EXTRA.
THE STATE OF TflE NATION
SECOND ANNUAL
MESSAGE OF
ANDREW JOHNSON,
PresideDt ef the United States.
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and Souse of
Hepresentatives;
Atier a brief interval the Congress of the
United States resumes its annual legislative
labors. An all-wise and merciful Provi
dencejbas abated the pestilence which visit
ed onrshores, leaving its calamitous traces
upon some portions of our oountry. Peace,
order, tranquillity, and civil authority have
been formally declared to exist throughout
the whole of the United States. In all of
the Slates civil authority has superseded the
coercion of arms, and the people,' by their
voluntary action, are. maintaining their
grvernments in full activity and complete
operation. The enforcement of the laws is
no longer “obstructed in any State by com
binations too powerful to be suppressed by
the ordinary course of j udicial proceeding-;”
and the animosities engendered by the war
are rapidly yielding to the beneficent influ
ences of our free institutions, and to the
kindly effects of unrestricted social and
commercial intercourse. An entire restora
tion of fraternal feeling must be the earnest
w.sh of every patriotic heart; and we will
have accomplished our grandest national
achievement when, forgetting the sad events
of the past, and remembering only their in
structive lessons, we resume our onward
career as a free, prosperous, and united
people.
In my message of the 4th of December,
1565, Congrtss was informed of the measures
which hau been instituted by the Executive
with a view to the gradual restoration of the
■States in which the insurrection occurred to
their relations with the General Govern
ment. Provisional Governors had been ap
pointed, Conventions called, Governors
elected, Legislatures assembled, and Sena
tors and Representatives chosen to the Con
gress of the United States. Coarts had been
opened for the enforcement of laws long.in
abeyance. The blockade had been removed,
custom-honses re-established, and the in- '
ternal revenue laws pat in force, in order
that the people might contribute to the
national income. Postal operations had
been renewed, and efforts were being made
to restore them to their former condition of
■efficiency. The States themselves had been
asked to take part in the high fanction of
amending the Constitution, and of thus
sanctioning the extinction of African slavery
as one of the legitimate results of our in
ternecine struggle.
Having progressed thus far, the Execu
tive Department found that it had accom
plished nearly all that was within the scope
of its constitutional authority. One thing
however, yet remained to be done before the
work of restoration could be completed, and
that was the admission to Congress of loyal
Senators and Representatives from the
States whose people had rebelled against
the lawful authority of the General Govern
ment. This question devolved upon the re
spective Houses, which, by the Constitution,
are made the; judges of the elections, re
turns, and quaiifleations of their own mem
bers; and its consideration at once engaged
the attention of Congress.
In the meantime,, the Executive Depart
ment—no other plan having been proposed
by Congress—continued its efforts to perfect,
as far as was practicable, the restoration of
the proper relations between the citizens of
the respective States, the States, and the
Federal Government, extending, from time
to time, as the public interests seemed to
require, the judicial, revenue, and postal
systems of the country. With the advice
and consent of the Senate, the necessary
officers were appointed, and appropriations
made by Congress for the payment of their
salaries. The proposition to amend the
Federal Constitution,*so as to prevent the
■existence of slavery within the United States '
or any place subject to their jurisdiction
was -ratified by the requisite number o
States; and oh the 18th. day of December,
1865, it was officially declared to have be
come valid as a part of the Constitution of
the United States. All of the States in
which the insurrection had existed promptly
amended their Constitutions, so as to make
them conform to the great change thus
effected in the organic law of the land; de
clared null and void all ordinances and laws
of secession; repudiated all pretended debts
and obligations createdfor the revolutionary
purposes of the insurrection; and proceeded,
in good faith, to the enactment of measures
for the protection and amelioration of the
condition of the colored race. Congress,
however, yet hesitated to admit any of these
States to representation; and it was not until
towards the close of the eighth month of the
session that an exception was made in favor
of Tennessee, by the admission of her Sena
tors and Representatives.
I deem it a subject of profound regret,that
Congress has thns far failed to admit to
seats Joyai Senators and Representatives
from the other States, whose inhabitants,
Wl th those of Tennessee, had engaged in the
rebellion. Ten States—more than one
fourth of the whole number—remain with
out representation; the seats of fifty mem
bers in the House of Representatives and of
twenty members in the Senate are yet va
cant—not by their own consent, not by a
failure of election,bat by the refusal of Con
gress to accept their credentials. Their ad
mission, it is believed, would have accom
plished much towards the renewal and
strengthening oi our relations as one people,
and removed serious cause for discontent
on the part of the inhabitants of those
States. It would have accorded with the
great principle enunciated in the Declare- j
non of American Independence, that no i
people ought to bear the burden of taxation
and yet be denied the right of represents- ,
**°®- ,1? would have been in consonance i
•with the express provisions of the Constltn
tion, that v“each State shall have at least
one Representative,” and “that no State
without its consent, shaft be deprived of its
equal suffrage in the Senate.” These pro- '
visions were intended to secure to every i
State, and to the people of every State, the ■
right of representation in each House of ■
Congress; and so important was it deemed
by the framers of the Constitution that the ,
equality of the States in the Senate should
be preserved, that not even by an amend
ment of _ the Constitution can any State,
without its consent, be denied a voice in
that branch of the National Legislature.
