of at the next meeting of the Chambers. As this subject involves important interests and has attracted a considerable share of the public attention, I have deemed it proper to make this explicit statement of its actual condition, and should I be disappointed in the hope now entertained the subject will be again brought to the notice of Congress in such manner as the occasion may require. The friendly relations which have always been maintained between the United States and Russia have been further extended and strengthened by the treaty of navigation and commerce concluded on 1832-12-06, and sanctioned by the Senate before the close of its last session. The ratifications having been since exchanged, the liberal provisions of the treaty are now in full force, and under the encouragement which they have secured a flourishing and increasing commerce, yielding its benefits to the enterprise of both nations, affords to each the just recompense of wise measures, and adds new motives for that mutual friendship which the two countries have hitherto cherished toward each other. It affords me peculiar satisfaction to state that the Government of Spain has at length yielded to the justice of the claims which have been so long urged in behalf of our citizens, and has expressed a willingness to provide an indemnification as soon as the proper amount can be agreed upon. Upon this latter point it is probable an understanding had taken place between the minister of the United States and the Spanish Government before the decease of the late King of Spain; and, unless that event may have delayed its completion, there is reason to hope that it may be in my power to announce to you early in your present session the conclusion of a convention upon terms not less favorable than those entered into for similar objects with other nations. That act of justice would well accord with the character of Spain, and is due to the United States from their ancient friend. It could not fail to strengthen the sentiments of amity and good will between the two nations which it is so much the wish of the United States to cherish and so truly the interest of both to maintain. By the first section of an act of Congress passed on 1832-07-13 the tonnage duty on Spanish ships arriving from the ports of Spain previous to 1817-10-20, being 5 cents per ton. That act was intended to give effect on our side to an arrangement made with the Spanish Government by which discriminating duties of tonnage were to be abolished in the ports of the United States and Spain on he vessels of the two nations. Pursuant to that arrangement, which was carried into effect on the part of Spain on 1832-05-20, by a royal order dated 1832-04-29, American vessels in the ports of Spain have paid 5 cents per ton, which rate of duty is also paid in those ports by Spanish ships; but as American vessels pay no tonnage duty in the ports of the United States, the duty of 5 cents payable in our ports by Spanish vessels under the act above mentioned is really a discriminating duty, operating to the disadvantage of Spain. Though no complaint has yet been made on the part of Spain, we are not the less bound by the obligations of good faith to remove the discrimination, and I recommend that the act be amended accordingly. As the royal order above alluded to includes the ports of the Balearic and Canary islands as well as those of Spain, it would seem that the provisions of the act of Congress should be equally extensive, and that for the repayments of such duties as may have been improperly received an addition should be made to the sum appropriated at the last session of Congress for refunding discriminating duties. As the arrangement referred to, however, did not embrace the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico, discriminating duties to the prejudice of American shipping continue to be levied there. From the extent of the commerce carried on between the United States and those islands, particularly the former, this discrimination causes serious injury to one of those great national interests which it has been considered an essential part of our policy to cherish, and has given rise to complaints on the part of our merchants. Under instructions given to our minister at Madrid, earnest representations have been made by him to the Spanish Government upon this subject, and there is reason to expect, from the friendly disposition which is entertained toward this country, that a beneficial change will be produced. The disadvantage, however, to which our shipping is subjected by the operation of these discriminating duties requires that they be met by suitable countervailing duties during your present session, power being at the same time vested in the President to modify or discontinue them as the discriminating duties on American vessels or their cargoes may be modified or discontinued at those islands. Intimations have been given to the Spanish Government that the United States may be obliged to resort to such measures as are of necessary self-defense, and there is no reason to apprehend that it would be unfavorably received. The proposed proceeding if adopted would not be permitted, however, in any degree to induce a relaxation in the efforts of our minister to effect a repeal of this irregularity by friendly negotiation, and it might serve to give force to his representations by showing the dangers to which that valuable trade is exposed by the obstructions and burdens which a system of discriminating and countervailing duties necessarily produces. The selection and preparation of the Florida archives for the purpose of being delivered over to the United States, in conformity with the royal order as mentioned in my last annual message, though in progress, has not yet been completed. This delay has been produced partly by causes which were unavoidable, particularly the prevalence of the cholera at Havana; but measures have been taken which it is believed will expedite the delivery of those important records. Congress were informed at the opening of the last session that "owing, as was alleged, to embarrassments in the finances of Portugal, consequent upon the civil war in which that nation was engaged", payment had been made of only one installment of the amount which the Portuguese Government had stipulated to pay for indemnifying our citizens for property illegally captured in the blockade of Terceira. Since that time a postponement for two years, with interest, of the 2 remaining installments was requested by the Portuguese Government, and as a consideration it offered to stipulate that rice of the United States should be admitted into Portugal at the same duties as Brazilian rice. Being satisfied that no better arrangement could be made, my consent was given, and a royal order of the King of Portugal was accordingly issued on 1833-02-04 for the reduction of the duty on rice of the United States. It would give me great pleasure if in speaking of that country, in whose prosperity the United States are so much interested, and with whom a long- subsisting, extensive, and mutually advantageous commercial intercourse has strengthened the relation of friendship, I could announce to you the restoration of its internal tranquillity. Subsequently to the commencement of the last session of Congress the final installment payable by Denmark under the convention of 1830-03-28 was received. The commissioners for examining the claims have since terminated their labors, and their awards have been paid at the Treasury as they have been called for. The justice rendered to our citizens by that Government is thus completed, and a pledge is thereby afforded for the maintenance of that friendly intercourse becoming the relations that the two nations mutually bear to each other. It is satisfactory to inform you that the Danish Government have recently issued an ordinance by which the commerce with the island of St. Croix is placed on a more liberal footing than heretofore. This change can not fail to prove beneficial to the trade between the United States and that colony, and the advantages likely to flow from it may lead to greater relaxations in the colonial systems of other nations. The ratifications of the convention with the King of the two Sicilies have been duly exchanged, and the commissioners appointed for examining the claims under it have entered upon the duties assigned to them by law. The friendship that the interests of the two nations require of them being now established, it may be hoped that each will enjoy the benefits which a liberal commerce should yield to both. A treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and Belgium was concluded during the last winter and received the sanction of the Senate, but the exchange of the ratifications has been hitherto delayed, in consequence, in the first instance, of some delay in the reception of the treaty at Brussels, and, subsequently, of the absence of the Belgian minister of foreign affairs at the important conferences in which his Government is engaged at London. That treaty does but embody those enlarged principles of friendly policy which it is sincerely hoped will always regulate the conduct of the two nations having such strong motives to maintain amicable relations toward each other and so sincerely desirous to cherish them. With all the other European powers with whom the United States have formed diplomatic relations and with the Sublime Porte the best understanding prevails. From all I continue to receive assurances of good will toward the United States -- assurances which it gives me no less pleasure to reciprocate than to receive. With all, the engagements which have been entered into are fulfilled with good faith on both sides. Measures have also been taken to enlarge our friendly relations and extend our commercial intercourse with other States. The system we have pursued of aiming at no exclusive advantages, of dealing with all on terms of fair and equal reciprocity, and of adhering scrupulously to all our engagements is well calculated to give success to efforts intended to be mutually beneficial. The wars of which the southern part of this continent was so long the theater, and which were carried on either by the mother country against the States which had formerly been her colonies or by the States against each other, having terminated, and their civil dissensions having so far subsided as with few exceptions no longer to disturb the public tranquillity, it is earnestly hoped those States will be able to employ themselves without interruption in perfecting their institutions, cultivating the arts of peace, and promoting by wise councils and able exertions the public and private prosperity which their patriotic struggles so well entitle them to enjoy. With those States our relations have under-gone but little change during the present year. No reunion having yet taken place between the States which composed the Republic of Colombia, our chargé d'affaires at Bogota has been accredited to the Government of New Grenada, and we have, therefore, no diplomatic relations with Venezuela and Equator, except as they may be included in those heretofore formed with the Colombian Republic. It is understood that representatives from the three stattes were about to assemble at Bogota to confer on the subject of their mutual interests, particularly that of their union, and if the result should render it necessary, measures will be taken on our part to preserve with each that friendship and those liberal commercial connections which it has been the constant desire of the United States to cultivate with their sister Republics of this hemisphere. Until the important question of reunion shall be settled, however, the different matters which have been under discussion between the United States and the Republic of Colombia, or either of the States which composed it, are not likely to be brought to a satisfactory issue. In consequence of the illness of the chargé d'affaires appointed to Central America at the last session of Congress, he was prevented from proceeding on his mission until the month of October. It is hoped, however, that he is by this time at his post, and that the official intercourse, unfortunately so long interrupted, has been thus renewed on the part of the two nations so amicably and advantageously connected by engagements founded on the most enlarged principles of commercial reciprocity. It is gratifying to state that since my last annual message some of the most important claims of our fellow citizens upon the Government of Brazil have been satisfactorily adjusted, and a reliance is placed on the friendly dispositions manifested by it that justice will also be done in others. No new causes of complaint have arisen, and the trade between the two countries flourishes under the encouragement secured to it by the liberal provisions of the treaty. It is because of regret that, owing, probably, to the civil dissensions which have occupied the attention of the Mexican Government, the time fixed by the treaty of limits with the United States for the meeting of the commissioners to define the boundaries between the two nations has been suffered to expire without the appointment of any commissioners on the part of that Government. While the true boundary remains in doubt by either party it is difficult to give effect to those measures which are necessary to the protection and quiet of our numerous citizens residing near that frontier. The subject is one of great solicitude to the United States, and will not fail to receive my earnest attention. The treaty concluded with Chili and approved by the Senate at its last session was also ratified by the Chilian Government, but with certain additional and explanatory articles of a nature to have required it to be again submitted to the Senate. The time limited for the exchange of the ratification, however, having since expired, the action of both Governments on the treaty will again become necessary. The negotiations commenced with the Argentine Republic relative to the outrages committed on our vessels engaged in the fisheries at the Falkland Islands by persons acting under the color of its authority, as well as the other matters in controversy between the two Governments, have been suspended by the departure of the chargé d'affaires of the United States from Buenos Ayres. It is understood, however, that a minister was subsequently appointed by that Government to renew the negotiation in the United States, but though daily expected he has not yet arrived in this country. With Peru no treaty has yet been formed, and with Bolivia no diplomatic intercourse has yet been established. It will be my endeavor to encourage those sentiments of amity and that liberal commerce which belong to the relations in which all the independent States of this continent stand toward each other. I deem it proper to recommend to your notice the revision of our consular system. This has become an important branch of the public service, in as much as it is intimately connected with the preservation of our national character abroad, with the interest of our citizens in foreign countries, with the regulation and care of our commerce, and with the protection of our sea men. At the close of the last session of Congress I communicated a report from the Secretary of State upon the subject, to which I now refer, as containing information which may be useful in any inquiries that Congress may see fit to institute with a view to a salutary reform of the system. