fkadfotfl Reporter.
Towanda, Thursday, December 8, 1864
THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
We have delayed our paper for the pur
pose of laying before our readers the Pros
ident's message, which will be found in oui
columns. It is unusually brief, and goes
straight to the point.
Our foreign relations arc in a satisfacto
ry situation, while our domestic affairs an
shown to be highly favorable to the caus<
of the union. We commend this part of the
message to the especial attention of the de
spondent.
In regard to the future policy of the Pre
sident concerning the war and slavery, tin
high expectations of the country are fully
met. The war will not be given up, unti
the rebels lay down their arms and submil
to the national authority.
He recommends the present Congress U
abolish Slavery by Constitutional enact
incut. lie will not retract anything he hat
ever said or dose on the subject of Slavery
He will not retract or modify the Emanci
pation proclamation, nor will he everreturi:
to bondage a human being freed by thai
proclamation or by acts of Congress.
IATEST AVAR XEAVS.
To make room for the President's Mes
sage, we are obliged to content ourselves
with a brief synopsis of the military op
erations during the past week
Additional particulars of the battle ol
Franklin have been received. The battle
is represented to have been one of the most
brilliant of the war, and a complete victory
for the Union arms. Thirty stand of colors
and a thousand prisoners were captured.—
Our loss is set down at one thousand/while
that of the rebels was six thousand. Gen.
Stanley was wounded. The dispatch states
that Hood's main army is believed to be
threatening Murfreesboro', while Forrest is
making a demonstration in front of our
forces. No fears are entertained for the
safety of Nashville.
A report in the New York Commercial
Advertiser, of the 2d, says that on the 25th,
Sherman was within forty miles of Savan
nah or between two and three days' march
distant. The information comes from Port
Royal, by the liag-of-trnce boat. It is, prob
ably incorrect.
An Augusta dispatch of the 2fitli ult.,
says that Sherman is forty-live miles south
of Augusta, and thus far has not been baf
fled.
Gen. Grant telegraphed to the War De
partment on Thursday that the Richmond
Examiner of that day admits that Sherman
will succeed in reaching the sea-coast. It
is also admitted that he has crossed the Oco
nee.
A Louisville dispatch states that < Jeneral
Thomas has abandoned his position at
Franklin, and has formed his line of battle
within three miles of Nashville. On Thurs
day the two armies were engaged in skir
mishing", and the rattle of musketry could
be heard plainly at Nashville. A great
battle is imminent.
In the Army of the Potomac there was
quite a brisk cannonading on Wednesday
afternoon. Fort Hell opened tire for the
entertainment of some English visitors,and
was replied to by several of the enemy's
batteries. Several casualties occurcd. On
Thursday night the pickets had a lively en
gagement.
Gen. Gregg's cavalry was sent south on
Thursday to discover it' the enemy were
sending away troops. General Gregg re
ports officially that lie captu-ed Stony Creek
station, with two pieces of artillery, which
he spiked, 11K) prisoners, H wagons and 30
mules. He burned the depot, with 3000
sacks of corn, 500 bales of hay, a train of
cars and a large amount of government
stores. No information could be obtained
of the passage of any troops southward.—
At Duval station much property was also
destroyed.
The Washington Republican of the 6th
says that by the arrival of a government
transport at Fortress Monroe last evening,
the government has received advices from
Savannah to the 2d of December, that when
the steamer left information had reached
Savannah that Sherman's advance cavalry
was within six miles of that city.
This does not conflict with the news
brought by the steamer Belle, which arriv
ed on Saturday night, that Savannah pa
pers of the 30th of November announced
that Sherman's army was within forty miles
of that city. These papers do not state at
what date he was that distance from the
city.
V gentleman recently from Savannah in
forms lis that there are no important de
fences on the west side of Savannah.
The Rallhnorc American special corres
pondent sends the following correspondence
of the same date :
" Advices from Fortress Monroe of last
evening report the arrival there of the
steamer Gen. Lyon with seven hundred and
fifty released prisoners.
" At the time the General Lyon left Sa
vannah (last Thursday night), the latest
news received there was to the effect that
General Sherman occupied Milieu, Georgia,
and that his cavalry was scouting several
miles out from the town, meeting with but
little resistance.
" Every effort was being made for the de
fence of Savannah.
" Our prisoners report that boys of tliir
teen years and even women were assisting
in the trenches and earthworks.
"Sherman was surely advancing to tin
coast, and no Sunlit of his success need In
entertained."
The Secretary of State lias author
i/.oil the publication of intelligence tending
to prove that the attempt to burn northern
cities, lately initiated at New York was de
signed in Richmond. The man giving in
formation was apprised of the intention ai
Savannah, on the 19th of October. A Cap
tain Montgomery, of Baltimore, had charge
of the affair.
XXXVTIIth CONGRESS.
Second Regular Session : convened Monday, Dec
ember, 5, 18(14.
SENATE.
HANNIBAL HAMLIN, Bangor, Maine, President ei
officio. John W. Forney, of Pennsylvania, Clerk.
[l'uioniKtß(inEoiuan),3B; DemtH-rats (in Italics),
12 ; Total, 50.]
CALIFORNIA.
John Conness,
James A. McDmajall.
CONNECTICUT.
James Dixon,
Lafayette S. Foster. )
DELAWARE.
Ueorge Head Riddle,
WiUard Miulsbury. j
ILLINOIS.
Lyman Trumbull, |
]Vm. A. Richardson.
INDIANA.
Thomas .1. Hendricks, j
Henry S. Lane.
IOWA.
James Harlan,
James W. Grimes.
KANSAS.
| Samuel C. Pomeroy, j
j James H. Lane.
KENTUCKY.
ISarret Davis,
Lazarus VI". Poicell. 1
LOUISIANA.
R. King Cutler,
Charles Smith.