It is true, it has been assnmed that the ex
istence of the States was terminated by the
rebellions acts of their inhabitants, and that
the inßorreclion having been suppressed,
they were thenceforward to be consi
dered merely as conquered territories. The
Legislative, Executive, and Jndioial De
partments of the Government have, how
, ever, with great distinctness and uniform
refused to sanation an assnmp- ,
iSapn so incompatible with the nature of onr ,
KWpoblioan system, and with the professed ■
K*®eota'Of; the war. Throughout the reoent 1
S|~p3latl6h of Congress, the undeniable fact ■
itself apparent, that these ten poiiti- ;
ft%,.lfommnnitipB are nothing less than States i
At the very commencement
of the rebellion, oach House deolared, with »
unanimity as remarkable aa it , «res signifi
cant, that the war was not “ waged, anon
our part, in any spirit of oppression, nor for
any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor
purpose of overthrowing or interfering with
the rights or established institutions of those
States, but to defend and 'maintain the su
premacyof the Constitution and all laws
made m pursuance thereof, and to
ireserve the Union with all the dignity,
equality, and rights of the several
Spates unimpaired; and that as
soon as these objects” were “accomplished
ihe war ought?to cease.” In some instances
Senators were permitted to continue their
legislative functions, while in other in
stances Representatives were eleoted and
admitted to seats after their States had
formally declared their right to withdraw
from the Union, and were endeavoring to
maintain that right by force of arms. All
of the States whose people wereiQ iusurreo-
Mon, as States, were included in theappor
norftnent of the direct tax of twenty mil-
.ft, dolla L rs annually laid upon the
United States by the act approved sth Au
!r, U K St i!fn Congress,-by -the act or March
4tn, 1H62, and by the apportionment or re
presentation thereunder, also recognized
their presence as States in the Union; and
U;ey_have, for judicial purposes, been dir
vtded into districts, as Stt&es alone can be
divided. The same recognition appears in
the recent legislation in reference to Ten
nessee, which' evidently rests upon the fact
that the functions of the State were not de
stroyed by the- rebellion, but merely sus
pended; and that principle is of coarse ap
plicable to those States whiob, like Tennes
s e, attempted to‘renounce their places in
the Union.
The action of the Executive Department
of the Government upon this subject has
been equally definite and uniform, and the
purpose of the war wasspeoifioally stated in
the Proclamation issued by my predecessor
on the 22d day of September, 1862. It was
then solemnly proclaimed and declared that
“hereafter, as heretofore, the war will be
prosecuted for the objeoc of practically re
storing the constitutional relation between
the United States and each of the States and
the people thereof, in which States that rela
tion is or may be suspended or disturbed.”
The recogniUon of the States by the Judi
cial Department of the Government has
also been clear and conclusive in all pro
ceedings affecting them as States, had in the
Supreme, Circuit and District Courts.
In the admission of Senators and Repre
sentatives from any and all of the States,
there can be no just ground of apprehension
that persons wbo aredisloyal will be ciotned
with the powers of legislation; for this could
not happen when the Constitution and the
laws are enforced by a vigilant and faithful
Each house is made the “judge
of the elections, returns, and qualifications
ot its own members,” and may, “with the
concurrence of two-thirds,expel a member.”
• When a Senator or Representative presents
bis certificate of election, he may at once De
admitted or rejected; or should there beany
question as to his eligibility, his credentials
may be referred for investigation to the ap
propriate committee. If admitted to a seat,
it must be upon evidence satisfactory to the
Honse of which he thns becomes amember.
that he possesses the requisite Constitutional
and legal qualifications. If refused admis
sion as a member for want of due allegiance
to the Government, and returned to his
constituents, theyareadmonlshed that none
but persons loyal to the United States will
be allowed a voice in the Legislative Coun
cils of the nation, and the political power
and moral influence of Congress are thus
effectively exerted in the interests of loy
alty to the Government and fidelity to the
Union. Upon this question, so vitally af
fecting the restoration of the Union and the
permanency of our present form of govern
n- ent, my convictions, heretofore expressed,
have undergone no change; bat, on tbe
contrary, their correctness has been con
firmed by reflection and time. If the ad
mission of loyal members to Beats in the
respective Houses of Congress was wise and'
expedient a year ago. it is no less wise and
expedient now. -If this anomalous condi
tion is right now—if; in the exact condition
of these States at the present time,it is law
ful to exclude them from representation, I
do not see that the qnestion will be changed
by the efflux of time. Ten years hence, if
these States remain as they are, the right of
representation will be no stronger—the
right of exclusion will be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to re
commend to the consideration of Congress
‘such measures as he shall judge necessary
or expedient.” I know of no measure m ire
imperatively demanded by every conside
ration of national interest, sound policy
apd equal justice, than the admission o'
loyal members from the now nnrepresente i
States. This would consummate the work
of restoration, and exert amost salatary in
fluence in the re-establishment of Deace,
harmony and fraternal feeling. It would
tend greatly te renew the confidence of the
American people in the vigor and stability
of their institutions. It would bind us more
closely together as a nation, and enable as
to show to the world the inherent and recu
perative power of a Government founded
upon the will of the people, and estab
lished upon the principles of liberty,
justice and Intelligence. Onr increased
strength and enhanced prosperity would ir
refragably demonstrate the fallacy of the ar
guments against free institutions drawn
from our reeent national disorders by the
enemies of republican government. The
admission of loyal members from the
utates now excluded from Congress, by .al
laying doubt and apprehension, wonld tarn
capital, now awaiting an opportunity for
investment, into the channels of trade and
industry. It wonld alleviate the present
condition of those States, and, by intli&ng
emigration, aid in the settlement of fertile
regions now uncultivated, and lead to aD
increased production of those staples which
have added so greatly to the wealth of the
nation and the commerce of the world.
