Ihe ||f4tiiv4 18 PUBLISHED KVEHY Fftl DAY MORNING I. R. !>l RBOKUON AM) JOHN LITZ, OS J ULI A.l* A St., opposite the Meagel House BEDFORD, PENN'A TEBXR: $2.00 a year if paid strictly ia advance. If not paid within six months 82.5. If not |ail within the year SS.OO. ATTORNEYS AT LAW. J 11. LONGENECKER, . ATTORNEY AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA., All business entrusted to his care will receive prompt attention. JSr-On-ICE with S. L. RVSSF.U Esq., nearly opposite the Conrt House. Oct. Id, '6G.-610. B. F. METERS S. W. DICKERSoS MI. VERS A DICKERSOX, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, BEDFORD, PESS'A., Office same as formerly occupied by lion. W. P. Sebell, two doors east of the Gazette office, will practice in the several Courts of Bedford county. Pensions, bounties and back pay obtained and the purchase of Real Estate attended to. May 11, '6o—Tyr. I OHN T. KEAGY. ,J ATTORNEY AT LAW. BEDFORD, PEN.N'A., Offers to give satisfaction to all who may en trust their legal business to hiin. M ill collect u oneys on evidences of debt, and speedily pro- C tre bounties and pensions to soldiers, their w i>i owsor heirs. Office two doors west of Telegraph office. aj rll-.'66-ly. I B. CESSNA, J . ATTORNEY AT LAW, Office with JOHN CESSSA, on Julianna street, in the office formerly occupied by King A Jordan, and recently by Filler A Keagy. All business entrusted to his eare will receive faithful and prompt attention. Military Claims. Pensions, Ac., speedily collected. Bedford, June 9, 1565. 1- M'D. r - F - K riHARPE A KERR. O ATTORNS r.?-A T-LA B\ Will practice in the Courts of Bedford and ad joining counties. All business entrusted to their rare will receive careful and prompt attention. Pensions, Bounty, Back Pay, Ac., speedily col lected from the Government. Office on Juliana street, opposite the banking house of Reed A Scheli, Bedford. I'a. marJiti" rOHN PALMER. f) ATTORNEY AT LAW, Will promptly attend to all business entrusted to his care. SS- Particular attention paid to the collection of Military claims. Office on Julianna St.. nearly •pposite the Mcngel House.) june 23, '65.1y J. !?. fMEfriSORRCFW JOB!? LUTX, I \ URBOR ROW A LUTZ. U ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Bebforh, Pa., Will attend promptly to all business intrusted to their care. Collections made on the shortest no tiee. Th< v arc. also, regularly licensed Claim Agents and will give special attention to the prosecution of claims against the Government for Pensions, Rack Pay. Bounty, Bounty Lands, Ac. Office on Juliana street, one door South of the •Mengel House" and nearly opposite the Inquirer efficei April 28. 18S5:t IJISPY M. ALSIP, J ATTORNEY AT LAW, BEDFORD, PA., Will faitbfnlly and promptly attend to ail busi ness entrusted to his cure in Bedford and adjoin- Mann A Spang, on .Juliana street, 2 doors south fthc Mcngcl House. apl L 186*. —tf. VfTA. POINTS, 31 ATTORNEY AT LAW, BEJ>fori>, PA. Respectfully tenders his professional services t the public. Office with J. W. Lingenfclter, E tn Juliana street, two doors South of the "Mengle lb use." Dec. , 184-tf. roHN MOW Ell, rJ ATTORNEY AT LAW. BEDFORC, PA. April 1,1564. —tf. KIMMKT.L AND LTN'iIiNFELTER, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Bedford, PA. 11 are formed a partner.-bip in the practice oi 'he Law Office on Julian.l Street, two doors South of the Mengcl llow-e. aprl, JSdf—tC. BEITISTB. C. V. niCKOk '• G. MISSICH, JR. j vKNTISTS, i'-EPr an. PA. I f ofh" tkt BtuthJUn-1 sV.w, Ail ■ | erali' Es pertaining to Surgh-aS >-r Me chanical Dentistry carefully and faithfully per firnn-d and warranted. TERMS CASH. Tooth I'i *dci: a 1.1! Mouth W*?h, liiclNntar tides, always on hand. jan6'6s-ly. I \ENTISTRY. IJ I. S. BOWSER, RESIDENT DENTIST, W- OD BKBiir, Pa., visits Bloody Run three days of each month, commencing with tin second Tuesday of the ru'taib. Profound to perform all l>rt'u of Hall i Pai mer'soffice. April 1, ISCs—tf. Ac. VBSALOM GARLICK, CLOCK AND WATC'H-MAKKB. BLOODY Rex, PA. Clocks, Watches, Jewelry, Ac., promptly re paired. All work intrusted to his care, warranted to give satisfaction. lie also keeps on hand and for sale W'A TCH ES, CLOCKS, and -IE WEI. HY. Office with Dr. J. A. Mann. my! fOUN REIMt ND, fj CLOCK AND WATCH-MAKER, in the United States Telepraph Office, BEDFORD. PA. Clocks, watches, and ail kinds of jewelry promptly repaired. All work entrusted to kisenre warranted to give entire "atistacti >n. [nov3-lj r PVANJEL BORDER, I " PITT STIIKBT. TWO DOORS WEST OF THE HEP FORI, HOTEL, BEIFARD, PA. WATCHMAKER AND DEALER !N JEWEL RY. SPECTACLES. AC. He keeps on hand a stock of fine Gold and SH '? r )7. alc " c *> Spectacles of Brilliant Double llcfm alo Scotch Pflbfcle Gbusen. Gold at *h Chain?, Breast Pins, Finger Uiag*. best quality of Gold Pens. He will supply to order •my thing in his line not on hand, apr. 2S, l'r,i- zz . ANTI-DUST PARLOR STOVES, (Spur -XX talent) at B. Mc. BLYMYKK A 1 0/3 D 1 KBORUOW * LI'TZ Editors and Proprietors. MESSAGE OP TIIE PRESIDEXT OF THE t'MTF.W STATES. FcUotc-citizen* of the Senate and House oj Representatives: After a brief interval the Congress of the United States resumes its annual legislative labors. An All-wise and