MAINE,
Lot M. .Morrill,
[Vacancy—Mr. Fessen
; den, being Secretary of'
j the Treasury.]
MASSACHUSETTS.
Charles Sumner,
Henry Wilson.
MARYLAND.
fieverily Johnson,
j Thomas H. Hicks.
MICHIGAN.
I Zachariah Chandler,
! Jacob M. Howard.
MINNESOTA.
Alexander Ramsay,
Morton S. Wilkinson.
MISSOURI.
John B. Henderson, i
i B. Grate Brown.
NEW-HAMPSHIRE. J
! Daniel Clark,
j John P. Hale.
NEW-JEIiSEY.
11 in. VI rijht,
j John C. Ten Evck.
NEW-YORK.
j Edwin D. Morgan, j
| Ira Harris.
OHIO.
| Benjamin F. Wade,
! John Sherman.
OREGON.
Benjamin F. Harding, j
j James VV". A'esmith. j
PENNSYLVANIA.
| Charles R. Bnckaletc,
t Edgar Cowan.
RHODE ISLAND.
i William Sprague,
Henry B. Anthony.
VERMONT.
Solomon Foot,
Jacob Collamer.
VIRGINIA.
James S. Carlile,
[Vacancy—Lemuel J. (
J Bowden being dead.
WEST Vir.GINTA.
' I'eter G. Van Winkle, |
Waitman T. Willev.
WISCONSIN.
James 11. Doolittle,
Timothy O. Howe.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SCHVYLEB COLFAX, of South Bend, Indiana, Speaker.
Edward McPherson, of Gettysburg, l'enn .,l'lerk. \
[Unionists (in Roman), 103 ; Democrats (in Ital- ;
ics), 80 ; Total, 183. Those marked * were in the j
preceding House.]
Di.lt. CALIFORNIA.
Thomas B. Shannon,
Wm. Higby,
Cornelius Cole.
CONNECTICUT.
1 Henry C. Doming,
2 'James K. English, i
3 Augustus Brandagee, I
4 John H. Hubbard.
DELAWARE.
Nathan 15. Smith ers,
ILLINOIS.
1 'lsaac N. Arnold,
2 John F. Farnsworth,
3 *Elihu B. Waslibnrne,
4 t'harles M. Harris,
5 Ebon C. Ingersoll, 1'
6 Jesse O. Norton, 1
7 John It. Eden, 1
8 John T. Stuart, 1:
"J Lewis W. Boss, 1
10 * Anthony L. Knapp, 1
11 * Janus C. RtAtinson, 1
12 H'W. It. Moirison, 1
13 * Wm. .1. Allen, 1
Jo.s.C. Allen, (utlarge) 1
INDIANA. : 2
1 *John Law, 2
2 * James .1. t'rarens, 2
3 Henry IF. Harrington, [2:
4 * I Fin. S. lfohnan, 12
5 'George W. Julian, 12
0 Ebenezer Dumont, j 2
7 * Daniel 117 Voorhees, 2
8 Goblove S. Ortli, 2!
0 'Schuyler Colfax, j2!
10 Joseph K. Edgerton, ®
11 ,lames 1\ McDowell, 3
IOWA.
1 'James F. Wilson,
2 Hiram Priee,
3 Wm. B. Allison, j
4 Josiah B. Grinnell,
5 John A. Kasson,
(i A. IV. Hubbard. !
KANSAS.
A. Carter Wilder.
KENTUCKY.
1 Lueien Anderson, 'i
3 * Geo. 11. Yeaman, U
3 * Henry tr riiler,
4 "Aaron Harding,
7 ' Robert Mallory,
ti Green Clay Smith, j i
7 Brutus J. Clay,
8 Wm. H. Randall. 11
'J * 117a. JI. Wmlsworth, ij
MAINE.
1 Lorenzo />. .If. Sweat. |
2 Sidney Perham,
3 James G. Blaine,
4 'John H. Rice,
5 'Frederick A. Pike,
MARYLAND.
1 John A. J. Cresswell,
2 'Edwin H. Webster, !
3 Henry Winter Davis, |
4 'Francis Thomas,
5 Benjamin d. Hams, i
MASSACHUSETTS. I
1 'Thomas I). Eliot, 1
2 Oakes Ames,
3 'Alexander H. Rice, j
4 'Samuel Hooper,
3 'John B. Alley,
0 'Daniel W. Gooch,
7 George S. Boutwell,
8 John D. Baldwin,
1) Wm. B. Washburn,
10 'Henry L. Dawes,
MICHIGAN.
1 'Fernando C. Beaman,
2 Charles Upson,
3 Joßn W. Longyear,
4 'Francis W. Kellogg, |
5 Augustus Baldwin, |
i! John F. Driggs. j
MINNESOTA.
1 'Wm. Wiinlhoin,
2 Ignatius Donnelly, j
MISSOURI.
1 Samuel Knox,
2 Henry T. Blow,
3 John D. Si-ott,
4 Joseph W. McClurg, l
5 Sempronius H.Boyd,
6 Austin A. King,
7 Benjamin F. Loan,
8 * Win. A. Hall,
9 * James S. Rollins,
NEW-HAMPSHIRE.
1 Daniel Murrey,
2 'Edward H. Itollins, ;
3 James W. Patterson,'
DELEGATES FROM TERRITORIES.
ARIZONA.
Charles D. Poston,
COLORADO.
Hirum P. Bennett.
DAKOTA.
William Javne.
IDAHO.
Win. H. Wallace. !
WASHINGTON — Geortje K. Cole.
THE OFFICIAL VOTE AT THE OCTOBER ELEC
TION.- The following is the official report of I
the vote of the State at the October elec
tion. It includes the home and soldier's
vote :
liislrirJ. Union. Dem.