New fields of enterprise wonld be opened to
onr progressive people, and soon the devas
tations of war wonld be repaired, and all
traces of onr domestic differences effaced
from the mind of onr countrymen.
• In our efforts to preserve “the nnityof
Government which constitutes ns one peo
ple,” by restoring the States to the condition
■ Which'they held prior to the rebellion, we
shonld be cautious, lest, having rescued our
nation from perils of threatened disintegra
tion,we resort to consolidation, and in the
end absolute despotism, as a remedy for the
recurrence of similar troubles. The war
having terminated, and with it all occasion
for the exercise of powers of doubtful con
stitutionality, we shonld hasten to bring le
gislation within the boundaries prescribed
by the Constitution, and to return to the an
cient landmarks established by onr fathers
!?rL ~g ui‘ 3 . a nce of succeeding generations.
The Constitution which at any time exists.
J? n .H?r anB ,® d , by an ezpHoit and authentic
act of tbe whole people, is saoredly obliga
-u1” in tbe opinion of the
pet pie, the distribution or modification of
the constitutional powers be, in any partic
ular wrong, let it be corrected by an amend
ment in the way in which the Constitution
designates. But let there be no change by
is tbe customary weapon
by which free Governments are destroyed.’ ’
Washington spoke these words to his coun
maHtodeWheni,efollo by their loye and
gratitude, he voluntarily retired
irom the cares of public life
“To ee P in all things P within the
P ale . of our censtitntional powers, and
cherish the Federal Union as the only rook
of safety,” were prescribed by Jefferson as
rules of action to endear to his“oountrvmeh
the true principles of their Constitution and
promote a union of sentiment and action
equally auspicious to their happiness and
safety,” Jackson held thattheaotion of the
General Government shonld always be
THE DAILY EVENING BULLETIN : PHILIP *!LPHIA. MONDAY, DECEMBER 3.1866,
' confined to the sphore of its appro
priate duties, and justly ana forcibly urged
that our Government isnot to be maintained
?>?'3 tI LP w 5 n^ preserved “by invasions of
the rights and powers of the several States.
In thus attempting to make our General
- Government strong, we make It weak. Its
truestrength consists in leavlngindlvidaals
and Statesasmnchaspossibleto themselves
in making itself felt, nor in Its power, but
m Us beneficence; not in its control, but in
its protection; not in binding the States
. more closely to the centre, but leaving each
to move unobstructed in its proper consti
tutional orbit.” -These are the teachings of
men whose deeds and services have made
them illustrious, and who, long since with
drawn from scenes of life, have left to their
country the rich legacy of their example,
their wisdom, and their patriotism. Draw
ing tresh inspiration from their lessons, let
us emulate them in love of country audre
pect for the Constitution and the laws. ~T.
The report of the Secretary of the Trea
sury affords : much information respecting
the re venue and commerce of the country. •
His views upon the currency, and with re
ference to a proper adjustment of Our reve
nue system, internal as well as impost, are
commended to the careful consideration of
Congress. In my last annual message' I
expressed my general views upon these
subjects. I need now only call attention
to the necessity of carrying into every de
partment of tne Government a system of
rigid accountability, thorough retrench
ment, and wise economy. With no exoep
tionalnor nnnsnal expenditures.theoppres
sive burdens of taxation can be lessened by
such a modification of our revenue laws as
will be consistent with the public faith and
Hie legitimate and necessary wants o’f the
Government.
■ The report presents a much more satisfac
tory condition of onr finances than one year
ago the most sanguine could have antici
pated. During the fiscal year ending the
30th June, 1865, the last year of the war, the
public debt was increased §941,902,537, and
on the 31st of October, 1865, it amounted to
§2,740,854,750. On the 31st day of October
1366, it had been reduced to §2,551,310,005)
the diminution, daring a period of fourteen
months, commencing September 1,1365, and
ending October 31,1866, haviDg been §206,-
379,565. In the last annual report on the
siate of the finances, it was estimated that
during the three quarters of the fiscal year
euding the 30th of June last, the debt would
be increased §112,194,947. Daring that pe
riod, however, it was reduced §31,196,387.
the receipts of the year having been §S9 -
9i‘5,905 more, and the expenditures §200,529)-
235 less than the estimates. Nothing could
more clearly indicate than these statements
the extent and availability of the national
resources, and the rapidity and safety with
which, under our form of government, great
military and naval establishments can be
aisbanded, and expenses reduced from a
war to a peace footing.
