In

ciples, differing, in this respect, from all that have pre commendation, with an increased confidence that its ceded it, and securing it, I trust, equally against the de adoption will strengthen those checks by which the Concay and the commotions which have marked the prostitution designed to secure the independence of each gress of other Governments. Our fellow-citizens, too, department of the Government, and promote the health. who, in proportion to their love of liberty, keep a steadyful and equitable administration of all the trusts which it eye upon the means of sustaining it, do not require to be has created. The agent most likely to contravene this reminded of the duty they owe to taemselves to remedy design of the Constitution is the Chief Magistrate. all essential defects in so vital a part of their system. order, particularly, that his appointment may, as far as While they are sensible that every evil attendant upon possible, be placed beyond the reach of any improper its operation is not necessarily indicative of a bad organi-influences; in order that he may approach the solemn rezation, but may proceed from temporary causes, yet the sponsibilities of the highest office in the gift of a free habitual presence, or even a single instance of evils people, uncommitted to any other course than the strict which can be clearly traced to an organic defect, will not, line of constitutional duty; and that the securities for I trust, be overlooked through a too scrupulous venera- this independence may be rendered as strong as the nation for the work of their ancestors. The Constitution ture of power, and the weakness of its possessor, will was an experiment committed to the virtue and intell - admit, I cannot too earnestly invite your attention to the gence of the great mass of our countrymen, in whose propriety of promoting such an amendment of the Conranks the framers of it themselves were to perform the stitution as will render him ineligible after one term of part of patriotic observation and scrutiny; and if they service. have passed from the stage of existence with an increas ed confidence in its general adaptation to our condition, we should learn from authority so high the duty of fortifying the points in it which time proves to be exposed, rather than be deterred from approaching them by the suggestions of fear, or the dictates of misplaced rever

ence.

It gives me pleasure to announce to Congress that the benevolent policy of the Government, steadily pursued for nearly thirty years, in relation to the removal of the Indians beyond the white settlements, is approaching to a happy consummation. Two important tribes have accepted the provision made for their removal at the last session of Congress; and it is believed that their examA provision which does not secure to the people a di-ple will induce the remaining tribes, also, to seek the rect choice of their Chief Magistrate, but has a tendency same obvious advantages. to defeat their will, presented to my mind such an incon- The consequences of a speedy removal will be im. sistency with the general spirit of our institutions, that I portant to the United States, to individual States, and to was induced to suggest for your consideration the substi- the Indians themselves. The pecuniary advantages which tute which appeared to me at the same time the most it promises to the Government are the least of its relikely to correct the evil and to meet the views of our commendations. It puts an end to all possible danger constituents. The most mature reflection since has added | of collision between the authorities of the General and strength to the belief that the best interests of our coun- State Governments, on account of the Indians. It will try require the speedy adoption of some plan calculated place a dense and civilized population in large tracts of to effect this end. A contingency which sometimes pla- country now occupied by a few savage hunters. By ces it in the power of a single member of the House of opening the whole territory between Tennessee on the Representatives to decide an election of so high and so- north, and Louisiana on the south, to the 'settlement of lemn a character, is unjust to the people, and becomes, the whites, it will incalculably strengthen the southwestwhen it occurs, a source of embarrassment to the indivi-ern frontier, and render the adjacent States strong duals thus brought into power, and a cause of distrust of enough to repel future invasion without remote aid. the representative body. Liable as the confederacy is, will relieve the whole State of Mississippi, and the from its great extent, to parties founded upon sectional western part of Alabama, of Indian occupancy, and ena interests, and to a corresponding multiplication of candi- ble those States to advance rapidly in population, wealth, datcs for the Presidency, the tendency of the constitu- and power. It will separate the Indians from immediate tional reference to the House of Representatives, is, to contact with settlements of whites; free them from the devolve the election upon that body in almost every in-power of the States; enable them to pursue happiness stance, and, whatever choice may then be made among the candidates thus presented to them, to swell the influence of particular interests to a degree inconsistent with the general good. The consequences of this feature of the Constitution appear far more threatening to the peace and integrity of the Union than any which I can conceive as likely to result from the simple legislative action of the Federal Government.

