A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Volume - James D. Richardson
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _May 29, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit to the Senate a copy of a dispatch from the minister of the
United States at London, together with the memorial and other documents
addressed to the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States by Count de Bronno Bronski which accompanied it, relative to an
improved breed of silkworms which he desires to have introduced into
this country.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _June 3, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I transmit to the Senate herewith reports from the several heads of
Departments, which contain all the information in possession of the
Executive relative to the subject of the resolution of the 23d instant
[ultimo].
No information has been received establishing the existence of any
revolutionary movement in the island of Cuba among the inhabitants of
that island. The correspondence submitted discloses, however, the fact
that repeated attempts have been made under the direction of foreigners
enjoying the hospitality of this country to get up armed expeditions in
the United States for the purpose of invading Cuba. It will be seen by
that correspondence that this Government has been faithful in the
discharge of its treaty obligations with Spain and in the execution of
the acts of Congress which have for their object the maintenance in this
regard of the peace and honor of this country.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _June 10, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I submit herewith, in reply to a resolution of the Senate of the 3d
instant, calling for "copies of the instructions given and orders issued
in relation to the assemblage of persons on Round Island, coast of
Mississippi, during the summer of 1849, and of the correspondence
between the President or heads of Departments and the governor of
Mississippi and the officers, naval or military, of the United States in
reference to the observation, investment, and dispersion of said
assemblage upon said island," a report from the Secretary of the Navy
and accompanying documents, which contain all the information on the
subject not heretofore communicated to the Senate.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _June 13, 1850_.
_To the House of Representatives of the United States:_
I transmit to the House of Representatives a copy of a dispatch
addressed by the minister of the United States at Paris to the Secretary
of State, with a translation of the documents which accompanied it,
relative to the memorial of Pierre Piron, a citizen of the French
Republic, who, it will be perceived, presents a just claim to pecuniary
remuneration from this Government on account of services rendered to
citizens of the United States.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _June 17, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I have received a copy of the resolution of the Senate of the 11th June
instant, requesting me "to inform the Senate whether any orders have
been issued to any military officer or officers at Santa Fe to hold
possession against the authority of Texas, or in any way to embarrass or
prevent the exercise of her jurisdiction over that country, and to
furnish the Senate with copies of any correspondence which may have
taken place between the War Department and the military stationed at
Santa Fe since the date of my last communication to the Senate on that
subject."
In reply to that resolution I state that no such orders have been given.
I herewith present to the Senate copies of all the correspondence
referred to in the resolution. All the other orders relating to the
subject-matter of the resolution have been heretofore communicated to
the Senate.
I have already, in a former message, referred to the fact that the
boundary between Texas and New Mexico is disputed. I have now to state
that information has been recently received that a certain Robert S.
Neighbors, styling himself commissioner of the State of Texas, has
proceeded to Santa Fe with a view of organizing counties in that
district under the authority of Texas. While I have no power to decide
the question of boundary, and no desire to interfere with it, as a
question of title, I have to observe that the possession of the
territory into which it appears that Mr. Neighbors has thus gone was
actually acquired by the United States from Mexico, and has since been
held by the United States, and, in my opinion, ought so to remain until
the question of boundary shall have been determined by some competent
authority. Meanwhile, I think there is no reason for seriously
apprehending that Texas will practically interfere with the possession
of the United States.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _June 26, 1850_.
_To the House of Representatives of the United States:_
I herewith transmit a report of the Secretary of War, communicating the
information, as far as it can be furnished, required by the resolution
of the House of Representatives of the 17th instant, respecting the
amount of money collected from customs in California from the conclusion
of the war until the collector appointed under the act of March 3, 1849,
entered upon his duties, the objects for which said money has been
expended, and the authority under which the collections and
disbursements were made.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _June 27, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
In compliance with the resolution of the Senate of the 3d instant,
requesting information in regard to the indemnity stipulated to be paid
by the Government of Peru to the Government of the United States
pursuant to the modified convention of the 17th of March, 1841, I
transmit a report from the Secretary of State and the documents by which
it was accompanied. The sums paid by that Government under the
convention are mentioned in the letters of Messrs. E. McCall & Co., of
Lima, who were appointed by my predecessor the agents to receive the
installments as they might fall due.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _July 1, 1850_.