During the fiscal year ending the 39th of
June, 1866, the receipts were 5555.032 620,
aud the expenditurea §520,750,940, leaving
aa available surplus of §37,251,650. It i 3
estimated that the receipts ior the fiscal year
ending the 30lh of June, 1867, will be §475 -
061,386, and that the expenditures will reach
the sum of §316,428.678, leaving in the Trea
sury a surplus of §isB 633,308. For the fis
cal year ending Jane 30,1868, it is estimated
that the receipts will amount to §136,000,000.
and thatthe expenditures will be §350,247,-
611—showing an excess of §85,752 359 in
Javor of the Government. Thtss estimated
receipts may be diminished by a reduction
ot excise and import duties; but after all
necessary redactions shall have been made
the revenue of the present and of following
years will doubtless be sufficient to co ver all
legitimate charges upon the Treasury, and
leave a large annual surplus to be applied
to thib payment of the principal of the debt.
There seems now to be no good reason why
taxes may not be reduced as the country
advances in population and wealth, and yet
the debt be extinguished within the next
quarter of a century.
The report of the Secretary of War fur
nishes valuable and important Information
in reference to the operations of his Depart
ment during the past year. Few volunteers
now remain In the service, and they are
being discharged as rapidly as they can be
replaced by regular troops. The army has
been promptly paid .carefully provided with
medical treatment, well sheltered and sub
sisted, and is to be furnished with breech
loading small arms. The military strength
of the nation has been unimpaired by the
discharge of volunteers, the disposition of
unserviceable or perishable stores, and the
retrenchment of expenditure. Sufficient
war material to meet any emergency has
been retained, and, from the dis
banded volunteers standing ready
to respond to the national call
large armies can be rapidly organized’,
equipped, and concentrated. Fortifications
on the coast and frontier have received or
are being prepared for more powerful arma
n.enls; lake surveys and harbor and river
improvements are in course of energetic
prosecution. Preparations have been made
1 r the payment of the additional bounties
authorized durffig the recent session ofCon
gress, under such regulations as will pro
ject the Government from fraud, aodseoure
to the honorably-discharged soldier the
well-earned reward of his faithfulness and
gallantry. More than six thousand maimed
soldiers have received artificial limbs or
other surgical apparatus; and forty-one na
tional cemeteries, containing the re
mains of 104,526 Union soldiers,
have already been established. The
Sss2s 20**669 e 8 ° f mUitary appropriations
it; in stated in the report of the Secretary
of the Navy that the naval foroe at this time
consists of two hundred and seventy-eight
vessels, armed with two thousand three
hundred and fifty-one guns. Of these, one
hundred and fifteen vessels, carrying one
thousand and twenty-nine gnns, are in com
mission, distributed chiefly among seven
squadrons. The number of men in the
service 1b thirteen thousand six hundred.
Great activity and vigilance have been dis
played by all the squadrons, and their
movements have been judiciously and effi
ciently arranged in such manner as would
best promote American commerce, and
protect the rights and interests of
our countrymen abroad. The ves
sels unemployed are undergoing
repairs, or are laid up until their services
““7. be . squired. Most of the iron-olad
fleet is at League Island, in the vicinity of
Philadelphia, a place which, until decisive
action should be taken by Congress, was
selected by the Secretary of the Navy as the
most eligible location for that class of ves
sels. It is important that a suitable public
flL a^° D T. hon J d . b ® Prodded for the iron-olad
fleet. It is intended that these vessels shall
be in proper condition for any eiiergenov
and it is desirable that the bill accepting
League Island for naval purposes, which
passed the House of Representatives at its
last session, should receive final action at
an early period, in order that there may
be a suitable public station for this class
of vessels, as well as a navy-yard
of area sufficient for the wants of
on tbe Delaware river. The
Naval Pension fund amounts to 811,750,000.
having been increased $2,760,000 during the
year. The expenditures of the Department
for thefiscal year ending 30th June last
were §43,324,526 and the estimates for the
oimingyear amount to $23,668,436. Atten
tion is invited to the condition of our sea
men, and the Importance of. legislative
measures for their relief and improvement.
The suggestions in behalf of this deserving
class of our fellow-oitizebs are earnestly
recommended to’the favorable attention of
Congress.
