BY DAVID OVER. FIRST All'iL MESSAGE OP ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. BEAD IN CONGRESS TUESDAY, DE CEMBER 3d, 1861. Fe/low Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives: In the midst of unprecedented political trou bles, we have cause of great gratitude to God for unusual good health and most abundant harvests. You will not be surprised to learn, that io the peculiar exigencies of the times, our inter course with foreign nations has been attended with profound solicitude, chief! v turning upon our own domestic affairs. A o'idoyal portion of the American people have, during the whole year, been engaged in an attempt to divide and destroy the Union. A nation which endures factious domestic divisiou is exposed to disrespect abroad, and one party, if Dot both, is sure sooner or later to invoke foreign intervention. Nutions thus tempted to interfere are not always able to re sist the counsels of seeming expediency and ungenerous ambition, although measures adop ted under such influences seldom fail to be un* foitnnate, and injurious to those adopting them. The disloyal citizens of the United States who have offered the ruin of our eountty in return for the aid and comfort which they have invoked abroad, bave received less pa'ronago and encouragement than they probably expect ed. If it were just to suppose, as the insur gents have seemed to astuaie, that foreign na= tiors, in this case, discarding all moral, social and treaty obligations, would act solely and selfishly for the most speedy restoration of commerce including especially the acquisition of cotton, these naticus appear as yet not to have seen their way 'o their object more di reetlv or clearly through the destruction, than through the preservation of the Union. Ir we oonld dare to believe ihat foreign na tions are actuated by no higher principle than this, I am quits sure a sound argument could bs made to show fhtrn that they csu reach their aim more readily and easily"Sy aiding to crush this rebellion than by giving encourage ment to it. The principal lever reiicd on by the insargents for exalting foreign nations is hostility against us, as already intimated, to the embarrassment of commerce. These na tions, however, not improbable saw from the first that it was the Union which made as well our foreign as our domestic commerce. Tbey can scarcely have failed to perceive that the effort for disunion produce the existing diffi culty, and that one strong oatioo promised wore extensive and reliable peace and a more extensive and reliable commeioe, than can the same nation broken into hostile fragments. It is not to review oor disscussions with foroign States, because whatever might be their wishes, or dispositions, the integrity of our country and the stability of our govern ment mainly depend not upon them, tut on the loyality, virtup, patriotism and intelligence of the American people. The correspondence itself with the usual icservations is herewith submitted. 1 venture to hope it will appear that we have practiced prudence and liberality towards foreign powers averting causes of irritation and with firmness maintaining our own rights and honor. Since, however, it is apparent that here, as in every other State, foreign dangers necessarily attend domestic difficulties. 1 reccommend that ade quate and ample measures be adopted for maintaining the public defences on every side. While under ibis general recoemmendation provision for defending cur sea coast lino oc curs to tbe miud. I also, io the same connection, ssk the at tention of Congress to our great lakes and rivers. It is believed that some fortifications and depots cf arms and munitions, with harbor and navigation improvements, xll at well se ' lected points upon these, would be of great importance to the national defeooe and preser vation. • I ask attentien to the views of the Secreta ry of War expressed io ins report upon the same general subject. I deem it of importance that the loyal regions of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina should be eounebted with Kentucky and other faithful parts of the Union by railroad. 1 therefore reocomaiend, as a military measure, that Congress provide for the construction of sneh road as speedily as possible. Keutucky, no doubt, will co-op erate and through her Legislature, make the most judicious seleotion of a line. The North ern termious must oonnect with some existing railroad, and whether the route shall be from Lexington or Niobolasville to the Cumberland Gap, or from Lebanon to the Tennessee line in the direction of Knoxville, or ou some still different lino can readily be determined. Keu tucky and the General Government 00-opera ting the work can be completed in a very short time nod, wbnn dons it will be not only of v6t pro-out usefulness, but aDo a valuable perma nent improve moot, with its cost, in all the fa tare. Some treaties designed ohiefly