The press. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1857-1880, December 10, 1863, Image 2

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BODHTIES FOB DESTRUCTION OF ENBMIKS 1 VES-
Vha 4th section of the “Act fnr He bailor KOTsrnmeal
of the navy,” approved July 17 1853. provides 44 that a
bounty shall be paid by the United States for each per
son on board any ship or vessel-of-war belonging to ail
enemy at the commencement of an engage me at, whloh
*ball be,sunk or otherwise destroyed in. such engage
ment by sny ship or vessel belonging to the United
States, or which it may be necessary to destroy In con
sequence of injorje* sustained in action, of onehundred
dollars. If the enemy’s vessel waSof inferior force; and of
two hnnlred dollars, if ofequal or superior force; to be
divided among the officers and crew in tne same manner
.hs pri/.e money. *
Since me enactment of this law there have been re
peated cases in whloh the right to the bounty has ac
•crued to the officers and crews of vessels 01 the navy,
paiticularly on the Western waters; but there beiug no
appropriations to which tbe expenditure could prooerly
be charged, the claims to tbe bounty have remained un
settled. and the just expectations ofthbse entitled to the
lev?aid have been disappointed. The amouut nece-sary
to pay tbe claims which Kaye accrued would probably
not exreed $260,000; and it Is desirable that au early pro
vision be made for the payment of this just debt. In the
event of an appropriation fir the purpose, a board will
bo appointed by the Department for tbe examination of
tie claim*, or they may be ascertained In any other
manner which Congress may be pleased to direct.
PRIZE LAW.
Tbe interest of tbe naval servioe in tho distribution of
prize money, and tbe duties imposed by law upjuthis
Department iii that connection, nave necessarily drawn
its * ttentlon to the present nata of our legislation upon
the whole sulmct It is not doubtful, in my judgment,
that acme modification of existing laws, and roms ad
ditional Irgiruation in jelattou to prize proceedings, and
the distribution of the proceeds of prizes, are necessary.
The sovsi a l statutes now in force upon the subject ap
pear to have been, in some of, their provisions, hastily
dTAvn, and they certainly fail to embody and carry Into
effect, with due promptness and convenience, a con
sistent l.nd well-defined Public policy. It .is my pur
pose, at an early day, to communicate to Congress,
through its appropriate committee, the views which I
tutejt&in as to tbe defects of our present laws in relation
to prizes, and to suggest snob remedy in legislation as
the interests of the pablic service soetn to require.
FLEET ENGINEERS AND I 1 A - *'MASTERS.
The large increase of our naval force, and the organi
sation and size of squadrons, have made it necessary to
detail certain officers to duty for which no legal pro*
■vision! asbteu made Bythe act of 1828. theappolnt
cneut of ft surgeon of a fleet was authorized. At that
time there was not a steam vessel In the navy, whereas,
we have now few others, Under this change the neces
sity of a fla** engineer is, to iay the least, quite As urgent
he that of fleet surgeon. A fleet paymaster Is also re
quired for each of the > quadrone, and will contribute to
true economy, aud the correct management of the finan
cial and property accounts of the squadrons. As the ex-
Srees legal authorization of these officers, who are now
©tailed by regulation of the Department, will cause no
increase of salary, 1 would invite the required legislation
to sanction the appointment of a fleet engineer and fleet
paymaster for the respective squadrons.
The appointments of notice assistant paymasters pro
vide for an existing necessity; but It will be advisable
to increase the corps of regular paymasters above the
present limited number, either now or ou the general
reorganization which must take place at the close of
hostilities.
MARINE CORPS.
Difficulty has been experienced in keeping tip a fall
complement of marines in consequence of the hitch,
bounties paid for army recruits Manv whose time has
expired, though, preferring to remain with their old
corps* have been induced, by extraordinsry bounties, to
enter the army. It has not been the policy of this De
partment to resort to the system of bounties, for either
the marine or naval service, but circumstances may
render it necessary.
The Colonel Commandant recommends that the corps,
which, when full, consists of three thousand nuu,
should be increased--to-« iK ~~^ttwnreund. live hundred.
rrouia not be an undue proportion to the
■' naval increaae; but a large portion of the vessels now in
commission are of a description that do not require a
marine guard. If, therefore, the corps were full, the
present number would probably fee sufficient for present
requirements. On a few important occasions a battalion
has been detailed for army duty; bat the want of equip-
JEQntS and Other causes render tbeir employment in a
service to which they are not drilled, and to which
they do not belong, a question of doubtful expediency.
It is a question, indeed, whether it would not be better
in every rospect to attach the corps permanently to the
navy or the army, and make it exclusively subject to the
control of one or the other branches of service, Ihstead of
occupying an equivocal position as regards both
The discipline of the corps la excellent, and among its
officers are some who would do credit to any servioe. It
is earnestly recommended by the Colonel Commandant
that justice to the corps requires that its chief should
hold corresponding rank with other officers who have
like command. I have, heretofore, respectfully sub
inltted this subject to the consideration of Congress.
coast Susy**.
It is due to the officers connected with the Coast Survey
that the assistance which they have girea. to our squad
rons should be acknowledged The value of the in
formation which they have famished our blockading
/orcee throughout the war cannot be overestimated. Not
only on the coast, hut on the great interior rivers, they
•have aided the service, and promoted its efficiency aud
its inteliigei.t action. Rear Admiral Porter expresses
his great obligation to a small coast-Burvey party that
accompanied the Mississippi squadron, for the maps and
sketches which were used by him, aod consulted by the
army officers iu guiding ther operations. They were
constantly employed in delineating the face of the
country, gaining topographical and hydrographical
knowledge, compillig maps, and sketching when the
maps were found to be erroneous. The squadron would
been sometimes embarrassed without them. War
oinnot be successfully carried on without good maps,
anfcthe general or admiral who has the best charts will
havetai Advantage which will go far to Insure success.
LIGHTS AND SIGNALS AT SEA.
With fllavletrof preventing collisions*atsea, some
iillm nl 1 11 nn ll«n*j|iliTir[ii ii i mm n(i nave been made in the
description of lights and signals to be used, and also in
the rules and regulations to he observed by sea-going
vessels when approaching each other. Heretofore,
there hastnotbeen uniformity in these respects, aud dis
asters have been the consequence. In order that the
law and practice may be universal among maritime na
tions. the G overnments of Great Britain and France pre
pared a set of rules and regulations, which have been
submitted to the various maritime Powers, and to which
the attention of&his Government was invited the early
part of Ihe present year. These rules, being very nearly
thete which had governed the usage of sea-service, in
sanctions were Issued to our naval officers to conform to
them. But these instructions are mere departmental re
gulations. and do not extend to vessels in the merchant
service. In order to carry them into effect, and give
them the force of International maritime law some le
gislative tar ction seems to be necessary. It is alio de
sirable these rules should apply to vessels in the mer
chant service, and all vessels on our rivers and inland
waters sh . uld be-required to conform to them.
DEFENCE OF PORTSMOUTH NAYT YARD.
The exposed condition of the navy-yard* and public
property at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, requiring pro
tectlon, andtheiehaving been no garrison for tha de
fence of that place, additional measures to insure its
.safety became necessary. Eleven eight-inch guns were
actordintJy mounted on the old breastworks on Seavey’s
island, inlftrontof thenavy yard, and five guns of the
same calibre in the yard itself; and, as there were no
marines ot soldien to man them, one hundred contra
bands were enlisted at Fortress Monroe, and sent North
for that purpose. They are in charge of naval officers,
and are being drilled in the use of heavy ordnance.
THE BAINBBIDGB.