merciful Provi dence has abated the pestilence which vis ited our shores, leaving its calamitous traces upon some portions of our country. Peace, order, tranquility, and civil authority have been formally declared to exist throughout the whole of the United States. In all of the States civil authority has superseded the coercion of arms, and the people, by their voluntary action, are maintaining their gov ernments in full activity and complete _o por tion. The enforcement of the laws is no longer "obstructed in any State by combina tions too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings and the animosities engendered by the war are rapidly yielding to the benefiieent influ ences of our free institutions, and to the kindly effects of unrestricted social and commercial intercourse. An entire restora tion of fraternal feeling must be the earnest wish of every patriotic heart; and we will have accomplished our grandest national achievement when forgetting the sad events of the past, and remembering only their instructive lessons, we re.-ume our onward career as a free, prosperous and united peo ple. In my message of the 4th of December, 1866, Congress was informed of the meas ures which had been instituted by the Ex ecutive with a view to the gradual restora tion of the States in which the insurrection occurred to their relation with the General Government. Provisional governors had been appointed, conventions called. Govern ors elected, Legislatures assembled, and Senators and Representatives chosen to the Congress of the United States. Courts had been opened tor tbe enforcement of laws long in abeyance. The blockade had been removed, custom houses re-established and the internal revenue laws put in force, in order that the people might contribute to the national income. Postal operations had been renewed, and efforts were being made to restore them to their former condi tion of efficiency. The States themselves had been asked to take part in the high function of amending the constitution, and thus sanctioning the extinction of African slavery as one of the legitimate results of our internecine struggle. Having progressed thus far the Executive Department found that it had accomplished nearly all that was in the scope of its consti tutional authority. One thing, however, yet remained to be done before the work of restoration could be completed, and that was the admission to Congress of loyal Sen ators and Representatives from the States whose people had rebelled against the lawful authority of the General Government. This question devolved upon the respective hous es, which, by the Constitution, are made it3|con.-ideration at once engaged the atten tion of Uongrex:-. In the meantime, th# executive depart ment —no other plan having been proposed by Congress—continued it- efforts to perfect as far as was practicable, the restoration of the proper relations between the citizens of the respective State.-, the States and the Federal Government, extending from time to time, as the public interests seemed to require, the judicial, revenue, and postal system of trie country. With, the advice and consent of the Senate, the necessary officers were appointed, and appropriations made t.v Congress for the payment of their salaries. The proposition to amend the Federal Constitution, so as to prevent the existence of slavery within the United States or any place subject to their juri-dic tion, was ratified by the requisite number of States; and on the 18th day of December, 1 it was officially declared to have become valid as a j art of the Constitution of the | United States. All of the States in which the in.-ui rectiou had existed promptly amended their constitutions so as to make them conform to the great change thus effected in the organic law of the land ; de clared null and void all ordinances and laws of secession ; repudiated all pretended debts and obligations created for the revo lutionary purposes of the insurrection: and proceeded in good faith, to the euactment, of measures for the protection and anieiior j atioti of the condition of the colorod race, j Congress, however, yet hesitated to admit any of these States to representation ; and ! it was not until the close of the eighth month of the session t hat an exception was made in favor of Tennessee, by the admis sion of her Senators and Representatives. 1 deem it a subject of profound regTet : that Congress has thus far failed to admit to seats loyal Senators and Representatives i'ioiu the other States, whose inhabitants, with those of Tennessee, had engaged in the rebellion. Ten States, mere than oue j fourth of the whole number, remain without representation : the seats of fifty members in the House of Representatives and of twenty members in the Senate are yet vacant—not by their own consent, not by a failure of election, but by the refu.-al of Congress to accept their credential.-. Their admission, it is believed, would have accom plished much toward the renewal and strengthening of our relations as one peo ple, and removed .