for the iotar-. •sts of oontrnvrce, and having no grave politic eal importance, have bsen negotiated, and will be submitted to the Senate for their consider ation. Although we bave failed to mdooe some of tbe commercial powers to adopt a desirabl e melioration of tbe rigor of a auratime war, we bave removed all obstructions from tbe wy e.f this humane reform, except sueb as are merely of temporary and accidental occurrence. I invite your attention to tbe correspondence A Weekly Paper, Devoted to Literature. Politics, the Arts, Sciences, Agriculture, &c M &c—Terms: One Dollar tnd Fifty Cents in Advance. between Her Britaoio Majesty's Minister, ac ; credited to this Government, and the Secreta ! ry of State relative t<> the detention of the | British ship Pethsbire, in Jut.e last, by the j United States steamer Massachusetts, for a j supposed breach of the blockade. As this l detention was occasioned by an obvious tuisap ! prehension of the facts, and as justice r< quires that we should commit no belligerent act not founded in strict right as sanctioned by pnb ! ic law, 1 reccommend that an approbation he made to satisfy the reasonable demand of tbe owners of the vessel for her detention. 1 repeat,the recommendation of my prede cessor, iu his annual message to Congress in December last, iu regard to the disposition of the surplus which will probably remaiß after satisfying the claims of American citizens agaiu-t China, pursuant to the awards of the Commissioners uuder the act of the 3d of March, 1859. If, however, it shonld not be advisable to carry that recommendation io'o effect 1 would suggest that authority be given for investing the principle of the proceeds of the surplus referred to in good securities with a view to tbe satisfaction of such other just claims of our citizens against China a* are not unlikely to arise hereafter in the course of our exten sive trade with tuat empire. By the act of the s'ti of August last, Con gress authorized the President to instiuot tbe Ci inmaoders of suitable vessels to defend themselves agaiust ud capture pirates. -This authority has been exerci-ed in a single only. For tbe more effectual protection of our ex tensive and valuable commerce in the Eas ern seas, especially it seems to me that it w><uld be advisable to authorize tbe commanders of sailing vessels to recapmre any prizes which pirates may make of United States vessels and their cargoes, and the Consular Courts uow established by law in Eastern countries iu adjucate (be cases, in the event that this should be objected to by the local authorities. If any good re son exis s why we shuld-per tcvere longer in witbulding our recognition of the independence and -overeigmy of Hayti, I am unable to discover it. Unwilling, however, to inaugurate a novel policy iu regard ty them without the appro* ba'.ion of Cougress, I submit tor yoor oouaid eiation tbe expediency of an appropriation tor maintaining a charged, affairs near each of those n<w Spates; it does uot admit of a doubt that iniportaut commercial advantages might be secured by favorable treaties with them. The operations of the treasury daring the period which has elapsed since your adjourn* uieDt, have been conducted witn signal suc cess. The patriotism of the people has placid at the disposal of ibe Government, the large means demanded by the public exigencies.— I Much of the national L au has been taken | by citizeus of tbo industrial classes, whose confidence iu their country's faith ar.d zeal, fur their oouutry's deliverance from the pres ut peril have induced them to contribute to the support of the Government the whole of their limited acquisitions. This fact imposes pecu ! liar obligations upon us to ecouomy ia dis bursement and energy in action. The revenues from all souroes, including loans tor ibe financial year, endi'g ou the 30th of June, 1861 was $86,835,900.27, aud tbe expenditures for the same period, in cluding payments ou account of the public debt, wore $84,578,834 47, leaving a balance in the Treasury, on the first of July, of $2, 257,065 80. For the first quarter of the fi nancial year, ending on the 30th of Septem ber, 1861, the reeoipts from all sources in cluding the b-lance of the Ist of Jolv, w-re $102,632,509,27, and the expanse? S9B 238, 733, 09. leaving a balance on the Is; of Oc tober, 1861 of $4 292 766,18- Estimates for the remaining three quarters of the year, and for the financial year 1861, together wiib his views of ways aud means tor inciting the demands contemplated by tbeui, will be submitted to Congress by the Secreta ry of tbe Treasury. It is gratify ing to know that the expendi tures made necessary by tbe rebellion are not beyond tbe resources of the loyal people to beieive that the same patriotism which has thus far sustained the Government will con tinue to sustain n till peace and union shall | bless the laud. I respectfully refer to the report of the Sec retary of