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PRINCIPLES, not MEN.
TERMS-SU 23 per Annum. ifpaidinadver.ee
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THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Senate and Haute of
FfHo'v-cititrnt of the
Iifnrcst'ntutive.i :
In the midst of unprecedented political
troubles, we Lave cause or grunt gratitude
toGotl for unusual good heulth urid uiott
abundant hai vests.
Vou w ill not bo surprised to learn, that
in tlio peculiar exigencies of the times,
our intercourse with foreign nations has
been attended with profound lolicitin'e,
chiefly turning upon our own domestic
.n-Vir. A i ix nvu portion OI tne Aiuiri-,
,.n nnnnU hn'O. durilll! the whole year.
fcsen engaged in an attempt, to divide and
dastroy tlio Union.
A nation which endure factious do
ijipstic division is exposed to disrespect
abroad , and one party, if not both, is auro
sooner of later, to invoke foreign inter,
volition. Nations thus tempted to inter
fere are not always able to resist the coun
ts of seeming expediency and ungener
ous ambition, although measures adopted
under such influences seldom fail to bo
unfortunate, and lnjuiiou to those adop
ting them.
The disloyal citizens cf the United
Stales who have offered the ruin of our
country m return for the aid and comfort
which they have invoked abroad, have
received less putionage and encourage
ment than they probably expected. If u
werejust to suppose, as the uisurgeuts
Lave seemed to assume, that foreign na
tions, in this cnae, discarding all moral,
social and treaty obligations, would act
KtMy and selfishly for the most speedy
restoration ol commerce including espoc
jally the acquisition of cotton, these na
tions appear as yet not to have seen their
way to their object more directly or clear
ly through the destruction, than through
the preservation of the Union.
If we could dare to believe thai foreign
nations aro actuated by no higher piinci
plu than this, I am quite sure a sound ar
gumetit could be made to show them I lint
they can reach their aim more readily
and easily by aiding to crush this rebel
lion than by giving encouragement to it.
The principal" lever relied on by the in
surgents for exciting foreign nations to
hostility against us, as already intimated,
U the e'mbarrassme tit of commerce. These
nations, however, not improbably saw
from the first that it was the Union which
nude as well our foreign as our domestic
commerce, fhey can scarcely have failed
i weive that the effort for disunion
produces the existing dillicuky, and that
t.o iiotig nation promises more durable
ntiJ a mor extensive nod rt-linbU
lommeue, than can the tame nation bro
ken into hostile fragments. It is not my
purpose to review our discussions witb(
foreign States, because whatever might be
their wishes, or dispositions, the integrity
of our country and the stability of our
(i.ivernuient mainly depend not upon
them, but on the loyalty, virtue, patriot
ism 'tnd intelligence of the American peo
ple. The correspondence itself with the us
ual reservations is herewith submitted.
I venture to hope it will appear that we
Lave practised prudence and liberality to
wards foreign powers, averting causes of
irritation and with firmness maintaining
our own rgbts and. honor. .Since, howev
er, it is apparent that here, as in every
other State, foreign dangers neccssnrily
attend domestic dillieulties. I recom
mend that adequate and ample measures
be adopted for maintaicing the public de
fences on every side.
While under this general recommenda
tion provision for defending our seacoajt
line occurs to the mind.
1 aio, in the same connection, ask tho
rttention ofCongross to our great lakes
and rivers. It is believed that some for
tifications and depots of arms and muni
tions, with harbor and navigation im
provements, all at well selected points
upon these, would be cf groat importance
to the national defence and preservation.