Followir g tbe practice in similar cases heretofore, and
with a view to such action as Congress may deem pro
per, I take this occasion of bringing to your notice, and
that ol the country, the loss of the United States brig
Bainbiidge. This brig, under command of Acting Master
T. J. Dwyer, sailed from Hew: York on the 14th of Au
gust,.for Port Royal, South Carolina, and from the state
ment of one of her crew, who was picked up at sea, and
oiumed to be the only survivor, 1 the unfortunate vessel
capsized in a gale off Cape Hatteras, on the 21st of Au
gust. No farther tidingß of the brig, or those who were
onboard of her. having been received, and in view of
the time that has elapsed, there stems to be no doubt of
herloes with all on board, except the seaman referred
to. It rests with Congress to fix a day upon which the
vessel shall be regarded as having been lost, iu order
that the accounts of those who perished may be properly
adjusted, and to make proper provision for the families
of those who shared the fate ef the Bainbridge.
CONTRACTS.
The system 0/making annual contracts under existing
lavs, by advertisement sud award to the lowest bidder,
is attended with many difficulties and embarrassments,
and often with lots to the Government. To a g»eat ex
tent the fair aid honest dealer is excluded, or deterred
from competition, by the devices of the less scrupulous,
who resort to contrivances to evade the law* and secure
to themselves the contracts. It is the object of the Go
vernment to obtain good articles, at a fair price, and the
1&W8 were it tended to secure this result; but bycombi
nations, fictitious bids* proposals from irresponsible per -
sous, and various artful schemes, the object of the laws
is defeated,and the means which were intended by Con
gress to guard the rights of the fair dealer and the public
interest are perverted, to the injury of both
When proposals are made to furnish the Government
with supplies at prices below the market value, as is
done in many cases, tie transaction indicates fraud.
Contractors do net intend to make losing contracts with
the Government, and fair and responsible dealers do not
make such proposals. Such men are driven from compe
tition by these improper practices. The law. however,
permits no alternative bit the acceptance of the lowest
offer, regardless of the character of the individual who
makes it, or the devices he practites
.Were the subject of purchase confided to the respective
bureaus, under the sanction of the department, the Go
vernment weald. I am confident, be generally.and more
economically served. A degree of discretion can be en
trusted to those officers, who are men 0! integrity and
responsible to the Government, to discharge this duty
with fidelity,
ADVANCE IN WAGES,
Tb e enhanced prices in-every department of business,
2nd even in the necessaries of life, operate with peculiar
hardship on many who are in the Government service.
In some instances, where theie is a fixed leial compen
sation, thecimußstances of thetimsß have so changed
values that the remuneration received is scarcely suffi
cient for tbe subsistence of those who are in the employ
of the Government. The subject ie one that peculiarly
address itself to Congress, and it may-be worthy of
consideration whetheran advance of twenty-fire per
cent, upon their present compensation ought not in these
cases to be made, to continue , until one year after the
close of the war. In the navy yards, and public and pri
vate establishments generally, as large ,or larger ad
vance has been made to the mechanics and other em
ployees
EXPENSES AND ESTIMATES.
Tie appreciations made for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 16b3, were...... $71,587,052 OS
Expenses of tie Department during tie
same tide '63,211,105 2?
leaving an unexpended balance 0f..58,475,916 82
Tils amount will, howeTer.be absorbed In completion
and armament of the -vessels under contract and tie pay.
meat of other liabilities incurred prior to the close of the
lUcalvear.
• .The expenditures hay® embraced, besides the ordinary
disbursements for the naval establishment, the conatrac
tion in whole or in part, and the repair, of seventy-one
iron* clad vessels on the Atlanticiand Western waters,
the purchasing, repairs, and alterations of three han
dled and sixty vessels, as well as the charter money for
the ordinary service, and for the search after piratical
vessels on the coast.
The estimates submitted for the fiscal year ending June
SO, 1665, are as follow*:
Pay or the, nayy. 919,453,311 00
Construction and repair of steam, xna
chine ry. 39.383.000 00
Construction and repair or vessels ........ 32.576,000 00
Construction of armor-plated sea steamers. 19.600,000 00
~ laance and magazines.. ■ 8.003,946 00
' jment of vessels.... 7.540 COO 00
&915,60i3 00
Dim &
389,500 00
Navy yards ax
aisrint-corps..
Snrseor&’ neceafiarleß and hospitals
TaMeeofnaWg£uion,Bauticalinstttimenta
»nd ft a val Academy . 366,873 3!
These.estimates aie law, but they are inataeSlS&i%
war basis; ana the presint extraordinary coßt of mate
rial and labor renders a corresponding increase of esti
mates necessary. On the assumption that the war will
continue—and no other rule is a safe one—large additions
aT ? J t< l bB . ,QHdoto our nayal force, and the hard service to
which all our squadrons are suhiectod makes the repair
and refitment expensive, ■
HA considerable portion of this expenditure will be an
- investment forvaiue received, and the vessels and nro
' perty will remain on hand when the rebellion Khali be
suppieseed.. The efficient naval vessels will continue to
constitute the armed naval power that will be used to
vlndicEte and defend our national rights or may be con
sidered an economical investment to insure peace Suoh
vessels may not be adapted to naval ocean service can be
be Bold to the merchant marine, from which many of them
Were procured. Whatever sums may bo expended for
docks, yards. buildings, machinery, Ac., will be per
manent inyeslmtnU for the country.
v M&QWSIO2r
41 Xn concluding, this it is With sincere gratiflca
lion that i acknowledge fhe able and efficient aid which
i have received in the performance of my official duties..
irom the gentlemen who. in their several grades, hare
jo with me In this Department. I hare, on
I .?i cc asl o u s. expressed my high appreciation of the
f'Vikf2 e lp O Ti be Assistant Secretary and of the. several
ot aj^ ll '’.^ lloBo interesting reports are ap
-s?s?hio ltlonal experience only confirms this fa
-1 commend, also, the faithful and sa
xal labors?f a Sm e nm w ! lich th , e largely augmented cieri
-liaVff.i?An ti Diriment have been performed. It
durinx a ne?i?d nf n i duct i he ftffairs of this Department
which f. St ISSi # ‘ r sacrifice, in the course of
SKiiFaH™ of thn Z'.M a ? Which challenges the
nSwer hot h»B miJE?.’„ h “ not only created a naval
Biost ard^ona^a^aflriWn 3 ! applle d that power in the
under such circumstance b v oti n v ’all
the duties of my position, ancl meetfifp-ali
albUiiies to the best of my ahUitv T * rave *6Bpon
cheered and SredlJß,teBS2 B #?Srti y
navy of the United States haß achieved 0 the
hißtorical renown; that it has expanded Sa VoexnamT
ing in a measure commensurate with i
the country and of the times; that it hasHi* 1 q
doing heroic aervice in a great and sa“eil cause and
that its force is wielded by a body of offleUn<r*S\ aQ L
Who hare established the highest claim to tlm aratitnde
Of their country. O[DEOJS Wkll m "
T» the PBBSU>E.VT, Secretary oftho^avV
SECBETABY OF WAB’S REPORT.
War Department, Dec. fl, 1863
Mr. .President: A general summary of the military
of the past year is furnished, by the General
' ln-Chief, herewith submitted.
A list of the detailed official reports that have been re
turned to this Department by the geaeraU commanding
also accompanies this report. The influence of these
operations in suppressing the rebellion, and restoring
r the authority of the General Government, cannot be
■ overestimated. The victories of Sroae river and of Get
t the operations before Vicksburg and Port Had
. son, the occupation of East Tennessee, the battle of
•Ghlokamansai and recent splendid successes before Chat
tanooga, and other engagements of less note, are events
'that evines skill, courage, and loyal patriotism, and a
brilliancy of military achievement by the forces of the
United States unsurpassed in any age, while the Use
fortunate battles of Fredericksburg and ChancelloryUle„
manifested the spirit and fortitude of onr troops in a do
jiree worthy of the highest admiration.