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you upon the prosperous condition of the finances of the country, as will appear from the report which the Secretary of the Treasury will in due time lay before you. The receipts into the Treasury during the present year will amount to more than $32,000,000. The revenue derived from customs will, it is believed, be more than $28,000,000, and the public lands will yield about $3,0900,000. The expenditures within the year for all objects, including $2,572,240.99 on account of the public debt, will not amount to $25,000,000, and a large balance will remain in the Treasury after satisfying all the appropriations chargeable on the revenue for the present year. The measures taken by the Secretary of the Treasury will probably enable to pay off in the course of the present year the residue of the exchanged 4.5% stock, redeemable on 1834-01-01. It has therefore been included in the estimated expenditures of this year, and forms a part of the sum above stated to have been paid on account of the public debt. The payment of this stock will reduce the whole debt of the United States, funded and unfunded, to the sum of $4,760,082.08, and as provision has already been made for the 4.5% stocks above mentioned, and charged in the expenses of the present year, the sum last stated is all that now remains of the national debt; and the revenue of the coming year, together with the balance now in the Treasury, will be sufficient to discharge it, after meeting the current expenses of the Government. Under the power given to the commissioners of the sinking fund, it will, I have no doubt, be purchased on favorable terms within the year. From this view of the state of the finances and the public engagements yet to be fulfilled you will perceive that if Providence permits me to meet you at another session I shall have the high gratification of announcing to you that the national debt is extinguished. I can not refrain from expressing the pleasure I feel at the near approach of that desirable event. The short period of time within which the public debt will have been discharged is strong evidence of the abundant resources of the country and of the prudence and economy with which the Government has heretofore been administered. We have waged two wars since we became a nation, with one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world, both of them undertaken in defense of our dearest rights, been successfully prosecuted and honorably terminated; and many of those who partook in the first struggle as well as in the second will have lived to see the last item of the debt incurred in these necessary but expensive conflicts faithfully and honestly discharged. And we shall have the proud satisfaction of bequeathing to the public servants who follow us in the administration of the Government the rare blessing of a revenue sufficiently abundant, raised without injustice or oppression to our citizens, and unencumbered with any burdens but what they themselves shall think proper to impose upon it. The flourishing state of the finances ought not, however, to encourage us to indulge in a lavish expenditure of the public treasure. The receipts of the present year do not furnish the test by which we are to estimate the income of the next. The changes made in our revenue system by the acts of Congress of 1832 and 1833, and more especially by the former, have swelled the receipts of the present year far beyond the amount to be expected in future years upon the reduced tariff of duties. The shortened credits on revenue bonds and the cash duties on woolens which were introduced by the act of 1832, and took effect on 1832-03-04, have brought large sums into the Treasury in 1833, which, according to the credits formerly given, would not have been payable until 1834, and would have formed a part of the income of that year. These causes would of themselves produce a great diminution of the receipts in the year 1834 as compared with the present one, and they will be still more diminished by the reduced rates of duties which take place on 1834-01-01 on some of the most important and productive articles. Upon the best estimates that can be made the receipts of the next year, with the aid of the unappropriated amount now in the Treasury, will not be much more than sufficient to meet the expenses of the year and pay the small remnant of the national debt which yet remains unsatisfied. I can not, therefore, recommend to you any alteration in the present tariff of duties. The rate as now fixed by law on the various articles was adopted at the last session of Congress, as a matter of compromise, with unusual unanimity, and unless it is found to produce more than the necessities of the Government call for there would seem to be no reason at this time to justify a change. But while I forbear to recommend any further reduction of the duties beyond that already provided for by the existing laws, I must earnestly and respectfully press upon Congress the importance of abstaining from all appropriations which are not absolutely required for the public interest and authorized by the powers clearly delegated to the United States. We are beginning a new era in our Government. The national debt, which has so long been a burden on the Treasury, will be finally discharged in the course of the ensuing year. No more memory will afterwards be needed than what may be necessary to meet the ordinary expenses of the Government. Now, then, is the proper moment to fix our system of expenditure on firm and durable principles, and I can not too strongly urge the necessity of a rigid economy and an inflexible determination not to enlarge the income beyond the real necessities of the Government and not to increase the wants of the Government by unnecessary and profuse expenditures. If a contrary course should be pursued, it may happen that the revenue of 1834 will fall short of the demands upon it, and after reducing the tariff in order to lighten the burdens of the people, and providing for a still further reduction to take effect hereafter, it would be much to be deplored if at the end of another year we should find ourselves obliged to retrace our steps and impose additional taxes to meet unnecessary expenditures. It is my duty on this occasion to call your attention to the destruction of the public building occupied by the Treasury Department, which happened since the last adjournment of Congress. A thorough inquiry into the causes of this loss was directed and made at the time, the result of which will be duly communicated to you. I take pleasure, however, in stating here that by the laudable exertions of the officers of the Department and many of the citizens of the District but few papers were lost, and none that will materially affect the public interest. The public convenience requires that another building should be erected as soon as practicable, and in providing for it it will be advisable to enlarge in some manner the accommodations for the public officers of the several Departments, and to authorize the erection of suitable depositories for the safe-keeping of the public documents and records. Since the last adjournment of Congress the Secretary of the Treasury has directed the money of the United States to be deposited in certain State banks designated by him, and he will immediately lay before you his reasons for this direction. I concur with him entirely in the view he has taken on the subject, and some months before the removal I urged upon the Department the propriety of taking that step. The near approach of the day on which the charter will expire, as well as the conduct of the bank, appeared to me to call for this measure upon the high considerations of public interest and public duty. The extent of its misconduct, however, although known to be great, was not at that time fully developed by proof. It was not until late in the month of August that I received from the Government directors an official report establishing beyond question that this great and powerful institution had been actively engaged in attempting to influence the elections of the public officers by means of its money, and that, in violation of the express provisions of its charter, it had by a formal resolution placed its funds at the disposition of its president to be employed in sustaining the political power of the bank. A copy of this resolution is contained in the report of the Government directors before referred to, and how ever the object may be disguised by cautious language, no one can doubt that this money was in truth intended for electioneering purposes, and the particular uses to which it was proved to have been applied abundantly show that it was so understood. Not only was the evidence complete as to the past application of the money and power of the bank to electioneering purposes, but that the resolution of the board of directors authorized the same course to be pursued in future. It being thus established by unquestionable proof that the Bank of the United States was converted into a permanent electioneering engine, it appeared to me that the path of duty which the executive department of the Government ought to pursue was not doubtful. As by the terms of the bank charter no officer but the Secretary of the Treasury could remove the deposits, it seemed to me that this authority ought to be at once exerted to deprive that great corporation of the support and countenance of the Government in such an use of its funds and such an exertion of its power. In this point of the case the question is distinctly presented whether the people of the United States are to govern through representatives chosen by their unbiased suffrages or whether the money and power of a great corporation are to be secretly exerted to influence their judgment and control their decisions. It must now be determined whether the bank is to have its candidates for all offices in the country, from the highest to the lowest, or whether candidates on both sides of political questions shall be brought forward as heretofore and supported by the usual means. At this time the efforts of the bank to control public opinion, through the distresses of some and the fears of others, are equally apparent, and, if possible, more objectionable. By a curtailment of its accommodations more rapid than any emergency requires, and even while it retains specie to an almost unprecedented amount in its vaults, it is attempting to produce great embarrassment in one portion of the community, while through presses known to have been sustained by its money it attempts by unfounded alarms to create a panic in all. These are the means by which it seems to expect that it can force a restoration of the deposits, and as a necessary consequence extort from Congress a renewal of its charter. I am happy to know that through the good sense of our people the effort to get up a panic has hitherto failed, and that through the increased accommodations which the State banks have been enabled to afford, no public distress has followed the exertions of the bank, and it can not be doubted that the exercise of its power and the expenditure of its money, as well as its efforts to spread groundless alarm, will be met and rebuked as they deserve. In my own sphere of duty I should feel myself called on by the facts disclosed to order a scire facias against the bank, with a view to put an end to the chartered rights it has so palpably violated, were it not that the charter itself will expire as soon as a decision would probably be obtained from the court of last resort. I called the attention of Congress to this subject in my last annual message, and informed them that such measures as were within the reach of the Secretary of the Treasury had been taken to enable him to judge whether the public deposits in the Bank of the United States were entirely safe; but that as his single powers might be inadequate to the object, I recommended the subject to Congress as worthy of their serious investigation, declaring it as my opinion that an inquiry into the transactions of that institution, embracing the branches as well as the principal bank, was called for by the credit which was given throughout the country to many serious charges impeaching their character, and which, if true, might justly excite the apprehension that they were no longer a safe depository for the public money. The extent to which the examination thus recommended was gone into is spread upon your journals, and is too well known to require to be stated. Such as was made resulted in a report from a majority of the Committee of Ways and Means touching certain specified points only, concluding with a resolution that the Government deposits might safely be continued in the Bank of the United States. This resolution was adopted at the close of the session by the vote of a majority of the House of Representatives. Although I may not always be able to concur in the views of the public interest or the duties of its agents which may be taken by the other departments of the Government or either of its branches, I am, not withstanding, wholly incapable of receiving otherwise than with the most sincere respect all opinions or suggestions proceeding from such a source, and in respect to none am I more inclined to do so than to the House of Representatives. But it will be seen from the brief views at this time taken of the subject by myself, as well as the more ample ones presented by the Secretary of the Treasury, that the change in the deposits which has been ordered has been deemed to be called for by considerations which are not affected by the proceedings referred to, and which, if correctly viewed by that Department, rendered its act a matter of imperious duty. Coming as you do, for the most part, immediately from the people and the States by election, and possessing the fullest opportunity to know their sentiments, the present Congress will be sincerely solicitous to carry into full and fair effect the will of their constituents in regard to this institution. It will be for those in whose behalf we all act to decide whether the executive department of the Government, in the steps which it has taken on this subject, has been found in the line of its duty. The accompanying report of the Secretary of War, with the documents annexed to it, exhibits the operations of the War Department for the past year and the condition of the various subjects intrusted to its administration. It will be seen from them that the Army maintains the character it has heretofore acquired for efficiency and military knowledge. Nothing has occurred since your last session to require its services beyond the ordinary routine duties which upon the sea-board and the in-land frontier devolve upon it in a time of peace. The system so wisely adopted and so long pursued of constructing fortifications at exposed points and of preparing and collecting the supplies necessary for the military defense of the country, and thus providently furnishing in peace the means of defense in war, has been continued with the usual results. I recommend to your consideration the various subjects suggested in the report of the Secretary of War. Their adoption would promote the public service and meliorate the condition of the Army. Our relations with the various Indian tribes have been undisturbed since the termination of the difficulties growing out of the hostile aggressions of the Sac and Fox Indians. Several treaties have been formed for the relinquishment of territory to the United States and for the migration of the occupants to the region assigned for their residence West of the Mississippi. Should these treaties be ratified by the Senate, provision will have been made for the removal of almost all the tribes remaining E of that river and for the termination of many difficult and embarrassing questions arising out of their anomalous political condition. It is to be hoped that those portions of two of the Southern tribes, which in that event will present the only remaining difficulties, will realize the necessity of emigration, and will speedily resort to it. My original convictions upon this subject have been confirmed by the course of events for several years, and experience is every day adding to their strength. That those tribes can not exist surrounded by our settlements and in continual contact with our citizens is certain. They have neither the intelligence, the industry, the moral habits, nor the desire of improvement which are essential to any favorable change in their condition. Established in the midst of another and a superior race, and without appreciating the causes of their inferiority or seeking to control them, they must necessarily yield to the force of circumstances and ere long disappear. Such has been their fate heretofore, and if it is to be averted -- and it is -- it can only be done by a general removal beyond our boundary and by the reorganization of their political system upon principles adapted to the new relations in which they will be placed. The experiment which has been recently made has so far proved successful. The emigrants generally are represented to be prosperous and contented, the country suitable to their wants and habits, and the essential articles of subsistence easily procured. When the report of the commissioners now engaged in investigating the condition and prospects of these Indians and in devising a plan for their intercourse and government is received, I trust ample means of information will be in possession of the Government for adjusting all the unsettled questions connected with this interesting subject. The operations of the Navy during the year and its present condition are fully exhibited in the annual report from the Navy Department. Suggestions are made by the Secretary of various improvements, which deserve careful consideration, and most of which, if adopted, bid fair to promote the efficiency of this important branch of the public service. Among these are the new organization of the Navy Board, the revision of the pay to officers, and a change in the period of time or in the manner of making the annual appropriations, to which I beg leave to call your particular attention. The views which are presented on almost every portion of our naval concerns, and especially on the amount of force and the number of officers, and the general course of policy appropriate in the present state of our country for securing the great and useful purposes of naval protection in peace and due preparation for the contingencies of war, meet with my entire approbation. It will be perceived from the report referred to that the fiscal concerns of the establishment are in an excellent condition, and it is hoped that Congress may feel disposed to make promptly every suitable provision desired either for preserving or improving the system. The general Post Office Department has continued, upon the strength of its own resources, to facilitate the means of communication between the various portions of the Union with increased activity. The method, however, in which the accounts of the transportation of the mail have always been kept appears to have presented an imperfect view of its expenses. It has recently been discovered that from the earliest records of the Department the annual statements have been calculated to exhibit an amount considerably short of the actual expense incurred for that service. These illusory statements, together with the expense of carrying into