The feport'of the Postmaster General pre
sents a most, satisfactory condition of the
postal seryioe, and submits .recommenda
tions which deserve the consideration of
Congress. The revenues of the Department
I SS yea 3i e “dmg June 3°, 1868, were $14,-
386,986, and the expenditures 815.352T079.
showing an excess of the latter of ?96?093
la anticipation of this deficiency, however,,
a special appropriation was made by Con
gress in the act approved July 28,1866. In
nnn , ln ? the st “nding appropriation of $700,-
000 for free mail matter, as a legltlmate por
tipn of the revenues yet remaining unex
pended, the actual deficiency for the past
year is only $265,093—a sum within 851,141
of the amount eotimated in the annual re
port of 1864. The deorease of revenue oom
pared with the previous year was one and
one fifth per cent., and the increase of ex
penditures, owing principally to the en
largement, of the mail service in the South,
was twelve- per cent. On the 30th
of June last there were in operation
six thousand nine hundred and thirty mail
routes, with an aggregate length of one hun
dred and eighty thousand nine hundred and
twenty-one miles, an aggregate annual
transportation of seventy-one million
eight hundred and thirty-seven thou
sand nine hundred and fourteen miles
and an aggregate annual cost, including
ail expenditures, of ,$8,410,184. The length
of eaiiroad routes is thirty-two thousand
and ninety-two miles, and the annual trans
portation thirty million six hundred and
nine thousand iburhundredaridsixty-seven
miles. The length of steamboat routes is
fqurteen thousand three hundred and forty
six miles, and the annual transportation
three million four hundred and eleven thou
sand nine hundred and sixty-two miles.
Ihe mail service is rapidly increasing
throughout the whole country, and its
steady extension in the Southern States
indicates their constantly improving
condition. The growing importance
°f the foreign service also merits atten
tion. The Post Office Department of
Great Britain - and our own have
agreed upon a preliminary basis for a new
Postal Convention, which it Is believed will
prove eminently benefioial to .the commer
cial interests oi the United States, inasmuch
as it contemplates a reduction of the inter
national letter postage to one-half the exist
ing rates; a reduction of postage with all
other countries to and from which corres
pondence is transmitted in the British mail,
or m closed mails through the United King
dom: the establishment of uniform and rea
sonable charges for the sea and territorial
transit of correspondence in closed mails:
and an allowance to each Post Office De
partment of the right to use all mail com
munications established under the authority
<>l the other for the despatch of|corre3ponci
tiice, either in open or clesed mails, on the
fed me terms as those applicable to the in
habitants of the country providing the
means of transportation.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
exhibits the condition of those branches of
the pnbiic service which are committed to
bis supervision. During the last fiscal year
four million six hundred and twenty-nine
i nonsand three hundred and twelve acres of
public land were disposed of, one million
eight hundred and ninety-two thousand five
hundred and sixteen acres of which were
eutered under the homestead act. The po
ll y originally adopted relative to the public
kuds has unaergone essential modifications
1 mmediate revenue, and not their rapid set
tlement, was the cardinal feature of oar land
system. LoDg experience and earnest dis
cussion have resulted In the conviction that
tie early development of our agri
cultural resources, and the diffu
sion of an energetic population
over our vast territory, are objects of far
greater importance to the national growth
and prosperity than the proceeds of the sale
ci the land to the highest bidder in open
market. The pre-emption laws confer upon
me pioneer who complies with the terms
they impose the privilege of purchasing a
limited portion of “nnotfered lands” at the
minimum price. The homestead enact
ments relieve the settler from the payment
of pnicbase money, and secure him a per
manent home, upon the condition of resi
dence for a term of years. This liberal policy
invites emigration from the old, and from
t be more crowded portions of the new world
Its propitious results are undoubted, and
w Ui be more signally manifested when time
shall bave given to ft a wider development.
Congress has made liberal grants of pub
lic land to corporations, in aid of the W
sirnction or railroads and other Internal
improvements. Should this policy hereafter
prevail, more stringent provisions wllll be
required to secure a faithful application of
the fund. The title to the lands should not
pass, by patent or otherwise, but remain in
the Government and subject to its control
until some portion of the road has been
actually built. Portions of them might
then, from time to time, be conveyed to the
corporation, but never in greater ratio to the
whole quantity embraced by the grant than
the completed parts bear to theentire length
of the projected improvement. Thiarestrio
tlon would not operate to the prejudice of
any undertaking conceived in good faith
mid executed with reasonable energy, as it
is the settled practice to withdraw from
market the lands falling within the opera
tion of such grants, and thus to exclude the
inception of a subsequent adverse right. A
breach of the conditions which Congress
may deem proper to impose should work a
lorteiture of claim to fee lauds so with
drawn but unconveyed, and or title to the
lauds conveyed which remain unsold.
OpMaltons on the several lines of the Pa
one Railroad have been prosecuted with
u nexampled vigor and success. S hould no
unforeseen causes of delay occur, it is coa
fcdenUy anticipated that this great thor
oughfare will be completed before the
expiration of the period designated bv
Congress. • -
Daring the last fiscal year the amount
paid to pensioners, including the expenses
oi disbursement, was thirteen millions four
hundred and fifty-nine thousand nine hun
dred and ninety-eix dollars, and fifty thou
sand one hundred and seventy-seven names
were added to the pension rolls. The entire
number of pensioners, June 30, 1866, was
one hundred and twenty-aix thousand
seven hundred and twenty-two. This fact
furnishes melancholy and striking proof of
the sacrifices made to vindicate the consti
tutional authority of the Federal Govern-,
ment, and to maintain inviolate the in
tegrity of the Union. ■ They impose upon
us corresponding obligations, It is esti
mated that thirty-three million dollars will
be required to meet the exigences of this
branch of the service during the next fiscal
year.