I ask Attention to tho views of the Sec
retary of War expressed :n his report up
on tho same general subject. I deem il
of importance that the lyal regions of
Last Tennessee and Western North Caro
lina should be connected with Kentucky
and other fiithful parts of the Union by
railroad, I therefore, recommend, as a
military measure, that Congress provide
for the construction of such road as speed
ily as pos-ib'n. Kentucky, no doubt, will
eo.oporatt .'id, through her Legislature,
make the most judicious selection of a
line. Tho Northern terminus must con
nect with Bomo existing railroad, and
whether tie route shall be from Lexing
ton or Nicholasville to the Cumberland
Han, or from Lebanon to the Tennessee
I- .1 - -P T " : 1 1 -
lino in tlm direction of Knoxville or on I
some still different line can readily be
termined. Kentucky and the General
Government co-operating, the work can
t0 completed in a very short time, and,
when done, it will be not only of vast
present usefulness, but also a valuable
permanent improvement, with its cost, in
All the future.
Some treaties deiigned chiefly for the
interests oi commerce, and having no
grave political importance, have been ne-
gotialed, and win ne submitted to the
Senate for their consideration. I
Although we have failed to induce some
ei tne commercial powers to auopi a a j- trie Military Academy,
sirable melioration of tho rigor of a mari- Ily mere omission, I presume, Congress
time war. wo have removed all obstruo- has failed to provide Chaplains for hospit.
lions from the way of this humane reform, als occupied by volunteers. This subject
except such hs Bie merely of temporary J was brought to my notice, and I was in
and accidental occurrence. duced lo dri up the form of a letter, one
I invite your attention to the corres- j cony of which, properly addressed, has
pondenco between Her Britannic Majes- been delivered to each of the persons, and
ty's Minister, accredited to this Govern I at the dates, respectfully named, and ma
nient, and the Secretary of State relative ted in a schedule uontaining also the form
w me detention ol tne lintisn stip t'ann- oi tne letter t,:ener marked Aj and here
Rhire in June last, by the United State with transmitted.
learner Massachusetts, for a supposed j The gentlemen I understood ntered
bleach of the blockade. As this deteni ; upon the duties designated at the times
t ion was occasioned by an obvious misap-' respectively stated in the schedule, and
prehension ol the facts, and as justice re- , have labored faithfully there ever since,
quires that we should commit uobellier I therefore recommend thai thej bccoui-
ont ni'i not founded in striet right as sane-
! tionnd by puhltn law, I recommend tluit
an appropriation be made to satisfy tint
reas-jni.hio demand ol tho onncrii ui mo
: vessel lor her detention
I repeat the recommendation of my
predecessor, in his annual mcssago to
Congress in December litst. in regard to
the disposition or the surplus which will
probably remain lifter satisfying (be
claim of American citizens against China,
pursuant to the awards of the Comniis.
jsionero under the uct ol the 3d of Mnrch
imj.
I f, however, it should not bd deemed
advisable to carry that lecommeudaiioti
into effect. 1 would suggest that authority
e given investing tho principal over the
proceeds of the surplus referred to in good
securities, with a view to tho satisfaction
of such other just claims of our citizens
against China as are not unlikely to arie
hereafter in the course of our extensive
trade with that empire.
lty tho act of the ftth of August last,
Congress authorized the President to in
struct the Commanders of suilal le vessels
to defend themselves against and cap
ture pirates. This authority has been ex
ercised in a single instance only. For the
more effectual protection of our extensive
and valuable commerce in the Eastern
seas, especially, it seems to me that it
would uho be advisable to authorize the
commanders of sailing vessels to recapture
nny prizes which pirates may mako of
United States vessels and their cargoes,
and the Cor. iular Courts now established
by law in Eastern countries to abjudicate
tho eases, in the event that this should
not be ol jectea to by the local authori-
ties. If any good reason exists w hy we
should perseveie longer in withholding
our recognition of the independence and
sovereignty of liny ti, I am unable to dis.
cover it.
Unwilling, however, to inaugurate a
novel policy in regard to them without
the approbation of Congress, I submit for
your consideration the expediency of an
appropriation for maintaining a charge
d'affaires ucsr each of those new States;
it does not admit of a doubt that impor
tant commercial advantages might be se
cured by favorable treaties with Iheni.