effect the law of the last session of Congress establishing new mail routes, and a disposition on the part of the head of the Department to gratify the wishes of the public in the extension of mail facilities, have induced him to incur responsibilities for their improvement beyond what the current resources of the Department would sustain. As soon as he had discovered the imperfection of the method he caused an investigation to be made of its results and applied the proper remedy to correct the evil. It became necessary for him to withdraw some of the improvements which he had made to bring the expenses of the Department within its own resources. These expenses were incurred for the public good, and the public have enjoyed their benefit. They are now but partially suspended, and that where they may be discontinued with the least inconvenience to the country. The progressive increase in the income from postages has equaled the highest expectations, and it affords demonstrative evidence of the growing importance and great utility of this Department. The details are exhibited in the accompanying report of the PostMaster General. The many distressing accidents which have of late occurred in that portion of our navigation carried on by the use of steam power deserve the immediate and unremitting attention of the constituted authorities of the country. The fact that the number of those fatal disasters is constantly increasing, not withstanding the great improvements which are every where made in the machinery employed and in the rapid advances which have made in that branch of science, shows very clearly that they are in a great degree the result of criminal negligence on the part of those by whom the vessels are navigated and to whose care and attention the lives and property of our citizens are so extensively intrusted. That these evils may be greatly lessened, if not substantially removed, by means of precautionary and penal legislation seems to be highly probable . So far, therefore, as the subject can be regarded as within the constitutional purview of Congress I earnestly recommend it to your prompt and serious consideration. I would also call your attention to the views I have heretofore expressed of the propriety of amending the Constitution in relation to the mode of electing the President and the Vice-President of the United States. Regarding it as all important to the future quiet and harmony of the people that every intermediate agency in the election of these officers should be removed and that their eligibility should be limited to one term of either 4 or 6 years, I can not too earnestly invite your consideration of the subject. Trusting that your deliberations on all the topics of general interest to which I have adverted, and such others as your more extensive knowledge of the wants of our beloved country may suggest, may be crowned with success, I tender you in conclusion the cooperation which it may be in my power to afford them.
on your assembling to perform the high trusts which the people of the united states have confided to you of legislating for their common welfare it gives me pleasure to congratulate you upon the happy condition of our beloved country by the favor of divine providence health is again restored to us peace reigns within our borders abundance crowns the labors of our fields commerce and domestic industry flourish and increase and individual happiness rewards the private virtue and enterprise of our citizens our condition abroad is no less honorable than it is prosperous at home seeking nothing that is not right and determined to submit to nothing that is wrong but desiring honest friendships and liberal intercourse with all nations the united states have gained throughout the world the confidence and respect which are due to a policy so just and so congenial to the character of the american people and to the spirit of their institutions in bringing to your notice the particular state of our foreign affairs it affords me high gratification to inform you that they are in a condition which promises the continuance of friendship with all nations with great britain the interesting question of our north east boundary remains still undecided a negotiation however upon that subject has been renewed since the close of the last congress and a proposition has been submitted to the british government with the view of establishing in conformity with the resolution of the senate the line designated by the treaty of 1783 though no definitive answer has been received it may be daily looked for and i entertain a hope that the overture may ultimately lead to a satisfactory adjustment of this important matter i have the satisfaction to inform you that a negotiation which by desire of the house of representatives was opened some years ago with the british government for the erection of light houses on the bahamas has been successful those works when completed together with those which the united states have constructed on the western side of the gulf of florida will contribute essentially to the safety of navigation in that sea this joint participation in establishments interesting to humanity and beneficial to commerce is worthy of two enlightened nations and indicates feelings which can not fail to have a happy influence upon their political relations it is gratifying to the friends of both to perceive that the intercourse between the two people is becoming daily more extensive and that sentiments of mutual good will have grown up befitting their common origin and justifying the hope that by wise counsels on each side not only unsettled questions may be satisfactorily terminated but new causes of misunderstanding prevented not withstanding that i continue to receive the most amicable assurances from the government of france and that in all other respects the most friendly relations exist between the united states and that government it is to be regretted that the stipulations of the convention concluded on remain in some important parts unfulfilled by the second article of that convention it was stipulated that the sum payable to the united states should be paid at paris in 6 annual installments into the hands of such person or persons as should be authorized by the government of the united states to receive it and by the same article the first installment was payable on by the act of congress of it was made the duty of the secretary of the treasury to because the several installments with the interest thereon to be received from the french government and transferred to the united states in such manner as he may deem best and by the same act of congress the stipulations on the part of the united states in the convention were in all respects fulfilled not doubting that a treaty thus made and ratified by the two governments and faithfully executed by the united states would be promptly complied with by the other party and desiring to avoid the risk and expense of intermediate agencies the secretary of the treasury deemed it advisable to receive and transfer the first installment by means of a draft upon the french minister of finance a draft for this purpose was accordingly drawn in favor of the cashier of the bank of the united states for the amount accruing to the united states out of the first installment and the interest payable with it this bill was not drawn at washington until 5 days after the installment was payable at paris and was accompanied by a special authority from the president authorizing the cashier or his assigns to receive the amount the mode thus adopted of receiving the installment was officially made known to the french government by the american chargé at paris pursuant to instructions from the department of state the bill however though not presented for payment until was not paid and for the reason assigned by the french minister of finance that no appropriation had been made by the french chambers it is not known to me that up to that period any appropriation had been required of the chambers and although a communication was subsequently made to the chambers by direction of the king recommending that the necessary provision should be made for carrying the convention into effect it was at an advanced period of the session and the subject was finally postponed until the next meeting of the chambers not withstanding it has been supposed by the french ministry that the financial stipulations of the treaty can not be carried into effect without an appropriation by the chambers it appears to me to be not only consistent with the character of france but due to the character of both governments as well as to the rights of our citizens to treat the convention made and ratified in proper form as pledging the good faith of the french government for its execution and as imposing upon each department an obligation to fulfill it and i have received assurances through our chargé at paris and the french minister plenipotentiary at washington and more recently through the minister of the united states at paris that the delay has not proceeded from any indisposition on the part of the king and his ministers to fulfill their treaty and that measures will be presented at the next meeting of the chambers and with a reasonable hope of success to obtain the necessary appropriation it is necessary to state however that the documents except certain lists of vessels captured condemned or burnt at sea proper to facilitate the examination and liquidation of the reclamations comprised in the stipulations of the convention and which by the 6th article france engaged to communicate to the united states by the intermediary of the legation though repeatedly applied for by the american chargé under instructions from this government have not yet been communicated and this delay it is apprehended will necessarily prevent the completion of the duties assigned to the commissioners within the time at present prescribed by law the reasons for delaying to communicate these documents have not been explicitly stated and this is the more to be regretted as it is not understood that the interposition of the chambers is in any manner required for the delivery of those papers under these circumstances in a case so important to the interests of our citizens and to the character of our country and under disappointments so unexpected i deemed it my duty however i might respect the general assurances to which i have adverted no longer to delay the appointment of a minister plenipotentiary to paris but to dispatch him in season to communicate the result of his application to the french government at an early period of your session i accordingly appointed a distinguished citizen for this purpose who proceeded on his mission in august last and was presented to the king early in the month of october he is particularly instructed as to all matters connected with the present posture of affairs and i indulge the hope that with the representations he is instructed to make and from the disposition manifested by the king and his ministers in their recent assurances to our minister at paris the subject will be early considered and satisfactorily disposed of at the next meeting of the chambers as this subject involves important interests and has attracted a considerable share of the public attention i have deemed it proper to make this explicit statement of its actual condition and should i be disappointed in the hope now entertained the subject will be again brought to the notice of congress in such manner as the occasion may require the friendly relations which have always been maintained between the united states and russia have been further extended and strengthened by the treaty of navigation and commerce concluded on and sanctioned by the senate before the close of its last session the ratifications having been since exchanged the liberal provisions of the treaty are now in full force and under the encouragement which they have secured a flourishing and increasing commerce yielding its benefits to the enterprise of both nations affords to each the just recompense of wise measures and adds new motives for that mutual friendship which the two countries have hitherto cherished toward each other it affords me peculiar satisfaction to state that the government of spain has at length yielded to the justice of the claims which have been so long urged in behalf of our citizens and has expressed a willingness to provide an indemnification as soon as the proper amount can be agreed upon upon this latter point it is probable an understanding had taken place between the minister of the united states and the spanish government before the decease of the late king of spain and unless that event may have delayed its completion there is reason to hope that it may be in my power to announce to you early in your present session the conclusion of a convention upon terms not less favorable than those entered into for similar objects with other nations that act of justice would well accord with the character of spain and is due to the united states from their ancient friend it could not fail to strengthen the sentiments of amity and good will between the two nations which it is so much the wish of the united states to cherish and so truly the interest of both to maintain by the first section of an act of congress passed on the tonnage duty on spanish ships arriving from the ports of spain previous to being 5 cents per ton that act was intended to give effect on our side to an arrangement made with the spanish government by which discriminating duties of tonnage were to be abolished in the ports of the united states and spain on he vessels of the two nations pursuant to that arrangement which was carried into effect on the part of spain on by a royal order dated american vessels in the ports of spain have paid 5 cents per ton which rate of duty is also paid in those ports by spanish ships but as american vessels pay no tonnage duty in the ports of the united states the duty of 5 cents payable in our ports by spanish vessels under the act above mentioned is really a discriminating duty operating to the disadvantage of spain though no complaint has yet been made on the part of spain we are not the less bound by the obligations of good faith to remove the discrimination and i recommend that the act be amended accordingly as the royal order above alluded to includes the ports of the balearic and canary islands as well as those of spain it would seem that the provisions of the act of congress should be equally extensive and that for the repayments of such duties as may have been improperly received an addition should be made to the sum appropriated at the last session of congress for refunding discriminating duties as the arrangement referred to however did not embrace the islands of cuba and puerto rico discriminating duties to the prejudice of american shipping continue to be levied there from the extent of the commerce carried on between the united states and those islands particularly the former this discrimination causes serious injury to one of those great national interests which it has been considered an essential part of our policy to cherish and has given rise to complaints on the part of our merchants under instructions given to our minister at madrid earnest representations have been made by him to the spanish government upon this subject and there is reason to expect from the friendly disposition which is entertained toward this country that a beneficial change will be produced the disadvantage however to which our shipping is subjected by the operation of these discriminating duties requires that they be met by suitable countervailing duties during your present session power being at the same time vested in the president to modify or discontinue them as the discriminating duties on american vessels or their cargoes may be modified or discontinued at those islands intimations have been given to the spanish government that the united states may be obliged to resort to such measures as are of necessary and there is no reason to apprehend that it would be unfavorably received the proposed proceeding if adopted would not be permitted however in any degree to induce a relaxation in the efforts of our minister to effect a repeal of this irregularity by friendly negotiation and it might serve to give force to his representations by showing the dangers to which that valuable trade is exposed by the obstructions and burdens which a system of discriminating and countervailing duties necessarily produces the selection and preparation of the florida archives for the purpose of being delivered over to the united states in conformity with the royal order as mentioned in my last annual message though in progress has not yet been completed this delay has been produced partly by causes which were unavoidable particularly the prevalence of the cholera at havana but measures have been taken which it is believed will expedite the delivery of those important records congress were informed at the opening of the last session that owing as was alleged to embarrassments in the finances of portugal consequent upon the civil war in which that nation was engaged payment had been made of only one installment of the amount which the portuguese government had stipulated to pay for indemnifying our citizens for property illegally captured in the blockade of terceira since that time a postponement for two years with interest of the 2 remaining installments was requested by the portuguese government