Ist 7,742 9,764
2d 11.767 7,290
3d ...11.467 9,992
4th 13,088 9,384
sth 11,007 10,729
6th 9,661 12,847
7th 10,908 7,231
Bth 5,071 12,076
Nth 11,804 7,344
loth 10,679 11,154
lltli 6,393 13,016
12th 10,058 10,573
13th 9,724 8,728
14th 11,619 11,092
15th 10,576 13,382
16th 11,252 11,174
17th 9,225 8,716
18th 11,533 10,681
19th 11,631 9,914
20th 14,314 10,976
21st 10,7:10 10,855
22d 11,233 7,013
23d 11,882 8,124
24th 11,727 10,112
357,160 343,301
343,301
; Union Majority * 13,859
THE Q'HIEF-JCSTICKSHII*. —The President on
Tuesday appointed Hon. SALMON- P CHASE
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The
nomination was at once unanimously con
firmed by the Senate. This appointment
will be received with great satisfaction by
, the country.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
Feßoai-Citizens of the Senate and House nf
Represented i oes :
Again the blessings of health ami abun
dant harvests claim our profoundest grati
tude to Almighty God.
The condition of our foreign affairs is
reasonably satisfactory.
Mexico continues to be a theatre of civil
war. While our political relations with
that country have undergone no change,we
have at the same time strictly maintained
neutrality between the belligerents.
At the request of the states of Costa
liica and Nicaragua a competent engineer
has been authorized to make a survey of the
river Sao Juan and the port of San Juan.
It is a source of much satisfaction that
the difficulties which for a moment excited
some political apprehension, and caused a
closing of the inter-oceanic transit route,
have been amicably adjusted, and that
there is a good prospect that the route will
soon be reopened with an increase of ca
pacity and adaption. We could not exag
gerate either the commercial or the political
importance of that great improvement.
It would be doing injustice to an impor
tant South American state not to acknowl
edge the directness, frankness and cordial
ity with which the United States of Colom
bia have entered into intimate relation with
this government.
A Claims Convention has been constitu
ted, to complete the uuiinished work of the
one which closed its session in 1861.
The new liberal constitution of Venezu
elu having gone into effect with the univer
sal acquiescence of the people, the govern
ment under it has been recognized, and di
plomatic intercourse with it has been open
ed in a cordial and friendly spirit.
The long deferred Avcs Island claim lias
beeu satisfactorily paid and discharged.—
Mutual payments have been made of the
claims awarded by the late joint commis
sion for the settlement of classes between
the United States and Peru.
NEW-JERSEY.
1 John F. Starr,
2 (ieti. Middleton,
3 * Wm. fl. Steele,
4 Andrew J. Roger*,
5 * Nehemiah Perry.
NEW-YORK.
1 Jhriy/d Tmrnsand, 1
2 Martin Kalhfleisch, !
3 * Muses F. Odell,
4 * Benjamin Wood,
5 Fernando Wood,
6 * Elijah Ward,
7 John W. ('hauler,
8 James Brooks, i
9 Anson Herrick,
10 H'm. Jladfonl,
11 ('has. 11. Wi afield,
12 Homer A. Nelson,
13 'John B. Steele, I
14 John V. L. Pruyn, .
15 John A. (rjisieohl,
l'> Orlando Kellogg,
17 Calvin T. Hulburd,
18 James 11. Marvin, ' ,
If Samuel F. Miller,
20 'Ambrose \V. Clark, ;
21 Francis Kenton,
22 DeWittC. Littlejohn,
23 Thomas T. Davis, ! ,
24 'Theo're M. Pomeroy, >
25 Daniel Morris,
2ti Oiles W. Hotchkiss, I
27 *ll. B. Van Valkenburg ] 1
28 Freeman Clark,
29 'Augustus Frank,
10 John B. Hanson, !
11 'Reuben E. Fenton, j
OHIO.
1 * (jeoryt 11. Pendleton,
2 Alexander Tsaaj,
3 Robert C. Sehrenek, i
4 J. F. Mr Kinney,
5 Frank V. l.a Bloml,
0 *( hit ton .4. II hite, j
7 * Samuel S. Cox,
8 M'm. Johnson,
9 * Warren P. NolAe, •
10 Monies M. Ashlv, I
11 Wells A. Hatch ins.
12 Wm. K. Finck,
13 John O'Neill,
14 tleorye Bliss,
15 * James 11. Morris,
10 Joseph W. White,
17 Ephraim 11. Ecklev, \
18 Rufus P. Spalding, j
19 James A. Garfield.
OREGON.
John 11. Mcßride. j
PENNSYLVANIA.
1 Samuel J. JRandall,
2 Charles O'Neill,
3 Leonard Lvers,
4 'Win. D. Kelley,
5 M. Russell Theyer, ;
0 'John 1). Stiles,
7 John M. Broomall,
8 * Sydenham K Ancona, i
9 'Thaddeus Stevens, !
10 Myer Strouse,
11 * Pitilip Johnst ot,
12 Charles Dennisren, I
13 Henry W. Tracy, j
14 Win. 11. Miller,'
115 'Joseph lia'dey,
16 Alexander 11. ('offroth, !
jl7 Arehihahl McAllister,
•18 'James T. Hale,
119 Glenni W. Schofield,
20 Amos Myers,
21 John L. In arson,
22 'James K. Moorliead,
23 Thomas Williams,
;24 'Jesse Ixizear.
j RHODE ISLAND.
! 1 Thomas A. Jenckes,
I 2 Nathan F. Dixon.
VERMONT.
i 1 J'. E. WoodbridgP,
[ 2 'Justin S. Morrill,
j 3 Tortus Baxter.
WEST VIRGINIA.
1 'Jacob B. Blair,
1 'Wm. G. Brown,
3 'Killian V. Whaley,
WISCONSIN.
j 1 James S. Broten,
1 2 Ithamar C. Sloan,
! 3 Amasa Cobb,
■ 4 ('has. A. Eldridtje,
! 5 Ezra Wheeler,
, I 6 'Walter D. Mclndoe,
An earnest and cordial friendship contin
ues between the two countries ; and such
efforts as were in my power have been used
to remove misunderstanding, and avert a
threatened war between Peru and Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly
nature with Chili, the Argentine Republic,
Bolivar, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salva
dor and llayti.