The operations of the treasury during
the period which has elapsed since your
adjournment, have been conducted with
signal success. The pattiotism of the peo
ple has placed at the disposal of the Gov
ernment, the largo means demanded by
the public exigencies. Much of the Na
tional Loan has been taken by citizens of i
' I ... I 1 '
in their country's faith and zeal, lor their
country's deliverance from present peril
have induced them to contribute to the
support ot l no uovernmeui me n uoie oi
. ..... . . i. - i.i.
Uieir limiieo. ocquisiiiuiis, tins mwi iiu-
noses ieculiar obligations upon us to econ
omy in disburscinsnt and energy in ac-,
tion. . ,
The revenues from ull sources, inclu
ding loans for the financial year ending
n ii.o 'net. r.r inni l.si'il. was. sTi.8;;,'). !
Ull till..' I ' ' l. I vi -j I ' ,
000 7 and the expenditures for the same
period, including payments on account of
the public debt, were $.S1,578,8.'4 -17, '
leavin" a balance in the I reasury, on the no&tate should nave them. Let tnem ue portation ot tree man miner, was ?.,vii,
lsl of July, of ?2,2o7,0(ij 80. For the first ptovided for all, or abolished to all 402 40, being almost two per cent, less
Quarter ol the financial your, ending on
the oOttl Ol oopieinucr, lu, tne receipt
from all sources, including tho balance oi
the 1st of July, were ?IO2,j32,505 27, and
the expenses J'JS.Si'J.'.U W ; leaving a
balance on the 1st of October, 1S61, of
54,2V2,77G 18. I
Estimates for the roinaining three quar-j
lets of the year, and for the financial year,
ot 1803, together with his view of ways
and means for meeting the demands con-
temnlated bv them, will bo submitted to ,
(Vm cress bv the Secretary of the Treas-
urv.
It is gratifying to know (hat the expen
ditures made necessary by the rebellion
are not beyond the resources of the loyal
people, and to believe that the same pat
riotism which has thus far sustained the
Government xill continue to sustain it
till peace and uuiuii shall again bless the
land.
I respectfully refer lo the report of the
secretary of ar for information respect'
ing Ihe numerical strengtn ot tne army
and for recommendations, having in view
ai: increase ot it ollicirncy and the well
being of the various blanches of Ihe ter
vice entrusted to his care. It is gratifying
to know that the patriotism of the peoplu
has proved equal to the occasion, and that
the number ol troops tendered greatly
exceeus the force which Congress author
ized me to call into the iiuld.
1 refer with pleasure to those portions
of his report which make allusion to the
creditable decree ol discipline already at
de-jtained by our troops and to the excellent
sanitary condition of the entire army
The recommendation of (ha Secretary
for an organization ol the militia upon a
uniform basis, is a subject ot vital i'npor
tance lo tho future safety of the country,
and is commended to the serious at ten
tion ofCongross.
The large addition to the regular army
in connect'on with the defection that has
so considerably diminished the number of
its officers, gives peculiar importance to
his recommendation for increasing the
corps of Cadets to the grettest capacity of
peusa'ed bt tho sivtne into nt Chaplains in
the Army, fin titer suggesting that gener
al provision bo made lor Chaplains to serve
nt hospitals as well as with regiments.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
presents in detail the operations ol I hut
branch of the service, the activity and en
ergy which have characterized its admin
istration, and the results of tho measures
to increato its ellieieney ami power. Such
have been the . d lition by construction
und purchase thnl it may almost bo said a
navy has been created and brought into
service since our cliflicul tins commenced
Besides blockading our extensive coast,
squadrons larger than ever before assem
bled under our Hag, have been put afloat,
and performed deeds which have increas
ed our naval renown.
I would invite special attention to the
recommendations of i ho Secretary for a
more perfect organization of tho Navy, by
introducing additional grades in the ser
vice. The present organization is defective
and unsatisfactory, and the suggestions
submitted by the Department, will, it is
believed, it adopted, obviate the uithcul
ties alluded to, primote harmony, and
increase the ellieieney of the Navy.