By the reduction of Tlcksburg and Port Hudson, the
navigation of the Mississippi river has been opened, and
the national commerce is rapidly and securely returning
to that great highway of the continent. The rebel terri
tory has been cut in twain; the States west or the Mtßais
alppl no longer furnish their ample supplies to the ro
bale, while tne people of those States are showing such
signs of returning loyalty, that a speedy, restoration of
civil government may confidently be anticipated,
f D this view the reduction of stronghold*, the capture
of prisoners by thousands, and the anqaisitionof im*
cnense stores of munitions of war. are not more imp irt
not than the political of tbe great military
Acbiovements. The occupation of East Tennessee by the
forces under General Burnside, and the operations result
ing in the occupation of Chattanooga, and defeat’ of
Brag* a army by the forces under General Grant, not
only shed lu*tre upon our arms,hut, by affording pro
tection to a loyal population, they cannot hut fall greatly •
to weaken the rebel strength, and operate strongly In re
storing the authority of the Federal Government.
The combined operations against Charleston have not
yet accomplished all that was expected from them, but
the seizure and occupation of Morris Island, br the
forces under the command of Gen Gilmore, the redac
tion of Forts Wagner end Sumpter, ara exploits in
which the skill and gallantry of the offioerS, and the
valor of our troops, have been exhibited in a degree of
Which the country is justly proud.
In the State of Texas the flag of the Union has, daring
the whole war. beon upheld by a small force at Frank
lin, so the rebels have never succeeded in wholly ex
cluding the Federal authority from that State. The large
force unoer Gen. Banks, now operating in Texai, will
afford protection to the loyal peculation, who have long
been anxiously looking for sufficient military power to
enable them to re-establish the civil government. That .
period appears now at hand. the occupation of that
state the chief avenue for the rebols for foreign com--
merce and foreign aid is cut off • . ,
In the Eftit the position, of military affairs has not un
dergone material change. In June, the long chorished
design of the rebel leaders, to transfer the seat of war
from their own territory to the loyal States, was under
taken by their favorite commander and their principal
army; but the defeat of General Lee by the foroos'unaer
the command of General Meade, at Gettysburg, destroyed
their expectations, and drove back the enemy to his ac
customed shelter in the mountains of Virginia. . The
armies of General Moade and General Lee now occupy,
relatively, nearly the same position as at the date of
my last formal report. The numerous combats and
engagements between detachments of these armies
have been attended with, perhaps, equal losb on
both sides, nnd without material advantage to either.
Western Virginia is reported, by the commander of
that department, to be now clear of any rebel-force,
and the people or that newly organized State are enjoy
ing. in comparative peace, the blessings of a civil go
vernment. The military operations in toe northwestern
department have routed, and, in a great measure, de
stroyed the hostile Indians, and now afford protection
10 the peo .do in that region from Indian barbarities. In
the department of Missouri the rebel forces have been
driven beyond the Arkansas line. *No military opera
tors of anv magnitude hav* taken place in the depart
ments of Virginia and North Carolina. A threatened
siege of Norfolk and Suffolk, by the rebel General Long
street, was thwarted by the vigilant energy of General
Dix, and a siege of Washington, in North Carolina, by
the rebel General mil. proved abortive. The Federal
force*is pow tirjnly plr.ntsd in sTcry r*u*l Stato, and
there is eviryicdson to hope that, under its protection,
the loyal people of those States will soon cast off the
yoke of their leaders, and seek, within the Union, that
peace and security for life, liberty, and property, which,
in blind madness, were recklessly thrown away.
The success of our arms, daring the last year, has en
abled the Department to make a reduction of over two
hundred millions of dollars in the war estimates for-the
ensuing fiscal year.
In the operations that have been alluded to. prisoners
of war to tbe number of about 18,000 have fallen into the
hands of the enemy, and are now held by them. From
the commencement of the rebellion until the War De
partment came into my charge, there .was no cartel or
formal exchange of prisoners, but at an early pariod
afterwards, a just ana reasonable cartel was made ba
tween Major General Dix and the rebel General Hill,
which, until recently, was faithfully acted upon by both
parties. Exchanges Tinder that cartel are now stopped,
mainly for the following reasons:
First. At Vicksburg over thirty thousand rebel nriso
nere fell into oar hands, and over five thousand more at
Fort Hudson.'These prisoners were paroled and suffered
to return to their homes until exchanged, pursuant to the
terms of the cartel But the rebel agent, in violation of
.< the cartel, declared the Vlcksbnrgprisoners exchanged,
and without being exchanged. The Port Hudson priso
ners, he, without just cause, and in open violation of
tho cartel, doctored released from their parole. These
• prisoners were returned to their ranks, and a portion of
them were found fighting at Chattanooga, and again cap
tured. For thisbreach of frith, unexampled in civilized
Warfare, the only apology or excuse is that au equal
number had been captured by the enemy. But on call
ing for specifications in regard to those alleged prisoners,
it was found that a considerable number represented as
prisoners, were not soldiers, but non-combatants, citi
zens of towns and villages, farmeis, travellers, and oth
ers in civil lifo, not captured in battle, but taken at their
homes, on their fauna, or on the highway, by John
Morgan and other rebel raiders, who put them under a
sham parole. To balance these men against rebel sol
diers, taken on the field, would be relieving the enemy
from the pressure of war, and enable Mm to protract the
contest to indefinite duration.
Second. When the Government commenced organizing
colored troops, the rebel leader, Davis, by solemn and
official proclamation, announced that colored troops and
their white officers, if captured, would not be recognized
as prisoners of war, but would be given up for punish
ment to the State authorities. These proceedings of the
rtbel authorities were met by the earnest remonstrance
and protest of this Government without effect. The
offers by our commissioner to exchange man for min
ana officer for officer, or to receive and provide for our
own soldiers, under the solemn guarantee that they
should not go into tlio field until duly exchanged, were
rejected.
in the meantime, well-authenticated statements show
that our troops, held as prisoners, were deprived of
shelter, clothing, and food, and some have perished
from exposure and famine. This savage barbarity'could
only have been practiced in the hope that this Govern
ment would he compelled by sympathy for the suffering
endured by our troops to yield to the proposition of ex
changing all the prisoners of war on both sides, and pa
roling the excess not actually exchanged. The effect of
which operation would be to enable the rebels to put.
into thefield anew army of forty thousand strong, pat
ting tbe paroled prisoners into the ranks without ex
change, as was done with those paroled at Vicksburg
and Fort Hudson, and also to leave in the hands of the
rebels the colored soldiers and officers, who are not re
garded by them as prisoners of war. and. therefore, not
entitled to benefit by the proposed exchange.
The facts and correspondence relating to this subject
are detailed in the accompanying report of Major General
Hitchcock, Commissioner of Exchanges. As the matter
now stands we have over forty thousand prisoners of war
ready at any moment to.be exchanged, man for man and
officer for officer, to the number held by the rebels. These
number about thirteen thousand, who are now supplied
with nod and raiment by this Government and by our
benevolent and charitable associations and individuals
Two pri» oners. Captains Sawyer and Flynn, held by the
rebels, are sentenced to death, by way of a pretended
retaliation for two prisoners tried and shot as spies by
command of Major General Burnside. Two rebel offi
cers have been designated and are held as hostages for
them. The rebel prisoners of war In our possession
have heretofore been treated with the utmost humanity
and tenderness consistent wit a security. They have had
good quarters,full rations, clothing when needed, and
the same hospital treatment; received by our soldiers.
The indulgence of frieidly visits and supplies was for
merly permitted, hut they have been cut off since the
fbarbarlty practiced against our prisoners became known
to the Government.
Hit should become necessary for the protection of our
men, strict retaliation will he resorted to. Bat while
the rebel authorities suffer this Government to feed and
clothe our troops held as prisoners, we shall he content
to continue to their prisoners in our bauds the humane
treatment they have uniformly enjoyed.