_To the House of Representatives of the United States:_
In reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 17th
ultimo, in regard to the number of vessels, guns, and men constituting
the African squadron, the annual expenses of that squadron, etc., I
submit herewith a report from the Secretary of the Navy, with
accompanying documents.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _July 1, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
I herewith transmit a report from the Secretary of War, prepared in
answer to a resolution of the Senate of the 27th ultimo, requesting
information of the proceedings of the Executive in regard to the
appointment of the officer now commanding in New Mexico, the orders and
instructions given to and correspondence with him, and upon other
subjects mentioned in the resolution.
Z. TAYLOR.
WASHINGTON, _July 2, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
In the month of March last I nominated William McNeir to be a justice of
the peace in and for the county of Washington, in the District of
Columbia, and on the 24th day of June the Senate advised and consented
to the nomination. Since then I have learned from the late mayor of the
city of Washington, upon whose recommendation the nomination was made,
that the person whom he intended to recommend for that office was George
McNeir, whom I now nominate to be a justice of the peace in and for the
county of Washington, in the District of Columbia.
In the month of February last I nominated Benjamin Riddells as consul of
the United States for Chihuahua, and on the 10th day of June last the
Senate advised and consented to that nomination. I have since learned
that the persons recommending the appointment of Mr. Riddells by the
praenomen of Benjamin intended to recommend Bennet Riddells, whom I now
nominate to be consul of the United States for Chihuahua in order to
correct the mistake thus inadvertently made.
Z. TAYLOR.
PROCLAMATIONS.
ZACHARY TAYLOR, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
_To all whom it may concern:_
An exequatur having been granted to Senor Carlos de Espana, bearing date
the 29th October, 1846, recognizing him as the consul of Her Catholic
Majesty at the port of New Orleans and declaring him free to exercise
and enjoy such functions, powers, and privileges as are allowed to the
consuls of the most favored nations in the United States:
These are now to declare that I do no longer recognize the said Carlos
de Espana as consul of Her Catholic Majesty in any part of the United
States, nor permit him to exercise and enjoy any of the functions,
powers, or privileges allowed to the consuls of Spain; and I do hereby
wholly revoke and annul the said exequatur heretofore given, and do
declare the same to be absolutely null and void from this day forward.
In testimony whereof I have caused these letters to be made patent and
the seal of the United States of America to be hereunto affixed.
[SEAL.]
Given under my hand this 4th day of January, A.D. 1850, and of the
Independence of the United States the seventy-fourth.
Z. TAYLOR.
By the President:
JOHN M. CLAYTON,
_Secretary of State_.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas by an act of the Congress of the United States of the 14th of
August, 1848, entitled "An act to establish the Territorial government
of Oregon," the President of the United States is authorized to
establish such ports of delivery in the collection district created by
that act, not exceeding two in number (one of which shall be located on
Pugets Sound), as he may deem proper:
Now, therefore, I, Zachary Taylor, President of the United States of
America, do hereby declare and proclaim the ports of Nesqually (on
Pugets Sound) and Portland, in the collection district of Oregon, in the
Territory of Oregon, to be constituted ports of delivery, with all the
privileges authorized by law to such ports.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.
[SEAL.]
Done at the city of Washington, this 10th day of January, A.D. 1850, and
of the Independence of the United States the seventy-fourth.
Z. TAYLOR.
By the President:
J.M. CLAYTON,
_Secretary of State_.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO MR. FILLMORE.
[From official records in the State Department.]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
_Washington, July 9, 1850_.
MILLARD FILLMORE,
_President of the United States_.
SIR: The melancholy and most painful duty devolves on us to announce to
you that Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States, is no
more. He died at the President's mansion this evening at half-past 10
o'clock.
We have the honor to be, etc.,
JOHN M. CLAYTON,
_Secretary of State_.
W.M. MEREDITH,
_Secretary of the Treasury_.
T. EWING,
_Secretary of the Interior_.