Treaties have been concluded with the
Indians, who, enticed into armed opposition
to onr Government at the outbreak of the
rebellion, have unconditionally submitted
ttf’onr authority, and manifested an earnest
desire for a renewal of friendly relations.
,oE u - !{? e year ending September 30,
1866, eight thousand seven hundred and six
teen patents for useful inventions and de
signs were issued, and at that date the
balance in the Treasury to the credit of the
Patent fund was two hundred and twenty*
eight thousand two hundred and ninety ♦
seven dollars. J
As a subject upon which depends an im
mense amount of the production and com
merce of the country, I recommend to Con
gress such legislation as may be necessary
for the preservation or the levees of the
Mississippi river. It is a matter of national
importance that early steps should be taken
not only to add to the efficiency of these
barriers against destructive inundations,
but for tbe removal of all obstructions to
the free and safe navigation of that great
cnannel of trade and commerce.
The District of Columbia, under existing
laws, iB not entitled to that representation
in the National Councils Which, from our
earliest history, has been uniformly'ac
corded to each Territory established from
time to time within onr limits/ It main
tains peculiar relations to Congress, to
whom the Constitution has granted the
power of exercising exclusive legislation
over the,seat of government, Onrfellow
citizens residing in the District, 'whose in
terests are thus confided to the special guar
dianship of Congress, exceed in number
the population of several of our Territo
ries, and no, just reason is. nercalved
■why a delegate of tbeir choice should
not be admitted to a - seat in the
House of Representatives. :No mode
so appropriate and effectual of en-
them to make known their peculiar
condition and wants, andTsecuring the local
legislation adapted to them. I therefore
recommend the passage of aiawauthOrizing
the electors of the District of Colombia to
choose a _ delegate, to be allowed the same
rights andprivilegesas a delegate represent
ing a Territory. The increasing enterprise
and rapid progress of improvement in-the
are highly gratifying, and I trust
that the efforts of the municipal authorities
to. promote the prosperity of the national
metropolis will receive the efficient and
generous co-operation of Congress.
The report of the Commissioner of Agri
culture reviews the operations of his De-
PfJ 1 ®??? 1 dunng the past year, and asks the
thoseSm^tffich/'lcourgSi^Vwarafl
It is a subject of congratulation that no
foreign combinations against our domestic
peace andisafety, or our legitimate influ
ence the nations, have been formed
or attempted. While sentiments of recon
ciliation, loyalty and patriotism, have in
creased at home, a more just consideration
of our national character and rights has
been manifested by foreign nations;
The entire success of the Atlantic Tele
graph between the coast of Ireland and the
.Province of Newfoundland, is an achieve
ment which has been justly celebrated in
both hemispheres as the opening of an era
m the progress of civilization. There is rea
son to expect that equal success will attend,
and even greater results follow, the enter
prise for connecting the two Continents
through the Pacific Ocean by the projected
line of telegraph between Kamschatka and
the Russian possessions in America.
The resolution of Congress protesting
against pardons by foreign Governments of
persons convicted of infamous offences, on
condition of emigration to our country,has
been communicated to the States with which
we maintain intercourse, and the practice,
so justly the subject of complaint on. our
part, has not been renewed.
The congratulations of Congress to the
Emperor ot Russia, upon his escape front 7
attempted assassination, have been pre-=
Sented to that humane and enlightened
ruler,and received by him with expressions
ol grateful appreciation.
The Executive, warned of an attempt by
opanish-American adventurers to induce
the emigration of freedmen of the United
biatea to a foreign country,protested against
the project as one which, if consummated,
would reduce them to a bondage even more
oppressive than that from whioh they have
just teen relieved. Assurance has teen re
ceived from the Government of the State in
which the plan was matured, that the pro
cecdißg 'will meet neither its encourage
nient nor approval. It is a question worthy
of your consideration, whether our laws
upon this sabject are adequate to the pre
vention or punishment of the crime thus
meditated.
In the month of April last, as Congress is
aware, a friendly arrangement was made
between the Emperor of France and the
President of the United States for the with
drawal from Mexico of the French expedi
tionary military forces. This withdrawal
was to be effected in three detachments, the
hret of which, it was understood, would
leave Mexico in November, now past, the
second in March next, and the third and
last In November, 1867. Immediately upon
the completion of the evacuation, the French
Government was to assnnye the same atti
tude of non-intervention, in regard to Mexi
c<>, as is held by the Government of the
United States. Repeated assurances have
been given by the Emperor, since that'
agreement, that he would complete the pro
mised evacuation within the period men
tioned, or sooner.