-crious cause for di-con tent on the part, of the inhabitants of those States. It would have aeeotdcl with the great principle enunciated in the Declara- ] tion of American Independence, that 110 people ought to bear the burden of taxation and yet be denied the right of representa tion. It would have been in consonance with the express provisions of the Consti tutiou that "each State shall have at h ast one Representative, and that no State with out its consent, shall be deprived of its equal j suffrage in the Seriate. These provisions i were intended to secure to every State aud to the people of every State the right of repre sentation in each house of Congress ; and so important was it deemed by the framers of the Constitution that the equality of the States iu the Senate should be preserved that not even by an amendment to the Con stitution cin any State, without its consent, j be denied a voice in that branch of the Leg Wat inc. It is true, it has been assumed that the existence of the States was terminated by the rebellious acts of their inhabitant#, and that the insurrection having been suppressed \ they were thenceforward to be considered j merely a- conquered Territories. The legis- j lative, executive and judicial departments 1 of the Government have, however, wiijfcj great distinctness and uniform refused to sanction an assumption 0 incom patible with the nature of our republican system, and with the professed objects of tire war. Throughout the recent legislation of Congress the undeniable fact makes itself apparent that these ten political communi ties arc nothing lass than States of thus Un ion. At the very commencement of the rebellion each house declared, with a A LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWSPAPER, DEVOTED TO POLITICS, EDUCATIGN, IJTKRATURE AND MORALS. unanimity as remarkable as it was signifi cant. that the war was not "waged upon our j art in any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor purpose of overthrowing or interfeiißg with the rights or established institutions of those States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and all laws made in pursuance thereof, and to preserve the Union wi:• > the dignity, equality and rights of the several States unimpaired, and that a.- eon as these objects were "accomplished the war would cease.' In some instances Senators were permitted to continue their legislative functions, while in other instances Representatives were elected and admitted to seats after their States had lormaliy declared their right to withdraw from the Uuiou, and wcrcendeav oring to maintain that right by foroeof arms. AH of the States whose people were in inttirf'-rtfon. as States, were fnctadoff in the apportionment of the direct tax of twenty millions of dollars annually laid upon the United States b3" the act approved sth of August, 18G1. Congress, by the act of March 4, 180J, and by the apportionment of representation thereunder, also recogni zed their presence as States in the Union ; and they have for judicial purposes, been divided into districts, as States aloue can be divided. The same recognition appears in the recent legislation in reference to Tennes see, which evidently rests upon the fact that the functions of the State were not destroyed by the rebellion, but merely sus pended ; aud that principle, is of course, applicable to those States, which like Tennessee, attempted to renounce their places in the Union. The action of the executive department of the Government ujon this subject has been equally definite and uniform, and the purpose of the war was specially stated in the proclamation issued by my predecessor on the 22d day of September, 1862. It was then solemnly proclaimed and declared" that "hereafter, as heretofore, the war will be prosecuted for the object of practically restoring the constitutional relation between the I nited States and each of the States and the people thereof, in which States that relation is or mav be suspended or disturb ed." The recognition of the States Ly the •Judicial Department of the Government has also been clear and conclusive in all proceedings affecting them as States had in the Supreme. Circuit and District courts. In the admission of the Senators and Representatives from any and all of the States there can be no just ground of ap prehension that persons who arc disloyal will be clothed with the powers of Legisla tion, for this could not happen when the Constitution and the iaws are enforced by a vigilant and faithful Congress. Each house is made the ' judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members." When a Senator or Representative presents his certificate of election he may at once be admitted or rejected ; or, should there be any question as to his eligibility, his creden tials may be referred for investigation to the appropriate committee. If admitted to a to the house of wl'ich he" 1 tHus a member, that he po -crscs the requisite constitutional and legal qualifications If refused a imission as a member for want ot due allegiance to the Government, and returned to his constituents, they aie ad monished that none but persons loyal to the" I uited States will be allowed a voice in the legislative councils of the nation: thepo litical power and moral influence of Congress are thus effectively exerted in the interests of loyalty to the Government and fidelity to the t'nion. I pon this question so vitally affecting the restoration of the l r nion, and the permanency of our present form of government, my convictions heretofore expressed, have undergone no change ; but, on the contrary, their correctness has been confirmed by reflection and time. If the admission ot h ; ' i-i rs to scats in the respective hou.