During the past year no differences of
any kind have arisen with any of these
Republics. And, 011 the other hand, their
sympathies with the United States are con
stantly expressed with cordiality and ear
nestness.
The claim arising from the seizure of the
cargo of the brig Macedonian, in 1821, has
been paid in full by the Oovernment of
Chili.
Civil war continues in the Spanish part
of San Domingo, apparently wit tout pros
pect of an early close.
Official correspondence has been freely
opened with Liberia,and it gives us a pleas
ing view of social and political progress in
that Republic. It may be expected to de
rive new vigor from American influence,
improved by the rapid disappearance of
slavery in the United States.
I solicit your authority to furnish to tin;
Republic a gunboat at. a moderate cost, to
be reimbursed to the United States by in
stallments. Such a vessel is needed for the
safety of that State against the native Af
rican races, and in Liberian hands it would
be more effective in arresting the African
slave-trade, than a squadron in our own
hands. The possession of the least organ
ized naval force would stimulate a generous
ambition in the Republic, and the confi
dence which we should manifest by furnish
ing it would win forbearance and favor
toward tho colony from all civilized nations.
The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe by the way of Belir
ing's Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was
sanctioned by Congress at the last session,
has been undertaken under very favorable
circumstances by an association of Ameri
can citizens, with the cordial good-will and
support as well of this Government as of
those of Great Britain and Russia. Assur
ances have been received from most of the
South American States of their high appre
ciation of the enterprise and their readi
ness to co-operate in constructing lines tri
butary to that world-encircling eommnnicu
-1 tion.
1 learn with much satisfaction that the
noble design of a telegraphic communica
tion between the Eastern Coast of America
and Great Britain has been renewed, with
full expectation of its early accomplishment
Thus it is hoped that with the return of do
mestic peace,the country will be able to re
sume with energy and advantage her for
mer high career of commerce and civiliza
tion. Our very popular and estimable rep
resentative in Egypt died in April last.
An unpleasant altercation which arose
between the temporary incumbent of the
office and the Government of the Pacha, re
sulted in a suspension of intercourse. The
evil was promptly corrected 011 the arrival
of the successor in the consulate and our
relations with Egypt, as well as our rela
tions with the Barbary Powers, are entirely
satisfactory.
NEBRASKA.
•Sam'l G. Dai ley.
NEVADA.
Gordon N. Mott
NEW-MEXICO.
Francisco Peren.
UTAH.
I John F. Kinney.
The rebellion, which has so long been fla
grant in China, has at last been suppressed
with the co-operating good offices of this
Government, and of the other Western
commercial States. The judicial consular
establishment has become very difficult and
onerous, and it will need legislative requi
sition to adapt it to the extension of our
commerce, and to the more intimate inter
course which has been instituted with the
Government and people of that vast empire.
China seems to be accepting, with hearty
good will, the conventional laws which
regulate commerce and social intercourse
among Western nations.
Owing to the peculiar situation of Japan
and the anomalous form of its Government,
the action of that empire in performing
treaty stipulations is constant and caprici
ous. Nevertheless, good progress has been
effected by the Western Powers, moving
with enlightened concert. Our own pecu
niary claims have been allowed, or put in
course of settlement, and the inland sea
has been re-opened to commerce. There is
reason also to believe that these proceed
ings have increased rather than diminish
ed the friendship of Japan toward the Tin
ted States.
The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina and
Peusacola have been opened by proclama
tion,. It is hoped that foreign merchants
will now consider whether it is not safer
and more profitable to themselves, as well
as just to the United States, to resort to
them and other open ports, that it is to pur
sue, through many hazards and at vast
cost, a contraband trade with other ports
which are closed, if not by actual military
operations, at least by a lawful and effect
ive blockade.
For myself, I have no doubt of the pow
er and duty of the Executive, under the
law of nations, to exclude enemies of the
human race from an asylum in the United
States. If Congress should think that pro
ceeding in such cases lack the authority of
law, or ought to be further regulated by it,
1 recommend that provision be made f< >r ef
fectually preventing foreign slave-traders
from acquring domicile and facilities for
their criminal occupation in our country.
It is possible that if it were a new and
open question, the Maritime Powers, with
the light they now enjoy, would not con
cede the privileges of a naval belligerent,
to the insurgents of the United States, des
titute as they are and always have been,
equally of ships and of ports and harbors.
Disloyal emissaries have been neither less
assiduous nor more successful during the
last year than they were before that time
in their efforts, under favor of that privil
ege,to embroil our country in foreign wars.
The desire and determination of the Mari
time States to defeat that design are believ
ed to be as sincere as, and cannot be more
earnest than our own. Nevertheless, un
forseen political difficulties have arisen, es
pecially in Brazilian and British ports and
on the Northern boundary of the United
States, which have required and are likely
to continue to require the practice of con
stant vigilance and a just and conciliatory
spirit on the part of the United States, as
well as of the nations concerned and their
Governments. Commissioners have been
appointed under the treaty with Great Brit
ain on the adjustment of the claims of the
Hudson Bay and Puget's Sound Agricultur
al Companies in Oregon, and are now pro
ceeding to the execution of the trust assign
ed to theui.
