y
5..'J 1 lB J . t... ! J.llLf.. ill' 'ii
-i .t ly.ll-1. H. J 'HJ'J.-.J.'.i 1 J i ! LJ -J J L 1 IL-'.A'. LJ-J-li.-LilJ.l'il'.t-U.UELl.ltllJJ.lUmil"!! 1 1 J Mi iJiFi!liili III Jl 1 J
. '? J-QiyMSETiilG, SATURDAY, DECEMBERS, 1866.
11
3PHB PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
imIllow-CitUcns tf the Mamie and House
hy JlcjtrcsciiUtttvct i
jrAi'Ti'.ii 11 brief Interval tin) Congress
.2pf tho Unltoil Stilton resumed Its minimi
legislative Inborn. An all-wlsoand inor
. clful Providence has abated the pestl
Xlliflcc which visited our shores, leaving
, . 1 ts calamitous traces upon some portions
. uf our country, Peace, order, tranquil
ity;, nnd civil mithorlty have been for
mally declared to exist throughout, the
wltblo of the United State. In all of
tlio States civil authority has supcrced
ttlHlic coercion of arms, and tho people,
, by their voluntary action, arc maintain
ring their governments in full activity
nnd complete operation. The enforce
ment of tho laws is no longer " obstruct-
edTn any State by combinations too pow
vcffiil to be suppressed by tho ordinary
course of Judicial proceeding ;" and the
animosities engendered by tho war are
,'rnpiiHy yielding to tho beneficent inllu
'enccs of our free Institutions, mid to the
Kindly effects of unrestricted nodal and
. commercial Intercourse. An entire res
toration of frhtotijal feeling must bo the
earnest wish of cvevy patriotic heart;
iumI wo will have accomplished our.
.'grandest national achievement when,
lforgetting the sad events of the past,
and remembering only their instructive
flcdsona, wo resume our onward career
uaa free, prosperous, and united people.
TUB HOUTilEUN STATES.
w&In my message of tho fourth of De
eniber, 1805, Congress was informed of
Tlic measures which had been instituted
iby lite Executive with a view to the
'gradual restoration of the States in
jAVhleh tiie insurrection occurred to their
relations with the Ueneral Government,
provisional Governors liad been appoint
Td, conventions called, Governors elect
ed, Legislatures assembled, and Senators
and Representatives chosen to tho Con-
grcss of tlio United States. Courts had
vbecn opened for the enforcement of laws
llong In abeyance. The blockade had
sheen removed, custom-houses rc-cstab-
llishcd, nnd tho internal revenue laws
;tput in force, in order that tho people
(Might contribute to tho national income.
-Postal operations had been renewed,
'".nnd efforts were being made to restore
Ith'em to their former condition of ofli-
' jciency. The States themselves laid been
Tasked to take part in the high function
'ofiunending tho Constitution, and thus
sanctioning the extinction of African
isliivery as one of tho legitimate results
of our internecine struggle.
Ml la vine- progressed thus far, tho Exec
ytivo Department found that it had ac
complished nearly all that was within
th"o seopo of ltd constitutional authority.
One thing, however, yet remained to be
dime before tho work of restoration
'cb'uld be completed, and that was tho
admission to Congress of loyal Senators
and Representatives from the .States
whoso people had rebelled against tho
lawful authority of tho General Govern
jjuciu. xiuft 4UC0UUU uuvun uu upu
or L III . . l...tf.l.....l
,,'tho respective Houses, which, by tho
4CoHstitution, tiro made the judges of
,tho elections, returns, and qualifications
of their own members ; and its consid
eration at once engaged the attention of
Congress.
t'lu the meantime tho Executive Dc
p'artment no other plan having been
proposed by Congress continued Its ef
forts to purfect, as far as was practicable,
the restoration of tho proper relations
Iwjtween tho citizens of tho respective
States, tho States, and tho Federal GOV'
,-iernment, extending, from time to time,
'as the public interests seemed to require,
tho judicial, revenue, and postal sys
tems of the country. With tho advico
'and consent of theSenate, the necessary
. officers wore appointed, and appropria
tions nmdu by Congress for the payment
of their salaries. Tho proposition to
amend tho Federal Constitution so as to
. prevent the existenco of slavery within
stho United States, or any place subject
' to their jurisdiction, was ratilied by the
.requisite number of States; and on tho
eighteenth day of December, 1805, it
, was otllcialiy declared to have becomo
valid im a part of the Constitution of tho
United States. Allof thoStatesln which
- file insurrection hnd existed promptly
amended their constitutions so as to
mako them conform to tho great change
fluirf effected in tho organic law of tho
land ; declared null and void all ordi
nances and laws of secession; repudiated
'all pretended debts and obi Igatlonscreat
edifor tho revolutionary purpose of the
.Insurrection; and proceeded In good faith
louioeiiaciiiieiii ui miMaim-a wi iiiu jnir
ecTluu mid amelioration of tho condi
tion of tho colored race. Congress, how
ever, yet hesitated to admit any of thes
States to representation ; and it was not
until toward tho closo of the eighth
inouth of tho session that nn exception
..Wwiis mado in favor of Tennessee, by tho
admlssIon of her Senators and Kopresen
tatlves.