There are three vacancies on the bench
of the Supreme Court ; two by the decease
ol Justices Daniel and McLean, and one
by the resignation of Justice Campbell. 1
havosofar forborne making naminations
to fill these vacancies for reasons whish 1
will now stute: Two of the out-going
Judges resided within the States now
ovenun by revolt, so that if their success
sori were appointed in the same localities,
they could not now serve upon their cir
cuil, and many of (ho most competent
cuil, and many of tho most compe'ent .
men there probably would not take the justment of claims against the Govern-pc-sonnl
hazard of accepting to servo.even ! ment, especially in view of their increased
here, upon tlio. Supreme Hench. I have number by reason of tho War. It is us
been unwilling to throw all (he appoint" much the duty of Government tonuder
ments Northward, thus disabling myself prompt justice igainst itself in favor ol
from doing justice to the South on the eilizens, as it is to administer the same
return ol peace, although I may remark between private individuals. The invesl
thal to transler to the North one which ' igation and adjustment of claims in their
has heretofore been in Ike South, would nature belong to tho judicial department,
not, with reference to territory and pop- ' l'.esi lei, it is apparent that the attention
illation, be unjust. 'of Congress will bo more than usually en-
luring the long and brilliant judicial gaged some time to conio with great
caree. of Judge McLean, hU circuit grew tional questions.
into an empire altogether too large for It was intended by the organization of
any one Judge to givo the Courts therein the Court of Claims mainly to remove this
more than a nominal attendance, rising branch of business from the halls of Con
in population from 1,470,018 in 1S30, to giess. bjt while the Court has proved to
0,151,405 in 180O. liesides (his, tho coun- bo an etlectivo and valuable means of in
dy generally has outgrown our present vestigation, it, in great degree, fails to ef
judicial system. If uniformity was at ft?l feet (he object ol its creation for
intended, Ihesystem requires that all the want of the power to make its judgment
Stale shall be accommodated with Cir- iinul. Fully aware of the delicacy, not to
oun Uuui is aiit'iulcd 'iy .suiicute Judges, 10 say tne danger ot (lie Fiibject, i coin
while, in fact, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowu, mend to your careful consideration wheth
Kansas, Florida, Texas, California and er this power of makir.g judgments final,
Oregon have never had any such Courts, may not properly be given to the L'ourt,
Nor can this well be remedied, without reserving Ihe tight of appeal, on quustions
a change of the system, because the adding of law, to (lie Supreme Court, with such
of Judges to the Supreme Court, enough other provisions ns experience may have
for the accommodation of all purls of the shown to be necessary,
country with Circuit Courts, would create 1 ask attention to (he report of the
a Court altogether too numerous for aju- Postmaster General, the following being n
dicial body of any sort. And the evil, if summary statement of the condition ol
it be one. will increase as new States come the Department. The revenue from all
.... .
intoluo Union. Circuit Courts are useful,
or they are not useful. If useful, no State
should bo without them. II not useful,
1 hree modiheat ions occur to me, either
ui iiicu i iuimk wouiu uouu uiiiue-
ment upon our present system. Let the
Supreme Court be of convenient number
in every event. Then fir-t, let the whole
country be divided into circuits of conyen-
ient size, the Supreme J udges to servo in
a number of them corresponding to their
own uuiuUr, and independent Circuit
Judges be provided for all the rest ; or,
secondly, let the Supremo Judges be re-
lieved from Circuit duties, and Circuit
.Judges provided for nil the Circuits : or,
thirdly, dispense with (he Circuit Courts
a. together, leaving tlw -J udiciul lunctions
wholly to tli District Court and an inde
pendent Supreme Court.
1 reipeetfully recommend to tho con
sideration of Congress the present condi
tion of tho btatute Laws, with tho hope
Ihat Coneress will bn able to find ail easy
remedy for many of the inconveniences lishing the Capital here, wis eminently
and evils which constantly embarrass wise, and cr.seqtiently that the relinquish,
those engaged in the practical adminislra- ment of that portion of it which lieswith
tionot them. Since the organization of in the Slate ol Virginia, was unwise and
the Government, Congress has enacted dangerous. 1 submit for your consider
some five thousand acts and joint resolu- tion the expediency .of regaining that pait
lions, which fill more than six thousand of Ihe district, and the lestoration of the
closely printed pages, and are scattered original boundaries thereof through ne
through many volumes. gotiations r.'ith the State of Virginia.