In view of the insecurity of life in the
region adjacent to the Canadian border, by
recent assaults and depredations committed
by inimical and desperate persons, who are
harbored there, it lias been thought proper
to give notice that after the expiration of
six months, the period conditionally stipn
led in the existing arrangements with Great
Britain, the United States must hold them
selves at liberty to increase their naval
armament upon the Lakes, if they shall
find that proceeding necessary. The con
dition of the border will necessarily come
into consideration in connection with the
question of continuing or modifying the
rights of transit from Canada through the
United States, as well as the regulation of
imports, which were temporary established
by the Reciprocity Treaty of the sth of
•Tune, 1854. 1 desre,however, to be under
stood while making this statement, that
the colonial authorities are. not deemed to
be intentionally unjust or unfriendly toward
the 1 nited States,but on the contrary,there
is every reason to expect that with the ap
proval of the Imperial Government they
wili take the necessary measures to prevent
new incursions across the border.
The act passed at the last session for the
encouragement of emigration has, as far as i
as was possible, been put into execution.
It seems to need amendment, which will
enable the officers of the Government to
prevent the pratico of frauds against the
emmigrants while on their way, and 011 their
arrival in the ports, so as to secure them
here a free choice of avocations and places
of settlement. A liberal disposition toward
this great national policy is manifested by
most of the European States, and ought to
be reciprocated on our part, by giving the
immigrants effective national protection. 1
regard our emigrants as one of the princi
pal, replen'shing streams which are appoin
ted by Pr< vidonce to repay the ravages of
internal war and its wastes of national
strength and health. All that is necessary
is to secure the How <4 that stream iu its
present fullness, and to that end the Gov
ernment must in every way make it mani
fest that it neither needs nor designs to im
pose involuntary military services upon
those who come from other lands to cast
their lot in our country.
The financial affairs of the Government
have been successfully administered during
the last year. The legislation of the last
session of Congress has beneficially affected
the revenue. Although sufficient time has
not yet elapsed to experience the full effect
of several of the provisions of the acts of
Congress imposing increased taxation, the
receipts during* the year, from all sources,
upon the basis of warrants signed by the
Secretary of the Treasury, including loans,
ami the balance in the Treasury on the Ist
day of July, 1863, were $1,394,79(5,0(1" (52,
and the aggregate disbursements upon the
same basis, were $1,298,050,101 89, leaving
a balance in the treasury, as shown by
warrants, of $9(5,730,905 73. Deduct from
these amounts the amount of the principal
of the public debt redeemed, and the am
ount of issues in substitution therefore, and
the actual cash operations of the Treasury
were: Receipts, $*84,0 7 6,1546 77; disburse
ments, $8(55,234,057 9(5, which leaves a
cash balance in the treasury of $18,842,-
558 71. Of the receipts, there were de
rived from customs $102,31(5,152 9(5 ; from
lands, $588,333 29 ; from direct taxes,
$475,(548 9(5 ; from internal revenue, $109,-
741,134 10; from miscellaneous sources,
$47,511,448 10 ; and from loans applied to
! actual expenditures, including former bal
ance, $023,443,929 13. There were dis
bursed for the civil service, $27,505,599 40;
for pensions and 1ndian5,57,517,930 97 ; for
the War Department, $<50,701,84? 07 ; for
tla - Navy Department, $85,73g,292 7*9 ; for
interest of the public debt, $53,095,421 09,
making an aggregate of $805,234,087 80,
! and leaving a balance in the Treasury of
$18,842,558 71, as before stated.
For the actual receipts and uisburse
; incuts for the past quarter, and the estima
j ted receipts and disbursements for the three
remaining quarters of the current fiscal
i year, and the general operations of the
j Treasury in detail, I refer to the report of
; the Secretary of the Treasury. 1 concur
! with him in the opinion that the proportion
j of the moneys required to meet the expenses
i consequent upon the war, derived from tax-
I ation, should be still further increased ; and
I earnestly invite your attention to this sub
ject to the end that there may be such ad
, ditional legislation as shall be required to
j meet the just expectations of the Secretary.
The public debt on the Ist day of July last,
i as appears by the books of the Treasury,
| amounted to one billion, seven hundred and
| forty thousand million, six hundred and
, ninety thousand, four hundred and cighty
i nine dollars and forty-nine cents, Probabiy
j should the war continue for another year,
j that amount may be increased by not far
| from five hundred millions. Held as it is
I for the most part by our own people, it has
become a substantial branch of national
, though private property. For obvious rea-
I sons the more nearly this property can be
, distributed among all the people the better,
j To favor such general distribution, greater
inducements to become owners might per
haps, with good effect and without injury,
be presented to persons of limited means.
With this view, I suggest whether it might
j not be both expedient and competent for
j Congress to provide that a limited amount
■of some future issue of public securities
I might be held by any bona fida purchaser
. exempt from taxation and from seizure for
i debt under such restrictions and limitations
as might be necessary to guard against
| abuse of so important a privilege. This
j would enable prudent persons to set aside
a small annuity against a possible day of
i want. Privileges like these would render
the possession of such securities to the
j amount limited most desirable to any per
| son of small means, who might be able to
! save enough for the purpose. The great
: advantage of citizens being creditors, as
: well as debtors, with relation to the public
debt, is obvious. Men readily perceive tiiat
they cannot be much oppressed by a debt
vviiich they owe themselves. The public
debt on the Ist day of July las', although
somewhat exceeding the estimate of the
Secretary of the Treasury made to Congress
at the commencement of the last session,
falls short of the estimate of that officer
made in the proceeding December, as to its
probable amount at the beginning of this
year, by the sum of This
fact exhibits a satisfactory condition and
conduct of tiie operations of the Treasury.
The National Banking system is proving
to be acceptable to capitalists and to the
people.
On the 25th day of November, 5X4 Na
tional Banks had been organized, a consid
erable number of which were conversions
from State banks, Changes from the State
system to the National system are rapidly
taking place, and it is hoped that very soon
there will be in the United States no bank
of issue not authorized by Congress, and no
bank-note circulation not secured by the
Government ; that the Government and the
people will derive general benefit from this
change in the banking systems of the coun
try can hardly be questioned. The national
system will create a reliable and permanent
iiiHuence in support of the national credit
and protect the people against losses in the
use of paper money. Whether or not any
further legislation is advisable for the sup
pression of State bank issue, it will be for
Congress to determine. It seems quite clear
that the Treasury cannot be satisfactorily
conducted unless Government can exercise
a restraining power over the bank-note cir
eolation of the country.