NON'-AIMIS3lOX OK I.OVAh JUIIMU-SUN
TATIVJ3.
1 deem It as a subject of profound re
gret that Congress has thus far failed I
fadinlt to seats loyal Senators and Ilei
fresentatlves from thootherStates.who'-e
JinhabUants, with thoso of Tennessee,
"had engaged In tho Rebellion. Ten
States more than ono fourth of tne
'yiiolo number remain without ropre
sentatlou ; tho seats of fifty members i
tho IIoiiso of Representatives, and o
twenty members in tho Senate, are ye
acant not by their own con'-ent, not
by a failure- oreloctlon, but by tho rofus
ul of Congress to accopt their credential
Their admisjion, it Is believed, woul
uvo aecomplblivd much towaul tho re
uewnlniid strengthening of our relations
as 0110 peoplo, and removing serious
cause for discontent on the part of the
Inhabitants of thoso States. It would
have accorded With tho great principle
cnunektod in the Declaration of Amer
ican Independence, that no peoplo ought
to bear the burden of taxation, nnd yet
bo denied tho right of representation.
It would have been In consonance with
the express provisions of the Constitu
tion, that " each Stntoshall have at least
ono Representative," nnd that " no
State, without its consent, shall be de
prived of its equal sulTrage In tlicJSou
ate." These provisions were intended
to secure to every State, and to the peo
ple of every Htate,the right of rcprcseutn;
tion in each House of Congress; and so
important was it deemed by the frnttfVrs
of tho Constitution that the equality of
tho States In the Senate should be pre
served, that not evemby nn amendment
of the Constitution can any State, with
out Its consent, be denied a volco In that
branch of the XatlonaMiCgislature.
HTATE3 AltlANOT COXO.UE11EI) Tll'llKl
TOIllES. , .
It Is true, it has been assumed that the
existence of tho States was terminated
by 'the rebellious acts of their luhubl
'twits, and .that the Insurrection having
been suppressed, they were thencefor
ward to bo considered merely nsconquer-
edTcrrltorles. TliolegisIatlve,cxecutlve,
ant! Judicial departments of the Govern
ment have, however, with great dis
tinctness and uniform consistency, re-
i.ed to sanction an assumption .-o in
compatible with tho nature, of our re
publican system, and wijh the professed
Djecisoi 1110 war. xnrougiioui mo re
cent legislation of Congress, tho mule-
able fact makes itself apparent that
these ten political communities are noth-
loss than States of this Union. At
e,
.ery eonimencenient of thu Rebel-
liinTcach i louse declared, with a iinan-
mlty as rcmarKnblc as It was slgnlll-
cant, tliat tho war was not " waged upon
our part in a spirit of oppression, nor
for any purpose of conquest or subjuga-
on, nor forany purposeof overthrowing
or interfering with the rights orestablisli
ed institutions of those States, but to de
fend andjnalntaln the supremacy of tho
Coustititutlon and nil laws made in pur
suance thereof, nnd to preserve the Union
lthall the dignity, equality, and rights
of the several States unimpaired ; and
that as soon ns those objects" were "ac
complished tho war ought to cease." In
some instances Senntors were permitted
to continue their legislative functions,
bile in other instances Representa
tives wcro elected and admitted to
seats after their States had formally do
ired their right to withdraw from tho
Union, and were endeavoring to inaiu-
taiu that right by forco of arms. All
f the States whoso peoplo wero In In
surrcction, as States, wero included in
10 apportionment of the direct tax of
twenty millions of dollars annually laid
upon tho United Sates by tho act approv
ed August fifth, 1801. Congress, by the
act of March fourth, 18G2, and by tho tip
ortioumcnt of representation therciiU'
der, also recognized their presence as
States in the Union ; and they have, for
judicial purpo.-es, been divided Into dis
tricts, as States alone can be divided
The same recognition appears In tho re-
cent legislation in reference to Tennessee,
hich evidently rests upon tho fact that
tho functions of tho State were not de-
strovedby the Rebellion, but merely sus
ponded ; and that principle is, of cour.-e,
applicable to those States which, like
Tennessee, attempted to renounco their
places In tho Union.