GEO. W. CRAWFORD,
_Secretary of War_.
WM. BALLARD PRESTON,
_Secretary of the Navy_.
J. COLLAMER,
_Postmaster-General_.
[The announcement as published in the Daily National Intelligencer of
July 11, 1850, contains also the signature of Reverdy Johnson,
Attorney-General.]
REPLY OF MR. FILLMORE.
[From official records in the State Department.]
WASHINGTON, _July 9, 1850_.
To the Hons. JOHN M. CLAYTON, Secretary of State; W.M. MEREDITH,
Secretary of the Treasury; T. EWING, Secretary of the Interior; GEO. W.
CRAWFORD, Secretary of War; WM. BALLARD PRESTON, Secretary of the Navy;
J. COLLAMER, Postmaster-General; REVERDY JOHNSON, Attorney-General.
GENTLEMEN: I have just received your note conveying the melancholy and
painful intelligence of the decease of Zachary Taylor, late President of
the United States. I have no language to express the emotions of my
heart. The shock is so sudden and unexpected that I am overwhelmed with
grief.
I shall avail myself of the earliest moment to communicate this sad
intelligence to Congress, and shall appoint a time and place for taking
the oath of office prescribed to the President of the United States. You
are requested to be present and witness the ceremony.
I am, gentlemen, etc.,
MILLARD FILLMORE.
COMMUNICATION TO THE SENATE FROM MR. FILLMORE.
[From Senate Journal, Thirty-first Congress, first session, p. 443.]
WASHINGTON, _July 10, 1850_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
In consequence of the lamented death of Zachary Taylor, late President
of the United States, I shall no longer occupy the chair of the Senate,
and I have thought that a formal communication to the Senate to that
effect, through your Secretary, might enable you the more promptly to
proceed to the choice of a presiding officer.
MILLARD FILLMORE
ANNOUNCEMENT TO CONGRESS.
[From Senate Journal, Thirty-first Congress, first session, p. 443.]
WASHINGTON, _July 10, 1850_.
_Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives:_
I have to perform the melancholy duty of announcing to you that it has
pleased Almighty God to remove from this life Zachary Taylor, late
President of the United States. He deceased last evening at the hour of
half-past 10 o'clock, in the midst of his family and surrounded by
affectionate friends, calmly and in the full possession of all his
faculties. Among his last words were these, which he uttered with
emphatic distinctness:
I have always done my duty. I am ready to die. My only regret is
for the friends I leave behind me.
Having announced to you, fellow-citizens, this most afflicting
bereavement, and assuring you that it has penetrated no heart with
deeper grief than mine, it remains for me to say that I propose this day
at 12 o'clock, in the Hall of the House of Representatives, in the
presence of both Houses of Congress, to take the oath prescribed by the
Constitution, to enable me to enter on the execution of the office which
this event has devolved on me.
MILLARD FILLMORE.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES ABROAD.
[From official records in the State Department]
CIRCULAR.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
_Washington, July 10, 1850._
Sir: It has become my most painful duty to announce to you the decease
of Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States.
This afflicting event took place on the 9th instant at the Executive
Mansion in this city, at thirty minutes after 10 o'clock in the evening.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN M. CLAYTON.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS IN THE UNITED
STATES.
[From official records in the State Department.]
CIRCULAR.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
_Washington, July 10, 1850._
SIR: It is my great misfortune to be obliged to inform you of an event
not less afflicting to the people of the United States than distressing
to my own feelings and the feelings of all those connected with the
Government.
The President, Zachary Taylor, departed this life yesterday at half-past
10 o'clock in the evening.
You are respectfully invited to attend the funeral ceremonies, which
will take place on Saturday next, and with the particular arrangements
for which you will be made acquainted in due time.
Not doubting your sympathy and condolence with the Government and people
of the country on this bereavement, I have the honor to be, sir, with
high consideration, your obedient servant,
JOHN M. CLAYTON.
ANNOUNCEMENT TO THE ARMY.
[From official records in the War Department.]
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 21.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
_Washington July 11, 1850_.