It

in their own way, and under their own rude institutions; will retard the progress of decay, which is lessening their numbers; and perhaps cause them gradually, under the protection of the Government, and through the influence of good counsels, to cast off their savage habits, and become an interesting, civilized, and Christian community. These consequences, some of them so certain, and the rest so probable, make the complete execution of the plan sanctioned by Congress at their last session an object of much solicitude.

It was a leading object with the framers of the Constitution to keep as separate as possible the action of the Legislative and Executive branches of the Go- Toward the aborigines of the country no one can invernment. To secure this object, nothing is more dulge a more friendly feeling than myself, or would go essential than to preserve the former from the temp further in attempting to reclaim them from their wandertations of private interest, and, therefore, so to directing habits, and make them a happy and prosperous peothe patronage of the latter as not to permit such temp-ple. I have endeavored to impress upon them my own tations to be offered. Experience abundantly demon- solemn convictions of the duties and powers of the Gestrates that every precaution in this respect is a valuable neral Government in relation to the State authorities. safeguard of liberty, and one which my reflections upon For the justice of the laws passed by the States within the tendencies of our system incline me to think should the scope of their reserved powers, they are not responbe made still stronger. It was for this reason that, insible to this Government. As individuals, we may enterconnexion with an amendment of the Constitution, re-tain and express our opinions of their acts; but, as a Gomoving all intermediate agency in the choice of the Pre-vernment, we have as little right to control them as we sident, I recommended some restrictions upon the re-eli-have to prescribe laws to foreign nations. gibility of that officer, and upon the tenure of offices ge- With a full understanding of the subject, the Choctaw nerally. The reason still exists; and I renew the, re- and Chickasaw tribes have, with great unanimity, deterVOL. VII-B.

mined to avail themselves of the liberal offers presented tory, to pay the expense of his removal, and support him a by the act of Congress, and have agreed to remove be-year in his new abole? How many thousands of our own yond the Mississippi river. Treaties have been made people would gladly embrace the opportunity of remov with them, which, in due season, will be submitted for ing to the west on such conditions! If the offers made consideration. In negotiating these treaties, they were to the Indians were extended to them, they would be made to understand their true condition; and they have hailed with gratitude and joy. preferred maintaining their independence in the Western forests to submitting to the laws of the States in which they now reside. These treaties being probably the last which will ever be made with them, are characterized by great liberality on the part of the Government. They give the Indians a liberal sum in consideration of their removal, and comfortable subsistence on their arrival at their new homes. If it be their real interest to maintain a separate existence, they will there be at liberty to do so without the inconveniences and vexations to which they would unavoida- | bly have been subject in Alabama and Mississippi.

Humanity has often wept over the fate of the aborigines of this country; and philanthropy has been long busily employed in devising means to avert it. But its progress has never for a moment been arrested; and one by one have many powerful tribes disappeared from the earth. To follow to the tomb the last of his race, and to tread on the graves of extinct nations, excites melancholy reflections. But true philanthropy reconciles the mind to these vicissitudes, as it does to the extinction of one generation to make room for another. In the monuments and fortresses of an unknown people, spread over the extensive regions of the West, we behold the memorials of a once powerful race, which was exterminated, or has disappeared, to make room for the existing savage tribes. Nor is there any thing in this, which, upon a comprehensive view of the general interests of the human race, is to be regretted. Philanthropy could not wish to see this continent restored to the condition in which it was found by our forefathers. What good man would prefer a country covered with forests, and ranged by a few thousand savages, to our extensive republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms; embellished with all the improvements which art can devise, or industry execute; occupied by more than twelve millions of happy people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization, and religion !

And is it supposed that the wandering savage has a stronger attachment to his home, than the settled, civilized Christian? Is it more afflicting to him to leave the graves of his fathers, than it is to our brothers and children? Rightly considered, the policy of the General Government towards the red man is not only liberal but generous. He is unwilling to submit to the laws of the States, and mingle with their population. To save him from this alternative, or perhaps utter annihilation, the General Government kindly offers him a new home, and proposes to pay the whole expense of his removal and settlement.