Tho action of tho Kxecutivo Depart
mcnt of tho Government upon this sub
ject has been equally deflnlto and uni
form, and the purpose of tho war was
specifically stated in the proclamation
ssued by my predecessor on the twenty
second day of September, 1802. It was
then solemnly proclaimed and declared
that " hereafter, as heretofore, tho war
will bo prosecuted for the object of prac
tically restoring tho constitutional re.
ation between tho United States and
each of tho States and tho people there
of, In which States that relation is o
may bo suspended or disturbed."
Tho recognition of thu States by tho
Judicial Department of tho Govern
mcnt has also been clear and conclusive
all proceedings affecting them as
states, had in tho Supremo, Circuit
nnd District Courts.
NO DAXGKIl IN ADMITTING! IlIU'Ili:
HKNTATI VP.S.
In tho admission of Senators and
Representatives from any und all of tho
States, thero can be no Just ground of np.
prehension that persons who are disloy
al will be clothed with tho powers of
legislation; for this could not happen
when the Constitution and tho laws are
enforced by a vigilant and faithful Con
gres. Each Houso Is mado tho "judge
of tho elections, returns, and qualifica
tions of Its own members," and may,
with tho coucurroneo of two thirds,
expel a membor." When a Senator
or Representative pre.-ents his certifi
cate of election, ho may at once be
adml.ted or jejected ; or, should thero
bo any question as to his eligibility, his
credentials may bo referred for Investi
gation to theapproprlate committee. If
admitted to a seat, It must bo upon ovl-
denco satisfactory to tho Houso of
which ho thus becomes a member, that
ho possesses tho requisite constitutional
and legal qualifications. II refused ad
mission as a member for want of due
allcglanco to tho Government, and re
turned to his constituents, thoy nro nil
mouUhed that none but parsons loyal
to tho United States will be allowed a
oiceln tho LcgUlaUvo Councils of the
nation, anil tho political power and
moral Influence of Congress are thus
effectively exerted In tho Interests of
loyalty to his Government and fidelity
to the Union. Upon this question, so
vitally r.ffeotlng tho restoration of the
Union and the permanency of our
present form of government, my con
victions, heretofore expressed, have
undergone no change; but, on the con
trary, their correctness luw been con
firmed by rellcctlon nnd time. If tho
admission of loyal members to seata In
thoirespectivo Houses of Congress was
wise and expedient a year, ago, It Is no
less wlsn nnd exnedielit nou!S If this
anomalous condltlou'ls"right,now If, In
tho exact condition of thcseStntes at tho
present time, Itl Is lawful to exclude
them from representation, I do not seo
that the question wlllTbc changed bydho
ellluoc of time. Ten years hence, If 4
these Stntcs remain as theyVaro, tho
right of ropreseiitat'ion will bonostrong-
cr-ithe right of exclusion will bo no
weaker. '
HIT HITS ni" fsUCJ.r AllMISSIO.V.
Tho Constitution of tho United States
makes it thejduty or the President to
recommend to tho consideration of Con
gress "such m'easurosjis he shall Judge
necessary or expedient." I know of no
measure more" imperatively demanded
byo"ory consideration of national in
teresj? sound policy, and equal Justice,
than the admission of loyal members
from the now unrepresented Slates. This
would consummate tho work of restora
tion, and exert a most salutary lutlucucc
In the re-establishment of peace, har
mony, nnd fraternal feeling. It would
tend greatly to renew the confidence of
the American peoplo in tho vigor and
stability of their Institutions. It would
bind us more closely together as a na
tion, and cnablo us to show to the
world tho Inherent and recuperative
powcrof a government founded upon
tho will of tho people, anil established
upon tho principals of liberty, justice,
and Intelligence. Our increased strength
and enhanced prosperity would irre-
fragably demonstrate tho filllaey of
the arguments against free institu
tions drawn from our recent nation
al disorders by tiio enemies of re
publican government. Tho admission
now excluded from Congre.-s, by allay
ing doubt and apprehension, would turn
capital, now awaiting an opportunity
for investment, into tho channels of
trade and industry. It would alleviate
the present troubled condition of thoe
States, and, by inducing emigration,
lid In the settlement of fertile regions
iv uncultivated, and lead to an in
creased production of those staples
which havo added so greatly to the
wealth of the nation nnd the commerce
of tho world. New fields of enterprise
would bo opened to our progressive peo
ple, nnd soon tho devastations of war
would be repaired, and all traces of our
domestic (inferences effaced from the
minds of our countrymen.