• The operation of an act of Congress for enrolling and
calling out the national forces is exhibited in the accom
panylng report of the Provost Marshal General. At
the time that the law was enacted it was known to be
very imperfect, many intelligent persons considering its
execution as wholly impracticable, while but few dared
to hope for any important benefit. The law has been
enf< iced in twelve States, and it has brought from these
States fifty thousand toldiers, and has raised a fund of
over ten millions for procuring substitutes. With all
its imperfections, it is demonstrated that the act can be
made an efficient means for recruiting'our armies and
calling out the national forces.,
1 he principal imperfections and the required amend
ments will be submitted to Congress through the appro
priate committee. The most important thing to he con
sidered is what is called the 9800 commutation. This
feature of "the act has been discussed, and opposing opi
nions are nearly balanced as to the operations ana effect
of this provision. While some claim that it Is oppres
sive upon poor men and favors the rich, others contend
that it places the rich and poor on an equal footing, and
enables the poor man.to obtain exemption from military
duty for a sum within the reach of every one.
Without, undertaking to reconcile or decide between
• these conflicting opinions, it is certain that this clause
of exemption, as it stands, occasions delay in calling out
the military force. The drafted man is exempted at the
end of a long proceeding by the payment of a sum of
money.
Supposing that sum to be adequate for procuring a sub
stitute, considerable time unavoidably elapses before a
competent substitute can be procured. The question
whether this clause shall remain or be stricken out re
quires the early attention of Congress.
The fund of $lO, COO, 000 raised by the act, as commu
tation money, is deposited with the United States As
sistant Ureasurers, and is being applied to_.irocuring
substitutes by the payment of bounties and premiums.
Yolunteerir g is going on in some States with much spi
rit. The prime importance of filling up the old regi
ments, ana the superiority of such force over the new
regiments, is'a point on which all military experience
and opinions agree The‘bounty paid by the Govern
ment is, therefore, limited to volunteers who go into old
regiments, or to veteran reglm ents that renew their term
of service. To veteran volunteers going into old regi
ments the maximum bounty of the Government is paid.
The reporii from the armies indicate that a large pro
portion of the. troops whose term expires next year will
re enlist, it being stipulated by the Government that
they shall have at least one month’s furlough before
their present term expires. The indications are that
the force required will, in a great measure, he raised
by volunteering, without draft It is proper to add that
the commanding generals bear testimony that the draft
ed men who have gone into the ranks against them
selves will make good soldiers.. An immediate appro
priation for bounties should be made.
An Invalid Corps has been organized under the direc
tion of Ihe Provost Marshal General In the sanguinary
battles and engagements of this war and by camp disease,
many officers and soldiers have been disabled for active
service, who are yet able to perform duty in garrison,
orasdOpbt and prison guards, military police, and in
the arrest of skulkers and deserters.
To give honorable employment to this meritorious
class, who have suffered in the service of their country,
and to liberate able-bodied soldiers from duty that can
well be performed by invalids, was the purpose in orga
nizing this lc now numbers over 20.000 officers
and privates, who are fully employed, and this service
has increased the strength of the armies in the field,,
while by their vigilance desertion from the army has,
in a great measure, been checked. The heheflcml re
sults anticipated from this organization have been more
than realized. For the details in lespect to this orga
nization, reference is made to the report of the Provost
Maißhal General which is also referred to for details
in respect t o the operation of the act enrolling and call
ing out the .national forces, and the required amend
- meats, • • ■ ■ •
Immediately after the President’s emancipation pro
clamation, diligent efforts were commenced. and have
continued until the present time, for raising colored
troops. The Adjutant General was sent to the Mississip
pi valley to organize the system there- A bureau to have
in charge all matters belonging to such troops was or
ganized in the War Department. The report of its chief
shows what progress has been made.
Over 50,000 men are now organized and in the ranks,
and thenumber will rapidly increase £8 our army ad
vances into the rebel States.. of these troops
baa been retarded fiist by the military operations in pro
gress, and second by the removal of the slaves into the
interior beyond reach of our recruiting agents. - This
obstacle, it is hoped t will soon be entirely overcome
Many persons believed, or pretended to believe, and
.confidently asserted that treed Blares would, not make
good soldiers, that they would lack courage/ and could
not he subjected to military discipline; - Facts have
shown how groundless were these apprehensions The
slave has proved his n an hood and his capacity as an
infantry soldier at Hilliken’s Bend, at the assault \ioon
Fort Hudson, aqd the storming of Fort Wagner. The
apt qualifications of the colored man for artillery service
has tong been known and recognized by. the naval ser
vice, and the subjoined extract from ah official report
- ..shows what he can do in cavalry service. •
thirty men of Company A. Ist
he Ist Bailalton.' < 4nr2rilS u co nn Bction with fifty
a scout up the Yazoo •Vallnv-^Vr° wo ‘* rr '^y-while on
!d f T&.2 n ?, lmn , dled Md fifty Sckea n ?nm! 10 J’S7 on<l Sar
-3d Texas Cavalry. The inf the Ist and
. lacking courage norT^fn behaved nobly,
tt 6^ 68 -' and HringTlth
we capturing twenty-eight stands of arras and seven
prisoners."
./ I j he S lorei lr <>oP6 have been aHowed no bounty,and,
1 \ obstruction given by the Department, they
can only by the existing law receive the pay of ten dol
soldiers being paid thirteen per
‘ y itll c V?Ptlng and a daily ration, there seem
in this distinction, and
an amendment, authorizing the same pay and bounty
S? n,%„ t^ op i l e t c - eiTO » recommended. As soldiers
P-Li hfhtmg under its banners and exposing
their lives in hattle to uphold,the Government, colored
treopsare entitled to enjoy its justice and beneficence
The fortunes of war have brought within our lines a
large number of colored women, children, and some
aged and infirm persons. Their care, support, and pro
tection rest a solemn trust upon the Government.
Their necessities have, to some extent, been supplied
by the order of this department, but a general and per
manent system for their protection and support should
be speedily adopted by Congress. Even if they are to be
regarded ai In some degree a burden upon the Govern
ment, theyare a greater loss to the enemy. Every wo
man and child, from niae years old to sixty, has to {the
rebel planter a high market value. Their labor in the
cotton field is a source of profit to him Is it not better
that we should reed them, than that they should support
. the rebel master who is in ai ms against us ?
~/The reportsofthe several Chiefs of Bureaus in this
Department exhibit fully their respective operations
during the last year. The Adjutant General reports
that the business of his office has greatly increased
during the past year by the creation of the Provost Mar
shal General’s Bureau, and the Bureau for the organiza
tion of colored troops. He recommends—First, tnat the
term of enlistment in the regular service be fixed at
three year?, instead of five, in accordance with the act
of July 29th, 1861, which expired by limitation on the
Ist of January, 1£63; Second, that the law regal&ting
the payment of chaplains be amended, so as to allow
half-pay and rations during absence on leave occasioned
by other cause than wounds or sickness, and to fall pay
without rations when absent for those causes.
A serious evil, arising from the absence of officers from
dniy, las, in the past year, been in great part remedied.
Two hoards are in session—one at Annapolis and the
other at Cincinnati—before one of which all officers who
have left their commands, in consequence of ill health,
are ordered to appear as soon as they are able to travel.
They are to undergo an examination by tbe Board, and
are recommended, according to their condition, for light
duty, for further leave of absence, or for medical treat
ment in a general hospital of the city where the Board is
in-session; but if found’fit for duty, the President of
the Boasd orders them forthwith to their regiments.