War for informatiou respecting the numercial strength of the army and for re commendations, having iu view an increase of its efficiency aud tbe wnll being of the various i branches of the service entrusted to his care. It is gratifying to know that the patriotism of i the people has proved equal to the occasion : aud that tbe number of troops tendered great- Ily exceeds the force which Congress author ized me to call into the field. I refer with pleasure to those portions of his report which make allusion to the eredita j ble decree of discipline already attained by I our troops aud to tbe excellent sanitary con j dition of the entire army. The reoommeodation of tbo Secretary for an organization of the militia upon a uniform basis is a subject of vital impottance to tbe future safety of tbe countiy, and is commeud ed to tbe serious attention of Congress. The large addition to tbe regular army in connection with the defection that bus so con siderably diminished the number of its cfSoers gives peculiar importance to his recommends -1 tioo for increasing the corps of Cadets to tho I greatest capacity of tbe Military Academy. By mere omission, I presume, Congress has failed to provide Chaplains for hospitals "oc cupied by volunteers. This eubjeot was brought to my notice, and 1 was induced to draw up the fem of a letter, one copy of which, properly addressed has been delivered to each of the persons and at the dates, res* pectfully named, and stated in a schedule con- BEDFORD. PA. FRIDAY. DEC. 13.1861. taining also ibe form of the letter (letter marked A), and herewith transmitted. TLe gentlemen 1 understood entered upon the duties designated at the times respectfully stated iu the schedule, aDd have labored faith fully there ever since. I therefore recoui* mend that they bo oompeo*ated at the huic rates as Chaplains in 'he army, further rug grstiog that general- provision be made for CbapUiD* to serve at Hospitals as well as with regiments. Tbe report of the Secretary or the Navy presents in detail tbe operations of that branch of the service, the activity and euer- : by whieh have Qhafaoierizid its administra tion and the results of the measures to in-j crease its • ffiuieney and power. Such have been the additions by construe- ; tion and purchase, that it may almost be said a Navy has beeu created and brought into service ainee our difficulties commenced.— Besides blockading our extensive coast, squad- j ions larger than ever before assembled under i our flag, have beeo put afloat and performed deeds which have iuoreased our Naval n* j novo. 1 would invite apeoial attention to the re- , commendation of tho Secretary for a more j perfect organization of tho Navy, by iutro- j ■iuoing additional grades in the service. The f present organization is defective and unsatis- j factory, and ttie suggestions submitted by th* Department will, it is believed, if adopted, obviate the difficulties alluded to, promote harmony, und increase the efficiency of the Navy. There are three vacancies on tbe beach o;, the Supieui Court; two by the decease of Jus*' tioes Daniels und McLean, aud one by the resaj iguatioo of Jus'ice Campbell. I have so for| i home making nominations to fill th<se vacan oies for reasoos which 1 n state : Two of the out going Judges re-ided within the States now overtuu by revolt, so that if their succes sors were appointed iu the same localities, ttiey could not u >w -erve upon their ciicui', and miuy of tbe most competent men tbero prop ably would not take the personal hazard of ac cept ng to serve, even here, upon tbe Shipiem ; bt-ucfa. 1 have been uuwil iug to throw al: the appointments Northward, thus disabling , my?eif from doing justice to tbe South, ou re- ! turn of peace altnough L may reru.rk that to j transfer to tho North one which hae hithettu j been in the Siu;b, would uot, with reforen.-#: to turihory and population, be unjust. During the long and brilliant j i ii-ial career ; of Judge M Lean, his circuit grew into an em j pire altogether too large for auy one Judge to give the courts therein more than a tt'-utiinl at tendance, rising in population from 1.470,018 iu 1830, to 6.151,405 in 1860. Betides this, the country generally has out growu our pres ent judicial system. If uniformity was at all intended, the" system requires that all the States shall he accomodated with Circuit courts attended by Supreme Judges, while in laot, Wisconsin, Minnesota, lowa, Kansas, Florida, Texas, California and Oregou have never had auy suoh Courts. Nor can this well be remedied, wiihout a change of the system, because the adding of Judges to the Supreme Court, enough for the accommodation ol all parts of the countiy with Circuit Courts, would create a court altogether too numerous for a judicial body of eoy sort. — And the evil, if it he one, will increase as uow Sutos eouie imo the Union. Circuit Couits are u-dul, or they are not useful. If useful, oo State should be denied them. If not useful, uo State should La-e them. Let them he provided for all, or abolished to all. Three modifications occur to me, either of whioh I think would be au iuipiuvciueot upon our present system. Let the Supreme Court be of convenient number iu every event.