CONSOLIDATION' TO 111". AVOIDED.
In our efi'orts'to prcservo " the unity of
Government" which constitutes us one
people," by restoring the States to the
condition which they held prior to the
Rebellion, we should bo cautious, lest,
having rescued our nation from perils
of threatened disintegration, wo resort
to consolidation, nnd in the end absolute
despotism, as a remedy for the recur.
rence of similar troubles. The war hav
ing terminated, and with it all occasion
for tho exercise of powers of doubtful
constitutionality, we should hasten to
bring legislation within tho boundaries
prescribed by the Constitution, and to
return to tho ancient landmarks estab
lished by our fathers for tho guidance
of succeeding generations. "The Con
stitutioiv which at any time exists, until
changed by an explicit and authentic.
act of the whole people, is sacredly ob
ligatory upon all." " If, in the opinion
of iho people, the distribution or modi
flcation of tho constitutional powers be,
in any particular, wrong, let it be cor
rected by nn amendment in the way in
which the Constitution designates. Rut
lettherobenochango by usurpation ; for
it is the customary weapon by which free
governments nro destroyed." Wash
ington spoko these words to his coun
trymen when, followed by their love
and gratitude, ho voluntarily retlied
from the cares of public life. " To keep
in all things within tho palo of our con
stitutional powers, and cherish the Fed
eral Union as tho only rock of safety,"
wero prescribed by Jefferson as rules of
action to endear to his " countrymen the
truo principles of their Constitution
them illustrious, and who, long since
withdrawn from tho scenes of life, havo
left to their country tho rich legacy of
their example, their wisdom, nnd their
patriotism. Drawing fresh Inspiration
frum their lemons, let us emulate them
1 iHHHH
in love of country and respect for the
Constitution nnd tho laws.
omi I'lNANCrcs.
Tho report of tho Secretary of the
Treasury affords much Information re
specting tho revenue and commerco of
tho country. His views upon tho cur
rency, and with reference to a proper
adjustment of our revenue fystem,
internal as well as Impost, nro com
mended to tho careful consideration
of Congress. In my last Annual Mcs
Ntgo I expressed my general views upon
these subjects. I need now only call at
tention to tho necessity of carrying Into
every Department of tho Government a
system of rigid accountability, thorough
retrenchment, and wise economy. With
no exceptional norunusual expenditures,
tho. oppressive burdens of taxation can
bo lessened by such a modification of
our revenue laws as Will bo consistent
with tho public faith, and thu legitimate
and necessary wants of the Government.
The report presents a much more sat
isfactory condition of our finances than
one year ago tho most sanguine could
havo anticipated. During the fiscal
year ending tho thirtieth of June, 1S(W,
the last year of the war, the public debt
was increased $011,1)02,5:17, and on the
thirty-first of October, 1S05, it amounted
to S2,710,S.I,7C0. On tho thirty-first
day of October, 1800, It had been re
duced to $2,o5l,!)10,000, tho diminution
during a period of fourteen months,
commencing September first, 1805, and
ending October thirty-first, 1800, having
been S2n(!,!J7!),5G5. In the last annual
report on the state of the finances, It
was estimated that during tho three
quarters of tho fiscal year ending tho
thirtieth of Juno last, the debt would
l)e increased $112,t!il,!)l7. During that
period, however, It was reduced <,l!)0,
!N7, the receipts of the year having been
!?1)ti,!M)3,!Mi5 inure, and the expenditures
J20il,ri2l),2:. less than tho estimates
.Nothing could more clearly indicate
than these statements thu extent and
availability of tho national resources,
mil the rapidity and safety with which,
under our form of government, great
military and naval establishments can
lio disbanded, and expenses reduced
from a war to a peace footing.