and as a consideration it offered to stipulate that rice of the united states should be admitted into portugal at the same duties as brazilian rice being satisfied that no better arrangement could be made my consent was given and a royal order of the king of portugal was accordingly issued on for the reduction of the duty on rice of the united states it would give me great pleasure if in speaking of that country in whose prosperity the united states are so much interested and with whom a subsisting extensive and mutually advantageous commercial intercourse has strengthened the relation of friendship i could announce to you the restoration of its internal tranquillity subsequently to the commencement of the last session of congress the final installment payable by denmark under the convention of was received the commissioners for examining the claims have since terminated their labors and their awards have been paid at the treasury as they have been called for the justice rendered to our citizens by that government is thus completed and a pledge is thereby afforded for the maintenance of that friendly intercourse becoming the relations that the two nations mutually bear to each other it is satisfactory to inform you that the danish government have recently issued an ordinance by which the commerce with the island of croix is placed on a more liberal footing than heretofore this change can not fail to prove beneficial to the trade between the united states and that colony and the advantages likely to flow from it may lead to greater relaxations in the colonial systems of other nations the ratifications of the convention with the king of the two sicilies have been duly exchanged and the commissioners appointed for examining the claims under it have entered upon the duties assigned to them by law the friendship that the interests of the two nations require of them being now established it may be hoped that each will enjoy the benefits which a liberal commerce should yield to both a treaty of amity and commerce between the united states and belgium was concluded during the last winter and received the sanction of the senate but the exchange of the ratifications has been hitherto delayed in consequence in the first instance of some delay in the reception of the treaty at brussels and subsequently of the absence of the belgian minister of foreign affairs at the important conferences in which his government is engaged at london that treaty does but embody those enlarged principles of friendly policy which it is sincerely hoped will always regulate the conduct of the two nations having such strong motives to maintain amicable relations toward each other and so sincerely desirous to cherish them with all the other european powers with whom the united states have formed diplomatic relations and with the sublime porte the best understanding prevails from all i continue to receive assurances of good will toward the united states assurances which it gives me no less pleasure to reciprocate than to receive with all the engagements which have been entered into are fulfilled with good faith on both sides measures have also been taken to enlarge our friendly relations and extend our commercial intercourse with other states the system we have pursued of aiming at no exclusive advantages of dealing with all on terms of fair and equal reciprocity and of adhering scrupulously to all our engagements is well calculated to give success to efforts intended to be mutually beneficial the wars of which the southern part of this continent was so long the theater and which were carried on either by the mother country against the states which had formerly been her colonies or by the states against each other having terminated and their civil dissensions having so far subsided as with few exceptions no longer to disturb the public tranquillity it is earnestly hoped those states will be able to employ themselves without interruption in perfecting their institutions cultivating the arts of peace and promoting by wise councils and able exertions the public and private prosperity which their patriotic struggles so well entitle them to enjoy with those states our relations have but little change during the present year no reunion having yet taken place between the states which composed the republic of colombia our chargé at bogota has been accredited to the government of new grenada and we have therefore no diplomatic relations with venezuela and equator except as they may be included in those heretofore formed with the colombian republic it is understood that representatives from the three stattes were about to assemble at bogota to confer on the subject of their mutual interests particularly that of their union and if the result should render it necessary measures will be taken on our part to preserve with each that friendship and those liberal commercial connections which it has been the constant desire of the united states to cultivate with their sister republics of this hemisphere until the important question of reunion shall be settled however the different matters which have been under discussion between the united states and the republic of colombia or either of the states which composed it are not likely to be brought to a satisfactory issue in consequence of the illness of the chargé appointed to central america at the last session of congress he was prevented from proceeding on his mission until the month of october it is hoped however that he is by this time at his post and that the official intercourse unfortunately so long interrupted has been thus renewed on the part of the two nations so amicably and advantageously connected by engagements founded on the most enlarged principles of commercial reciprocity it is gratifying to state that since my last annual message some of the most important claims of our fellow citizens upon the government of brazil have been satisfactorily adjusted and a reliance is placed on the friendly dispositions manifested by it that justice will also be done in others no new causes of complaint have arisen and the trade between the two countries flourishes under the encouragement secured to it by the liberal provisions of the treaty it is because of regret that owing probably to the civil dissensions which have occupied the attention of the mexican government the time fixed by the treaty of limits with the united states for the meeting of the commissioners to define the boundaries between the two nations has been suffered to expire without the appointment of any commissioners on the part of that government while the true boundary remains in doubt by either party it is difficult to give effect to those measures which are necessary to the protection and quiet of our numerous citizens residing near that frontier the subject is one of great solicitude to the united states and will not fail to receive my earnest attention the treaty concluded with chili and approved by the senate at its last session was also ratified by the chilian government but with certain additional and explanatory articles of a nature to have required it to be again submitted to the senate the time limited for the exchange of the ratification however having since expired the action of both governments on the treaty will again become necessary the negotiations commenced with the argentine republic relative to the outrages committed on our vessels engaged in the fisheries at the falkland islands by persons acting under the color of its authority as well as the other matters in controversy between the two governments have been suspended by the departure of the chargé of the united states from buenos ayres it is understood however that a minister was subsequently appointed by that government to renew the negotiation in the united states but though daily expected he has not yet arrived in this country with peru no treaty has yet been formed and with bolivia no diplomatic intercourse has yet been established it will be my endeavor to encourage those sentiments of amity and that liberal commerce which belong to the relations in which all the independent states of this continent stand toward each other i deem it proper to recommend to your notice the revision of our consular system this has become an important branch of the public service in as much as it is intimately connected with the preservation of our national character abroad with the interest of our citizens in foreign countries with the regulation and care of our commerce and with the protection of our sea men at the close of the last session of congress i communicated a report from the secretary of state upon the subject to which i now refer as containing information which may be useful in any inquiries that congress may see fit to institute with a view to a salutary reform of the system it gives me great pleasure to congratulate you upon the prosperous condition of the finances of the country as will appear from the report which the secretary of the treasury will in due time lay before you the receipts into the treasury during the present year will amount to more than the revenue derived from customs will it is believed be more than and the public lands will yield about the expenditures within the year for all objects including on account of the public debt will not amount to and a large balance will remain in the treasury after satisfying all the appropriations chargeable on the revenue for the present year the measures taken by the secretary of the treasury will probably enable to pay off in the course of the present year the residue of the exchanged stock redeemable on it has therefore been included in the estimated expenditures of this year and forms a part of the sum above stated to have been paid on account of the public debt the payment of this stock will reduce the whole debt of the united states funded and unfunded to the sum of and as provision has already been made for the stocks above mentioned and charged in the expenses of the present year the sum last stated is all that now remains of the national debt and the revenue of the coming year together with the balance now in the treasury will be sufficient to discharge it after meeting the current expenses of the government under the power given to the commissioners of the sinking fund it will i have no doubt be purchased on favorable terms within the year from this view of the state of the finances and the public engagements yet to be fulfilled you will perceive that if providence permits me to meet you at another session i shall have the high gratification of announcing to you that the national debt is extinguished i can not refrain from expressing the pleasure i feel at the near approach of that desirable event the short period of time within which the public debt will have been discharged is strong evidence of the abundant resources of the country and of the prudence and economy with which the government has heretofore been administered we have waged two wars since we became a nation with one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world both of them undertaken in defense of our dearest rights been successfully prosecuted and honorably terminated and many of those who partook in the first struggle as well as in the second will have lived to see the last item of the debt incurred in these necessary but expensive conflicts faithfully and honestly discharged and we shall have the proud satisfaction of bequeathing to the public servants who follow us in the administration of the government the rare blessing of a revenue sufficiently abundant raised without injustice or oppression to our citizens and unencumbered with any burdens but what they themselves shall think proper to impose upon it the flourishing state of the finances ought not however to encourage us to indulge in a lavish expenditure of the public treasure the receipts of the present year do not furnish the test by which we are to estimate the income of the next the changes made in our revenue system by the acts of congress of 1832 and 1833 and more especially by the former have swelled the receipts of the present year far beyond the amount to be expected in future years upon the reduced tariff of duties the shortened credits on revenue bonds and the cash duties on woolens which were introduced by the act of 1832 and took effect on have brought large sums into the treasury in 1833 which according to the credits formerly given would not have been payable until 1834 and would have formed a part of the income of that year these causes would of themselves produce a great diminution of the receipts in the year 1834 as compared with the present one and they will be still more diminished by the reduced rates of duties which take place on on some of the most important and productive articles upon the best estimates that can be made the receipts of the next year with the aid of the unappropriated amount now in the treasury will not be much more than sufficient to meet the expenses of the year and pay the small remnant of the national debt which yet remains unsatisfied i can not therefore recommend to you any alteration in the present tariff of duties the rate as now fixed by law on the various articles was adopted at the last session of congress as a matter of compromise with unusual unanimity and unless it is found to produce more than the necessities of the government call for there would seem to be no reason at this time to justify a change but while i forbear to recommend any further reduction of the duties beyond that already provided for by the existing laws i must earnestly and respectfully press upon congress the importance of abstaining from all appropriations which are not absolutely required for the public interest and authorized by the powers clearly delegated to the united states we are beginning a new era in our government the national debt which has so long been a burden on the treasury will be finally discharged in the course of the ensuing year no more memory will afterwards be needed than what may be necessary to meet the ordinary expenses of the government now then is the proper moment to fix our system of expenditure on firm and durable principles and i can not too strongly urge the necessity of a rigid economy and an inflexible determination not to enlarge the income beyond the real necessities of the government and not to increase the wants of the government by unnecessary and profuse expenditures if a contrary course should be pursued it may happen that the revenue of 1834 will fall short of the demands upon it and after reducing the tariff in order to lighten the burdens of the people and providing for a still further reduction to take effect hereafter it would be much to be deplored if at the end of another year we should find ourselves obliged to retrace our steps and impose additional taxes to meet unnecessary expenditures it is my duty on this occasion to call your attention to the destruction of the public building occupied by the treasury department which happened since the last adjournment of congress a thorough inquiry into the causes of this loss was directed and made at the time the result of which will be duly communicated to you i take pleasure however in stating here that by the laudable exertions of the officers of the department and many of the citizens of the district but few papers were lost and none that will materially affect the public interest the public convenience requires that another building should be erected as soon as practicable and in providing for it it will be advisable to enlarge in some manner the accommodations for the public officers of the several departments and to authorize the erection of suitable depositories for the of the public documents and records since the last adjournment of congress the secretary of the treasury has directed the money of the united states to be deposited in certain state banks designated by him and he will immediately lay before you his reasons for this direction i concur with him entirely in the view he has taken on the subject and some months before the removal i urged upon the department the propriety of taking that step the near approach of the day on which the charter will expire as well as the conduct of the bank appeared to me to call for this measure upon the high considerations of public interest and public duty the extent of its misconduct however although known to be great was not at that time fully developed by proof it was not until late in the month of august that i received from the government directors an official report establishing beyond question that this great and powerful institution had been actively engaged in attempting to influence the elections of the public officers by means of its money and that in violation of the express provisions of its charter it had by a formal resolution placed its funds at the disposition of its president to be employed in sustaining the political power of the bank a copy of this resolution is contained in the report of the government directors before referred to and how ever the object may be disguised by cautious language no one can doubt that this money was in truth intended for electioneering purposes and the particular uses to which it was proved to have been applied abundantly show that it was so understood not only was the evidence complete as to the past application of the money and power of the bank to electioneering purposes but that the resolution of the board of directors authorized the same course to be pursued in future it being