In the consummation of a policy originating at an early period, and steadily pursued by every administration within the present century-30 just to the States, and so generous to the Indians, the Executive feels it has a right to expect the co-operation of Congress, and of all good and disinterested men. The States, moreover, have a right to demand it. It was substantially a part of the com. pact which made them members of our confederacy. With Georgia, there is an express contract; with the new States, an implied one, of equal obligation. Why, in authorizing Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, and Alabama, to form constitutions, and become separate States, did Congress include within their limits extensive tracts of Indian lands, and, in some instances, powerful Indian tribes? Was it not understood by both parties that the power of the States was to be co-extensive with their limits, and that, with all convenient despatch, the General Government should extinguish the Indian title, and remove every obstruction to the complete jurisdiction of the State Governments over the soil? Probably not one of those States would have accepted a separate existence-certainly it would never have been granted by Congress-had it been understood that they were to be contined forever to those small portions of their nominal territory, the Indian title to which had at the time been extinguished.

It is, therefore, a duty which this Government owes to the new States, to extinguish, as soon as possible, the Indian title to all lands which Congress themselves have included within their limits. When this is done, the duties of the General Government in relation to the States and Indians within their limits are at an end. The Indians may leave the State or not, as they choose. The purchase of their lands does not alter, in the least, their personal relations with the State Government. No act of the General Government has ever been deemed necessary to give the States jurisdiction over the persons of the Indians. That they possess, by virtue of their sovereign power within their own limits, in as full a manner before as after the purchase of the Indian lands; nor can this Government add to or diminish it.

The present policy of the Government is but a continuation of the same progressive change, by a milder process. The tribes which occupied the countries now constituting the Eastern States were annihilated, or have melted away, to make room for the whites. The waves of population and civilization are rolling to the Westward; and we now propose to acquire the countries occupied by the red men of the South and West, by a fair exchange, and, at the expense of the U. States, to send them to a land where their existence may be prolonged, and perhaps made perpetual. Doubtless it will be painful to leave the graves of their fathers; but what do they more than our ancestors did, or than our children are now doing? To better their condition in an unknown land, our forefathers left all that was dear in earthly objects. Our children, by thousands, yearly leave the land of their birth, to seek new homes in distant regions. Does humanity weep at these painful separations from every thing, animate and inanimate, with which the young heart has become entwined? Far from it. It is rather a source of joy that our country affords scope where our young population may range unconstrained in body or in mind, developing the power and faculties of man in their highest perfection. These remove hundreds, and almost thousands of miles, at their own expense, purchase the lands they oc- Among the numerous causes of congratulation, the cupy, and support themselves at their new home from condition of our impost revenue deserves special menthe moment of their arrival. Can it be cruel in this Go- tion, inasmuch as it promises the means of extinguishing vernment, when, by events which it cannot control, the the public debt sooner than was anticipated, and furnishIndian is made discontented in his ancient home, to pur- es a strong illustration of the practical effects of the prechase his lands, to give him a new and extensive terri-sent tariff upon our commercial interests.

May we not hope,therefore,that all good citizens,and none more zealously than those who think the Indians oppres sed by subjection to the laws of the States, will unite in attempting to open the eyes of those children of the forest to their true condition, and, by a speedy removal, to relieve them from the evils, real or imaginary, present or prospective, with which they may be supposed to be threatened.

President's Message.

[21st CoNG. 2d SESS.

The object of the tariff is objected to by some as unconstitutional; and it is considered by almost all as de- they may be so adjusted as to encourage manufactures. While the chief object of duties should be revenue, fective in many of its parts. The power to impose duties on imports originally be-vernment to be guided by the general good. Objects of In this adjustment, however, it is the duty of the Golonged to the several States. The right to adjust those national importance, alone, ought to be protected; of duties with a view to the encouragement of domestic these the productions of our soil, our mines, and our branches of industry is so completely incidental to that workshops, essential to national defence, occupy the first power, that it is difficult to suppose the existence of the rank. one without the other. The States have delegated their ving the importance to which I have referred, may be Whatever other species of domestic industry, hawhole authority over imports to the General Government, expected, after temporary protection, to compete with without limitation or restriction, saving the very inconsi- foreign labor on equal terms, merit the same attention in derable reservation relating to their inspection laws. a subordinate degree. This authority having thus entirely passed from the States, the right to exercise it for the purpose of protection does not exist in them; and, consequently, if it be not possessed by the General Government, it must be extinct. Our political system would thus present the ano. maly of a people stripped of the right to foster their own industry, and to counteract the most selfish and destructive policy which might be adopted by foreign nations. This surely cannot be the case: this indispensable power, thus surrendered by the States, must be within the scope of the authority on the subject expressly delegated to Congress.