During tho fiscal year ending tliothi
tieth of June, 1800, the receipts were
S0.i8.032.020. and tho oxiienditures !?320.-
(i,i)IO, leaving an available surplus of
17,291, 080. It is estimated that tiio re
ceipts for the fi-cal year ending the thir
tieth June, 1807, will bo$17",001,!!S0,nnd
that tho expenditures will reach the
sum of $.'110,128,078, leaving intheTreas
ury a surplus of loS,i;:l:l1:S0S. For the
fiscal year ending Juno thirtieth, 1S0S,
it is estimated that tho receip'ts will
amount to $1:10,000,000, and that tho ex
penditures will be $:!")0,217,0 It showing
an excess of $S.-,722,:V!) in favor of the
Government. These estimated receipts
may bo dlmiuNIied by a reduction of
excise and import duties ; but after all
necessary reductions shall havo been
made, the revenue of the present and
of following years will doubtless be suf
ficient to cover ail legitimate charge:
upon the Treasury, and leavo a largo
annual surplus to bo applied to the pay
ment of tho principal of tho debt.
There seems now to bo no good reason
why taxes may not lie reduced as the
country advances In population and
wealth, and yet tliedebt lie extinguished
within the next quarter of a century
oun AK.MV.
The report of the Secretary of War
furnishes valuable and Important infor
mation in reference to the operations of
ids Department during the past year
Few volunteers n6w remain in theser
vice, and they are being discharged as
rapidly as they can bo replaced by regu
lar troops. Thu army lias been prompt
ly paid, carefully provided with modi
cal treatment, well sheltered and sub
sisted, and Is to bo furnished with breech
loading small -arms. Tho military
strength of the nation has been unim
paired by tho discharge of volunteers,
tho disposition of unserviceable or per
ishable stores, and tho retrenchment of
expenditure. Sulllcient war material
to meet any emergency has been re
tained, and, from the disbanded volun
teers stauding ready to respond to the
national call, largo armies can be rapidly
organized, equipped, and concentrated.
Fortifications on the coast and frontier
have received, or are being prepared for
nioro powerful armaments; lake sur
veys and harbor and river improve
ments are in course of energetic prose-
cutIon. Preparations havo been made
the payment oi tuetuuiitional Doiui-
s authorized during too recent ses-
lon of Congress, under such regulations
will protect the Government from
and, and secure to tho honorably-dls-
irged soldier the well-earned reward
his faithfulness and gallantry. More
in six thousand maimed soldiers havo
reived artificial limbs or other stirgi-
apparatus; and forty-ouo national
metcrios, containing the remains of
10 liuuureu aim lour tiiousauu live
indred and twenty-six Union soldier.-
ivo already neeii csinniMiou. Tno
al estimate of military appropriations
$2r120.i,000.
nut NAVY.
It Is stated In tho report of tho Secro
ry of the Navy that tho naval forco
tills time consists of 278 vessels, armed
ith-,T'l guns. Of these ll't vessels.
irrvlng 1,020 guns, nro in commission,
distributed chiefly among seven squad
rons. Tho number of men in tho ser
vlco is 10,000. Great activity anil vlgl
lanco havo been displayed by all tho
squadrons, and their movements havo
bcenjudlciotisly and ellklently arranged
In such manner iw would-best promoto
.vmorienn commerce, nnd nrotcct thn
rights and Interests of our countrymen
nbroad. Tho vessels unemployed aro
undergoing repairs, or aro laid" up un
til their services may bo required. Most
of tho iron-clad fleet Is at League Island
In the vicinity of Philadelphia, a place
which, until decisive action should bo
taken by Congress, was selected by tho
Secretary of the Navy as the most cllg
iblo location for that class of vessels. It
Is important that asultablopubllcslatlon
should bo provided for tho Iron-clad fleet.
It Is intended that these vessels shall bo
In proper condition forany emergency,
nnd it Is desirable that the bill accep't
lng League Island for nnval purposes,
wmcii passed tho House of Representa
tives nt its last session, should receive
final action at an early period, In order
that thero may be a suitable public
station for this class of vessels, as well
as a navy-yard of area sulllcient for the
wants of the service, on tho Dolnwaro
River. The Naval Pension fuiidaniounts
to $11,7.30,000, having been Increased
S!2.7o().(H)l) llm-ftur f lio vmip. Tim nvrmn.
dlturcs or tho Department for tho fiscal
year ending thirtieth Juno last were
$1:1,321,520, and tho estimates for the
coming yearaniount to $2:3,508,130. At
tention Is Invited to tho condition of
our seamen, and tho importance of legis
lative measures for their relief and Im
provement. The suggestions in behalf
of tills deserving class of our fellow-citizens
aro earnestly recommended to tho
favorable attention of Congress.
l'OST-OlTICE.
