view to applications for grants of this character pending before Congress. A careful review of the whole subject led me to direct that all such orders be abrogated, and the lands restored to market; and instructions were immediately given to that effect. The applications at the last session contemplated the construction of more than 5,000 miles of road, and grants to the amount of nearly 20,000,000 of acres of the public domain. Even admitting the right on the part of Congress to be unquestionable, is it quite clear that the proposed grants would be productive of good, and not evil? The different projects are confined, for the present, to 11 States of this Union, and one Territory. The reasons assigned for the grants, show that it is proposed to put the works speedily in process of construction. When we reflect, that since the commencement of the construction of railways in the United States, stimulated as they have been by the large dividends realized from the earlier works over the great thoroughfares, and between the most important points of commerce and population, encouraged by State legislation, and pressed forward by the amazing energy of private enterprize, only 17,000 miles have been completed in all the States in a quarter of a century;-when we see the crippled condition of many works commenced and prosecuted upon what were deemed to be sound principles, and safe calculations;-when we contemplate the enormous absorption of capital withdrawn from the ordinary channels of business, the extravagant rates of interest at this moment paid to continue operations, the bankruptcies not merely in money, but in character, and the inevitable effect upon finances generally; can it be doubted that the tendency is to run to excess in this matter? Is it wise to augment this excess by encouraging hopes of sudden wealth expected to flow from magnificent schemes dependent upon the action of Congress? Does the spirit which has produced such results need to be stimulated or checked? Is it not the better rule to leave all these works to private enterprise, regulated, and, when expedient, aided, by the co-operation of States? If constructed by private capital, the stimulant and the check go together, and furnish a salutary restraint against speculative schemes and extravagance. But it is manifest that, with the most effective guards, there is danger of going too fast and too far.

We may well pause before a proposition contemplating a simultaneous movement for the construction of railroads, which, in extent, will equal, exclusive of the great Pacific road and all its branches, nearly one-third of the entire length of such works, now completed, in the United States, and which cannot cost, with equipments, less than 150,000,000 of dollars. The dangers likely to result from combinations of interests of this character, can hardly be over-estimated. But, independently of these considerations, where is the accurate

knowledge, the comprehensive intelligence, which shall discriminate between the relative claims of these 28 proposed roads, in 11 States and 1 Territory? Where will you begin, and where end? If to enable these companies to execute their proposed works, it is necessary that the aid of the general government be primarily given, the policy will present a problem so comprehensive in its bearings, and so important to our political and social well-being, as to claim, in anticipation, the severest analysis. Entertaining these views, I recur with satisfaction to the experience and action of the last session of Congress, as furnishing assurance that the subject will not fail to elicit a careful re-examination and rigid scrutiny.

It was my intention to present, on this occasion, some sugges tions regarding internal improvements by the general government, which want of time at the close of the last session prevented my submitting on the return to the House of Representatives, with objections, of the Bill entitled "An Act making appropriations for the repair, preservation and completion of certain public works heretofore commenced under authority of law;" but the space in this communication already occupied with other matter of immediate public exigency constrains me to reserve that subject for a special message, which will be transmitted to the 2 houses of Congress at an early day.

The judicial establishment of the United States requires modifi cation, and certain reforms in the manner of conducting the legal business of the Government are also much needed; but as I have addressed you upon both of the subjects at length before, I have only to call your attention to the suggestions then made.

My former recommendations in relation to suitable provision for various objects of deep interest to the inhabitants of the district of Columbia, are renewed. Many of these objects partake largely of a national character, and are important, independently of their relation to the prosperity of the only considerable organized community in the Union, entirely unrepresented in Congress.

I have thus presented suggestions on such subjects as appear to me to be of particular interest or importance, and therefore most worthy of consideration during the short remaining period allotted to the labours of the present Congress.

Our forefathers of the 13 United Colonies, in acquiring their independence, and in founding this Republic of the United States of America, have devolved upon us, their descendants, the greatest and the most noble trust ever committed to the hands of man, imposing upon all, and especially such as the public will may have in vested, for the time being, with political functions, the most sacred obligations. We have to maintain inviolate the great doctrine of the inherent right of popular self-government; to reconcile the largest

liberty of the individual citizen, with complete security of the public order; to render cheerful obedience to the laws of the land, to unite in enforcing their execution, and to frown indignantly on all combinations to resist them; to harmonize a sincere and ardent devotion to the institutions of religious faith with the most universal religious toleration; to preserve the rights of all by causing each to respect those of the other; to carry forward every social improvement to the uttermost limit of human perfectibility, by the free action of mind upon mind, not by the obtrusive intervention of misapplied force; to uphold the integrity and guard the limitations of our organic law; to preserve sacred from all touch of usurpation, as the very palladium of our political salvation, the reserved rights and powers of the several States and of the people; to cherish, with loyal fealty and devoted affection, this Union, as the only sure foundation on which the hopes of civil liberty rest; to administer government with vigilant integrity and rigid economy; to cultivate peace and friendship with foreign nations, and to demand and exact equal justice from all, but to do wrong to none; to eschew intermeddling with the national policy and the domestic repose of other Governments, and to repel it from our own; never to shrink from war when the rights and the honour of the country call us to arms, but to cultivate in preference the arts of peace, seek enlargement of the rights of neutrality, and elevate and liberalize the intercourse of nations; and by such just and honourable means, and such only, whilst exalting the condition of the Republic, to assure to it the legitimate influence and the benign authority of a great example amongst all the powers of Christendom.