The reports of the Boards are a guide to the Adju
tant General, in making details for mustering, re
cruiting, or other light duty, and in recommenda
tions for leave of absence or discharge, where frhe nature
of the disability requires, the reports of the boards,
when taken in connection with the regimental reports of
absent officers, and the surgeons’ certificates from such
officers, form, a complete system of accountability for
absence from duty. Thespecifled duty of the Ordnance :
department is to supply anas and' munitions of war for
sea-ccast and frontier fortifications, and for the forces in
fwl? e ¥i dkpenditero* for these purposes,, daring .
the lafrt fiscal year, amounted to forty-two millions three
thirteen thousaud six hundred ana thirty
dollars and twenty-one cents (<42.313,630 21 )>
.me cannon, small arms, accoutrements, and eauip
ments. for men, and horses and ammunition obtained
during tie last hecal yeor, by purchase and raanufac
ture, wore as follows: One thousand five hundred aud
seventy-seven field, siege, and sea-coast cannon, with
carriages, caissons, and other implements; one mil
lion eighty-two thousand eight hundred and forty
one muskets and.rifles for loot soldiers; two hundred
and efghtyrtwo thouitand three hundred and eighty*
nine (282,389) and pistols for mounted.
tTOops; one million one hundred and fifty-one thou
sand nine hundred and ninety-five (1,251,995) can
nonballs and shells: forty-eight millions seven hun
dred and nineteen thomand eight hundred and sixty
pounds of lead .and lead, bullets; one million four
hundred and thirty-five thousand and- foriy-alx
cartridges for artillery; two hundred and fifty.nine
millions twenty-two thousand two hundred and sixteen
(3f'9.022.2iC») cartridges for sjnaU arms; three hundred
and forty-seven millions two hundred and seventy-six
thousand four hundred percussion cape; three millions
nine hundred and twenty-five thousand three handrad
and Bixty-nlne friction primers: fire millions seven
hundred and sixtv-fnar thousand seven hundred and
sixty-eight pounds of gunpowder: nine hundred and
nineteen thousand six hundred ana seventy*six sets of
accoutrements for men; ninety-four thousand six hun
dred and tbirty-nlns Bets of equipments for cavalry
horses, ani three thousand two hundred and eighty
one set* of artillery harness—each set for two horses.
An immense amount of material has been prepared at
the different arsenals nnd works, in metals, woodland
leather, in large quantities, aud is advanced towards
completion, for the manufacture and repairs of all the
various machines aud Implements of war in use In the
service, .r
The quantities of the principal articles of ordnance ma
terials in the control of the Department, at the begin
ning of the war, and the quantities of those articles t 'rat
have lines been purchased, and tbe quantities of those
articles on hand on June 30th, 1863, aro shown in the
following table, viz:
gSg? p »8 ft'o*: ® ■ go.
S^SS' 3 -"gg&3-i« - : SSS|-'
t»o*g; gg- o
S|ssg|r;l2.&g-:|s“;s
!&sE>gj s
&3e.g: S-: : gdlc: : : : S
fg"?3! ; - : -S
, h . 7*o: : : : : y
: I; ::: : :: :g:: :: : :
: : : • : : : • : • S- : • • i • :
Bj» Jr*
BSBi£sa§gisaißBBSi
£-i tn S tO Mb 3 M
I>ro4ttrod ,? l “ c a«m>
• . -
’ m g«ga3oicj)td§£}-> h*
. .ti)-*® ooq'oiVso-4 tacetn
kg&is:
UCWO ■ MOiait.osfe*JQ(»r*sl
' 3 I
1 On hand for issue June
tipi ojcx t 3 ju otcto 5 I . 30th 1863
I * *
The resources of this country for the production of arms
and munitions of war have only commenced their de
velopment; yet their extent may be inferred from the
enormous quantity of supplies shown by the foregoing
tabular abstract to have been furnished during the last
two years. At the beginning of the war we were com
pelled to rely upon foreign countries for the supply of
nearly all oar arms aud munitions. Now. alt these
thiugs are manufactured at home, and we ara Independ
ent of foreign countries, mt only for the manufacture,
but also for the material of which they are composed.
The excellence of the arms aud ammunition of American
manufacture, which have been supplied by the ordnance
dopbt to the army, has been so obvious that onr soldiers
are no longer willing to use those which have been im
ported from other countries.
The efforts made during the war to extend and improve
the manufacture of arms and munitions have resulted
In discoveries of great importance to the country in
peace as well as in war. Among the arts thus Improved
is the manufacture of wrought iron, now rivaling the
qualities of Sweden, Norv. ay, and England, This coun
try, until the present year, has relied upon those coun
tries for the materia} to make gun barrels, bridle bits,
car-wheel tires, and other articles requiring iron of fine
quality. The iron of our own production is now supe
rior to that obtained abroad
A law of 180 S made provision for an annual expenditure
of $200,(00 for arming the militia of the States. That
sum is insufficient for the wants of the increased popula
tion of the country- Two millions should be annually
appropriated for that purpose until all the States are sup
plied in proportion to their population, with, the same
number of arms that have been distributed in some of
the States to meet the exigencies of war.
From the report of the Chief of Engineers, it appear
that the grants made by Congress for fortifications, at its
last session, amounted to $5,250,000 for permanent
works, and $700,000 for temporary works. These liberal
provisions: allowed of very material progress being
made upon the Important class of fortifications now un
der construction, and of essential modifications being
effected in old works,and existing batteries, to obtain
largely increased efficiency, by preparing them to re
ceive ordnance of greatly increased calibres.: and to
store greater bulks of ammunition, with additional se
curity Bffordtd therefor.
These important objectfl haye been very generally re
alized. The difficulties existing iastyearm the procure
ment and transportation of materials, and in obtaining
the requisite amount of skilled and ordinary labor, hare
increased; but these oifficuXties have been surmounted
or avoided to such a degree that the general result is
very favorable, and our seaboard and border fortifica
tions are now in condition to afford a formidable defence
decidedly stranger than lastyear.
The report of ihe annual Board of Visitors of the Mili
tary Academy is herewith submitted. There being no
representation from the rebel States in the Academy
since the war commenced, there existed accommodation
for a considerable number of cadets beyond those fur
niehed from the loyal States. There seemed, to be no
good reason why the advantages of the Academy should
not be enjoyed to the fullest capaoity, and, accordingly,
the vacancies were this session filled up by appointments
from loyal States, the generals commanding armies being
invited to furnish the names of deserving young men
from their respective commands, aud in this way the
number of cadets allowed by law have been admitted to
the advantages of military education m the Academy at
West Point. The usual statement, showing ths condi
tion in life of the cadets for a number of years past, and
a list of the present officers and cadets of the Academy, -
accompany the report of the Chief Engineer. '
The operations connected with the survey of the
Northern and Northwestern lakes have been actively
continued, and during the past season have consisted
in a survey of Portage entry, on Lade Superior, and in
resuming the survey of Green Bay and its entrance from
Lake Michigan; also, of the periodical examination of
the channels of tne St. Ol&ir ‘fiats, and of Lake George f
or St. Mary’s river. Observations for the determination
of geographical positions, of the fluctuations of the ele
vation of thesurfacesof the lakes, and of the meteoro
logical phenomena are embraced In the operations of the
survey The number of lake charts distributed to navi
gators to the first of October, 1863, exceeds 24,000, of
which over 4. Oft) were distributed the past year.
By the direction of this Department, an experienced
and Bkuful officer has been detailed to examine and re
port wnafc temporary works are required to guard the
lake shores from rebel and piratical raids.;
The department charged witn tbe disbursement of the
funds foranrveys for military defences has, in addition
to its current duties, prepared for military purposes (to
which their distribution is necessarily restricted) an ag
gregate ofS,B4liuftpe. ofwhich6,927 were engraved and
lithographed, and 1,914 were photographed.
The clothing and equipment of troops, their shelter
and transportation, the purchase of wagons, horses, and
mules, the suoply of forage, construction, repair, and 1
wvrking of-military roads, and supply of boats for
transportation by water, constitute an important part
of the duties of the Quartermaster General’s department.
_ The detail of these operations, so far as proper for pub
lic information, is contained in the Acting Quartermas
ter General’s report, and need not here be recapitulated.
An adequate supply of mules and horses, aud their sub
sistence, are among the most arduous duties of the ser
vice. *
To systematize this branch with adequate 'supervision
and proper economy, so far as practicable, a cavalry bn*
reauwas established a few months ago, and is now in
operation at Gieseboro. It is believed th&tby this means
much improvement may be made with proper dill*
gence and fidelity on the part of the officers entrusted
with this important duty.
The Quartermaster General has for some months been
mating a careful personal inspection of his branch of
the service in the different military departments, bnt
his report has not .yet been received
The report of the Commissary General of Subsistence
shows that the subsistence Jor the army, with the ex
ception of fresh beef and flour, has, in a great part, been
procured by advertising for bids.and seiectlngthe low
est for suitable articles, in Boston, New York,“Philadel
phia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Louisville, and St. Louis.