The report of the Postmaster-General
presents a most satisfactory condition
of tiie postal service, and submits recom
mendations which deserve theconsider-
ntlon or Congress. Tho revenues of
tho Department for the year cndlnir
June thirtieth, 1S0O, wero $M,:)S0,nS0,
and the expenditures $15,352,07!), show
ing nn excess of the latter of $005,000.
In anticipation of tho deficiency, how
ever, a special appropriation was mado
by Congress in tho act approved July
twenty-eighth, 1800. Including tho
standlngnpproprlution of $700,000 forfroo
mall matter, as a legitimate portion of
the revenues yet remaining unexpend
ed, the actual deficiency for the past
year is only $205,000 a sum within
$51,111 of the amount estimated in the
annual report of ISO I. The decrease of
revenue, compared with the previous
year, was ono and ono fifth per cent.,
and the increase of expenditure.', ow
ing principally to tho enlargement or
tho mail service in the South, was
twelve per cent. On tho thirtieth of
of Juno last thero wero in operation six
thousand nine hundred and thirty mail
routes, witli an aggregate length of ono
hundred and eighty thousand nine
hundred and twenty-one miles, and ag
gregateannual transportation of seventy
one million eight hundred and thirty
seven thousand nine hundred and four
teen miles, and an aggregate annual co-t,
including all expenditures, of $8, 110,181.
The length or railroad routes is thirty
two thousand and ninety-two miles, and
the annual transportation thirty million
six hundred and nine thousand four
hundred and sixty-seven miles. Tiie
length of steamboat routes is fourteen
thousand three hundred and forty-six
miles, und the annual transportation
three million four hundred and eleven
thousand nine hundred and sixty-two
miles. The mail service is rapidly in
creasing throughout tho whole country,
and Its steady extension In IheSouthern
States indicates their constantly im
proving condition. Tho growing im
portance of the foreign service also
merits attention. The Post-Oilico De
partment of Great Rritniu and our own
have agreed upon a preliminary basis
for a new postal convention, which it is
believed will provoeniinently beneficial
to the commercial interests or tho Unit
ed States, inasmuch as it contemplates a
eduction or tho international letter pos
tage to one half the existing rates ; a re
duction of postage with all other coun
tries to nnd from which correspondence
is transmitted lu the llrltish mail, or In
closed malls through the United King
dom ; the establishment of uniform and
reasonable charges for the sea and terri
torial transit or correspondence in clos
ed mails; and an allowaueo to each
Post-Office Department or tho right to
uso all mall communications establish
ed under the authority or the other for
tho dispatch or correspondence, either
in open or closed malls, on tho same
terms ns those applicable to thu Inhabit
ants or tlio country providing tho means
of transmission.
rt'llMC LANDS INDIAN A1TA111S.
The report of tho Secretary or tho In
terior exhibits the condition of those
branches of the public service which
nro committed to hlssiipervlslon. Dur
ing tlio last fiscal year 1,020,012 acres of
public land wero disposed of, l,8!)2,ol0
acres of which wero entered under tho
homestead act. Tho policy originally
adopted relative to tho public lands has
undcrgono essential modification. Im
mediate revenue, and not their rapid
settlement, was tlio cardinal feature of
our land system. Long experience and
oarne.-;t discussion havo resulted In tho
conviction that tlio early development
of our agricultural resources, and the
diffusion of uu energetic population over
our vast territory, aro objects of far
greater importance to tlio national
growth and prosperity than tlio proceeds
of tiie salo of the laud to tho highest
bidder in open market. Tho pre-emption
laws confer ujjon tho pioneer who
compiles with the terms thoy Impose,
tho prlvllego of purchasing a limited
portion of " unolfercd laud" at thu min
imum price. Tho homestead enactments
rellovo tho settlor from tho pnymont of
purchase monoy, nnd socuro hi in a per
manent home, upon the condition of res
idence for a term of years. This liberal
policy Invites emigration from tho Old,
nnd the more crowded portion of tho
ev World. Its propitious results nro
undoubted, nnd will bo more signally
manifested when time shall havo glvon
to It a wider development,
llAIt.UOAD flllANTS.