— Then fir-t, let tbe whole country be divided into circuits of eouvenieut size, the Supreme Judges to aerve in a number of theoi corres ponding to their owu number, and independent CiiouD Judges be provided for all the rest; or, secondly, let the Supreme Ju iges be relieved from Circuit Judges provided for all the Cir cuits; or, thirdly, dispense with the Circuit Courts altogether leaving the Judi.Mal fuuo- j tion* wholly to the Distriol Court and au in- , depent Supreme Court. 1 respectfully recommend to the considera* . tioo of Congress the present condition of the Statute L*W9, w6th tho hope that Congress will be able to find an easy remedy for many : of the inconveniences aud evils which oons'ani- j ly embarras* those engaged in the praotical administration of them. Since tho organiza tion of Government, Congress has enacted some ' five thousand acts and joint resolutions, whieh fill more than six thousand oloselv printed I pages, and are scattered through many vol umes. Many of these acts have been drawn in haste and without suffioient caution, so that; their provisions are often obscure iu them selves, or iu conflict with each other; or at j least so doubtful as to render it very diffioult j for even the best informed person to ascertain precisely what the statute law really is. It seems to me very important that tho statute laws should be as plain and intelligible as ; posible, and be roduoed to as amall a compass as may consist, with the fullness and precis ion of tho Legislature and the perspicuity of its language. This, well done, would, 1 think greatly faoiiitate the labors of those whose duty it is to assist in the administratnm of tho laws, aud would be a lastiug benefit to the people by placing them, tn a more aeceptible and intelligible form, the laws which so deeply oonoern their interests aud tlisir duties. lam informed by somo whose opinion I respect, j that all the aots of Congress new io forco, aud j of a permanent and genetal Mature, might he revised and rewritten, ta as to be embraced iu i one volume, or, at moat, io two volumes, of or dinary and commercial size, and I respectluily | reeomsnend to Congress to consider on the Bnbjot, and if my suggestion be approved, to devise such plan as to their wisdom hII spem i most proper for the attainment of the end pro* posed. Cue of the unavoidable consequences of the in-iirrectioo is the entire suspension, in many places, of ali the ordinary means ot administer iug civil ju-tiee by tbe officers and the form* of ex stin<r law. This is the case in whole, or in part, in the insurgent States, and as our armies advance aud take possession of parts of these Slates, ir becomes more apparent. I There are no courts or c fficers to whioh tbe citizens of other Sta'ea tuy apply for the en* j foreement of their liwful claims against the j citizens of the insurgent States, and their vast em <unt of debt, con-ti'uting suoh olaiui*, soma have e-timited s twn hundred millions of dol l rs due, the large part from in-u gnU in open rebellion, to loyal citizens who are even j now making great Sacrifices in tbe discharge of tueir patriotic duty to support the Government. Under these circumstances 1 have beeu ur j gently solicited to- establish by uiiJjtary pow er Courts to administer summary justice in , such eases. I have thus far declined to do it, ! uorbeoause I had auy doubt that tbe end pro j posed, ihe oollcoiion of the debts was just and | right iu itvelf, but because 1 was uuwilling to | go beyond :tic presure of necessity, to the un u-ul fxereiso of power. But tbe powers of Congress, I .-oppose are qaal to the nma- Itius occasion, and I therefore refer the whole uii ter tu Congress with tbe hnpe tha' a plan | may be devi-eu for the administration of jua . tiee iu all such parts of the iiisurgeut S'ates, ] >nd territories a- may he uud"r tbe oontrol of j this Government, whether by a voluntary re | turn to allegiance and order, or by tbe power of our rms. This, however, not to be a per ui.ueut institution, but a temporary substitute and to oease as soon as tbe ordinary courts c*o be re-established in peace. It is impor tant that souie more convenient means should be provided, if possible, for the adjustment of claims agaiost tho Government, e-peotl!y in j view of their kereased number by reason of tbe tvr. It is as much the duty of Government to , render prompt justice against itself ia of | citizens, as it is to administer tbe same be j tween private individuals the investigation 5 and adjudication of claims ia their hinds be ; long to 'h judicial department- Besides it is ; apparent that ihe attention of Uongres* will