-esof Uongtess was wise and expedient a year ago, it is no less wise and expedient now. If this anomalous condition is right now —if. in the exact condition of these States at the present time, it is lawful to exclude them from representation. I do not see that the question wiil be changed by efflux of time. Ten years hence, if these States remain as they are, the right of rep resentation will be no stronger —the light of exclusion will be no weaker. The Con.-titution of the United Stales makes it the duty of the President to rec ommend to the consideration of Congress "such measures as he shall judge necessary or expedient." I know of no measure more imperatively demanded by every con sideration of national iuterest, sound policy, and equal justice, than the admission of loyal members from the now unrepresented States. This wouid consummate the work of restoration, and exeit a most salutary in tlueueo in the re-establishment ol peace, harmony and fraternal feeling. It would tend greatly to renew the confidence of the American people in the vigor and stability of their institutions. It would bind us more closely together as a nation, and enable us to show to the world the inherent and recuperative power of a Government found ed upon the will of the people, and estab lished upon the principles of liberty, justice and intelligence. Our increased strength aud inLau.-uJ prolhority would iriefragably demonstrate the laliacy of the arguments against free institutions drawn from our recent national disorders by the enemies of republican government. The admi.--ion of loyal members from the States now excluded from Congress, by afiayiug doubt and appre hen-ion, would turn capital, now awaiting an opportunity for investment, into the chaunels of trade aud industry. It would alleviate the present troubled condition of those States, and by inducing emigration aid in the settlement of fertile regions now uncultivated, aud lead to an increased pro duction of those staphs which have added so greatly to the wealth of" the nation and the commerce of the world. New fields of enterprise would be opened to our progres sive people, and soon ilie devastations of war would be repaired, and all traces of our domestic differences effaced from the mind of our countrymen. Iu our efforts to preserve "the unity of government which constitutes us one peo ple," ly restoring the States to.the condi tion which they held prior to the rebellion, we should be cautious lest, having rescued our nation from perils of threatened disin tegration, we resort to consolidation, and iu the end, absolute despotism, a.a re medy for the recurrence uf similar troubles. The war having terminated, aud with it all occasion fur the exert i.-e of powers f doubt ful constitutionality, we should hasten to bring legislation within the boundaries prescribed by tuc Constitution, and to return to the ancient landmarks established by our father* for Ibe guidance of succeed ing general ion.-. "The Constitution, which at any time exists until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upou all." "If in the opinion of the people, the di.-tribu tion or modification of the constitutional powers be, in any put t icular, wrong, let it BEDFORD. Pa.. FRIDAY. DECEMBER 14. 1860. be corrected by an a mendnient in the way in which the Constitution designates. But let thcie be no change by usurpation, for it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed." Washington spake these words to his countrymen, when followed by their lore and gratitude, he voluntarily retired from the cares of public life. "To keep in all things tflthin the pale of our constitutional powers, and cherish the Federal Union as the only rock of safety" were prescribed by Jefferson as rules of action to endear to his countrymen the true principles of their Constitution, and pro mote a union of sentiment and action equally auspicious to their happiness and safety. ' Jackson held the action of the General Government should always strict ly confined to the sphere of its appropriate duties, and justly and forcibly urged that our Government is not to be maintained nor our Union preserved ''by hfVasions of the rights and powers of the several States. In thus attempting to make our Genera! Gov ernment strong, wo make it weak. Its true strength consists in leaving individuals and States as much as possible to themselves ; in making itself felt; not in its power, but in its beneficence ; not in its control, but in its protection ; not in binding the States more closely to the centre, but leaving each to move unobstructed in its proper constitu tional orbit.' These are the teachings of men whose deeds and services have made them illustrious, and who, long sinee with drawn from the scenes of life, have left to their country the rich legacy of their exam ple, their wisdom and their patriotism. Drawing fresh