Flour has. when possible, been procured in the
same manner, at points nearer to our armies.
Fresh beef has bees obtained in general by contract—
sometimes on the hoof ana at other times from the block.
On the coast of the and the Gulf, and, for a
large portion of the yearrat New Orleans, beef has been
frn warded on the hoof from New York.
It is believed that at every point the troops have been
supplied with an abundance of good, wholesome food,
and that if in the movement of the armies a temporary
want has been felt, it has not been due to any cause.over
which the officers of this department had oontrol..
In addition to the troops, subsistence has .been fur
niahed to all prisoners, whether political ;or 'war, and
to a large number of contrabands, and to the suffering
Union families found by our armies in the rebel States.
A great improvement has taken place in the rendering
of accounts by officers, although cases of neglect still
exiat.
The Paymaster General reports that»except when pay
ments have been postponed by commanding generals on
account of pending operations, the various armies in
the field are-substantially paid to the first of October,
•1563. the latest period allowable by law and regulation.
Funds have been provided and placed in the proper
hands for the fall payment of all the troops in the ser
vice up to the date mentioned. \
By the report of the acting Surgeon General the De
partment is informed that the latest reports received give
one hundred and . eighty-two general hospitals, with a
capacity of 84,472 beds. . The number of patients remain
ing in general hospitals on June 30,1863, was 9.1 per.
cent., and in the field 4.4 per cent., of the entire strength
of thearmy, of whom 11 per cent, were sick, and 2.5 per
cent, wounded. A corps of medical inspectors, and a
system of-inspections established, had added materially
to the efficiency of medical and hospital service, and
marked improvement in all matters of sanitary precau
tion and policy are exhibited.
Companies of 2d-Battalion Invalid Corps have, in many
instances, been advantageously substituted for contract
nurses, attendants, and cooks, In the general hospitals,
Appropriations are ashed for the payment of washing in
those jiOspitals and on transports, as a sufficient num
ber of matrons cannot be employed; for the collection
and preservation of pathological fpecimenß in the army
medical museum, and for the preparation and examina
fcionof drugs in connection with the purveying depots.
The health of the troops has been good, and the mor
tality lees than the preceding year.
The Signal Corps was organized under an act of last
Congress. The average number of officers on duty is re
ported at one hundred and ninety -eight. The full capa
city of this branch of the service has not yet been de
veloped, and different opinions as to its value seems to bo
entertained by the commanding officers. In the com
bined land and naval operations it has been eonsidered
rueful, and the commanding officers of the Western ar
mies have commended it with great favor, The continu
ance of the corps is recommended by this Department,
with the proper restrictions upon the number of officers,
and limiting them to their proper scope of duties
. The military telegraph, under the general direction of
Colonel Stager and Major Eckert, has been of inestima
. ble value to the service, and uo corps has surpassed,
and few have equalled, the telegraph operators in dili
gence and devotion to their duties. v’:
From the superintendent’s report, it appeirs that the mi
litary telegraph linos required by the Government have
been constructed over au extensive and scattered terri
tory, embracing the District of Colombia, parts of Penn
sylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Delaware,
Mrginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana,
Mississippi. Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee. Kentucky,
and the Indian Territories.
UnderWhe immediate direction of Major Eckert, the
assistant superintendent of the Department of the Poto
- mac, .three hundred miles have been constructed during
l the year. ■'Under the -direction of Capt, Smith, the as
j sißtant superintendent of the Department of Missouri, 648
miles have been constructed during the year, one mile
I of-which is submarine. Under the direction of Capt.
; Bruck, the assistant superintendent of the Departments
of the Ohio, Cumberland, and Mississippi, 510 miles have
, Of Western Virginia, 97 miles have been constructed
s during the same period. Under the direction of Capt.
1 v} e £.l 618 k &n k superintendent of the Department
pfthe Gulf, 300 miles have been built, one mile of which
ls submarlne. On thelst day of July, 1863, there were
3,571 miles of land and submarine lines in working order
During the fiscal year, .1,755 miles of land and sub
marine line were constructed, making the total number
of miles of land and submarine military telegraph lines
in.operation during the year 5.326, being the length of
almesnmcienttogirdle more than one-fifth of theclr
cumference of the globe. By a close estimate it appears
that at least 1.200,000 telegrams have been sent aua re
ceived over the military lines in operation during the
fiscal year ending June SOth, 1863, being at the rate of
about 8,-300 per. diem.
The messages are m length from ten to a thousand
words and upwards, and generally they were of an
urgent or important character. Parsuant to an act of
Congress, passed February 16th. 1863, and July 12th,
1862. three commissioners were appointed to examine
and report upon all claims arising, under the act of
March 26th, 1863, entitled * k An act to secure to officer*
and men actually employed in the Western Department,
or Department of MißSOuri; their pay, bounty, and pen
sion." The sum of one hundred thousand dollars,, or so
much as should he necessary, was appropriated bran
act passed May 14th, 1882, to pay the claims awarded.
The commissioners reported in favor of the claims,
amounting to eight hundred thousandsix hundred and
twelve, dollars. No power of apportionment being
vested in tht Department, further legislation, or a larger
appropriation, will be required tg-] carry these actsinto
Many claims ere presented to the Department for the
- use,of land occupied by the Government as forts, camp
ing grounds,: and other public works, for forage and
. other property used or injured by the troops. Some of
these claims are lust, while others are doubtful, and
many are exorbitant or fraudulent. The Department
has so mode of investigating them, and no appro
priation to pay them. It is submitted that provision
should be made by as act of Congress for their speedy
adjustmentand payment. Diligent effort has been made
for the enforcement of disclpllno, and for the detection
of frauds, ana their prevention-and punishment by
a summary dismissal, or by the conviction and sen
tence of the guilty parties by a court martial and
military commission. In this respect much has been
accomplished by tbe Judge Advocate General and
hie assistants. From- bis report it appears that since
the commencement of the rebellion,. vast as has been
tbe increase of the duties and labors of his office,
there has been no legislative provision enlarging the in
strumentalities for their performance. The machinery
of the office remains ae when the army consisted but of
the ame thirteen t thousand men. This conittion of
things is more striking; when it is remembered that in
every orhor branch of the military service legislation
has kept pace with the wants created by the emergencies
of war., It is essential that the force of this o flics should
be increased to meet the € merseucies of the service Tz e
following is a summary of the business which has been
dispatched in the Judge Advocate Generali office from
the Ist of September. 1862, to the Ist of November. 1863. a
period of fourteen months; The number of records of
trials by the general oonns-rnarttal,And which theraili
. tary coiatuisbions reviewed, is 17,367; the number of re
ports mu <le us to tb c, *e«ularltles of the proceedings on ap
plications for restoration to service and for the pardon of
olfendeißi ax il for remißiion or commutation of sentences,
is2,o!Bi The miscellaneous reports on otho7<iueßtlo-ns,
which were referred to the offlce,l72. While many of
these reports are brief, many of them are also long and
elaborate, involving an examination of complicated
masses of fact, and of difficult legal questions. As they ■
were recorded. they occupy about two thousand quarto
pages- It gives me groat pleasure to bear witness io the
general diligence, ability, and fidelity m&nifoeted by
the chiefs ot the several bureaus of Ihia Department.
Whateveveuccws may have attended w» adaunlstrajfton
is in a groat measure due to them and their subordi
nates.
in conclusion. 1 may he permuted to excess the hope
that the next annual report from this Depart m«nt may
announce tho complete overthrow of tbs rehellion. aad
the restoration of petce and establishment of the Unlou
on a surji foundation in all the bounds ot the rtaited
'States. EDWIN M- STANTON, Secretary of War.
THE PRESS.—PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1863.
Cjjr Jims.