thus established by unquestionable proof that the bank of the united states was converted into a permanent electioneering engine it appeared to me that the path of duty which the executive department of the government ought to pursue was not doubtful as by the terms of the bank charter no officer but the secretary of the treasury could remove the deposits it seemed to me that this authority ought to be at once exerted to deprive that great corporation of the support and countenance of the government in such an use of its funds and such an exertion of its power in this point of the case the question is distinctly presented whether the people of the united states are to govern through representatives chosen by their unbiased suffrages or whether the money and power of a great corporation are to be secretly exerted to influence their judgment and control their decisions it must now be determined whether the bank is to have its candidates for all offices in the country from the highest to the lowest or whether candidates on both sides of political questions shall be brought forward as heretofore and supported by the usual means at this time the efforts of the bank to control public opinion through the distresses of some and the fears of others are equally apparent and if possible more objectionable by a curtailment of its accommodations more rapid than any emergency requires and even while it retains specie to an almost unprecedented amount in its vaults it is attempting to produce great embarrassment in one portion of the community while through presses known to have been sustained by its money it attempts by unfounded alarms to create a panic in all these are the means by which it seems to expect that it can force a restoration of the deposits and as a necessary consequence extort from congress a renewal of its charter i am happy to know that through the good sense of our people the effort to get up a panic has hitherto failed and that through the increased accommodations which the state banks have been enabled to afford no public distress has followed the exertions of the bank and it can not be doubted that the exercise of its power and the expenditure of its money as well as its efforts to spread groundless alarm will be met and rebuked as they deserve in my own sphere of duty i should feel myself called on by the facts disclosed to order a scire facias against the bank with a view to put an end to the chartered rights it has so palpably violated were it not that the charter itself will expire as soon as a decision would probably be obtained from the court of last resort i called the attention of congress to this subject in my last annual message and informed them that such measures as were within the reach of the secretary of the treasury had been taken to enable him to judge whether the public deposits in the bank of the united states were entirely safe but that as his single powers might be inadequate to the object i recommended the subject to congress as worthy of their serious investigation declaring it as my opinion that an inquiry into the transactions of that institution embracing the branches as well as the principal bank was called for by the credit which was given throughout the country to many serious charges impeaching their character and which if true might justly excite the apprehension that they were no longer a safe depository for the public money the extent to which the examination thus recommended was gone into is spread upon your journals and is too well known to require to be stated such as was made resulted in a report from a majority of the committee of ways and means touching certain specified points only concluding with a resolution that the government deposits might safely be continued in the bank of the united states this resolution was adopted at the close of the session by the vote of a majority of the house of representatives although i may not always be able to concur in the views of the public interest or the duties of its agents which may be taken by the other departments of the government or either of its branches i am not withstanding wholly incapable of receiving otherwise than with the most sincere respect all opinions or suggestions proceeding from such a source and in respect to none am i more inclined to do so than to the house of representatives but it will be seen from the brief views at this time taken of the subject by myself as well as the more ample ones presented by the secretary of the treasury that the change in the deposits which has been ordered has been deemed to be called for by considerations which are not affected by the proceedings referred to and which if correctly viewed by that department rendered its act a matter of imperious duty coming as you do for the most part immediately from the people and the states by election and possessing the fullest opportunity to know their sentiments the present congress will be sincerely solicitous to carry into full and fair effect the will of their constituents in regard to this institution it will be for those in whose behalf we all act to decide whether the executive department of the government in the steps which it has taken on this subject has been found in the line of its duty the accompanying report of the secretary of war with the documents annexed to it exhibits the operations of the war department for the past year and the condition of the various subjects intrusted to its administration it will be seen from them that the army maintains the character it has heretofore acquired for efficiency and military knowledge nothing has occurred since your last session to require its services beyond the ordinary routine duties which upon the and the frontier devolve upon it in a time of peace the system so wisely adopted and so long pursued of constructing fortifications at exposed points and of preparing and collecting the supplies necessary for the military defense of the country and thus providently furnishing in peace the means of defense in war has been continued with the usual results i recommend to your consideration the various subjects suggested in the report of the secretary of war their adoption would promote the public service and meliorate the condition of the army our relations with the various indian tribes have been undisturbed since the termination of the difficulties growing out of the hostile aggressions of the sac and fox indians several treaties have been formed for the relinquishment of territory to the united states and for the migration of the occupants to the region assigned for their residence west of the mississippi should these treaties be ratified by the senate provision will have been made for the removal of almost all the tribes remaining e of that river and for the termination of many difficult and embarrassing questions arising out of their anomalous political condition it is to be hoped that those portions of two of the southern tribes which in that event will present the only remaining difficulties will realize the necessity of emigration and will speedily resort to it my original convictions upon this subject have been confirmed by the course of events for several years and experience is every day adding to their strength that those tribes can not exist surrounded by our settlements and in continual contact with our citizens is certain they have neither the intelligence the industry the moral habits nor the desire of improvement which are essential to any favorable change in their condition established in the midst of another and a superior race and without appreciating the causes of their inferiority or seeking to control them they must necessarily yield to the force of circumstances and ere long disappear such has been their fate heretofore and if it is to be averted and it is it can only be done by a general removal beyond our boundary and by the reorganization of their political system upon principles adapted to the new relations in which they will be placed the experiment which has been recently made has so far proved successful the emigrants generally are represented to be prosperous and contented the country suitable to their wants and habits and the essential articles of subsistence easily procured when the report of the commissioners now engaged in investigating the condition and prospects of these indians and in devising a plan for their intercourse and government is received i trust ample means of information will be in possession of the government for adjusting all the unsettled questions connected with this interesting subject the operations of the navy during the year and its present condition are fully exhibited in the annual report from the navy department suggestions are made by the secretary of various improvements which deserve careful consideration and most of which if adopted bid fair to promote the efficiency of this important branch of the public service among these are the new organization of the navy board the revision of the pay to officers and a change in the period of time or in the manner of making the annual appropriations to which i beg leave to call your particular attention the views which are presented on almost every portion of our naval concerns and especially on the amount of force and the number of officers and the general course of policy appropriate in the present state of our country for securing the great and useful purposes of naval protection in peace and due preparation for the contingencies of war meet with my entire approbation it will be perceived from the report referred to that the fiscal concerns of the establishment are in an excellent condition and it is hoped that congress may feel disposed to make promptly every suitable provision desired either for preserving or improving the system the general post office department has continued upon the strength of its own resources to facilitate the means of communication between the various portions of the union with increased activity the method however in which the accounts of the transportation of the mail have always been kept appears to have presented an imperfect view of its expenses it has recently been discovered that from the earliest records of the department the annual statements have been calculated to exhibit an amount considerably short of the actual expense incurred for that service these illusory statements together with the expense of carrying into effect the law of the last session of congress establishing new mail routes and a disposition on the part of the head of the department to gratify the wishes of the public in the extension of mail facilities have induced him to incur responsibilities for their improvement beyond what the current resources of the department would sustain as soon as he had discovered the imperfection of the method he caused an investigation to be made of its results and applied the proper remedy to correct the evil it became necessary for him to withdraw some of the improvements which he had made to bring the expenses of the department within its own resources these expenses were incurred for the public good and the public have enjoyed their benefit they are now but partially suspended and that where they may be discontinued with the least inconvenience to the country the progressive increase in the income from postages has equaled the highest expectations and it affords demonstrative evidence of the growing importance and great utility of this department the details are exhibited in the accompanying report of the postmaster general the many distressing accidents which have of late occurred in that portion of our navigation carried on by the use of steam power deserve the immediate and unremitting attention of the constituted authorities of the country the fact that the number of those fatal disasters is constantly increasing not withstanding the great improvements which are every where made in the machinery employed and in the rapid advances which have made in that branch of science shows very clearly that they are in a great degree the result of criminal negligence on the part of those by whom the vessels are navigated and to whose care and attention the lives and property of our citizens are so extensively intrusted that these evils may be greatly lessened if not substantially removed by means of precautionary and penal legislation seems to be highly probable so far therefore as the subject can be regarded as within the constitutional purview of congress i earnestly recommend it to your prompt and serious consideration i would also call your attention to the views i have heretofore expressed of the propriety of amending the constitution in relation to the mode of electing the president and the of the united states regarding it as all important to the future quiet and harmony of the people that every intermediate agency in the election of these officers should be removed and that their eligibility should be limited to one term of either 4 or 6 years i can not too earnestly invite your consideration of the subject trusting that your deliberations on all the topics of general interest to which i have adverted and such others as your more extensive knowledge of the wants of our beloved country may suggest may be crowned with success i tender you in conclusion the cooperation which it may be in my power to afford them
assembling perform high trusts people united states confided legislating common welfare gives pleasure congratulate upon happy condition beloved country favor divine providence health restored us peace reigns within borders abundance crowns labors fields commerce domestic industry flourish increase individual happiness rewards private virtue enterprise citizens condition abroad less honorable prosperous home seeking nothing right determined submit nothing wrong desiring honest friendships liberal intercourse nations united states gained throughout world confidence respect due policy congenial character american people spirit institutions bringing notice particular state foreign affairs affords high gratification inform condition promises continuance friendship nations great britain interesting question north east boundary remains still undecided negotiation however upon subject renewed since close last congress proposition submitted british government view establishing conformity resolution senate line designated treaty 1783 though definitive answer received may daily looked entertain hope overture may ultimately lead satisfactory adjustment important matter satisfaction inform negotiation desire house representatives opened years ago british government erection light houses bahamas successful works completed together united states constructed western side gulf florida contribute essentially safety navigation sea joint participation establishments interesting humanity beneficial commerce worthy two enlightened nations indicates feelings fail happy influence upon political relations gratifying friends perceive intercourse two people becoming daily extensive sentiments mutual good grown befitting common origin justifying hope wise counsels side unsettled questions may satisfactorily terminated new causes misunderstanding prevented withstanding continue receive amicable assurances government france respects friendly relations exist united states government regretted stipulations convention concluded remain important parts unfulfilled second article convention stipulated sum payable united states paid paris 6 annual installments hands person persons authorized government united states receive article first installment payable act congress made duty secretary treasury several installments interest thereon received french government transferred united states manner may deem best act congress stipulations part united states convention respects fulfilled doubting treaty thus made ratified two governments faithfully executed united states would promptly complied party desiring avoid risk expense intermediate agencies secretary treasury deemed advisable receive transfer first installment means draft upon french minister finance draft purpose accordingly drawn favor cashier bank united states amount accruing united states first installment interest payable bill drawn washington 5 days installment payable paris accompanied special authority president authorizing cashier assigns receive amount mode thus adopted receiving installment officially made known french government american chargé paris pursuant instructions department state bill however though presented payment paid reason assigned french minister finance appropriation made french chambers known period appropriation required chambers although communication subsequently made chambers direction king recommending necessary provision made carrying convention effect advanced period session subject finally postponed next meeting chambers withstanding supposed french ministry financial stipulations treaty carried effect without appropriation chambers appears consistent character france due character governments well rights citizens treat convention made ratified proper form pledging good faith french government execution imposing upon department obligation fulfill received assurances chargé paris french minister plenipotentiary washington recently minister united states paris delay proceeded indisposition part king ministers fulfill treaty measures presented next meeting chambers reasonable hope success obtain necessary appropriation necessary state however documents except certain lists vessels captured condemned burnt