In this conclusion, I am confirmed as well by the opinions of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, who have each repeatedly recommended the exercise of this right under the Constitution, as by the uniform practice of Congress, the continued acquiescence of the States, and the general understanding of the people.

unnecessarily high; it undertakes to protect interests. The present tariff taxes some of the comforts of life too local and minute, to justify a general exaction; and it also attempts to force some kinds of manufactures, for which the country is not ripe. Much relief will be deri ved, in some of these respects, from the measures of your last session.

ther, from any just considerations, a particular interest The best, as well as fairest mode of determining wheought to receive protection, would be to submit the question singly for deliberation. If, after due examination of such as a desire to sustain a general system, or to purits merits, unconnected with extraneous considerationschase support for a different interest-it should enlist in its favor a majority of the Representatives of the people, there can be little danger of wrong or injury in adjusting the tariff, with reference to its protective effect. If this obviously just principle were honestly adhered to, the saved from the prejudice excited against them, when branches of industry which deserve protection, would be that protection forms part of a system by which portions of the country feel, or conceive themselves to be, oppress

The difficulties of a more expedient adjustment of the present tariff, although great, are far from being insurmountable. Some are unwilling to improve any of its parts, because they would destroy the whole: others feared. to touch the objectionable parts, lest those they approve should be jeopardied. I am persuaded that the advocates of these conflicting views do injustice to the American people, and to their Representatives. The general interest is the interest of each: and my confidence is entire, that, to ensure the adoption of such modifications of the tariff as the general interest requires, it is only necessary that that interest should be understood.

ciple of our system-that principle which requires acquiWhat is incalculably more important, the vital prinescence in the will of the majority-would be secure from the discredit and danger to which it is exposed by the acts of majorities, founded, not on identity of conviction, but on combinations of small minorities, entered into for the purpose of mutual assistance in measures which, resting solely on their own merits, could never be

carried.

I am well aware, that this is a subject of so much deli

It is an infirmity of our nature to mingle our interests and prejudices with the operation of our reasoning pow-cacy, on account of the extended interests it involves, as ers, and attribute to the objects of our likes and dislikes to require that it should be touched with the utmost cauqualities they do not possess, and effects they cannot tion; and that, while an abandonment of the policy in produce. The effects of the present tariff are doubtless which it originated—a policy coeval with our Governoverrated, both in its evils and in its advantages. By one ment, and pursued through successive administrations, class of reasoners, the reduced price of cotton and other is neither to be expected or desired, the people have a agricultural products is ascribed wholly to its influence, right to demand, and have demanded, that it be so modiand by another, the reduced price of manufactured artified as to correct abuses and obviate injustice. cles. The probability is, that neither opinion approach. es the truth, and that both are induced by that influence should be uninfluenced by those partizan conflicts that That our deliberations on this interesting subject of interests and prejudices to which I have referred. are incident to free institutions, is the fervent wish of my The decrease of prices extends throughout the commerheart. To make this great question, which unhappily so cial world, embracing not only the raw material and the much divides and excites the public mind, subservient to manufactured article, but provisions and lands. The the short-sighted views of faction, must destroy all hope cause must, therefore, be deeper and more pervading of settling it satisfactorily to the great body of the peothan the tariff of the United States. It may, in à mea-ple, and for the general interest. I cannot, therefore, on sure, be attributable to the increased value of the pre-taking leave of the subject, too earnestly for my own cious metals, produced by a diminution of the supply, feelings or the common good, warn you against the and an increase in the demand; while commerce has ra- blighting consequences of such a course. pidly extended itself, and population has augmented. According to the estimates at the Treasury DepartThe supply of gold and silver, the general medium of ment, the receipts in the treasury during the present year exchange, has been greatly interrupted by civil convul- will amount to twenty-four millions one hundred and sions in the countries from which they are principally sixty-one thousand and eighteen dollars, which will exdrawn. A part of the effect, too, is doubtless owing to ceed by about three hundred thousand dollars the estian increase of operatives and improvements in machine-mate presented in the last annual report of the Secretary ry. But, on the whole, it is questionable whether the of the Treasury. The total expenditure during the year, reduction in the price of lands, produce, and manufac-exclusive of public debt, is estimated at thirteen millions tures, has been greater than the appreciation of the stan- seven hundred and forty-two thousand three hundred and dard of value. eleven dollars; and the payment on account of púb