Congress has mado liberal grants of
public lands to corporations, In aid of tho
construction of railroads and other In
ternal Improvements. Should this pol- j
icy hereafter provall, more stringent I
provisions will bo required to secure a
faithful application of the fund. Tho
title to the lauds should not pass, by pat
ent or otherwise, but remain In tho Gov
ernment and subject to Its control until
some portionorthoroad has been actually
built. Portions or them might, then,
from time to time, be conveyed to the
corporation, but never lu greater ratio to
the whole quantity embraced by the
grant than tho completed parts bear to
tho entlru length of the projected im
provement. This restriction would not
operate to the prejudice of any under
taking conceived In good faith and exe
cuted w'lth reasonable energy, as It Is tho
settled praeticcto withdraw from market
the lands falling within tho operation of
such grants, and thus to exclude tiie in
ception of a subsequent ad verse right. A
breach or tho conditions which Congress
may deem properto Impose should work
n forfeiture of claim to the lauds so with
drawn but unconveyed, and of title to
tho lands conveyed which remain un
sold. Operations on tho several lines of the
Pacific Railroad havo been prosecuted
with unexampled vigor nnd success.
Should no unforseen causes of delay
occur, It Is confidently anticipated that
this great thoroughfare will bocompletd
before tho expiration of the period des
ignated by Congress.
PENSIONS.
During (lie last fiscal year the amount
paid to pensioners, including tho ex
pensesor disbursement, was$i:),150,00(i
and 50,17? names wero added to tho pen
sion rolls. Tlio entire number or pen
sioners, Juno thirtieth, 1800, was 120,722.
This fact furnishes melancholy nnd strik
ing proof of tho sacrifices mado to vin
dicate the constitutional authority of
tlio Federal Government, and to main
tain inviolate the Integrity or tlio Union,
They Impose upon us corresponding ob
ligations. It Is estimated that thirty
threo million dollars will bo required to
meet the exigencies of this branch of the
service during tlio next fiscal year.
Tit EAT IKS WITH THE INDIANS.
Treaties havo boon concluded with
tlu Indians, who, enticed into armed
opposition to our Government at tho
outbreak or the Rebellion, havo uncon
ditionally submitted to our authority,
and manifested an earnest desire for a
renewal of friendly relations.
THE PATENT OITIUE.
During tho year ending September
thirtieth, 1800, eight thousand seven
hundred and sixteen patents for useful
Inventions and designs wero issued, and
at that date tho balance in thu Treasury
to the credit of tho patent fund was two
hundred and twenty-eight thousand
two hundred and ninety-seven dollars.
THE .MISSISSIPPI I.EVEES.
As a subject upon which depends an
immense amount of production and
commerce of the country, I recommend
to Congress such legislation as may bu
necessary for tlio preservation or tlio
levees or tlio Mississippi River. It is a
matterof national importance that early
steps should be laken not only to add to
the efficiency of the barriers against de
structive inundations, but for tho re
moval or all obstructions to the free and
safu navigation of that great channel
of trade and commerce.
DlSTltlOT flK COr.U.MlUA.
Tho District of Columbia, under ex
isting laws, is not entitled to that rep
resentation in tlio National Councils
which, from our earliest history, has
been uniformly accorded to each Terri
tory established from time to time with
in our limits. It maintains peculiar re
lations to Congress, to whom tho Con
stitution has granted tlio power of exor
cising oxclusivo legislation over tho seat
of Government. Our fellow-citizens re
siding in tho District, whoso interests
are thus confided to tlio special guar
dianship of Congress, exceed In number
the population of several of our Terri
tories, and nojiist reason Is perceived
why a delegate to their ciioicu should
not bu admitted to a seat in tho House
or Representatives, No mode seems so
appropriate and effectual of enabling
them to mnko known their peculiar
condition and wants, and of securing
tho local legislation adapted to them
I therefore recommend thu pasago of a
law authorizing tlio electors or the Dis
trict of Columbia to chnoso a delegate,
to be allowed the samo rights and priv
ileges ns a delegate representing a Ter
ritory. Tho Increasing enterprise nnd
rapid progress and Improvement in the
District aro highly gratifying, and I
tru.-t that tho efforts of tho municipal
authorities to promote tlio prosperity of
tho National Metropolis will receive tho
efficient and generous co-operation of
Congress.
AUIiH'U.TUItK.
Tlio report of tlio Commissioner of
Agriculture reviews the. operations of
his Department during the past ycur,
anil asks thu aid of Cougnvs in Its efforts
to encourage thoso status which, swurg
cd by war, nr now earnestly ongnged
in thu reorganization of domestic In
dustry.
oun roiiKioN affairs.
It is n subject of congratulation that
no foreign combinations against our do
mestic peace and safety, or our legiti
mate Influence among the nations, havo
been formed or attempted. While sen
timents of reconciliation, loyalty, and
patriotism havo Increased nt homo, a
more Just consideration of our national
character und rights has been innulfcstcd
by foreign nations.