The report of the Secretary of War and
the accompanying documents will detail the
campaigns of the armies in t-hc field since
the date of the last Annual Message, and
also the operations of the several adminis
trative bureaux of the War Department
during the last year.
If will also specify the measures deemed
essential for the national defence, and to
keep up and supply the requisit military
force. The report of the Secretary of the
Navy presents a comprehensive and satis
factory exhibit of the affairs of that depart
ment and of the naval service. It is a sub
ject of congratulation and laudable pride to
our countrymen that a navy of such pro
portions has been organized in so brief a
period, and conducted with so much effici
ency and success.
The general exhibit of the navy, includ
ing - vessels under construction on the Ist
of December, 1864, shows a total of 671
vessels, carrying 4,<i10 guns, 510,39(5 tons
being an actual increase during the year, j
over and above all losses by shipwreck or
in battle, of 83 vessels, 107 guns, and 42,-j
427 tons. The total number of men at this
time in the naval service including officers, '
is about fil,00(l. There have been captured i
by the navy during the year, 324 vessels, j
and the whole number of navy captured j
since hostilities commenced is 1.379, of
which 2(57 are steamers. The gross pro
ceeds arising from the sale of condemned
prize property tints far reported amounts to
$14,300,250 51. A large amount of such
property is still under adjudication, and
yet to be reported. The total expenditure I
of the Navy Department of every descrip
tioii, including the cost of the immense |
squadrons that have been called into exis- j
tence from the 4tb <>f March, 18(51, to the i
Ist of November, 1864, are $238,(54?,202 35.
Your favorable consideration is invited to
the various recommendations of the Sec-re- !
tury of the Navy, especial in regard to a
navy-yard and suitable establishment for i
the construction and repair of iron vessels,
and the machinery and armature of our j
ships, to which reference was made in my ;
last Annual Message.
Your attention is also invited to the views
expressed in the report in relation to the i
legislation of Congress at its first session,
in regard to prize on our inland waters.
I cordially concur in the recommendation i
of the Secretary as to the propriety of crea
ting tlx - new rank of Vice-Admiral in our
naval service.
Your attention is invited to the report of
the Postmaster-General for a detailed ac
count of the opeiations and financial con
dition of the Post-office Department.
The postal revenues for the year ending
June 30, 1854, amounted to $12,468,253 78,
and the expenditures to $12,<544,786 20; the
excess of expenditures over receipts being
$206,(552 42.
The views presented by the Postmaster
General on the subject of special grants by
the Government in aid to the establishment
of new lines of ocean mail steamships, and
the policy lie recommends for the develop
ment of increased commercial intercourse
with adjacent and neighboring countries,
should receive the careful consideration of
1 Congress.
It is of noteworthy interest that the
steady expansion of population, improve
ment and governmental institutions over
the new and unoccupied portions of our
country, have scarcely been checked, much
less impeded or destroyed, by our great civil
war, which at first glance, would seem to
have absorbed almost the entireenergies of
trie nation.
The organization and admission of the
State of Nevada lias been completed, in
conformity with law, and thus our excel
lent system is firmly established in the
mountains which once seemed a barren
and uninhabitable waste between the At
lantic States and those which have grown
up on the coast of tl\e Pacific Ocean.
The territories of the Union are gener
ally in a condition of prosperity and rapid
growth. Idaho and Montana, by reason of
their great distance, and the interruption
of communication with theru by Indian hos
tilities, have been only partially organized :
but it is understood that these difficulties
j are about to disappear, which will permit
their Governments, like those of the oth
ers, to go into speedy and full operation as
j intimately connected with and promotive
of this material growth of the nation, 1
! ask the attention of Congress to the valua
ble information and important recommen
dations relating to the public lands, Indian
| affairs, the Pacific Railroads, and mineral
1 discoveries contained in the report of the
Secretary of the Interior, which is here
with transmitted, and which report also
embraces the subjects of patents, pensions
I and other topics of public interest pertain
ing to his department. The quantity of
J public land disposed of during the five
quarters ending on the thirtieth of Septem
j her last, was 4,221,342 acres, of which
I 1,538,614 acres were entered under the
j homestead law. The remainder was loca
! ted with military laud warrants, agricultu
; ral scrip certified to States for railroads,
j and sold for cash. The cash received front
j sales and location fees was $1,019,446. —
! The income from sales during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1864, was $688,007-
21, against $136,077 95 received during the
proceeding year. The aggregate number
of acres surveyed during t ie year has been
equal to the quantity disposed of, and there
is open to settlement about 133,000,000
acres of surveyed land.
The great enterprise of connecting the
Atlantic with the Pacific States, by rail
ways and telegraph lines lias been entered
upon with a vigor that gives assurance of
success, notwithstanding the embarrass
incuts arising from the prevailing high
prices of materials and labor. The route
of the main line of the road lias been defi
nitely located for one hundred miles west
ward from the central point at Omaha City, I
Nebraska, and a preliminary location of
the Pacific Ifailroail of California has been {
made from Sacramento, eastward, to the ;
great bend of Mucker Kiver in Nevada.—
Numerous discoveries of gold, silver and
cinnebar mines have been added to the
many heretofore known, and the country
occupied by the Sierra Nevada and the :
Rocky Mountains and the subordinate i
ranges now teems with enterprising labor,
which is richly remunerative.