sea proper facilitate examination liquidation reclamations comprised stipulations convention 6th article france engaged communicate united states intermediary legation though repeatedly applied american chargé instructions government yet communicated delay apprehended necessarily prevent completion duties assigned commissioners within time present prescribed law reasons delaying communicate documents explicitly stated regretted understood interposition chambers manner required delivery papers circumstances case important interests citizens character country disappointments unexpected deemed duty however might respect general assurances adverted longer delay appointment minister plenipotentiary paris dispatch season communicate result application french government early period session accordingly appointed distinguished citizen purpose proceeded mission august last presented king early month october particularly instructed matters connected present posture affairs indulge hope representations instructed make disposition manifested king ministers recent assurances minister paris subject early considered satisfactorily disposed next meeting chambers subject involves important interests attracted considerable share public attention deemed proper make explicit statement actual condition disappointed hope entertained subject brought notice congress manner occasion may require friendly relations always maintained united states russia extended strengthened treaty navigation commerce concluded sanctioned senate close last session ratifications since exchanged liberal provisions treaty full force encouragement secured flourishing increasing commerce yielding benefits enterprise nations affords recompense wise measures adds new motives mutual friendship two countries hitherto cherished toward affords peculiar satisfaction state government spain length yielded justice claims long urged behalf citizens expressed willingness provide indemnification soon proper amount agreed upon upon latter point probable understanding taken place minister united states spanish government decease late king spain unless event may delayed completion reason hope may power announce early present session conclusion convention upon terms less favorable entered similar objects nations act justice would well accord character spain due united states ancient friend could fail strengthen sentiments amity good two nations much wish united states cherish truly interest maintain first section act congress passed tonnage duty spanish ships arriving ports spain previous 5 cents per ton act intended give effect side arrangement made spanish government discriminating duties tonnage abolished ports united states spain vessels two nations pursuant arrangement carried effect part spain royal order dated american vessels ports spain paid 5 cents per ton rate duty also paid ports spanish ships american vessels pay tonnage duty ports united states duty 5 cents payable ports spanish vessels act mentioned really discriminating duty operating disadvantage spain though complaint yet made part spain less bound obligations good faith remove discrimination recommend act amended accordingly royal order alluded includes ports balearic canary islands well spain would seem provisions act congress equally extensive repayments duties may improperly received addition made sum appropriated last session congress refunding discriminating duties arrangement referred however embrace islands cuba puerto rico discriminating duties prejudice american shipping continue levied extent commerce carried united states islands particularly former discrimination causes serious injury one great national interests considered essential part policy cherish given rise complaints part merchants instructions given minister madrid earnest representations made spanish government upon subject reason expect friendly disposition entertained toward country beneficial change produced disadvantage however shipping subjected operation discriminating duties requires met suitable countervailing duties present session power time vested president modify discontinue discriminating duties american vessels cargoes may modified discontinued islands intimations given spanish government united states may obliged resort measures necessary reason apprehend would unfavorably received proposed proceeding adopted would permitted however degree induce relaxation efforts minister effect repeal irregularity friendly negotiation might serve give force representations showing dangers valuable trade exposed obstructions burdens system discriminating countervailing duties necessarily produces selection preparation florida archives purpose delivered united states conformity royal order mentioned last annual message though progress yet completed delay produced partly causes unavoidable particularly prevalence cholera havana measures taken believed expedite delivery important records congress informed opening last session owing alleged embarrassments finances portugal consequent upon civil war nation engaged payment made one installment amount portuguese government stipulated pay indemnifying citizens property illegally captured blockade terceira since time postponement two years interest 2 remaining installments requested portuguese government consideration offered stipulate rice united states admitted portugal duties brazilian rice satisfied better arrangement could made consent given royal order king portugal accordingly issued reduction duty rice united states would give great pleasure speaking country whose prosperity united states much interested subsisting extensive mutually advantageous commercial intercourse strengthened relation friendship could announce restoration internal tranquillity subsequently commencement last session congress final installment payable denmark convention received commissioners examining claims since terminated labors awards paid treasury called justice rendered citizens government thus completed pledge thereby afforded maintenance friendly intercourse becoming relations two nations mutually bear satisfactory inform danish government recently issued ordinance commerce island croix placed liberal footing heretofore change fail prove beneficial trade united states colony advantages likely flow may lead greater relaxations colonial systems nations ratifications convention king two sicilies duly exchanged commissioners appointed examining claims entered upon duties assigned law friendship interests two nations require established may hoped enjoy benefits liberal commerce yield treaty amity commerce united states belgium concluded last winter received sanction senate exchange ratifications hitherto delayed consequence first instance delay reception treaty brussels subsequently absence belgian minister foreign affairs important conferences government engaged london treaty embody enlarged principles friendly policy sincerely hoped always regulate conduct two nations strong motives maintain amicable relations toward sincerely desirous cherish european powers united states formed diplomatic relations sublime porte best understanding prevails continue receive assurances good toward united states assurances gives less pleasure reciprocate receive engagements entered fulfilled good faith sides measures also taken enlarge friendly relations extend commercial intercourse states system pursued aiming exclusive advantages dealing terms fair equal reciprocity adhering scrupulously engagements well calculated give success efforts intended mutually beneficial wars southern part continent long theater carried either mother country states formerly colonies states terminated civil dissensions far subsided exceptions longer disturb public tranquillity earnestly hoped states able employ without interruption perfecting institutions cultivating arts peace promoting wise councils able exertions public private prosperity patriotic struggles well entitle enjoy states relations little change present year reunion yet taken place states composed republic colombia chargé bogota accredited government new grenada therefore diplomatic relations venezuela equator except may included heretofore formed colombian republic understood representatives three stattes assemble bogota confer subject mutual interests particularly union result render necessary measures taken part preserve friendship liberal commercial connections constant desire united states cultivate sister republics hemisphere important question reunion shall settled however different matters discussion united states republic colombia either states composed likely brought satisfactory issue consequence illness chargé appointed central america last session congress prevented proceeding mission month october hoped however time post official intercourse unfortunately long interrupted thus renewed part two nations amicably advantageously connected engagements founded enlarged principles commercial reciprocity gratifying state since last annual message important claims fellow citizens upon government brazil satisfactorily adjusted reliance placed friendly dispositions manifested justice also done others new causes complaint arisen trade two countries flourishes encouragement secured liberal provisions treaty regret owing probably civil dissensions occupied attention mexican government time fixed treaty limits united states meeting commissioners define boundaries two nations suffered expire without appointment commissioners part government true boundary remains doubt either party difficult give effect measures necessary protection quiet numerous citizens residing near frontier subject one great solicitude united states fail receive earnest attention treaty concluded chili approved senate last session also ratified chilian government certain additional explanatory articles nature required submitted senate time limited exchange ratification however since expired action governments treaty become necessary negotiations commenced argentine republic relative outrages committed vessels engaged fisheries falkland islands persons acting color authority well matters controversy two governments suspended departure chargé united states buenos ayres understood however minister subsequently appointed government renew negotiation united states though daily expected yet arrived country peru treaty yet formed bolivia diplomatic intercourse yet established endeavor encourage sentiments amity liberal commerce belong relations independent states continent stand toward deem proper recommend notice revision consular system become important branch public service much intimately connected preservation national character abroad interest citizens foreign countries regulation care commerce protection sea men close last session congress communicated report secretary state upon subject refer containing information may useful inquiries congress may see fit institute view salutary reform system gives great pleasure congratulate upon prosperous condition finances country appear report secretary treasury due time lay receipts treasury present year amount revenue derived customs believed public lands yield expenditures within year objects including account public debt amount large balance remain treasury satisfying appropriations chargeable revenue present year measures taken secretary treasury probably enable pay course present year residue exchanged stock redeemable therefore included estimated expenditures year forms part sum stated paid account public debt payment stock reduce whole debt united states funded unfunded sum provision already made stocks mentioned charged expenses present year sum last stated remains national debt revenue coming year together balance treasury sufficient discharge meeting current expenses government power given commissioners sinking fund doubt purchased favorable terms within year view state finances public engagements yet fulfilled perceive providence permits meet another session shall high gratification announcing national debt extinguished refrain expressing pleasure feel near approach desirable event short period time within public debt discharged strong evidence abundant resources country prudence economy government heretofore administered waged two wars since became nation one powerful kingdoms world undertaken defense dearest rights successfully prosecuted honorably terminated many partook first struggle well second lived see last item debt incurred necessary expensive conflicts faithfully honestly discharged shall proud satisfaction bequeathing public servants follow us administration government rare blessing revenue sufficiently abundant raised without injustice oppression citizens unencumbered burdens shall think proper impose upon flourishing state finances ought however encourage us indulge lavish expenditure public treasure receipts present year furnish test estimate income next changes made revenue system acts congress 1832 1833 especially former swelled receipts present year far beyond amount expected future years upon reduced tariff duties shortened credits revenue bonds cash duties woolens introduced act 1832 took effect brought large sums treasury 1833 according credits formerly given would payable 1834 would formed part income year causes would produce great diminution receipts year 1834 compared present one still diminished reduced rates duties take place important productive articles upon best estimates made receipts next year aid unappropriated amount treasury much sufficient meet expenses year pay small remnant national debt yet remains unsatisfied therefore recommend alteration present tariff duties rate fixed law various articles adopted last session congress matter compromise unusual unanimity unless found produce necessities government call would seem reason time justify change forbear recommend reduction duties beyond already provided existing laws must earnestly respectfully press upon congress importance abstaining appropriations absolutely required public interest authorized powers clearly delegated united states beginning new era government national debt long burden treasury finally discharged course ensuing year memory afterwards needed may necessary meet ordinary expenses government proper moment fix system expenditure firm durable principles strongly urge necessity rigid economy inflexible determination enlarge income beyond real necessities government increase wants government unnecessary profuse expenditures contrary course pursued may happen revenue 1834 fall short demands upon reducing tariff order lighten burdens people providing still reduction take effect hereafter would much deplored end another year find obliged retrace steps impose additional taxes meet unnecessary expenditures duty occasion call attention destruction public building occupied treasury department happened since last adjournment congress thorough inquiry causes loss directed made time result duly communicated take pleasure however stating laudable exertions officers department many citizens district papers lost none materially affect public interest public convenience requires another building erected soon practicable providing advisable enlarge manner accommodations public officers several departments authorize erection suitable depositories public documents records since last adjournment congress secretary treasury directed money united states deposited certain state banks designated immediately lay reasons direction concur entirely view taken subject months removal urged upon department propriety taking step near approach day charter expire well conduct bank appeared call measure upon high considerations public interest public duty extent misconduct however although known great time fully developed proof late month august received government directors official report establishing beyond question great powerful institution actively engaged attempting influence elections public officers means money violation express provisions charter formal resolution placed funds disposition president employed sustaining political power bank copy resolution contained report government directors referred ever object may disguised cautious language one doubt money truth intended electioneering purposes particular uses proved applied abundantly show understood evidence complete past application money power bank electioneering purposes resolution board directors authorized course pursued future thus established unquestionable proof bank united states converted permanent electioneering engine appeared path duty executive department government ought pursue doubtful terms bank charter officer secretary treasury could remove deposits seemed authority ought exerted deprive great corporation support countenance government use funds exertion power point case question distinctly presented whether people united states govern representatives chosen unbiased suffrages whether money power great corporation secretly exerted influence judgment control decisions must determined whether bank candidates offices country highest lowest whether candidates sides political questions shall brought forward heretofore supported usual means time efforts bank control public opinion distresses fears others equally apparent possible objectionable curtailment accommodations rapid emergency requires even retains specie almost unprecedented amount vaults attempting produce great embarrassment one portion community presses known sustained money attempts unfounded alarms create panic means seems expect force restoration deposits necessary consequence