I. The following order of the President of the United States announces
to the Army the lamented death of the illustrious General Zachary
Taylor, late President of the United States:
WAR DEPARTMENT, _July 11, 1850_.
The President of the United States with profound sorrow announces to the
Army, the Navy, and Marine Corps the death of Zachary Taylor, late
President of the United States. He died at the Executive Mansion on the
night of the 9th instant at half-past 10 o'clock.
His last public appearance was in participating in the ceremonies of our
national anniversary at the base of the monument now rearing to the
memory of Washington. His last official act was to affix his signature
to the convention recently concluded between the United States and Great
Britain.
The vigor of a constitution strong by nature and confirmed by active and
temperate habits had in later years become impaired by the arduous toils
and exposures of his military life.
Solely engrossed in maintaining the honor and advancing the glory of his
country, in a career of forty years in the Army of the United States he
rendered himself signal and illustrious. An unbroken current of success
and victory, terminated by an achievement unsurpassed in our annals,
left nothing to be accomplished for his military fame.
His conduct and courage gave him this career of unexampled fortune, and
with the crowning virtues of moderation and humanity under all
circumstances, and especially in the moment of victory, revealed to his
countrymen those great and good qualities which induced them unsolicited
to call him from his high military command to the highest civil office
of honor and trust in the Republic; not that he desired to be first, but
that he was felt to be worthiest.
The simplicity of his character, the singleness of his purpose, the
elevation and patriotism of his principles, his moral courage, his
justice, magnanimity and benevolence, his wisdom, moderation, and power
of command, while they have endeared him to the heart of the nation, add
to the deep sense of the national calamity in the loss of a Chief
Magistrate whom death itself could not appall in the consciousness of
"having always done his duty."
The officers of the Army, of the Navy, and Marine Corps will, as a
manifestation of their respect for the exalted character and eminent
public services of the illustrious dead, and of their sense of the
calamity the country has sustained by this afflicting dispensation of
Providence, wear crape on the left arm and upon the hilt of the sword
for six months.
It is further directed that funeral honors be paid at
each of the military posts according to general regulations, and at
navy-yards and on board all public vessels in commission, by firing
thirty minute guns, commencing at meridian, on the day after the receipt
of this order, and by wearing their flags at half-mast.
By order of the President:
GEORGE W. CRAWFORD,
_Secretary of War_.
II. The day after the receipt of this general order at each military
post the troops will be paraded at 10 o'clock a.m. and the order read to
them, after which all labors for the day will cease.
The national flag will be displayed at half-staff.
At dawn of day thirteen guns will be fired, and afterwards at intervals
of thirty minutes between the rising and setting sun a single gun, and
at the close of the day a national salute of thirty guns.
The officers of the Army will wear the badge of mourning on the left arm
and on their swords and the colors of the several regiments will be put
in mourning for the period of six months.
By order: R. JONES,
_Adjutant-General._
[The Secretary of the Navy made the same announcement to the Navy as
that portion of the above signed by the Secretary of War.]
ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT.
[From the Daily National Intelligencer, July 12, 1850.]
WASHINGTON, _July 10, 1850_.
In consequence of the death of the President of the United States, I
direct that the several Executive Departments be closed until after the
funeral of the illustrious deceased, and that they, as well as the
Executive Mansion, be placed in mourning, and that the several officers
of the Government wear the usual badge of mourning for the term of six
months.
MILLARD FILLMORE.
ACTION OF CONGRESS.
[From Senate Journal, Thirty-first Congress, first session, p. 445.]
RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE.
Whereas it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life
Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States, the Senate,
sharing in the general sorrow which this melancholy event must produce,
is desirous of manifesting its sensibility on this occasion: Therefore
_Resolved_, That a committee consisting of Messrs. Webster, Cass, and
King be appointed on the part of the Senate to meet such committee as
may be appointed on the part of the House of Representatives to consider
and report what measures it may be deemed proper to adopt to show the
respect and affection of Congress for the memory of the illustrious
deceased and to make the necessary arrangements for his funeral.
[From House Journal, Thirty-first Congress, first session, p. 1121.]
RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Whereas it has pleased Divine Providence to remove from this life
Zachary Taylor, late President of the United States, the House of
Representatives, sharing in the general sorrow which this melancholy
event must produce, is desirous of manifesting its sensibility on the
occasion: Therefore
_Resolved_, That a committee consisting of thirteen members be appointed
on the part of this House to meet such committee as may be appointed on
the part of the Senate to consider and report what measures it may be
deemed proper to adopt in order to show the respect and affection of
Congress for the memory of the illustrious deceased and to make the
necessary arrangements for his funeral.
[The committee consisted of Messrs. Conrad, of Louisiana; McDowell, of
Virginia; Winthrop, of Massachusetts; Bissell, of Illinois; Duer, of New
York; Orr, of South Carolina; Breck, of Kentucky; Strong, of
Pennsylvania; Vinton, of Ohio; Cabell, of Florida; Kerr, of Maryland;
Stanly, of North Carolina; Littlefield, of Maine.]
OFFICIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FUNERAL.
[From the Daily National Intelligencer, July 13, 1850.]
WASHINGTON, _July 11, 1850_.
The Committee of Arrangements of the two Houses of Congress, having
consulted with the family of the deceased, have concluded that the
funeral of the late President be solemnized on Saturday, the 13th of
July, at 12 o'clock; the religious services to be performed by the Rev.
Dr. Pyne at the Executive Mansion, according to the usage of the
Episcopal Church, in which church the deceased most usually worshiped;
the body to be afterwards taken from the President's house to the
Congress Burying Ground, accompanied by a military escort and civic
procession, and deposited in the receiving tomb.
The military arrangements to be under the direction of Major-General
Scott, the General Commanding in Chief of the Army of the United States,
and Major-General Walter Jones, of the militia of the District of
Columbia.
Commodore Warrington, the senior naval officer now in the city, to have
the direction of the naval arrangements.
The marshal of the District of Columbia to have the direction of the
civic procession.
All the members of the diplomatic corps, all officers of Government, the
clergy of the District and elsewhere, all associations and fraternities,
and citizens generally are invited to attend.
And it is respectfully recommended to the officers of the Government
that they wear the usual badge of mourning.
ORDER OF THE PROCESSION.
FUNERAL ESCORT.
(In column of march.)
Composed of such corps of the Army and the militia as may be ordered or
as may report themselves for duty on the occasion.
CIVIC PROCESSION.
The United States marshal of the District of Columbia and his aids.
The mayors of Washington and Georgetown.
The Committee of Arrangements of the two Houses of Congress.
The chaplains of the two Houses of Congress and the officiating
clergyman of the occasion.
Attending physicians to the late President.
_Pallbearers_.--Hon. Henry Clay, Hon. T.H. Benton, Hon. Lewis Cass, Hon.
Daniel Webster, Hon. J.M. Berrien, Hon. Truman Smith, Hon. R.C.
Winthrop, Hon. Linn Boyd, Hon. James McDowell, Hon. S.F. Vinton, Hon.
Hugh White, Hon. Isaac E. Holmes, G.W.P. Custis, esq., Hon. R.J. Walker,
Chief Justice Cranch, Joseph Gales, esq., Major-General Jesup,
Major-General Gibson, Commodore Ballard, Brigadier-General Henderson.
The horse used by General Taylor in the late war.
Family and relatives of the late President.
The President of the United States and the heads of Departments.
The Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate.
The Senate of the United States, preceded by the President _pro tempore_
and Secretary.
The Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives, preceded by their Speaker and Clerk.
The Chief Justice and associate justices of the Supreme Court of the
United States and its officers.
The diplomatic corps.
Governors of States and Territories.
Ex-members of Congress.
Members of State legislatures.
District judges of the United States.
Judges of the circuit and criminal courts of the District of Columbia,
with the members of the bar and officers of the courts.
The judges of the several States.
The Comptroller of the Treasury, Auditors, Treasurer, Register,
Solicitor, and Commissioners of Land Office, Pensions, Indian Affairs,
Patents, and Public Buildings.
The clerks, etc., of the several Departments, preceded by their
respective chief clerks, and all other civil officers of the Government.