It is believed that the products of the j
mines of precious metals in that region j
has during the year reached, if not exceed
ed, $190,000,900 in value. It was recom- \
mended in my last Annual Message that
our Indian system be remodelled. Congress
at its last Session, acting upon the recom
mendation, did provide for reorganizing the
system in California, and it is believed that
undei tho present organization the manage
ment of the Indians there will he attended
with reasonable success. Much yet remains
to he done to provide for the proper gov
ernment of the Indians in other parts of
the country, to render it secure for the ad
vancing settler, and to provide for the wel
fare of the nation. The Secretary reiter
ates his recommendations, and to them the
attention of Congress is invited.
The liberal provisions made by Congress
for paying pensions to invalid soldiers and
sailors of the Republic, and to the widows,
orphans and dependent mothers of those
who have fallen in battle or died of disease
contracted, or of wounds received in the
service of their country, have been dili
gently ad mi n iste re< 1.
There have been added to the Pension
Rolls during the year ending the 30th day
of June last, the names of 16,710 invalid
soldiers, and of 271 disabled seamen, mak
ing the present number of army invalid
pensioners 22.767, and of navy invalid pen
sioners 112. Of widows, orphans and
mothers, 22,198 have been placed on the
Army Pension Rolls, and 248 on the Navy
Rolls. The present number of army pen
sioners of this class is 25,443, and of navy
pensioners, 793.
At the beginning of the year the num
ber of revolutionary pensioners was 1,430.
Only twelve of them were soldiers, of whom
seven have since died. The remainder are
those who, under the law, receive pensions
because of relationship to revolutionary
soldiers.
During the year ending the 30th of June i
1864, $4,504,616 92 have been paid to pen
sioners of al! classes.
I cheerfully commend to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions of
the District of Columbia, which have liitli
erto been established or fostered by Con
gress, and respectfully refer for information
concerning them, and in relation to the
Washington Aqueduct, the Capitol, and
other matters of local interest, to the re
port of the Secretary.
The Agricultural Department, under the
supervision of its present energetic and
faithful head is rapidly commending itself
to the great and vital interest it was cre
ated to advance. It is peculiarly the Peo
ple's Department, in which they feel more
directly concerned than in any other. I
commend it to the continued attention and
fostering care of Congress.
The war continues. Sin'e the last An
nual Message all the important lines and
positions then occupied by our forces have
been maintained, and our armies have
steadily advanced, thus liberating the re
gions left in the rear, so that Missouri,
Kentucky, Tennessee, and parts of other
States have again produced reasonably fair
crops.
The most remarkable feature in the mili
tary operations of the year, is General
SHERMAN'S attempted march of three hun
dred miles directly through an insurgent
region. It tends to show a great increase
1 of our relative strength, that our General
in-Chief should teel able to confront and
hold in check every active force of the ene
my, and yet to detach a well appointed
large army to move on such an expedition.
The result not yet being known, conjecture
in regard to it cannot here be indulged.
Important movements have also occur
red during the year to the effect of molding
society for durability in the Union, although
I short of complete success, it is much in the
right direction that 12,000 citizens in each
; of tho States of Arkansas and Louisiana
have organized loyal State Governments
with free constitutions, and are earnestly
struggling to maintain and administer
; them.
The movement in tho same direction
inorc extensively, though less definite in
i Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee should
: not be overlooked.
Rut Maryland presents the example of
complete success. Maryland is secure to
! Liberty and Union for all the future. The
genius of rebellion will no more claim Mary
land. Like another foul spirit, being driv
en out, it may seek to tear her, but it will
woo her nor more.
At the last session of Congress a pro
posed amendment of tho Constitution abol
ishing slavery throughout the United States
passed the Senate but failed for lack of the
requisite two-thirds vote in the House of
Representatives. Although the present is
the same Congress, and nearly the same
members, and without questioning the wis
dom or patriotism of those who stood in op
| position, I venture to recommend the re
| consideration and passage of the measure
|at the present session. Of. course, the ab
| straet question is not changed, but an in
! tervening election shows almost certainly
that the next Congress will pass the mea
sure if this does not. Hence there is only
a question of time as to when the proposed
' amendment will go to the States for their
1 action, and as it is to go, at all events, may
: we not agree that the sooner the better.—
! It is not claimed that the election has im
j posed a duty on members to change their
| views or their votes any further than as an
i additional element to be considered. Their
I judgment may be affected by it. It is the
| voice of the people now for the first time
j heard upon the question. In a great na
tional crisis like ours unanimity of action
among those seeking a common end is very
! desirable, almost indispensable ; and yet
! no approach to such unanimity is attaina
j ble unless some deference shall be paid to
: the will of the majority. In this case the
1 common end is the maintenance of the Un
i ion, and among the means to secure that
i end, such will, through the election, is most
| clearly declared in favor of such constitu-
I tional amendment.
The most reliable indication of public
j purpose in the country is derived through
1 our popular elections. Judging by the
| recent canvass and its result, the purpose
of the people within the loyal States, to
I maintain the integrity of the Union, was
never more firm nor more nearly unanimous
than now. The extraordinary calmness
i and good order with which the millions of
voters met and mingled at the polls give
strong assurance of this. Not only all
, those who supported the Union ticket (so
called,) hut a great irtajority of the oppo
site party also may be fairly claimed to
entertain and to bp actuated by the same
purpose. It is an unanswerable argrnru.,,.
to tiiis efieet, that no candidate for
oliice whatever, high or low, has venture',
to seek votes on the avowal that he v.,,.
for giving up the Union. There has Lw.,
much impugning of motives and much lu-at'
ed controversy as to the proper means
best mode of advancing the Union cans.'
but in the distinct issue of Union or i,
Union, the politicians have shown their ii
stinctivc knowledge that there is nodivci
sity among the people. In affording tb.
people the fair opportunity of showing on,
to another and to the world this firmn,
and unanimity of purpose, the election |, a .
been of vast value to the national cans, 1
The election has exhibited another fact i,„,
less valuable to be known—the fact tine
we do not approach exhaustion in the in
important branch of the national reeour, ~
That of living men—while it is mdanchoh
to reflect that the war has filled so n,., '
graves and caused mourning to so ne,
hearts. It is some relief to know that com
pared with the surviving the fallen haw
been so few. While Corps and Division
and Regiments have formed and fought an
dwindled and gone out of existence,
great majority of the men who eompo-,
them are still living. The same is trm
the naval service. The election retu:.,
prove tiirs. So many voters could notch
be found. The States regularly hold!;
elections both now and four years a",... •
wit: California, Connecticut, Deluwar.