lic debt for the same period will have been eleven millions three hundred and fifty-four thousand six hundred and thirty dollars; leaving a balance in the treasury, on the first of January, 1831, of four millions eight hundred and nineteen thousand seven hundred and eighty-one dollars.

emergency, to put afloat a powerful Navy of new ships almost as soon as old ones could be repaired.

The modifications in this part of the service suggested in my last annual message, which are noticed more in detail in the report of the Secretary of the Navy, are again recommended to your serious attention.

In connexion with the condition of our finances, it af The report of the Postmaster General, in like manner, fords me pleasure to remark that judicious and efficient exhibits a satisfactory view of the important branch of arrangements have been made by the Treasury Depart the Government under his charge. In addition to the ment for securing the pecuniary responsibility of the benefits already secured by the operations of the Postpublic officers, and the more punctual payment of the office Department, considerable improvements, within the public dues. The revenue cutter service has been or-present year, have been made, by an increase in the acganized, and placed on a good footing; and, aided by an commodation afforded by stage coaches, and in the freincrease of inspectors at exposed points, and the regula-quency and celerity of the mail between some of the most tions adopted under the act of May, 1830, for the inspec- important points of the Union. tion and appraisement of merchandise, have produced much improvement in the execution of the laws, and inore security against the commission of frauds upon the revenue. Abuses in the allowances for fishing bounties have also been corrected, and a material saving in that branch of the service, thereby effected. In addition to these improvements, the system of expenditure for sick seamen belonging to the merchant service has been re-periods of contracting, to meet the demands created by vised; and, by being rendered uniform and economical, the benefits of the fund applicable to this object have been usefully extended.

Under the late contracts, improvements have been provided for the southern section of the country, and, at the same time, an annual saving made of upwards of seventytwo thousand dollars. Notwithstanding the excess of expenditure beyond the current receipts for a few years past, necessarily incurred in the fulfilment of existing contracts, and in the additional expenses, between the the rapid growth and extension of our flourishing country, yet the satisfactory assurance is given, that the future revenue of the Department will be sufficient to meet its exThe prosperity of our country is also further evinced tensive engagements. The system recently introduced, by the increased revenue arising from the sale of public that subjects its receipts and disbursements to strict regulands, as will appear from the report of the Commissioner lation, has entirely fulfilled its design. It gives full asof the General Land Office, and the documents accom. surance of the punctual transmission, as well as the secupanying it, which are herewith transmitted. I beg leave rity, of the funds of the Department. The efficiency and to draw your attention to this report, and to the proprie-industry of its officers, and the ability and energy of conty of making early appropriations for the objects which it tractors, justify an increased confidence in its continued specifies. prosperity.