The President's Message ■will satisfy the
country.' It is "worthy of the people, and
the time, Mr. Lincoln has, beyond all
question, the power of dealing with grand
subjects in noble simplicity, and the
unusual merit of divesting statesmanship
of its mystery, and truth of its dis
guise. Perhaps more 1 candid than any
statesman of his time, certainly as honest
and straightforward as any, he never fails
to convince even his enemies of hiß sin
cerity, and in this message must succeed
in convincing all loyal men of his wisdom.
It is a document which briefly and exhaust
ively rehearses the events of the year, fully
states the condition of the country, our
relations with foreign Powers, the progress
of the war, and treats with masterly power
of the vital principles of the contest. But
itmighthave possessed all this merit, and yet
have disappointed the expectations of loyal
"men; it has satisfied them because, in addi
tion, it contains that for which the country
has patiently waited and anxiously longed—
a practical plan for the restoration of the.
rebellious States to their privileges in the
Union. This is the great merit of the mes
sage. This is one of the crowning glories
of Mr. Lincoln’s Administration. We may
pass by, for the present, all that he says of
foreign treaties, domestic prosperity, and
military victory. It is sufficient for the satis
faction of all loyal men that he has solved
the problem of peace.
On hand at beginning
of the war.
Issued sines the war
began.
There are three sentences in the Presi
dent’s message which should be written in
letters of gold: “The crisis which threat
ened to divide the friends of the Union is
past.” u I shall not return to slavery any
person who is free by the terms of the Procla
mation or by any act of Congress." “I pro
claim full pardon to ail who solemnly swear
to henceforth, faithfully support, protect,
and defend .the Constitution of the United
States and the Union of the States
thereunder.” The first of these is the
trnth upon which all our hopes are based;
the second is a sublime declaration that
henceforth freedom is the law of the
Republic; the third is a noble appeal which,
it seems to us, cannot fail to show the suf
fering people of the South that it is not upon
them that the United States makes war, but
upon the crime of their leaders, and the
cruelty of their rebellion. The last two
truths, indeed, strengthen and sustain the
first, for the crisis is past, when the Presi
dent can thus decree by the will of the peo
ple the abolition of slavery, and at the same
time offer full pardon to the men, who, to
protect slavery, attempted to destroy the
Government.
The oiler the President has made is the
most generous, the most magnanimous, that
ever lawful ruler made to criminal insur
gents. Magnanimity could go no further;
conciliation could grant no more. Upon
conditions the easiest to fulfil, and the least
humiliating to accept, he has offered the
people of the South, no limited and imper
fect pardon, but absolute and entire forgive
ness. He has guarantied to them every
right they formerly possessed, insured
them their olden equality with the people
of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, asked
them to return to their allegiance, not as
men disgraced, but to re,assume, with honor,
the proud positions they had forfeited. The
oath they must take to obtain this full par
don is one so carefully and delicately
worded that every loyal man, from the
humblest laborer to the highest officer
of the Government, might take it without
feeling that it implied censure of his
past action or doubt of his future course.
This noble Proclamation of Pardon is the
counterpart of the Proclamation of Eman
cipation; together they will be recorded in
history as embodiments of the justice and
the mercy of the loyal men of the United
States. If Mr. Lincoln, at the beginning
of the war, seemed to be one of those fortu
nate men who had greatness thrust upon
them, he has since shown the higher power
to achieve greatness by unsurpassed fidelity
to a national trust and comprehension of a
world’s revolution.'
If we had ever despaired of success, we
could, no longer despair, now that we have
read this calm and earnest.message, which,
itself so quiet and firm, must kindle a
new enthusiasm for the cause. It is prin
ciple, right, liberty, that ft the soul of the
President’s message. He has not gone
back one inch. He has given shape -and
thought to the inspiration of the people.
In reading his plain, firm, but singu
larly gentle words, we imagine a man who
bends but does not tremble beneath the
burden of the fate of a continent. We read
in this solemn message the integrity of our
chief magistrate; the, resolution of the
American people to maintain, in spite of
ail that is past or to come, the Union ; their
enmity to slavery as the foe of the Union;
their confidence in their own power; their
trust in humanity, and their faith in Al
mighty God,
Accompanying the President’s message,
the able report of the Secretary of War is
placed before the public. It presents a clear
record, tersely and vigorously told, of the
military operations of the past year, em
bodying the excellent report of Major Gen.
Halleck, a statement instructive and valua
ble to history. The organization of colored
troops into the war service is treated from
the earnest experience of Adjutant General
Thomas, and the observation and service of
commanders and officials, principally in the
Southwest. This exhibit is ample and satis
factory, and its statistics of special interest,
as showing our moral and military progress.
Further, the Secretary’s account of the ope
rations of enrolment and calling out the
national forces is thoughtfully presented,
and the organization of the Invalid Corps,
and description of the work of the several sub
ordinate military-departments, complete the
subjects of this document, which is of spe
cial interest as showing how far the nation’s
moral purposes have entered into the bone
and sinew of the war, and kept pace
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
is perhaps the most thorough, if not the
most important, which has ever been issued
from this department. That its affairs have
been administered with energy and fidelity,
is evident in the first comments of the Pre
sident, and on the face of the report. The
general estimate for the whole naval ser
vice is one hundred and. forty-two mil
lions, a sum increased by the construction,
purchase, and support of a large fleet, and
the sixty iron-clads and nearly as many
wooden ships building for service, but in
some measure neutralized by tbe thousand
prizes which have been captured since the,
war. Greater accommodations for the ser
vice in docks and navy yard's- are recom
mended as of pressing necessity. The
Secretary attributes the failure of the attack
upon Charleston te the fact that the harbor
obstructions are so difficult to be overcome
by tbe present force of iron-clad- vessel's, but
he,reiterates his faith in their impregnability.
Be says: “Asa commercial mart Charles
ton has no existence her wealth, with her
trade, has departed., in a military or stra
tegic view the place-is-of little consequence,
and whether the rebels are able, by great
sacrifice and exhaustion, to hold out a few
weeks, more or less, is of no importance.”
The navy numbers 588 vessels and 4,448
guns, an increase of -161 vessels and 1,175
guns, since the lasi report. “The distance
traversed and patroled by tbe gunboats on
the Mississippi and; its tributaries is 8,615
miles, and the sounds, bayous, rivers, and
inlets of the States upon the Atlantic and
the Gulf, covering an extent of about 3,000
miles, bave also been penetrated and
watched with unceasing vigilance.”
One paragraph of the report is. of peculiar
importance to-our own city and State. We
commend its suggestions to the earnest atten
tion of our citizens and Representatives. The
Government being destitute of a suitable
establishment for the construction and re
pair of iron ships, the Secretary rccom-
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1863.
THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
Tlie Keport of the Secretary of War.
The Navy Report.
mends some proper and suitable accommo
dations of this description where there is
fresh water, and says r “A» stated in my
communications to the last Congress, it has
appeared to me that no place combines so
many advantages as are to be found on the
Delaware, in the vicinity of Philadelphia.”
LETTER FROM “ OCCASIONAL."
Washington, Dec. 9, 1863.
Never was there a more auspicious open
ing of a Federal Congress. Not an event
has intervened to mar the harmony or to
arrest the onward march of the Union ma
jorities in both Houses. In the Senate all is
tranquil and cordial. In the popular branch
the friends of the Government have swept
away all obstacles to their effective and
vigorous action. In both departments of
the nation’s Legislature, therefore, there
is a solid and compact body of patriots,
who, discarding every name that recalls
past prejudices and divisions, and taking
to their hearts the single, solemn duty
of standing by and supporting the Go
vernment of their fathers, can, as I be
lieve, do everything to aid the Executive
and the brave men who are fighting the bat
tles of liberty. All this, however pleasing
in other respects, is eminently so, considered
as a proof of the wonderful power of the Re
public-. The progress of our arms and the
noble votes of the people in the elections,
have vastly contributed to this feeling.
But whatever the cause, the fact is sufficient.