be more than unu-uaily engaged for souie time to come with gieat national questions. It was intended by the organization of the Court of cu inia, mainly to remove this branch of the business from tbe Halls of Congress But while the Court has proved to be d <ffec'.ivo aud valuable means of investigation, it fails in a great degrao to effect the object of its cre ation for want of power to make its judgmeuts final. Fully aware of the delicacy, uoi to say the danger, ot this subject,! commend to your careful consideration whether this p<'wer of making judgments fiual may not properly be giveu to the Court rcrrrving tbe right of ap peal ou questions of law to the Supreme Court with such other provisions a- experience aiay have shown to be neoessary. I ask attention to the repoit of tbe Post* master Geoerd, tbe following being u sum mary statement of that Department : —The rev* eoue from all sources during the fiscal year j ending June 30, 1861, including the annual permanent uppropri'tion of $700,000 for tbe transportation of froe mail matter, $9 049,- 296 40, being about two per cent, less tuau the revenue. For expenditures were $43,606,- 750 11, showing a decrease of more than eight per cent., as compared wiih those of the pres ent year, and leaving an exeess of expendi tures over the revenue for the last fi.-oal year, ol $4,557,462 71. The grns revenue for the year ending June 30ih, 1863 is estimated at an increase ot four per cent, upou that of 1861, making $8 683,000, to whieh should bo ad* ded ihe t aminos of the Department in carrying free matter, viz : S7OO 000, making $9 383,* i 000. The total expenditures for 1863, are J estimated at $12,520 000, laaviog an estimat* ed deficiency of $3,145,000 to bo supplied from the Treasury, iu additiou to the perma nent appropriation. The preseut insurrection shows, I think, that the extension of this district aoross the Potomao river at the time of establishing 'he Capitol here was emioen'ly wise, and codsc- 1 quently that the relinquishment of that por tion of it which lies within the Sta'e of Vir ginia was unwise and dangerous. 1 submit for your consideration ibe expediency of regain ; ing that part of 'he district, and the restora tion of the original boundaries thereof, through negotiations with the State of Virginia. The report of the Secretary of the luterior with the accompanying documents, exhibits the condition of the several branches of the public service (P 2 and 3) pertaining to that Department. The depresMDg influences of | the ioaurrectiou have been especially felt iu tbe opeiationsof tho Patent and General Land Offices. The cash receipts from tbe salea of the pub lic lands during th 6 past year have exceeded the expenses of - our land system only about $200,000. The sales have keen eotiiely sua* peuded iu the southern States, while tbe in torruption to tbe business of the country and the diversion of large numbers of men from , labor to military service, have obstructed set : tleruens in the uew States and Territories of the Northwest. The receipts of the Patent Office bave de clined iu uiua months about $10(J,000 render* in a Urge deduction of the force employed neo oessary to make it self-sustaining, j Tu* demands upon tbe Pension Office will be largely iuoreased by tbe insurrection. 1 Numerous applications for pensions, based upon the casus I i ties of the existing war, have already been made. There is reason to believe that many who are now upon the pension roll* and in receipt of the bounty of tbo Govern ment, are in the ruok- of the insurgent army, giving theui aid and comfort. The Secretary of the Interior has directed a su-pension of the payment of pensions of such persons up ou proof of their disloyalty. 1 recommend, that Congress authorize that ' fficer to cause the uarnes of sueb persons to be stricken from the pension roll. The relations of the Government with the Indian tribes have been greatly disturbed by the in-urrection, especially io the Southern Superinteudency, aud in that of New Mexioo. Tlie Indian country south of Kmsas is in the possession of insurgents from Texas and Ar kansas- Toe agents of tbe United Staies Govern ment appoiu'"d siuoe the 4th of March for this supenntendenoy, have been unable to reach their posts, while the most of those who were in the rffiee before that time, Lave espoused the insurrectionary cause, and as-; sume to exoerciae the powers of agents by vir- j tue of commissions from the in-urrectionists. It h*s been stated iu tbe public press that I : a portion of these ludiius have boon organized as a military force, and arc attaohed to the : army of the insurgents. Although the Gov- : eminent has no <ffi;ial information upon this | hui.j.'ot, letters l. ve been written to the Cotn-_j mis-i uer of Indian Affair- by several promi nent Chii-fs, giviug assurance of their loyalty ! io the United S'ates and expressing a wish for the presence of Federal tioops