Many of those acts have boen drawn in Tho repot t of the Secretary of the Inte
haste and without sufficient ciulion, so rior. with the accompanying documents,
that their provisions aro ften obscure in ' exhibits the condition of the several bran'
themselves, o; in conflict with each other ; ' dies of the public business pertaining to
or, at least so doubtful as to render it ve- I that Department. The di pressing iullu
,ry difficult for even the best informed per- ences of the insurrection have been e.-pe-son
to ascertain precisely what the f'.nlute ' chilly felt in Mm operations of Hie Talent
law really is. It seems lo me, vety minor-
taut that the statute laws should be made
as plain and intelligible as possible, and be
reduced to as small a compass as may con
sist with the fullness and precision of the
Legislature, and the tiersnicuit v of ils hin i
guage. This, well done, would, I think,
greatly fucilitate ihe labors of those whoe
duty it is to asi.-t in Iheadininistration of
iho luws, and would be a lasting benefit ,
to the people by placing before them, in
a more acceptable and ir telligible form,
the laws which so deeply concern their
interests and their duties. 1 am informed
by some, whose opinions 1 respect, that
all ihe acts of Congress now in force, and
of a permanent and general nature, might
be revised and rewritten, so as to be em
braced in one volume, or, ot most, in two
Volumes, of ordinary and convenient fixe,
and I respectfully recommend (o Congress
to consider on (he subject, and it my sug
gestion be approved, to devise such lilau
as to their wisdom shall seem most proper
for the attainment of the end proposed.
One of the unavoidable consequences of
the present insurrection, is the entire sup
pression in many places of all the ordina
ry means of administering eivil justice by
the oflicers, in the form of existing law.
This it the caso, in whole or in pari, in all
the insurgent States, and as om armies ad
vance upon and lake possession of parts
of those Slates, the, practical evil bi conies
more npparent.
There tire no courts nor oflicers to whom
tho citizens of other States may apply for
the enforcement of their lawful claims
against citizens of the insurgent States,
and there is a vnst amount of debt consti
tuting such claims. Some hive estimated
it os high as L'l K),()l )!),( Kit) due in large part
from insurgents in open rebellion to loyal
citi7ensj it ho are even now making great
sacrilioe in the discharge of their patriot
ic duty to support tho Government. Un
der these circumstances I have been ur
gently solicited to establish, by military
power, courts to administer summary jus
tice in such oases. 1 have thus far declin
ed to do it ; not because I had any doubt
that the end proposed tho collection of
the debts was just and right in.itsell', but
because I have been unwilling to go be
yond the pressure of necessity in tho un
usual exercise of power. Hut the powes
of Congress, I suppose, are equal to the
anomalous occasion, and therefore I reler
the whole matter to Congress, with the
hope that a plan may be devised for the
administration of justice in all such parts
of the insurgent Stales and Territories I s
may be under the control of this Govern
ment, whether by a voluntary return to
allegiance and order, or by tho power of
our arms.
This, however, is not to be a permanent
institution, but a temporary substitute,
and tocease as soon s the ordinary courts
can b re-est'tUished in peace. It is im-
portant that some core convenient means
should be previded, if possible, tor t lie ad
. . .
sources during I lie fiscal year, eiuiing o one
30, 1801, including the annual permanent
appropriation of $700,000 for the trans
than the revenue, lor IMjO. llieexpon-
uiiures weiu c io.uvu, i n. , a
decrease of more than eight per cent, as
computed with those of the previous year,
and leaving an excess of expenditures
over the retenuc for the last fi-cal year of
4,5i7,402 7'J The gross levenue for the
year ending June ;uuh, lSOli, is e.-timate I
at an increase of four per cent, on that of
1801, making !?S.iS:5.0t0. to which should
be aided the rai ning, of the Department
in carrying free matter, viz: JjOO.UUO,
making S'J,6&3,OO0.