inspiration from their les sons, let us emulate them in love of country and respect for the Constitution and laws. The report of the Secretary of the Treas ury afloras much information respecting the revenue and commerce of the country. His views upon the currency, and with reference to a proper adjustment of our revenue system internal as well as impost, are commended to the careful consideration of Congress. I n my last annual message I expressed my general views upon these subjects. I need now only call attention to the necessity of carrying into every department of the Gov ernment a system of" rigid accountability, thorough retrenchment, and wise economy, Y\ ith no exceptional nor'unusual expendi tures. the oppressive burdens of taxation can be lessened by such a modification of our revenue laws as will be consistent with the public faith and the legitimate and necessary want-of the Government. Th report presents a much more satisfac tory condition of our finances than one year ago the most sanguine could have anticipa ted. During the fiscal year ending the 30th June, 1 ?s">s, the last year of the war, the public debtr was increased $491,902,-537, and on the 31st of October, 1865, it amoun ted to $2,740,864,750. On the 31st day of October 1.866. it had been reduced to $2,551, 310,006, the diminution, during a period of fourteen months, commencing September 1, 1 '•< >, and ending October 31, 1866, having been $206, 379,565. In the last annual re port on the state of the finances it was esti mated that during the three-quarters of the 'i w 1 iT 1 '"" of June last the debt wouhl l>< iryiw,.. OX 'I4T I>U nngthat period, however, . ..... $31,196,387, the receipts ot the year having been $89,905,905 more, and theexpendi ture- s2>< '.529,235 less than the estimates. Nothing could more clearly indicate than * these statements the extent and availability, of the national resources, and the rapidity and safety with which, under our form of Government, great military and naval e.-tub lishments can be disbanded, and exjicnses reduced from a war to a peace footing. During the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1 806, the receipts were $558,032,620, and the expenditures #520,750,940, leaving an available surplus of s37,2*!.f>M>. I > j estimated that the receipts for the fiscal year | ending the bOth June, 1867, will Le #475, ; 061,380, and that the expenditures will i reach the sunt of $316,428, 078, leaving in the treasury a surplus of #158,038,308. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868. it is : estimated that the receipts will amount to I #436,(MX),000. and that the expenditures will be $350,247,641, showirg an excess of #85,752,359 in favor of tin Government. These estimated receipts maybe diminished, by a reduction of excise and* import duties; out after all necessary reductions shall have been made, the revenue of the present and of following years will doubtless be efficient to cover all legitimate charges upon the treasury and leave a large annual surplus to be opplied to the payment of the principal of the debt. There seems now to be no good reason why taxes may not be reduced as the country advances in population and wealth and yet the debt be extinguished in the next quarter of a century. The report of tbe Secretary of War fur nishes valuable and important information in reference to the operations of his depart ment during the past year. Few volunteers now remain in the service, and they arc be ing discharged is rapidly as they cau be re placed by regular troops. The army has been promptly paid, carefully provided with medical treatment, well sheltered and sub sisted. and is to t>e furnished with breech loading small arms. The military strength of the nation has been unimpaired by the discharge of volunteers, the disposition of unserviceable or perishable store.-, and tbe retrenchment of expenditure. Sufficient will miiitiiiil tv iii Lot any has been retained, and, from the disbanded vol unteers standing ready to respond to the national call, large armies can be rapidly or ganized, equipped, and concentrated. For tifications on the coast and frontier have re ceived, or are being prepared for more powerful armaments; lake surveys and har bor and river improvements are iu course ot energetic prosecution. Preparations have been made lor the payment of the addi tional bounties authorized during the recent session of Congress, under such regulations as will protect the government from fraud, and secure to the honorably-discharged so! dierthe well-earned reward of his faithful-' 1 ness and gallantry. .More than six thou sand maimed soldiers have received artificial limbs or other surgical apparatus; and forty one national cemeteries, containing the re-| mains of 104,526 soldiers, have already leen established. The totai estimate of military j appropriations is 25,205,669. it is stated in the report of the Secretary of the Navy that the naval force at this time consists of two hundred and seventy-eight i vessels armed with two thousand, three liuu dred and fifty-one gun -. Of these oneJiun dred aud fifteen vessels, carrying one I boa- J sand and twenty-nine guns, are iu oomuiis- ] sion, distributed chiefly among seven squad- i tons. The number ot men in the service is thirteen thousand six hundred. Great a- j tivity and vigilance have been displayed by all the squadrons, and their movements I have been judiciously aud efficiently arranged in such manner as would best promote Ante j riean com mere and protect the rights and { interests of our countrymen abroad. 