to protect thorn. ; It i* believed that up< n ibe re-possea-inn of the count y, by the Federal forces, tbe lu diaus will readily cease all hostile demonstra tions aud resume their former relations to the Government. Agriculture, confessedly the largest inter est of the nation, has not a Department or a bureau, out a clerkship only assigned to it in the Government. While it is fortunate 'hat : this great interest is ?o independent in its ua ti:ro ac not to bete ci no t o&i c i suit*dmore itom the Goueruuaeut, I respectfully ask Cou-" gress to con-ider whether something more ean not be giveo voluntarily with geoeial advan tage. Annua! reports exhibiting the condition of our agiioclture, commerce .Dd uianuf icture j Woulu present a fund of ioforiii*tl'o of great practical value to tbe country. While 1 make no suggestion as to details. I venture the opiuiou that an Agricultural and Statistical bureau onghi profitably be organ'zd. The ex out ion of the lo?i tor the suppres sion of theAfricm Slave Trade, has been coufi-ed to the Department of the Interior.— It is a subject of gfatulatiuu that tbe fforts which have beeu made for the suppression of this inhuman trade, have been recently ut D tended with unusual success. Five vessels being fined out for the slave trade have been se;z-d and condemned. Two mates" of vea-els engaged in equipping a slaver, have been con victed and subjected to the penalty of fine and imprison rneut; and one captain taken with a eargo of Africans ou board his vessel, has been couvioted of the highest grade of effeuce uu der our laws, the punishment of which is death. The Territories of Colorado, Dicota, au;! Nevada, created by the last Cougress, have been organized, and civd adarnistration has beeu inaugurated therein under auspices espe* eiuliy gratifying, when it is considered that the leav. dot treason w*s found existing in Buiu- of these uew uouutriep when the Fed'r* ul • ffioers arrived there. The ahuodaut unlive resources of these terri'ories, with the securi ty and protection off-red by an organized Gov ernment. will doubtless iooile to thetu a large immigration, wueu peace snail restore the bus siness of the country to its accustomed elian* aels. 1 submit the resolutions of the Legislature of Colorado, whieu evidence the patriotic spirit ot the people of the Territory. So far the authority of the United States ha? been upheld in all the Territories,-as it is hoped it will be in the future. I commend their interests aud defences to tbe enlightened and generous care of Congress. i reccommend to the favorably considera tion of Congress the Interests of the Disuiet of Columbia. The insurrections has been the cause of much t-ufferiug and sacrifice to its inhabitants, aud as they have no representative iu C'.ngress, should not overlook their just claims upon the Government. At your late session a joint resolution was adopted authorizing tbe President to take measuiesfor facilitating a proper representation of tne industrial interests of the United Stiles at tbe Extnbuioii of the Industry of ail Na tions, to be boiduu at Loudon in the Year 1862. J I regret to say, I have been unable to give personal attention to this subject—a subject at once so iulcresting in itself, and so extensive ly aud intimately oonnected with the material prosperity of tbe world. Through tbe Secre taries ot State and of the Interior, a plan or system has been devised and partly matured, and which will be laid before you. Under and by viitue of tbe Act of Con gress, entitled Au Act to Confiscate Prosperi ty used for Insurrectionary Purposes, approv ed August 6th, 1861, the legal claims of cer tain other pt-rsotis to tbe lahor and service of certain (ersons have become forfeited, and numbers of tbe latter thus liberated are al ready dependent on the United States, and be provided for in some way. Besides this it ie not impossible that some of the States will pass similar cnaotmenta for their own benefit respectively, and by operation of whioh persona of tbe same Class will be thrown upoo them for disposal. In euoh case I recsommend that Congress pro- V0L.34, M 50. ! vida for accepting such persons from such ( St jies according to s<>tne uude of valuation in lieu pro Junto of direct taxes, or upr>o some j other piau to be agreed upon with such States , resoectively, that such persons on such accep tances by the General Government be at once deemed free, and that in any event steps be ; Ukou for colonizing both classes (or the ooe first mentioned if (be other shall not bo brought into existence,) at some plane or places inaeiimite congenial to them. It might bo well to consider too whether the free colored people already in the United Statesj could not, so tar as individuals may desire, be included in such colonization. > To ry out the plan of colonization may involve tbe acquiring of territory, and also the appropriation of money beyond that to be ex pended in tbe territorial acquisition of territo ry for Dearly sixty years, the question of the Constitutional power to do so is no longer in open one with us. The power was questioned at first ty Mr. Jefferson, wbo, however, in putcb.