The total exuenditui es for lv,5 are es
timated at $12,528,000, leaving an estiina
limated deficiency of ?3.1 45,000, to bo
supplied from the Treosnry, in addition to
the permanent appropriation.
The present insu. lection shows, I t'uiak,
that the extension of this district
the Potomac river nt the tixo of Cstab-
anil General i,aiul unices.
The cash receipt from the sales ol pub
lic lands. (Hiring tho pat year, nave ex
ceeded tlio expenses of our land system
only about S200.000. The sales h.wo been
entirely suspended in the Southern States,
while the interruptions to the business of
the country and tho diversion of large
numbers of men to military service,
hrfve restricted settlements in the new
States and territories ot the .Nonuwesi.
The receipts of tho Patent Otliee have
declined in nine months about ?100.00i),
rendering a large reduction of the force
employed necessary, to make il self-sustaining-
The demands upon the Pension Olliee
will be largely increased by t lie insurreu
(ion. Numerous applications lor pensions.
based upon the casualties of the present
war, have olieady been made. There is
reason (o believe that many who are iioit
upon the pension rolls, and in receipt of
the bounty of (lie Government, ore in the
ranks of tie insurgent army, or giving
them aid and comfoit. The Secretary of
the Interior ha directed a fuspen-ion of
the payment of the pensions ol such per
sons open proof of Ihuir disloyalty.
I recommend that Congress authorize
that olbccr to cau'io the names of such
persons to Le stricken from the pension j
roiis
The relations of tho Government with
the ladian tribe i have been greatly dis
turbed by the irsurreetion, especially in
.Southern Superinteiidency und in that of
New Mexico. The Indian country south
of Kiiiimis is in ihe possession of inmr
genls from Texas and Arkansas.
Tlieiigenls of the United States Gov
eminent, appointed since ihe 4th March
for this mipoiintendeucy, have been unable
lo reach their ptsls, while most of those
who were in tho otliee before that lime,
have espoused the insurrectionary cause,
and assume loexercise the powers ofugeuts
by virtue of commissions from the insurs
i cctio IlihtS.
It has been stated in t lie public press
that a portion of these Indiana have been
organized as a military force, and are at
tached to the uriny of the insurgents.
Although the Government has nr official
information upon this subject, letters havo
been written io tho Comm'r of Indian
Affair by several prominent Chiefs, giv
ing assurance of their loyalty to tho Uni
led Stales, ond expressing a wish for the
presence of Federal troops lo protect them.
It js believed that upon tho repossession
of tho countiy by the Federal Ibices, the
Indians will readily cease all hostile dem
onstrations and resume their former rela
tions to the government.
Agi iculture, confessedly the largest in
terest ol the nation, has not a Department
nor a Bureau, but a clerkship only assign
ed to it in tho government.
While it is. fortunate that (hi? great in
terest is so independent in i:s naturo as
t.) not have demanded and extorted more
from the government, I respectfully ask
Congress to coiisi k-r whether something
more cannot be given voluntarily with
general udi'iinlage. Annual reports ex
hibiting the condition of our agriculture,
commerce and manufactures, would pro
sent a fund of information of great prac
tical value to i lie country. While I make
no suggestion as to details, 1 venture tho
opinio.i that uu agricultural find statisti
cal bureau might profitably be organized.
Tho execution of the laws for tho sup
pression of the African slave trade has
been confided to the Department of the
Interior. It is a subject ot gralulation
thai Ihe efforts which have been made for
the suppression of this inhuman train!
have been recently attended with unusual
success. Five vessels being lilted out for
the slave trade have been seized and ei;n
(leiuiied ; two mates of vessels engaged in
the trade, and on !'""' )"in "".j
vis-el as a slaver have been convicted and
subjected lo the penalty of line and inis
piisoument; and one captain, taken with
a cargo of Africans on board his vessel, has
been convicted of the highest grade of of
fence under our laws, the punishment of
which is death.