'The vessels unemployed are undergoing repairs or are laid ui> until their services may be required. Most of the iron-clad fleet is at League Island, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, a place which, untii decisive action shall be taken by Congress, was selec ted by the Secretary of the Navy as the most eligible location for that e'asa of vessels. It is important that a suitable public station should be provided for the iron-clad fleet. It is iutended that these vesselsshall be in proper condition for any emergency, and it is desirable that the till accepting League Island for naval purposes, which passed the House of Representatives at its last session should receive final action at an early period, in order that there may be a suitable public station for this class of vessels, as well as a navy-yard of area sufficient for the wants of the service on the Delaware river. The naval pension fund amounts to $11,750,000, having been increased $2,750,000 during the year. The expenditures of the department for the fiscal year ending 30th June last were $43,324,526, and the estimates for the coming year amount to $23,568,4:16. At tention is invilcd_ to the condition of"our seamen, and the importance of legislative measures for their relief and improvemen . The suggestions in behalf of this deservin t g class of our fellow-citizens are earnestly recommended to the favorable attention of Congress. The report of the Postmaster General present a most satisfactory condition of the postal service, and submits recommenda tions which deserve the consideratioh of Congress. The revenues of the department for the year ending June 30, 1866. were sl4, 386,986. and the expenditures $15,352,079, showing an excess of the latter of $965,093* In anticipation of this deficiency, however, a special appropriation was made by Congress in the act approved July 28, 1866. Inclu ding the standing appropriation of *700,000 for free mail matter, as a legitimate portion of the revenues yet remaining unexpended, the actual deficiency for the past year is only $265,093 —a sum within $51,141 of the amount estimated in the annual report of 1864. The decrease of revenue, compared I with the previous year, was one and one fifth per cent,, and the increase of expenditures, owing principally to the enlargement of the mail service in the South, was twelve per cent. On the 30th of June last there were in operation six thousand nine hundred and thirty mail routes, with an aggregate length of one hundred and eighty thousand nix hun dred v.nd twenty-one miles, an aggregate an nual transportation of seventy cne million eight hundred and thirty-seven thousand niuc hundred and fourteen miles, and an ag gregate annual cost, including all expendi tures, of $8,410,184. The length Of radroad routes is thirty two thousand and ninety two miles, and the annual tran s portatation thirty million six hundred and nine thousand four hundred and sixty seven miles. The length of steamboat routes is fourteen thousand three hundred and forty six miles, and the annual transportation three millions four bundled and eleven thousand uine hundred and sixty two miles. The mail service is rapidly increasing throughout the whole country, and its steady extension in the Southern States indicates their constantly improving condition. The growing uipor- I taneeofthe foreign service also merits at tention. The J'ost Office Department of Great Britain and our own have agreed irj uu a jirelliDTtitirv Irtisls lorn postal conven w#fFiwrcimnentiy beneficial to the commercial interests of the I nited States iu as much as it contemplates a reduction of the international letter pos tage to one half the existing rates; a reduc tion of po.-tage with all other countries to and fiom which correspondence is trammit tcd in the Biitish mail, or in dosed mails through the I nited Kingdom; the establish ment of unilorm and reasonable charges for the sea and territorial transit of correspon dence in closed mails; and an allowance to each Post Office Department of the right to use all mail communications established un der the authority of the other for the des patch of correspondence, either in open or closed maiD, a the same terms as those ap- pi tea hie to the inhabitants of the country providing the means of transmission. 