-.so 01 Louisiana, yielded his scruples on tbe plea at great expediency. If it l-e said that liie only legitimate object of acquiring territory is fo furnish homes* for white tiieu, this measure effruts that object, for emigration of colored men leaves additional room for white men reciaiuir.g or coming here. Mr. J> ffursoo, however, placed the importance of procuring L uiaiana more on political and commercial grouuda, tbsu on providing roc-m for population Ou this whole proposition, including the ap propriation of moneys, with tbe acquisition of territory, does not the expediency amount to absolute oecessity, without which ths Govern ment itself canuot be perpetuated if the war continues. In considering the policy to be adopted for suppressing ths insurrection, [ have been anx ious and careful that the inevitable conflict for this purpose shall uot degenerate into a vio lent and remorseless revolutiouaty struggle.— 1 have, therefore, in every case, thought it proper to keep the integrity of the Uofon prom inent as the primary object of the conisstou our part, leaving ail questions which are not of vital military imparlance, to t.e more da liberate action of the legislature. lu tbe exercise of my best discretion I have adhered to the blockade or the ports hold by the insurgents, instead of patting ip force by procl tuition the Uw of C< ngt&is. -euatd at the late session for closing these ports. So also, obeying the nictates af prudeuce as well tbe obligations of law, instead of traoscend '!?£ I hsve adbeted 10 tbe act of Congress to confiscate properly used for insurrectionary purposes. It a new iaw upon the same sub ject shall be proposed, its propriety will be du ly considered, Tbe Union mut be preserved, and hccce all luui.-pcnsible mean- must be We shall not be in haste to determine that radical and extreme measure, whiuh may reach tbe loyal as well as the disloyal, are in uispensible. . The Inaugur.il address at tbe beginning of the Administration acd tbo message to Con gress at the late special session, were both mainly devoted to the domestic controversy out of which the iusuirection and consequent war have sprung. Nothing more occurs to add or subtract to or trom the principles of general purposes stuted and expressed in that decument. The last ray of hope for preserving the Union peaceably expired at the assault upon Fort Sumter, and a general review of wbat has oc curred since may not be unprofitable. What was piiniully uncertain theo, is much bettrr defiueu and more distinct uow, and the progress ot events is plainly in the right di rection. The insurgents confidently claimed a strong support from North of Mason and Dixon's line, aud the friends of tbe Union were not free from apprehension on that point. Tuis, however, was soon settled definitely and on tbe right side. South of the line, noble little Delaware led off tight from the first. Maryland was made to seem against tbe Union. Our soldiers were assaulted, bridges were burned, and rail roads torn up within her limits, and we were many days, at one time, without the ability to bnug a single regiment over'her soil to the Capital. Now hei bridges and railroads are prepared and open to the Government. She already gives seven regiments to the cause of the Uniou, and noue to tbe enemy, and her peo ple at a regular election have sustained tbe Uuiou by a large majority, and a larger ag. gregate vote than tbey ever before gave to auy candidate on any question. Kentucky too, tor some in doubt, is now dtcidcdiy, and, I think, unchangeably, rauged on tbo side of the Union Missouri is comparatively quiet, and 1 believe cannot gaiu he overruu by tbe insurrectionists.— These three States of Miry land, Kentucky and Missouri, neither of which would promise a single soldier at first, have now an aggregate of uot less thao forty thousand iu the field, for the Union while of their citizens, certain ly uot more than a third of that number, and tbey ot doubtful whereabouts and doubtful existence, are in arms against it. After a some whsj. bloody struggle of months, winter closes on the Union people of Western Virginia, leaving them masters of their own country. Ad lusurgent force of about fifteen hundred for mouths dominating the narrow peninsular jegiou of tbe counties of Aoeomao and North ampton, and knowu as the Eastern Shore of Virginia, together with some contiguous parts of Marylaod, have laid down their arias, and the people there have renewed their allegiance to and accepted the protection of tbe old flag. This loaves uo armed insurrection Dorrh of th Potomac or east of the Chesapeake. Also we k b*ve obtained a footing at each of
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