Your attention is again invited to the subjects connect- The attention of Congress was called, on a foriner occaed with that portion of the public interests entrusted to sion, to the necessity of such a modification of the office the War Department. Some of them were referred to of Attorney General of the United States as would render in my former message; and they are presented in detail it more adequate to the wants of the public service. This in the report of the Secretary of War, herewith submit-resulted in the establishment of the office of Solicitor of ted. I refer you, also to the report of that officer for a the Treasury; and the earliest measures were taken to. knowledge of the state of the Army, fortifications, arsen- give effect to the provisions of the law which authorized als, and Indian affairs; all of which, it will be perceived, the appointment of that officer, and defined his duties. have been guarded with zealous attention and care. It But it is not believed that this provision, however useful is worthp of your consideration whether the armaments in itself, is calculated to supersede the necessity of exnecessary for the fortifications on our maritime frontier, tending the duties and powers of the Attorney General's which are now, or shortly will be, completed, should not office. On the contrary, I am convinced that the public be in readiness sooner than the customary appropriations interest would be greatly promoted by giving to that offwill enable the Department to provide them. This pre-cer the general superintendence of the various law agents caution seems to be due to the general system of fortifica. of the Government, and of all law proceedings, whether tion which has been sanctioned by Congress, and is re- civil or criminal, in which the United States may be m commended by that maxim of wisdom which tells us in terested; allowing to him, at the same time, such a compeace to prepare for war. pensation as would enable him to devote his undivided attention to the public business. I think such a provision is alike due to the public and to the officer.

I refer you to the report of the Secretary of the Navy for a highly satisfactory account of the manner in which the concerns of that Department have been conducted Occasions of reference from the different Executive during the present year. Our position in relation to the Departments to the Attorney General are of frequent most powerful nations of the earth, and the present con-occurrence; and the prompt decision of the questions so dition of Europe, admonish us to cherish this arm of our referred, tends much to facilitate the despatch of businational defence with peculiar care. Separated by wideness in those Departments. The report of the Secretary seas from all those Governments whose power we might of the Treasury, hereto appended, shows also a branch have reason to dread, we have nothing to apprehend from of the public service not specifically entrusted to any attempts at conquest. It is chiefly attacks upon our officer, which might be advantageously committed to the commerce, and harassing inroads upon our coast, against Attorney General. which we have to guard. A naval force adequate to the But, independently of those considerations this office protection of our commerce, always afloat, with an accu-is now one of daily duty. It was originally organize.i, mulation of the means to give it a rapid extension in case and its compensation fixed, with a view to occasional serof need, furnishes the power by which all such aggressious vice, leaving to the incumbent time for the exercise of may be prevented or repelled. The attention of the Go- his profession in private practice. The state of things vernment has, therefore, been recently directed more to which warranted such an organization no longer exists. preserving the public vessels already built, and providing The frequent claims upon the services of this officer materials to be placed in depôt for future use, than to in- would render his absence from the Seat of Government, creasing their number. With the aid of Congress, in a in professional attendance upon the courts, injurious to few years, the Government will be prepared, in case of the public service; and the interests of the Government

Documents accompanying the President's Message.

could not fail to be promoted by charging him with the general superintendence of all its legal concerns.

Under a strong conviction of the justness of these suggestions, I recommend it to Congress to make the ne. cessary provisions for giving effect to them, and to place the Attorney General, in regard to compensation, on the same footing with the heads of the several Executive Departments. To this officer might also be intrusted a cognizance of the cases of insolvency in public debtors, espe cially if the views which I submitted on this subject last year should meet the approbation of Congress-to which I again solicit your attention.

Your attention is respecfully invited to the situation of the District of Columbia. Placed, by the Constitution, under the exclusive jurisdiction and control of Congress, this District is certainly entitled to a much greater share of its consideration than it has yet received. There is a want of uniformity in its laws, particularly in those of a penal character, which increases the expense of their administration, and subject the people to all the inconveniences which result from the operation of different codes in so small a territory. On different sides of the Potomac, the same offence is punishable in unequal degrees; and the peculiarities of many of the early laws of Maryland and Virginia remain in force, notwithstanding their repugnance, in some cases, to the improvements which have superseded them in those States.

vernment.

[21st CoNG. 2d SESS.

ing in their hands the means of furnishing the local paper currency through their own banks; while the Bank of the United States, though issuing no paper, would check the issues of the State banks, by taking their notes in deposite, and for exchange, only so long as they continue to be redeemed with specie. In times of public emergency, the capacities of such an institution might be enlarged by legislative provisions.

These suggestions are made, not so much as a recommendation, as with a view of calling the attention of Congress to the possible modifications of a system which cannot continue to exist in its present form without occasional collisions with the local authorities, and perpetual apprehensions and discontent on the part of the States and the people.