1 he report of the_ Secretary of the Interior exhibits the condition of those branches of the pubiic service which are committed to his supervision. During the last fiscal year four millions six hundred and twenty nine thousand three hundred and twelve acres of public land were disposed of, one million eight hvil*dr.'0 52. were added to the pension rolls. TLe entire number of pensioners, June 30, 1866, was one hundred and twenty six thousand seven hundred and twenty two. This act fur nishes melancholy and striking proof of the sacrifices made to viodicate the constitutional autbority of the Federal Government, and to maintain inviolate the integrity of the", Union. They impose upon us corresponding' obliga tions. It is estimated that thirty three mil lion dollars will be renuired to meet the exi gencies of this branch of the service during the next fiscal year. Treaties have Lcen concluded with the Indians who, enticed into armed opposition to our Government at the outbreak of the rebellion, have unconditionally submitted to our authority, and manifested an earnest desire for a renewal of friendly relations. During the year ending September 30, 1866, eight thousand seven hundred and sixteen patents for useful inventions and designs were issued, and at that data the balance in the treasury to the credit of the patent fund was two hundred and twenty eight thousandjtwo liuudred and ninetyscven dollars. As a subject upon which depends an im mense amount of the production and com merce of the country, I recommend to Congress such legislation as may be neces sary for the preservation of the levees of the Mississippi river. It is a matter of national importance that early steps should be taken, not only' to add to the efficiency of these barriers against destructive inundations, but for the removal of all obstructions to the free and sale navigation of that great chan nel of trade and commerce. The District of Columbia, under existing laws, is not entitled to that representation in the nationol councils which, from our earliest history, has been uniformly accorded to each Territory established from time to time uithin our limits. It maintains pecu liar relations to Congress, to whom the Con stitution lias granted the power of exercising exclusive legislation over the seat of Gov ernment. Our f'ellow-citizeos residing in the District, whose interests are thus confi ded to the special guardian-hip of Congress, exceed in number the population of several of our Territories, and no just reason is per ceived why a delagate of their choice should not be admitted to a seat in the House of Representatives. No mode seems so appro priate and effectual of enabling them to make known their peculiar condition and wants, and of securing the local legislation adapted to them. I therefore recommend the pa-.-age of a law authorizing the electors of the District of Columbia to choose a del agate to be allowed the same lights and privileges as a delegate representing a Ter ritory. The increasing enterprise and rapid progress of improvement in the District are highly gratifying, and I trust that the efforts of the municipal authorities to promote the prosperity of the national metropolis will receive the efficient and generous co-opera tion of CoDgress. The report of the Commissioner of Agri culture reviews the operations of his depart ment during the past year, and ad*.* tLc aid of Congress in its efforts to encourage those States which, scourged by war, arc now earnestly engaged in the reorganization of domestic industry. It is a subject of congratulation that no foreign combinations against our domestic peace and safety, or our legitimate influence S among the nations, have been formed or at tempted. bile sentiments of reconcilia tion. loyalty, aud patriotism have increased at home, a more just consideration of onr national character and rights has been mani fested by foreign nations. The entire success of the Atlantic tele graph, between the coa.-t of Ireland and the province of Newfoundland is an achievement which has been justly celebrated in both hemispheres as the opening of aa era in the progress of civilization. There is reason to expect that equal success will attend, and even greater results follow, the enterprise for connecting the two continents through the Pacific Ocean by the projected line of telegraph between KamscLatka and the Russian possessions in America. The resolution of Congress protesting against pardons by foreign governments of persons convicted of infamous offences, on condition of emigration to our country, has which we maintain intercourse, and the prac tice, so justly the subject of complaint on our part, has not been renewed. The congratulations of Congress to the Emperor of Russia upon his escape from attempted assasination, have been presented to that humane and enlightened ruler, and received by him with expressions of grate ful appreciation. The Executive, warned of an attempt by Spanish-American adventurers to induce the emigration offreedinen of the United States to a foreign country, protested against the project as one which, it consummated, would reduce them to a bondage even more op pressive than that from which they have just been relieved. Assurance has been re ceived from the government of the State in which the plan was matured that the pro ceeding will meet neither its encouragement nor approval. It is a question worthy ot your consideration whether our laws upon this subject are adequate to the prevention or punishment of the crime thus meditated. In the month of April last, as Congress is aware, a friendly arrangement was r. ade between the Emperor of l'ranon the failure to settle this question increased a daring the War in which Prussia, Italy. nnJJ| {COM l l'l>l'.l> ON Kit KTH PAQS.| iJ