THE ATLANTIC TIIIEOKAPH.
Tho entire success or tho Atlantic Tel
egraph between tho coasts or Ireland
and tho Province of Newfoundland is
an achievement which has boon Justly
celebrated lu both hemispheres ns tho
opening of nn era in tho progress of civ
ilization. Thero is reason to expect that
equal success will nttend, and even great
er results follow, the enterprise for con
necting the two continents through tho
Pacific Ocean by tho projected line of
tclegruph between Kamschatka und tho
Russian Possessions in America.
EMI'JIIATION OK KOKEIGN CONVICTS.
Tho resolution of Congress protesting
against pardons by foreign Govern
ments or persons convicted of infamuu.4
oirences, on condition of emigration to
our country, hits been communicated to
the States with which wo maintain in
tercourse, and thu practice, so justly tho
subject or complalui M our part, has
not been renewed.
RUSSIA.
Tho congratulations of Congress to
tho Emperor of Russia, upon his escape
from attempted assassination, havo been
presented to that humane and enlight
ened rulers, and received by him with
expressions of grateful appreciation.
EMIOUATIO.V or I'ltr.EDMEN.
Thu Executive, warned of nn nttompt
by Spam 'l-American adventurers to in
duce the emigration of frccdmcn of tho
United States to a foreign country, pro-
tested against thu project ns one which,
if consummated, would reduco them to
a bondage even more oppress! vo than
that from which they have just been re
lieved. Assurance has been received
rrom tho government or tho State In
which tho plan was matured, that tho
proceeding will meet neither its encour
agement nor approval. It is a questlou
worthy of your consideration, whether
our laws upon thl'j subject are ndequato
to tho prevention or punishment of tho
crime thus meditated.
l'UANCE IN MEXICO DELAY IN Till!
DEPARTURE OP THE FIIENCU TllOOPS.
In tho mouth of April last, as Con
gress Is aware, a friendly arrangement
was mado between tho Emperor of
France and tho President of the United
States for tho withdrawal from Mexico
of tho French expeditionary forces.
This withdrawn! was to bo effect
ed in three detachments, the first or
which, it was understood, would leavo
Moxico in November, now past, tho
second in March next, nnd tho third nnd
last in November, 1807. Immediately
upon the completion or tho evacuation,
the French Government was to assmno
the same attitude or non-intervention,
u regard to Mexico, as is held by tho
Government or tho United States. Re
peated assurances have been given by
tho Emporor, since that agreement, that
bu would complete the promised evacu
ation within tlio period mentioned, or
ooner.
It was reasonably oxpected that tho
proceedings thus contemplated would
produce a crisis or great political interest
n tho Republic of Mexico. Tho newly-
appointed minister of the United States,
Mr. Campbell, was thereforo ent for
wards tho ninth day of November last)
to assume bis proper functions as Minis
ter Plenipotentiary of tho United States
to that Republic. It was also thought
expedient that ho should be attended in
tho vicinity of Mexico by tho Lieulcn-
tiut-Gcncral of tho Army of tho United
States, with the view of obtaining such
information as might be important to
determine tho courso to be pursued by
the United States in re-establishing and
maintaining necessary and proper in
tercourse with the Republic or Mexico.
Deeply interested in tlio cause or liberty
and humanity, it seemed nn obvious
duty on our part to exercise whatever
intlucnco wo possessed for the restora
tion and permanent establishment in
that country ol a domestic nnd republi
can form or government.
Such was tho condition ofnffalrsin re
gard to Mox leo , wh en , on t ho t wen f y-sec-mill
of November last, olllcial informa
tion was received from Paris that tho
Emperor of Franco had some tlmo before
decided not to withdrawn detitchmentof
his forces in the month of November past
according to engagement, but that this
decision was mado with tho purposo of
withdrawing tho whole of thoso forces
In tho ensuing Spring. Of this dotenni
natloir, however, tho United States had
not received any notice or intimation ;
and, so soon as tho Information was re
ceived by tlio Government, caro was
taken to mako known its dissent to the
Emperor of France.
I cannot forego the hope that Franco
will reconsider tho subject, and adopt
some resolution In regard to tho evacu
ation of Moxico which will conforin'as
nearly as practicable with tlio existing
engagement, and thus meet the just ex
pectations of the United States. Tho
papers relating to the subject will ba
laid before you. It Is believed that,
with tho evacuation of Mexico by tho
expeditionary force?, no subject for seri
ous differences between Franco and tho
! Unit oil States would remain. Thecv