In conclusion, fellow-citizens, allow me to invoke, in behalf of your deliberations, that spirit of conciliation and disinterestedness which is the gift of patriotism. Under an overruling and merciful Providence, the agency of this spirit has thus far been signalized in the prosperity and glory of our beloved country. May its influence be eternal. ANDREW JACKSON.

WAR DEPARTMENT, DEC. 1, 1830. To the President of the United States.

Besides a remedy for these evils, which is loudly cali ed for, it is respectfully submitted whether a provision, authorizing the election of a Delegate to represent the SIR: I have the honor to make known to you the wants of the citizens of this District on the floor of Con-operations of this Department during the present year, gress, is not due to them, and to the character of our Go and to offer such suggestions as appear to me necessary No portion of our citizens should be without to be presented. The Army, at the different positions it a practical enjoyment of the principles of freedom; and has occupied along our western and southern frontiers, there is none more important than that which cultivates has been engaged in preserving quiet in those quar a proper relation between the governors and the governters, and has fully succeeded. Fears were entertained of ed. Imperfect as this must be in this case, yet it is be-a serious rupture with some of our northwestern tribes of lieved that it would be greatly improved by a representa- Indians; but the presence of a military force, and the extion in Congress, with the same privileges that are allow-ercise of a proper discretion on the part of those to whom ed to that of the other Territories of the United States.

The penitentiary is ready for the reception of convicts, and only awaits the necessary legislation to put it into operation; as one object of which I beg leave to recal to your attention the propriety of providing suitable compensation for the officers charged with its inspection.

the trust of reconciling them was confided, has had the effect to prevent it, and peace has been the consequence. Similar apprehensions have recently been entertained of the Indians who reside on our southwestern boundary, and precautionary steps have been taken to prevent any acts of hostility. The vigilance, intelligence, and discreThe importance of the principles involved in the inqui- tion, of our officers, induce a belief that, by their exertions, ry, whether it will be proper to recharter the Bank of the these distant tribes can be retained at peace with each United States, requires that I should again call the atten- other. Occasional interruptions have arisen from maraudtion of Congress to the subject. Nothing has occurred ing parties, who range through the forest, and, at points to lessen, in any degree, the dangers which many of our distant from our posts, commit depredations: these acts, in citizens apprehend from that institution, as at present or turn, produce retaliation. It is important to prohibit ganized. In the spirit of improvement and compromise these aggressions, if possible, though no other plan can which distinguishes our country and its institutions, it be-be saggested that what has already, heretofore, been precomes us to inquire whether it be not possible to secure sented, viz: an authority to employ a detachment of the advantages afforded by the present Bank through the mounted troops. These, ranging through the country at agency of a Bank of the United States so modified in its irregular periods, would do much more towards preserv principles and structure as to obviate constitutional and ing peace with our Indian tribes, and quiet along our other objections borders, than could be effected through any augmenta tion of our posts.

The num

Va

It is thought practicable to organize such a bank, with the necessary oflicers, as a branch of the Treasury DeI regret to say that desertions from the Army are not partment, based on the public and individual deposites, of less frequent occurrence than heretofore. without power to make loans or purchase property, which ber, for the present year, will exceed one thousand. shall remit the funds of the Government, and the expen-rious efforts have been made, and many theories suggest se of which may be paid, if thought advisable, by allowed,to arrest an evil so injurious to the operations and cha ing its officers to sell bills of exchange to private indivi-racter of an Army. None have succeeded! The bene duals at a moderate premium. Not being a corporate volent intention of the act of Congress of last winter, boly, having no stockholders, debtors, or property, and which took from the offence the penalty of death, and in but few officers, it would not be obnoxious to the con- obedience to the spirit of which all past offences of the kind stitutional objections which are urged against the present were by you directed to be forgiven, has had no restrainbank, and having no means to operate on the hopes,ing, no salutary effect. I am not an advocate for the severfears, or interests of large masses of the community, tity of penalties. The hope of reward, more frequently than would be shorn of the influence which makes that bank the fear of punishment, operates beneficially upon manformidable. The States would be strengthened by hav-kind. A resort to both might be serviceable. While