The Territories of Colorado, DakoU.h
and Nevada, created by the last CongresR,
have been organized and civil administra
tion has been inaugurated therein under
auspices especially gratifying, when it is
considered that the loaven of treason was
found existing in some of these new coun
tries when the Federal oflicers arrived
there,
Tho abundant natural resDurces of these
territories, with thu security and protec
tion atloided by orgini.ed governments,
will doubtless invito to them a largo im
migration, when peace shall restore the
lusiness of the country toils accustomed
channels.
1 submit the resolutions of the Legisla
ture of Colorado, which evidence the pat
riotic spirit of the people of I hat Territory.
So far tho authority of Ihe United States
has b?er. upheld in all the Territories, ns
it is hoped il will be in the future. I
commend their interests and defence (o
(he enlightened and generous care of Con
gress. I recommend lo the favorable consider-
ation of Congress tlio interests of the Dis-1
liwt ( it il , I I ,! ! Tin? i I iui 1 I'l'd.Tl inn Ima
been the cause of much sullering and sac
rilice to its inhabitants, and as they have
no representative in Congress, that body
should not overlook their just claims upon
the govern ment.
'At your late session a joint resolution
was adopted authorizing the President to
lake measures for facilitating a proper rep-
iese:itation ol the industrial . interests ofl
the United States at tho Kxhibitio:: of the
industry of all Nations, to be holden at
London, in tho year 1802.
1 regret to say 1 have been unable to
give personal attention to this subject a
subject at once so inteiesling in its ol f and
s: extensively anil intimately connected
with the material prosperity ol the world.
Through the Secret tries of State and of
the Interior, a plan or system has been
devised, and partly mature I, and which
will be laid before you.
Under and by vit tue of the acl of Con
gress, entitled an net lo confiscate proper1
IV used for insurrectionary purposes, ap
proved August 0, 1801. the legal claim; of
certain ersons to the labor and service of
certain other persons have becomo forfeit
ed, and numbers of the latter, thus liber
ated, are already dependent on the United
States, und must bo provided for in some
way.
Besides this, it is not impossible that
some of the States will pass similar enact
ments for tl.cir own benefit respectively,
and by operation of which, por-ons of the
same class will le (brown upon them for
d'spnsal. !,i such ease, I recommend thai
Cotigt jss provide for accepting such per
sons from such States, according in ponm
mode of valuation, in lieu no lunto of di
rect taxes ; or upon some other plan to be
agreed on, w ith such States respectively ;
llml such persons, on such acceptance by
the genet al government, bo at once deem
ed tree; and that, in any event, steps be,
. . I. r .. . I I . I. l . a I. - '
IUKCII lor Ct'lOll IZIO uom I yi.i m7
ore first mentioned if the otW .d.ali not
bo brought into existence,) at none place
or places in a climate oongenial to them.
1 1 might le well to consider, too, whethi
er (he freo colored people already in tho
Lulled States could not, so far as indni 1
mils may desire, be included in such tel.
onization.
To carry out the plan of colonization
may involve tho acquiring of territoiy and
and also tho appropriation of nior.ey be
yond that to bo expended in the territo
rial acquisition. Having prnctiscd (he
acquisition of territory for nearly sixty
years, the question cftho Constitutional
power to do so is no longer an open ono
with us. Tho power was questioned at
first bv Mr. Jefterson .who lir,.... i
the purchase ot Louisiana, yielded bis
scruples on the plea of great expediency.
If it be said that the only legitimate oh.
ject of acquiring territory is to lurni-h
homes for white men, this measure effects
that ohjoct, for emigration of colored men
leaves additional room for white men re'
maining or coming hoio. Mr. Jett'orsou,
however, placed the importance of pro
curing Louisiana more on political and
commercial grounds:, thu on providing
room for population.
On this whole proposition, including
tho appropriation of money, with the ac
quisition of territory, does net the expo
diencv amount to absolute necessity with
out which the Government itself cannot
be perpetuated if tho var continue.