Illinois, lowa, Kentucky, Maine, Marvin.,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota. \
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 01,;
Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, V,
moiit, West Virginia and Wisconsin, en
-3,952,0J1 votes now against 4,870,222 ,
then, showing an aggregate now of 3 39v
211, to which is to be added 33.702 r,.
now in the new States of Kansas and V
vada, which States did not vote in 18'0
thus swelling the aggregate to 4.07.",,7;
and the net increase during the three w a
and a half of war fo 145,751. A tai l,
appended showing particulars. To tln>
again, should be added the number ,; ;,!
soldiers in the field from Massuehu- n>
Rhode Island, New-Jersey, Delaware, I p.!
Ny, Illinois and California, who,
of those States, could not vote away !•
their homes, and which number cannot !
less than 90,000. Nor yet is this all. 1.1
number in organized territories is t: ,
now what it was four years ago ; v
thousands, white and black, join us astij
national arms press back the insurg, |
lines--so much is shown affirmatively
negatively by the election. It is not
terial to inquire how the increase lias 1. i
produced, or to show that it would In 1
been greater but for the war, which f
probably true ; the important fact renin!
demonstrated that we have more men 1, 9
than we had when the war began ; that i
are not exhausted nor in process of ex!...
tion ; that we are gaining strength. J
may, if need be, maintain the contest in 1
finitely. This as to men.
Kentucky 141',. 216 St.;
Maine 97,911 lla.ni
Maryland .92.502.. 7j 7
Massachusetts 1(19,5:13.... 175.K
Michigan 154,747 162.41
Minnesota 34.799 12.53-J
Missouri 185,538 90,00fl
New-Hampshire 65.953 G9.1. ?
New-Jersey 121,125 lis.,-
New-York... 675,156 7311.0-
Ohio 4(2.44! 47<i.17
Oregon 14,410 14. t: |
Pennsylvania 476.442. . 572 •
Rhode Island 19,931.... |
Vermont .42.844 55 -
West Virginia 46.195.... 33. v " [i
Wisconsin 152,180 .1 i v
Total 3,870,222. . .3. ,-.
Kansas.... 17,234
Nevada 16,528
Total 4.015."'"
* Nearly, f Estimated.
Material resources are now more
plete and abundant than ever. The 11..J1
al resources then are unexhausted, an: •
we believe, inexhaustible. The publi,
pose tore-establish and maintain t: W.
tional authority is unchanged, and. a- -
believe, unchangeable. The mania,
continuing the effort remains t<> chu - .
On careful consideration of all the evi: j
accessible, it seems to me that no at'
at negotiation with the insurgent 1
could result in any good. He w,,u! '
cept of nothing short of the several |
the I nion. His declarations to thi> t |
are explicit and oft-repeated. He <: Pi
attempt to deceive us. lie afford- 1 j
excuse to deceive ourselves. We ea J
voluntarily yield it. Ret ween him audi:-j
issue is distinct, simple and infl.x
is an issue which can only he tried hv |
and decide by victory. If we vield v. i
beaten. If the Southern people fail 1 1
is beaten ; either way it would be t! |>"
tory and defeat following war. Wi
true ljowever, of him who heads the
gent cause, is not necessary true of
who follow. Although he cannot rc-a,
the Union, they can. Some of tln i?\
know already desire peace and reun
The number of such may increase,
can at any moment have peace simp Jjt
laying down their arms and submit t JK
national authority under the Constit' 5
After so much the Government could raj
if it would, maintain war against th, 4
The loyal people would not sustain or; 7
it. If questions should remain, we vl/
adjust them by the }>eaceful means ofp
islation, conference, courts and votes. |
! crating only in constitutional and L&jj
j channels, some certain and other j -fy|
! questions are and would be beyond t V
j cutive power to adjust, as for instant n
I admission of members into Congress ||
; whatever might require the appropri J®
lof money. The Executive power :jH
! would be greatly diminished by the
1 tion of actual war. Pardons and r< %
ions of forfeiture, however, would sC'JB
Executive control. In what spirit .'IIK I
per this control would be exercised, < Hj
i fairly judged of by the past. A yea: 9|
general pardon and amnesty, upon sp 9
terms, were ofl'ered to all except o 9
designated classes, and it was at the -<9
time made known that the excepted cl 9
were still within contemplation of s| 9
i clemency. During the year many :oflH
themselves of the general provision |9
many more would, only that the si. flj
bed faith in some led to suehprecauti flMj
measures as rendered the practical p:
less easy and certain. During the -9
time, also special pardons have been H
ed to individuals of excepted classed■
; no voluntary application lias been dm 9
Thus practically the door has been I
full year open to all, except such as ■
not in condition to make free choice 9
is, such as were in custody or unih B
i straint. It is still open to all, but tli'fl
' may come, probably will come, whei I
; lie duty shai! demand that it be close-1
that in lieu, more vigorous measure q|
1 heretofore shall be adopted,
j In presenting the abandonment of
1 resistance to the national authority
part of the insurgents, as the on 4
, pensable condition to ending
the part of tho government, 1 retr-n' 1 H
ing heretofore said as to slavery. I '. I
the declaration made a year ago. aiu | 1
while I remain in my present pes' 1 9
' shall not attempt to retract or mod'v 9
Emancipation Proclamation. Nor - 9
return to Slavery any person who ' S