It was reasonably expected that the pro
ceedings thus contemplated would produce
a crisis of great political interest in the Re
pnbhc: of Mexico.' The newly-appointed
Minister of the United States. Mrf Camp
beU, was therefore sent forward, on the 9th
day ofNovember last, to assume his proper
functions as Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States to that Republic. It was also
thought expedient that he should be attend
ed in the vicinity of Mexico by the Lieuten
ant General of the Army of the United
States, with the view of obtaining such in
formation as might be important to deter
mine the course to be pursued by the United
Slates in re-establishing and maintaining
necessary and proper intercourse with the
Republic of Mexico. Deeply interested in
the canse of liberty and humanity,it seemed
an obvious duty on our part to exercise
whatever influence we possessed for the re
storation and permanent Establishment in
that country of a domestic and republican
form ot government.
Such was the condition of affairs in re
gard to Mexico, when, on the22d of Novem
ber last, official information was received
from Paris that the Emperor of France had
some time before decided not to withdraw a
detachment of his forces in the month of
November past, according to engagement,
-but that this decision was made with the
purpose of withdrawing the whole forcß in
the ensuing spring. - Of this determination,
however, the United States had not received
any notice or intimation; and, as soon as
the information was received by the Govern
ment, care was taken to make known its
dissent to the Emperor of France
I cannot forego the hope that France will
reconsider the subject, and adopt some
resolution in regard to the evaedation
of Mexico which will conform as
nearly as practicable with the ex
isting engagement, and thus meet the
just expectations of the United States. The
papers relating to the sabject will be laid
before you. It is believed that, with the
evacuation of Mexico by the expeditionary
forces, no snbject for serions differences
between France and the United Btates
would remain. The expressions of the Em
peror and people of France warrant a hope
that the traditionary friendship between
the two countries might in that case be
renewed and permanently restored.
A claim of a citizen of the United States
for indemnity for spoliations committed on
the high seas by the French authorities, in
the exercise of a belligerent, power against
Mexico, has been met by the Government
of France with a proposition to defer settle
ment until a mutual convention for the ad
justment of all claims of citizens and {sub
jects of both countries, arising out of the re
cent wars on this Continent, shall be agreed
upon by the two countries. The suggestion
is not deemed unreasonable, but it belongs
to Congress to direct the manner in which
claims for indemnity by foreigners, as well
as by the citizens of the United States, aris
ing out of the late civil war, shall be adiu
djeated and determined. I have no doubt
that the subject of all such claims will, en
gBgo your attention at a convenient and
proper time.
Xtis_a matter of regret that no consider
able advance haa been made towards an
adjnatment of the differences between the
United States and Great Britain, arising out
ot the depredations upon our national com
tterce and other trespasses committed du
ring our civil war by British subjects, in
violation of international law and treaty
obligations. The delay,- however, may be
e, e t?bav« resultwi in no small degree
from the domestic situation of Great Bri
taln. An entire change of ministry occurred
m that country daring the last session of
Parliament. Theattention of the new min
istry was called to the snbjeot at an early
day, and there is some reason to expect
tliat it will now be considered In a becom
lng and _ friendly spirit. The importance
of an early disposition of the question cannot
be exaggerated/ Whatever might be the
wishes of the two Governments, it is mani
fest that good-will and friendship between
iii 0 cottntries cannot be established
until a reciprocity, in the practice of good
laitffand neutrality, shall be restored be
tween the respective nations.
On the Gth of June last, in violation of our
neutrality laws, a military expedition and
enterprise against the British North Ame
nwm Colonies was projected and attempted
5? ®? rr ied on within the territory and ju
risdiction of the 'United States. In obe
dience to the obligation imposed upon the
Executive by the Constitution, to see that
the laws are foithfally executed, all oltizens
were warned,by proclamation. against taking
part mor aiding such nnlawful proceed
ings, and the proper civil, military and
naval officers were directed to take all. ne
cessary measures for the enforcement of the.
laws. The expedition faded, but it has not
been without its painfhl consequences.
Some of our citizens who, it was alleged
were engaged io the expedition, were cap!
tured, and have beenJbrought to trial, as for
a capital offence, in the Province of
Canada. Judgment and sentence of
death have been pronounced against some,
while others have been acquitted. Fully
believing in themaximof government/that
severity of civil punishment for misguided
persons who have engaged in revolutionary
attempts which have disastrously foiled, is
unsound and unwise, such representations
have been made to the British Government,
in behalf of the convicted persons, as, being
sustained by an enlightened ana humane
judgment, will, it is hoped, induce in their
cases an exercise of clemency, > and a judi
cious amnesty to all who were engaged in
the movement. Counsel has been employed
by the Government to defend citizens of the
State i on l rial for offences in
5 aß , d -r? discontinuance of thepro
secutions wLifch were instituted in the courts
“f Uni'ed States against those who took
part in the expedition, has been diected.
, . re B a , r ded the expedition as not
£ oUtlcal J n 1,8 Ea tnre, but as also in a
great measure foreign from the United States
m its causes, character and objects. The
attempt was understood to be made in sym-
P a ' h \ wu . h ,, a . n insurgent party in Ireland,
f,^’„ by i Etrlk . lrlK a ] a British Province on
this Continent, was designed to aid in obtain
ing redress for political grievances which, it
was assumed, the people of Ireland had suf
fered at the hands of the British Govern
ment during a period of several centuries.