extort congress renewal charter happy know good sense people effort get panic hitherto failed increased accommodations state banks enabled afford public distress followed exertions bank doubted exercise power expenditure money well efforts spread groundless alarm met rebuked deserve sphere duty feel called facts disclosed order scire facias bank view put end chartered rights palpably violated charter expire soon decision would probably obtained court last resort called attention congress subject last annual message informed measures within reach secretary treasury taken enable judge whether public deposits bank united states entirely safe single powers might inadequate object recommended subject congress worthy serious investigation declaring opinion inquiry transactions institution embracing branches well principal bank called credit given throughout country many serious charges impeaching character true might justly excite apprehension longer safe depository public money extent examination thus recommended gone spread upon journals well known require stated made resulted report majority committee ways means touching certain specified points concluding resolution government deposits might safely continued bank united states resolution adopted close session vote majority house representatives although may always able concur views public interest duties agents may taken departments government either branches withstanding wholly incapable receiving otherwise sincere respect opinions suggestions proceeding source respect none inclined house representatives seen brief views time taken subject well ample ones presented secretary treasury change deposits ordered deemed called considerations affected proceedings referred correctly viewed department rendered act matter imperious duty coming part immediately people states election possessing fullest opportunity know sentiments present congress sincerely solicitous carry full fair effect constituents regard institution whose behalf act decide whether executive department government steps taken subject found line duty accompanying report secretary war documents annexed exhibits operations war department past year condition various subjects intrusted administration seen army maintains character heretofore acquired efficiency military knowledge nothing occurred since last session require services beyond ordinary routine duties upon frontier devolve upon time peace system wisely adopted long pursued constructing fortifications exposed points preparing collecting supplies necessary military defense country thus providently furnishing peace means defense war continued usual results recommend consideration various subjects suggested report secretary war adoption would promote public service meliorate condition army relations various indian tribes undisturbed since termination difficulties growing hostile aggressions sac fox indians several treaties formed relinquishment territory united states migration occupants region assigned residence west mississippi treaties ratified senate provision made removal almost tribes remaining e river termination many difficult embarrassing questions arising anomalous political condition hoped portions two southern tribes event present remaining difficulties realize necessity emigration speedily resort original convictions upon subject confirmed course events several years experience every day adding strength tribes exist surrounded settlements continual contact citizens certain neither intelligence industry moral habits desire improvement essential favorable change condition established midst another superior race without appreciating causes inferiority seeking control must necessarily yield force circumstances ere long disappear fate heretofore averted done general removal beyond boundary reorganization political system upon principles adapted new relations placed experiment recently made far proved successful emigrants generally represented prosperous contented country suitable wants habits essential articles subsistence easily procured report commissioners engaged investigating condition prospects indians devising plan intercourse government received trust ample means information possession government adjusting unsettled questions connected interesting subject operations navy year present condition fully exhibited annual report navy department suggestions made secretary various improvements deserve careful consideration adopted bid fair promote efficiency important branch public service among new organization navy board revision pay officers change period time manner making annual appropriations beg leave call particular attention views presented almost every portion naval concerns especially amount force number officers general course policy appropriate present state country securing great useful purposes naval protection peace due preparation contingencies war meet entire approbation perceived report referred fiscal concerns establishment excellent condition hoped congress may feel disposed make promptly every suitable provision desired either preserving improving system general post office department continued upon strength resources facilitate means communication various portions union increased activity method however accounts transportation mail always kept appears presented imperfect view expenses recently discovered earliest records department annual statements calculated exhibit amount considerably short actual expense incurred service illusory statements together expense carrying effect law last session congress establishing new mail routes disposition part head department gratify wishes public extension mail facilities induced incur responsibilities improvement beyond current resources department would sustain soon discovered imperfection method caused investigation made results applied proper remedy correct evil became necessary withdraw improvements made bring expenses department within resources expenses incurred public good public enjoyed benefit partially suspended may discontinued least inconvenience country progressive increase income postages equaled highest expectations affords demonstrative evidence growing importance great utility department details exhibited accompanying report postmaster general many distressing accidents late occurred portion navigation carried use steam power deserve immediate unremitting attention constituted authorities country fact number fatal disasters constantly increasing withstanding great improvements every made machinery employed rapid advances made branch science shows clearly great degree result criminal negligence part vessels navigated whose care attention lives property citizens extensively intrusted evils may greatly lessened substantially removed means precautionary penal legislation seems highly probable far therefore subject regarded within constitutional purview congress earnestly recommend prompt serious consideration would also call attention views heretofore expressed propriety amending constitution relation mode electing president united states regarding important future quiet harmony people every intermediate agency election officers removed eligibility limited one term either 4 6 years earnestly invite consideration subject trusting deliberations topics general interest adverted others extensive knowledge wants beloved country may suggest may crowned success tender conclusion cooperation may power afford
assemble perform high trust people united state confide legislate common welfare give pleasure congratulate upon happy condition beloved country favor divine providence health restore u peace reign within border abundance crown labor field commerce domestic industry flourish increase individual happiness reward private virtue enterprise citizens condition abroad less honorable prosperous home seek nothing right determine submit nothing wrong desire honest friendship liberal intercourse nation united state gain throughout world confidence respect due policy congenial character american people spirit institution bring notice particular state foreign affair affords high gratification inform condition promise continuance friendship nation great britain interesting question north east boundary remains still undecided negotiation however upon subject renew since close last congress proposition submit british government view establish conformity resolution senate line designate treaty 1783 though definitive answer receive may daily look entertain hope overture may ultimately lead satisfactory adjustment important matter satisfaction inform negotiation desire house representative open year ago british government erection light house bahamas successful work complete together united state construct western side gulf florida contribute essentially safety navigation sea joint participation establishment interesting humanity beneficial commerce worthy two enlighten nation indicate feeling fail happy influence upon political relation gratify friend perceive intercourse two people become daily extensive sentiment mutual good grown befit common origin justify hope wise counsel side unsettled question may satisfactorily terminate new cause misunderstand prevent withstand continue receive amicable assurance government france respect friendly relation exist united state government regret stipulation convention conclude remain important part unfulfilled second article convention stipulate sum payable united state pay paris 6 annual installment hand person person authorized government united state receive article first installment payable act congress make duty secretary treasury several installment interest thereon receive french government transfer united state manner may deem best act congress stipulation part united state convention respect fulfil doubt treaty thus make ratified two government faithfully execute united state would promptly comply party desire avoid risk expense intermediate agency secretary treasury deem advisable receive transfer first installment mean draft upon french minister finance draft purpose accordingly draw favor cashier bank united state amount accrue united state first installment interest payable bill draw washington 5 day installment payable paris accompany special authority president authorize cashier assigns receive amount mode thus adopt receive installment officially make know french government american chargé paris pursuant instruction department state bill however though presented payment pay reason assign french minister finance appropriation make french chamber know period appropriation require chamber although communication subsequently make chamber direction king recommend necessary provision make carry convention effect advance period session subject finally postpone next meeting chamber withstand suppose french ministry financial stipulation treaty carry effect without appropriation chamber appear consistent character france due character government well right citizen treat convention make ratified proper form pledge good faith french government execution impose upon department obligation fulfill receive assurance chargé paris french minister plenipotentiary washington recently minister united state paris delay proceed indisposition part king minister fulfill treaty measure present next meeting chamber reasonable hope success obtain necessary appropriation necessary state however document except certain list vessel capture condemn burnt sea proper facilitate examination liquidation reclamation comprise stipulation convention 6th article france engage communicate united state intermediary legation though repeatedly apply american chargé instruction government yet communicate delay apprehend necessarily prevent completion duty assign commissioner within time present prescribed law reason delay communicate document explicitly state regret understood interposition chamber manner required delivery paper circumstance case important interest citizens character country disappointment unexpected deem duty however might respect general assurance advert longer delay appointment minister plenipotentiary paris dispatch season communicate result application french government early period session accordingly appoint distinguish citizen purpose proceed mission august last present king early month october particularly instructed matter connect present posture affair indulge hope representation instruct make disposition manifest king minister recent assurance minister paris subject early consider satisfactorily dispose next meeting chamber subject involve important interest attract considerable share public attention deem proper make explicit statement actual condition disappoint hope entertain subject brought notice congress manner occasion may require friendly relation always maintain united state russia extend strengthen treaty navigation commerce conclude sanction senate close last session ratification since exchange liberal provision treaty full force encouragement secure flourish increase commerce yield benefit enterprise nation affords recompense wise measure add new motif mutual friendship two country hitherto cherish toward affords peculiar satisfaction state government spain length yield justice claim long urge behalf citizen express willingness provide indemnification soon proper amount agree upon upon latter point probable understanding take place minister unite state spanish government decease late king spain unless event may delay completion reason hope may power announce early present session conclusion convention upon term less favorable enter similar object nation act justice would well accord character spain due united state ancient friend could fail strengthen sentiment amity good two nation much wish united state cherish truly interest maintain first section act congress pass tonnage duty spanish ship arrive port spain previous 5 cent per ton act intend give effect side arrangement make spanish government discriminate duty tonnage abolish port united state spain vessel two nation pursuant arrangement carry effect part spain royal order date american vessel port spain pay 5 cent per ton rate duty also pay port spanish ship american vessel pay tonnage duty port unite state duty 5 cent payable port spanish vessel act mention really discriminate duty operate disadvantage spain though complaint yet make part spain less bound obligation good faith remove discrimination recommend act amend accordingly royal order allude include port balearic canary island well spain would seem provision act congress equally extensive repayment duty may improperly receive addition make sum appropriate last session congress refund discriminate duty arrangement refer however embrace island cuba puerto rico discriminate duty prejudice american shipping continue levy extent commerce carry united state islands particularly former discrimination cause serious injury one great national interest consider essential part policy cherish give rise complaint part merchant instruction give minister madrid earnest representation make spanish government upon subject reason expect friendly disposition entertain toward country beneficial change produce disadvantage however ship subject operation discriminate duty require meet suitable countervail duty present session power time vested president modify discontinue discriminate duty american vessel cargo may modify discontinued island intimation give spanish government unite state may oblige resort measure necessary reason apprehend would unfavorably receive proposed proceeding adopt would permit however degree induce relaxation effort minister effect repeal irregularity friendly negotiation might serve give force representation show danger valuable trade expose obstruction burden system discriminate countervail duty necessarily produce selection preparation florida archive purpose deliver united state conformity royal order mention last annual message though progress yet complete delay produce partly cause unavoidable particularly prevalence cholera havana measure take believe expedite delivery important record congress inform open last session owe allege embarrassment finance portugal consequent upon civil war nation engage payment make one installment amount portuguese government stipulate pay indemnify citizen property illegally capture blockade terceira since time postponement two year interest 2 remain installment request portuguese government consideration offer stipulate rice unite state admit portugal duty brazilian rice satisfy well arrangement could make consent give royal order king portugal accordingly issue reduction duty rice united state would give great pleasure speak country whose prosperity united state much interested subsist extensive mutually advantageous commercial intercourse strengthen relation friendship could announce restoration internal tranquillity subsequently commencement last session congress final installment payable denmark convention receive commissioner examine claim since terminate labor award pay treasury call justice render citizens government thus complete pledge thereby afford maintenance friendly intercourse become relation two nation mutually bear satisfactory inform danish government recently issue ordinance commerce island croix place liberal footing heretofore change fail prove beneficial trade unite state colony advantage likely flow may lead great relaxation colonial system nation ratification convention king two sicily duly exchange commissioner appoint examine claim enter upon duty assign law friendship interest