In considering the policy to be adopted
for suppressing the insurrection, I have
been anxious and careful that the inevita
ble conflict for this purpose shall not de
generate into a violent and remorseless
revolutionary struggle. I havo, therefore,
in every case, thought it proper to keep
Ihe integrity of the Union prominent as
the primary object of ' ho contest on our
part, leaving all questions whioh are not
of vital military importance, to tho more
deliberate action of tho legislature.
In the exercis? of my best discretion 1
have iidlicred to the blockade of tho ports
held by the uisiirgoiits, instmid of putting
in fotee by proclamation the law of Con
gress etiicted at tho late session for clos
ing these ports. So also, obeying the dic
tates of prudence as well as the obligations
of law, instead of transcending I have ad
hered lo (he act of Congress to confiscate
property used for insurrectionary purpos
es. If a new law upon the same subject
shall be proposed, its propriety will ba
duly considered.
The Union must Lo preserved, and
hence all indispensable means must bo
employed. We shall not bo in hasto ta de
termine that radical and extreme measuro,
which nuy roach the loyal as well ns the
'lijln'iil, aro iniiioponoaClu.
The inaugural address at the beginning
of die Administration and the message to
Congress at the late special session, were
both mainly devoted to tho domestic con
troversy out of which tho insurrection
ami consequent war have sprung.
Nothing more occurs t add or subtract
to or from ihe principles or general pur
poses stated and expressed in that docu
ment. The last ray of hope for preserve
ing the Union, peaceably, expired at the
assault upon Port Sumter, and a general
re vie of wl.ot has occurred since may
not be unprofitable.
What was painfully uncertain then, is
much better defined and more distinct
now, and the progress o! events is plainly
in the light direction. The insurgents
confidently claimed a strong support from
North of Mason und Dixon's line, and the
friends of the Union were not freo from
apprehension on that point. This, how
ever, was soon settled definitely, and on
the right side.
South of tho line, noble little Delaware
letl oil" right from the first. Maryland rvas
made to seem ngitinst the Union. Our
soldier j were, assaulted, bridge wore burn
ed, and railroad torn up within her lim
its, ami we wero many days, at one time,
without the ability to bring a single regi
ment over her soil lo tho defence of tho
Ca pital.
Now her bridges and Railroads are re
paired and open to the Government. She
already giies seven regiments to tho causa
of the Uniou, and none to the ene.ny, and
her people nt a regular election have sus
tained the Union by a large majority, aud
a larger aggregate vote than they ever be'
foro gave to any candidate on any ques
tion. Kentucky, too, for some time in doubt
is now decidedly, and, I think, u.ichang.
ibly oti tho side of the Union. Missouri
is comparatively quiet, and 1 believe can
not Lo overrun by tho insurrectionists.
These three States of Maryland, Kentucky
and Missouri neither of which would
promise a single soldier, at first, have now
an aggregate ol not less than forty thous
and men in tho tiield, for the Union,
while of their citizens certainly not more
a third o: that uuinber,nnd they of doubt
ful wheieahouis, and doubtful existence,
are in inns against it. After a
sviiewhat bloody struggle of soma
months. Winter closes on the Union
people of Western Virginia, leaving thsin
masters of their own country.
An insurgent force of about fifteen hun
dred for months dominating the narrow
peninsular region of the counties of Acco
mac and Northampton, rind known as the
Eisiern Shore of Virginia, together with
some contiguous parts of Maryland, have
laid down their arms and the people (here
have renewed thir allegiance to anil ac
cepted the projection of tho old Hag. This
leaves no a med insurrection north of tiio
Potomac or cast of the Chesapeake.
Also, we have oblrined a footing at each
of (ho isolated puinU on die Southern
coast of llatteras, Port .'toval, Tybeo Is
land, near Savsnnah.and Ship Island; and
we likewise havo some general accounts
of popular movements in behalf of tho
Union, in North Carolina and Tennessee.
These things demonstrate that '.ho cau-.
of Ihe Union .s advancing steadily soutu-.
ward.
Since your last adjournment, Lt. Gen.
Scotl has retired from the heal of tho sr
my. During his long life the nation has
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