ITie persons engaged in it were chiefly na
tives of that country, some of whom had.
while others had not, become citizens of the
Lmted States under our general laws of
naturalization. Complaints of misgovem
ment in Ireland continnaliv engage the at
tention of the British nation, and so great
an agitation is now prevailing in
British Govern
xcent have deemed ifc necessary to
suspend the writ of habeas corpus in that
country. These circumstances must neces
saiily modify the opinion which we might
otherwise have entertained in regard to an
expedition expressly prohibited by our
neutrality laws. So long as those laws re
main upon our statute-books, they should
befmihfuUy executed, and if they operate
harshly, unjustly, or oppressively, Congress
alone can apply the remedy, by their modi
fication or repeal,
Poiiacai and commercial interests of the
United States are not unlikely ti be affected
in some degree by events which are trans
piring in tte eastern regions of Europe, and
the tune seems to have come when our Go
vernment ought to have a proper diplomatic
representation in Greece. . *
This Government has claimed for all per
sons not convicted, or accused, of suspected
of crime, an absolute political right of self
expatriation, and a choice of new national
allegiance. Most of the-Eoropean States
have dissented from this principle, and have
claimed a right to hold Bucb of theirsubjects
as have immigrated to and been naturalized'
in the_ United States, and afterwards re
turned on transient visits to their native
countries, to the performance of military
service in Hke manner as resident subjects*-
Complaints arising from the claim in this
respect made by foreign States, have fcereto
fore been matters of controversy between
Uie United States and some of the European
Powers, and the irritation con
sequent upon the failure to settle
this question increased during the war
m which Prussia, Italy and Austria were
recentiy engaged. While Great Britain has
never acknowledged the right of expatria
tion, she has not practically insisted upon
Efa oce has been equally forbearing, and
Prussia has proposed a compromise, which,
although evincing increased liberality, hah
not been accepted by the United States.
Peace is now prevailing everywhere in Eu
rope, and the present seems to beafororable
time for an assertion by Congress of the
principle, so long maintained by the Execu
tive Department, that naturalization by one
State fully exempts the native-born subject
of any other State from the performance of
military service under any foreign Govern
ment, so long 8s he does not voluntarily re
nounce its rights and benefits.
In the performance or a duty imposed
upon me by the Constitution, I have thus
submitted to the Representatives of the
States and of the People,-such information
° r our domestic and foreign affairs as the
publio interests seem to require. Our Gov
ernment is now undergoing its most trying
ordeal, and my earnest prayer is that the
peril may be successfully and finally passed,
without impairing its original strength and
symmetry. The interests of the nation are
best to be promoted by the revival of
fraternal relations, the complete oblitera
tion of our past differences, and the re
inauguration of all the pursuits of peaae.
Directing our efforts to the early accom
plishment of these great ends, let us endea
vor to preserve harmony between the co
ordinate Departments of the Government,
that each in its proper sphere may cordially
co-operate with the other in securing the
maintenance of the Constitution, the preser
vation of the Union, and the perpetuity of
our free institutions.
■nr Andrew Johnsoit.
Washington, Deo. 3, 1866.
AKVS£H£KTS.
The Thxatbes —Ail the theatres are do'ng an ex
ceJlent business. At the Walnut Mr. J. S. Clarke has
appeared to a triumphant house, and to*nlsht he will
BlvaIa ”, sud the.lmmortal “Tnodtes.”
JSSSbS^!® ttS fl ChS?tnSt 6 “‘ms
Am&?^ThV»
® IJTZ kcepa.np with the times and presents
new Dills every evening at .Assembly BuUdfng. He
also appears on Wednesday and fcatarday afternoons.
The Old Folks open an x engagemeot at National
i»au to*nlgbt. They will appear in charming pro
grammes nightly »nd on Wednesday and Satoraay
ajumcors. *ihe troupe has been thoroughly recon
structed and consists of twenty-two very fine singers,
including the old favorites.
The Eleventh Street Opera House
crowded nightly, and the programmes presented are
egnal to those cf any minstrel troupe tn tne worlds
AUCTION SAXES.
rrVHOMAB BIRCH <6 SON.AUCTIONEERSAND
X ■ COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
No. mochestnut street.
1 (RearentrauceNo. lKTSansom street.)
Sale no li» Norm sixteenth street.
TO-MORROW MORNING.
ROSEWOOD PIANO PORTS,.
Also one Superior Grand Action Rosewood Piano
Forte;
, One Wlllcox * Gibbs Sewing Machine. in complete
otter. _
One large Pig Tree,
TTATNKB* BROS.’ WlMa V ~~
■SShave dealt in them for H year*, andJsSSi
TIT%I (guarantee each |foc 6 years. Prices Ml 4TI
Irons (SOO to J. E. GOURD
nolP.tf.Bp Seventh and Oh<«tniU
—. ÜbIOKKKIAG UrmuHT >»i.
W( OHESTI«)T SmH®rt t >V o - ,
111 VI ' OCB-ttlp W.H. DUTTON.
BTJf-OK <fe CO.’B PTANita .
ORQaKS, ■■ **»
poly at J, & & OUwtaut. nio.tfi*