Under the solemnity of these convictions, the blessing of Almighty God is earnestly invoked to attend upon your deliberations, and upon all the counsels and acts of the Government, to the end that, with common zeal and common efforts, we may, in humble submission to the Divine will, co-operate for the promotion of the supreme good of these United States.

FRANKLIN PIERCE.

REPORT of the Secretary of War to the President of The United States.-December 4, 1854.

SIR,

War Department, December 4, 1854.

I HAVE the honour to submit the following report of the operations of the army for the past year: and to lay before you the

reports of the Commanding General, and of the heads of the several bureaus of the War Department.

The authorized strength of the army (as now posted) is 14,216 officers and men, but the accompanying tables, prepared in the Adjutant-General's office, show that at the date of the last returns, the actual strength was only 10,745. This difference, however, between the authorized and actual strength of the army is fast disappearing under the operation of the law of the 4th of August last, "to increase the pay of the rank and file of the army, and to encourage enlistments."

The general distribution of the army is nearly the same as shown in my last report. The most important changes will be briefly noticed. The 3rd Artillery has been reorganized since the wreck of the steamer San Francisco, and 6 companies sent to the Pacific, viá the Isthmus of Panama. Two of the companies of that regiment and a detachment of recruits for companies of dragoons serving in the department of the Pacific, have been sent by the overland route, for the purpose of exercising a salutary influence over the Indians inhabiting the country through which they will pass, and holding to account the tribe implicated in the massacre of Captain Gunnison's party. They will winter in the Great Salt Lake Valley, and proceed to their destination in the spring. Six companies of the 2nd Infantry have been reorganized, and are now posted in the Department of the West. The remaining companies of that regiment will be sent to the same department as soon as their organization is completed. The 6th Infantry has been ordered to the Department of the Pacific. Six companies of the regiment are concentrated at Jefferson barracks, preparatory to sailing for the Pacific, by way of the Isthmus, and 2 others, which were also under orders for Jefferson barracks, have been sent to Fort Laramie in consequence of the difficulties that recently occurred in that vicinity. The remaining companies now at Forts Kearney and Laramie will be sent to their destination next spring, by the overland route, if a continuation of the Indian difficulties in that quarter should not interfere with this intention. The head-quarters and 2 companies of the 1st Dragoons have been transferred to the Department of New Mexico, and replaced in the Department of the West by 4 companies of the 2nd Dragoons from New Mexico. The troops on the Indian frontier of Florida have recently been reinforced by 2 companies of artillery, drawn from the Atlantic coast. Some other changes of minor importance have also been made with a view of effecting a greater concentration of the troops.

The removal from Florida of the remnant of the Seminole tribe, who, in violation of Treaty, have continued to occupy the southern part of that State, has received the constant attention of the department; but,

peculiar circumstances, the efforts directed to this object have been attended with but little success. It is, however, believed that better results may be anticipated in the ensuing year. The troops have taken a line of observation which greatly contracts the limits of the territory occupied by the Indians; and it is proposed to make expeditions through the region where they have hitherto remained securely concealed. By opening roads, and by the use of boats adapted to the navigation of the lakes, swamps, and bayous, which have heretofore enabled them to elude pursuit (including a small steamer, as recommended by the Quartermaster-General,) the Department expects to acquire an accurate knowledge of the country, and to impress them with the conviction of their inability' to escape from or resist the power of The United States. Measures have been taken to cut off their trade, and to make them feel the great inconvenience which will attend an attitude of defiance on their part towards this Government. By these means it is hoped the Indians may be peaceably removed to the home provided for them west of the Mississippi, and the claim of Florida to be relieved from their presence be speedily answered. Should this hope not be fulfilled, the measures above referred to are the proper and most efficient steps preliminary to active operations for their removal by force.

In the other military departments the Indians have repeatedly come into collision with our troops. Depredations upon our frontier inhabitants and upon emigrants passing through the Indian country have been, and are still, of frequent occurrence. In the Department of the West, besides the depredations committed by smaller tribes, hostilities have occurred with the Sioux Indians, the most powerful and warlike tribe of the North-west. In Texas they have been so frequent and of so threatening a character that it was considered necessary to authorize the Commander of that Department to call upon the Governor of the State, from time to time, as exigencies might arise, for such volunteer force as might be required to repel Indian incursions. In New Mexico serious hostilities were repressed by the prompt and energetic action of the troops employed there, but depredations upon the inhabitants are still of occasional occurrence, and in the Department of the Pacific, outrages of the most revolting character have recently been perpetrated on parties of emigrants on their way to California and Oregon. To repress such disorders, the troops have been actively and constantly employed; and in the arduous and harassing duties that have devolved on them, have exhibited a gallantry, zeal, and devotion that merit the favourable notice of the Government. The details of these operations will be found in the reports transmitted herewith.

During the past year the Sioux Indians have comitted many depredations upon the property of the emigrants passing Fort [1853-54.]

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