two nation require establish may hop enjoy benefit liberal commerce yield treaty amity commerce united state belgium conclude last winter receive sanction senate exchange ratification hitherto delay consequence first instance delay reception treaty brussels subsequently absence belgian minister foreign affair important conference government engage london treaty embody enlarge principle friendly policy sincerely hop always regulate conduct two nation strong motif maintain amicable relation toward sincerely desirous cherish european power united state form diplomatic relation sublime porte best understanding prevails continue receive assurance good toward united state assurances give less pleasure reciprocate receive engagement enter fulfilled good faith side measure also take enlarge friendly relation extend commercial intercourse state system pursue aim exclusive advantage deal term fair equal reciprocity adhere scrupulously engagement well calculate give success effort intend mutually beneficial war southern part continent long theater carry either mother country state formerly colony state terminate civil dissension far subside exception longer disturb public tranquillity earnestly hop state able employ without interruption perfecting institution cultivate art peace promote wise council able exertion public private prosperity patriotic struggle well entitle enjoy state relation little change present year reunion yet take place state compose republic colombia chargé bogota accredit government new grenada therefore diplomatic relation venezuela equator except may include heretofore form colombian republic understood representative three stattes assemble bogota confer subject mutual interest particularly union result render necessary measure take part preserve friendship liberal commercial connection constant desire united state cultivate sister republic hemisphere important question reunion shall settle however different matter discussion united state republic colombia either state compose likely brought satisfactory issue consequence illness chargé appoint central america last session congress prevent proceed mission month october hop however time post official intercourse unfortunately long interrupted thus renew part two nation amicably advantageously connect engagement found enlarged principle commercial reciprocity gratify state since last annual message important claim fellow citizen upon government brazil satisfactorily adjust reliance place friendly disposition manifest justice also do others new cause complaint arisen trade two country flourish encouragement secure liberal provision treaty regret owing probably civil dissension occupy attention mexican government time fix treaty limit unite state meet commissioner define boundary two nation suffer expire without appointment commissioner part government true boundary remain doubt either party difficult give effect measure necessary protection quiet numerous citizen reside near frontier subject one great solicitude united state fail receive earnest attention treaty conclude chili approve senate last session also ratify chilian government certain additional explanatory article nature require submit senate time limited exchange ratification however since expire action government treaty become necessary negotiation commence argentine republic relative outrage commit vessel engage fishery falkland island person act color authority well matter controversy two government suspend departure chargé united state buenos ayres understand however minister subsequently appoint government renew negotiation united state though daily expect yet arrive country peru treaty yet form bolivia diplomatic intercourse yet establish endeavor encourage sentiment amity liberal commerce belong relation independent state continent stand toward deem proper recommend notice revision consular system become important branch public service much intimately connect preservation national character abroad interest citizen foreign country regulation care commerce protection sea men close last session congress communicate report secretary state upon subject refer contain information may useful inquiry congress may see fit institute view salutary reform system give great pleasure congratulate upon prosperous condition finance country appear report secretary treasury due time lay receipts treasury present year amount revenue derive custom believe public land yield expenditure within year object include account public debt amount large balance remain treasury satisfying appropriation chargeable revenue present year measure take secretary treasury probably enable pay course present year residue exchange stock redeemable therefore include estimate expenditure year form part sum state pay account public debt payment stock reduce whole debt unite state fund unfunded sum provision already make stock mention charge expense present year sum last state remain national debt revenue come year together balance treasury sufficient discharge meeting current expense government power give commissioner sink fund doubt purchase favorable term within year view state finance public engagement yet fulfil perceive providence permit meet another session shall high gratification announce national debt extinguish refrain express pleasure feel near approach desirable event short period time within public debt discharge strong evidence abundant resource country prudence economy government heretofore administer wag two war since become nation one powerful kingdom world undertake defense dearest right successfully prosecute honorably terminate many partook first struggle well second live see last item debt incur necessary expensive conflict faithfully honestly discharge shall proud satisfaction bequeath public servant follow u administration government rare blessing revenue sufficiently abundant raise without injustice oppression citizen unencumbered burden shall think proper impose upon flourish state finance ought however encourage u indulge lavish expenditure public treasure receipt present year furnish test estimate income next change make revenue system act congress 1832 1833 especially former swell receipt present year far beyond amount expect future year upon reduce tariff duty shorten credit revenue bond cash duty woolens introduce act 1832 take effect bring large sum treasury 1833 accord credit formerly give would payable 1834 would form part income year cause would produce great diminution receipt year 1834 compare present one still diminish reduce rate duty take place important productive article upon best estimate make receipt next year aid unappropriated amount treasury much sufficient meet expense year pay small remnant national debt yet remain unsatisfied therefore recommend alteration present tariff duty rate fix law various article adopt last session congress matter compromise unusual unanimity unless find produce necessity government call would seem reason time justify change forbear recommend reduction duty beyond already provide exist law must earnestly respectfully press upon congress importance abstain appropriation absolutely require public interest authorize power clearly delegate united state begin new era government national debt long burden treasury finally discharge course ensue year memory afterwards need may necessary meet ordinary expense government proper moment fix system expenditure firm durable principle strongly urge necessity rigid economy inflexible determination enlarge income beyond real necessity government increase want government unnecessary profuse expenditures contrary course pursue may happen revenue 1834 fall short demand upon reduce tariff order lighten burden people provide still reduction take effect hereafter would much deplore end another year find oblige retrace step impose additional tax meet unnecessary expenditure duty occasion call attention destruction public building occupy treasury department happen since last adjournment congress thorough inquiry cause loss direct make time result duly communicate take pleasure however state laudable exertion officer department many citizen district paper lose none materially affect public interest public convenience require another building erect soon practicable provide advisable enlarge manner accommodation public officer several department authorize erection suitable depository public document record since last adjournment congress secretary treasury direct money united state deposit certain state bank designate immediately lay reason direction concur entirely view take subject month removal urge upon department propriety take step near approach day charter expire well conduct bank appear call measure upon high consideration public interest public duty extent misconduct however although know great time fully develop proof late month august receive government director official report establish beyond question great powerful institution actively engage attempt influence election public officer mean money violation express provision charter formal resolution place fund disposition president employ sustain political power bank copy resolution contain report government director refer ever object may disguise cautious language one doubt money truth intend electioneering purpose particular us prove applied abundantly show understood evidence complete past application money power bank electioneer purpose resolution board director authorize course pursue future thus establish unquestionable proof bank united state convert permanent electioneer engine appear path duty executive department government ought pursue doubtful term bank charter officer secretary treasury could remove deposit seem authority ought exert deprive great corporation support countenance government use fund exertion power point case question distinctly present whether people united state govern representative choose unbiased suffrage whether money power great corporation secretly exert influence judgment control decision must determine whether bank candidate office country high low whether candidate side political question shall bring forward heretofore support usual mean time effort bank control public opinion distress fear others equally apparent possible objectionable curtailment accommodation rapid emergency require even retain specie almost unprecedented amount vault attempt produce great embarrassment one portion community press know sustained money attempt unfounded alarm create panic mean seem expect force restoration deposit necessary consequence extort congress renewal charter happy know good sense people effort get panic hitherto fail increased accommodation state bank enable afford public distress follow exertion bank doubt exercise power expenditure money well effort spread groundless alarm meet rebuked deserve sphere duty feel call fact disclose order scire facias bank view put end chartered right palpably violate charter expire soon decision would probably obtain court last resort call attention congress subject last annual message inform measure within reach secretary treasury take enable judge whether public deposit bank united state entirely safe single power might inadequate object recommend subject congress worthy serious investigation declare opinion inquiry transaction institution embrace branch well principal bank call credit give throughout country many serious charge impeach character true might justly excite apprehension longer safe depository public money extent examination thus recommend go spread upon journal well know require state make resulted report majority committee way mean touch certain specified point conclude resolution government deposit might safely continued bank united state resolution adopt close session vote majority house representative although may always able concur view public interest duty agent may take department government either branch withstand wholly incapable receive otherwise sincere respect opinion suggestion proceed source respect none incline house representative see brief view time take subject well ample one present secretary treasury change deposit order deem call consideration affect proceeding refer correctly view department render act matter imperious duty come part immediately people state election possess full opportunity know sentiment present congress sincerely solicitous carry full fair effect constituent regard institution whose behalf act decide whether executive department government step take subject find line duty accompany report secretary war document annexed exhibit operation war department past year condition various subject intrust administration see army maintains character heretofore acquire efficiency military knowledge nothing occur since last session require service beyond ordinary routine duty upon frontier devolve upon time peace system wisely adopt long pursued construct fortification expose point prepare collect supply necessary military defense country thus providently furnish peace mean defense war continue usual result recommend consideration various subject suggest report secretary war adoption would promote public service meliorate condition army relation various indian tribe undisturbed since termination difficulty grow hostile aggression sac fox indian several treaty form relinquishment territory united state migration occupant region assign residence west mississippi treaty ratify senate provision make removal almost tribes remain e river termination many difficult embarrass question arise anomalous political condition hop portion two southern tribe event present remain difficulty realize necessity emigration speedily resort original conviction upon subject confirmed course event several year experience every day add strength tribe exist surrounded settlement continual contact citizen certain neither intelligence industry moral habit desire improvement essential favorable change condition establish midst another superior race without appreciate cause inferiority seek control must necessarily yield force circumstance ere long disappear fate heretofore avert do general removal beyond boundary reorganization political system upon principle adapt new relation place experiment recently make far proved successful emigrant generally represent prosperous contented country suitable want habit essential article subsistence easily procure report commissioner engage investigate condition prospect indians devise plan intercourse government receive trust ample mean information possession government adjust unsettled question connect interesting subject operation navy year present condition fully exhibit annual report navy department suggestion make secretary various improvement deserve careful consideration adopt bid fair promote efficiency important branch public service among new organization navy board revision pay officer change period time manner make annual appropriation beg leave call particular attention view present almost every portion naval concern especially amount force number officer general course policy appropriate present state country secure great useful purpose naval protection peace due preparation contingency war meet entire approbation perceive report refer fiscal concern establishment excellent condition hop congress may feel disposed make promptly every suitable provision desire either preserve improve system general post office department continue upon strength resource facilitate mean communication various portion union increase activity method however account transportation mail always keep appear presented imperfect view expense recently discover early record department annual statement calculate exhibit amount considerably short actual expense incur service illusory statement together expense carry effect law last session congress establish new mail route disposition part head department gratify wish public extension mail facility induce incur responsibility improvement beyond current resource department would sustain soon discover imperfection method cause investigation make result applied proper remedy correct evil become necessary withdraw improvement make bring expense department within resource expense incur public good public enjoy benefit partially suspend may discontinue least inconvenience country progressive increase income postage equal high expectation affords demonstrative evidence grow importance great utility department detail exhibit accompany report postmaster general many distress accident late occur portion navigation carry use steam power deserve immediate unremitting attention constitute authority country fact number fatal disaster constantly increase withstand great improvement every make machinery employ rapid advance make branch science show clearly great degree result criminal negligence part vessel navigate whose care attention live property citizen extensively intrust evil may greatly lessen substantially remove mean precautionary penal legislation seem highly probable far therefore subject regard within constitutional purview congress earnestly recommend prompt serious consideration would also call attention view heretofore expressed propriety amend constitution relation mode elect president united state regard important future quiet harmony people every intermediate agency election officer remove eligibility limit one term either 4 6 year earnestly invite consideration subject trust deliberation topic general interest advert others extensive knowledge want beloved country may suggest may crown success tender conclusion cooperation may power afford