Good men, who have .lingered on the
threshold of ah earnest loyalty, and have
hesitated, through party fear and party
fealty, as to the severance" of all obliga
tions to what is still called Democracy
such men no: longer hesitate, but boldly
enter the temple of open and radical pa
triotism, and join themselves to the Union
column. "We behold on all sides other evi
dences of the amazing and the increasing
strength of the Republic. The army, the
navy, the finances, the growth' of the
capital,- the marvellous prosperity of
the people of the loyal States, the acquies
cence of foreign Powers, and the prac
tical withdrawal of all projects of interven
tion, arc so many trophies of the irresisti
ble energy and force of all the elements of
our free institutions. And now that the Re
ports of the Departments are about to be
published to the world, we shall find elo
quent and surprising confirmation of these
convincing and compensating facts.
The President’s message has just been
read in Congress. Its reception was most
significant. The true friends of the Go
vernment are fully, .completely satisfied.
Even the opponents of the war and of
the Administration admit that it is a pa
per worthy of the Chief Magistrate of
the freest people on earth. It only
needed this message to clinch and rivet
the wide-spread and daily growing popu
larity of Mr. Lincoln. That he has a hold
on the popular heart stronger than that of
any living American, has been made clear
by a-thousand evidences. And now that he
has again planted himself on .the rock of
principle, and once more renewed his cove
nant against slavery, he has proved that he
deserves the confidence so universally and
unstintingly given to him. 'Occasional,
The Lecture of Fjredebick Dotj-
glass.— To-night, at the lecture of this elo
quent champion of the black people, three
while children, formerly slaves in Louisiana,
will probably attract as much thoughtful
attention as the speaker. They have been?
brought here by Col-. Hawks, Superintend
ent of Plantations in Gen. Banks’ depart
ment. The object of his mission North is
to represent the condition of the freed peo
ple near the Gulf, and to secure aid to edu
cate and organize them for self-support,
Yesterday we were shown an instructive
photograph of the group of freed men
And children brought here by Colonel
Hawks. One of these is, to all ap
pearances, a lovely and intelligent white
child, with fine expression and regular fea
- tur.es— Another is a full-grown black, with
his master’s initials branded oh his foreheads
These facts are true of the nineteenth cen
tury, and the year of our Lord 1863, of the
institution which the Bishop of Yermont
considers divinely ordained, and of the re
bellious people who have taken up arms to
make new white slaves and put iron collars
on the necks of black ones. Our free com
"'munity may learn a life-lesson at Mr.
Douglass’ lecture.
WASHINGTON.
Special Despatches to The Press.
■Washihotow, D. 0., Dec. 9.
Report of the Secretary of the Treasury.
Extreme caution has been taken to prevent a pre
mature disclosure of the contents of the annual re
port of the Secretary of the Treasury on the finances,
which will be laid before Qongress to-morrow at
noon.
Enough, however, haß transpired to warrant the
iemarfc thatitwill show a less amount of public
debt than was previously supposed by the Secretary}
and that the general condition of the finances U
satisfactory. And further, that the receipts from
all sources, excepting from internal revenue, are
muchlarger than the former estimates. The tables
have been prepared with the greatest care, involving
heavy labor, and important corrections have been
made in old statements, which had, by common con
sent, been regarded as actual. The investigation o*
ft tingle figure occupied tw*nty»four hours,
The effort has been made to rende c the tables more
accurate and complete than any which have hereto
fore emanated from the Department,; and doubtleßß
involved greater labor than any of the other annual
reports, or perhaps all of them together.
The transactions of the important current busi
ness of the office, while the Secretary was engaged
night and day upon the report, devolved on Assist
ant Secretary Eisno, whose incidental assistance in
the arrangement of the tables, etc.,. and his atten
tion to the printing, doubtless materially, aided in
the early completion of the report.
The following are the estimates furnished by the
respective heads of departments of the appropri
ations required for the service of the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1866 :
For the civil service, including the expense of
foreign intercourse, courts, loans, public domain, and
all other expenditures except for pensions, Indians, and
the War £ba Navy Depapartments $16,332,134 60
For P0rti0n5....... 3.201,000 00
ForlndianUepartmeht.... 2.257 932 96
For the army proper, &c.«. 65
Forth© Military Academy................... 216,047 00
For fortifications,ordenan.ee, Ac. .. 34,455,000 00
For the Haval Establishment...... 142,618,785 40
■ Total.
To the estimates are added the statements. Ist,
The appropriations estimated for. the service of the
fiscal year ending June 30,1865, made by the former
aets of Congress, are of a specific and indefinite
character, as follows, viz:
' For miscellaneous objects, including expenses of col
l/ui* °veu u e from customs $7,620,910 34
Jot mail'6dWiea.t<?„the General Post Office
For civilization 700.000 00
For arming and equipping tFe'mllitia“ .rr
For interest on the public debt... $5,3571676
T0ta1........ . ...*93.918,586 29
It appeals by the statement of the estimated ba.
lancet ol the existing appropriations which will be
unexpended on June 30th, IS6», that the sum of
*5,113,692.42 may be carried to the surplus fund.
The Capture .of the Steamer Chesapeake.
The Treasury Deportment this morning received
information by telegraph, from an officer of the re
venue service at Portland, of the reosnt capture of
the -steamer Chesapeake, and the State and; Navy
Departments were at once acquainted with the fact.
The Treasury Department immediately telegraphed
to Collector BARsnvto send a revenue cutter in
pursuit of the pirates, hut, before this message
reached him,, a telegram was received that he had
already despatched the- Miami on that business.
The State Department telegraphed to ouroonsul
at St. Johns to detain the Chesapeake should she
arrive there, and the Nav7 Department telegraphed
to Commander Shins, at Portland, to take onboard
light artillery and a detachment of soldiers from the
authorities, and go out in pursuit of-the Chesapeake
in the United States steamer Agowan.
Courtesies to the Stnsslan Officers.
The Secretary of the Navy this evening gave an
entertainment to the Busslan officers, the Gablneti
and other distinguished guests.
Accommodations- to the Press.
The newspaper press was- to- day Indebted to the
gentlemen who are connected with the President’s
house, snd-tho Navy, Interior, Treasury, nod Post
Office Departments, for the courtesies extended in
oheeriully furnishing Important documents, both for
telegraphing and publication in the oitg papers.
N ationsdißanKs.
The following national, banks have- received cer
tificates to commence operations: Second National
Bank, St. Bouts, Mo., capital $200,900 ;.Saoond Na
tional Bank, Syracuse; N. Y,, capital $100,000;
First National Bank, Cambridge, Ohio, capital
$65,000; First Nationai.liank, Marietta, Ohio, oapi
tal $50,000;. First National: Bank, Conneautvillo,
Pa., $"0,000. .
FORTRESS MONBCffi.
Fobtilkss Monqqe, Dee. B.—The steamer New
York left this morning for City Point,with 652 boxes,
bales,' he., nom the Baltimore Belief Fund, and
Christian Commission Society; also, 300 bonss of
.commissary, and coo boxes and packages frera the
express, all for pur prisoners at Biohmond.
One hundred additional boxes arrived this morn
ing for tho same parties.
Foot Monrok, Deo. 9.— The Bteamer Ariel,
from Aspinwall on the SSth ult, put into Hamjstou
Bonds, out of ooal. She brings 660 passsn^epj.
She experienced very heavy weather.
The Chptnre of the Chesapeake by Con
federate Passengers.
Bt. Johns, N. B. r Dm. B.—The, steamer Chesa
peake. Oapt, Wnllett, from New York for PorUsnd,
was taken possession of on Sunday morning, be
tween 1 ans a o'clock, by sixteen Confederate pas.'
•engera. The second engineer of the steamer was'
ohot dead and his tody thrown overboard. The first
engineer was shot In the ohin, but returned on
board. The first mate was badly wounded in the
grein. Eleven or twelve shots.were fired at the oap
, tain. After being overpowered l , the captain was put
in irons, and the passengers wer* notified that they
were prisoners of war to the Confederate States of
America*
The steamer oame off Partridge Island about 1
o’clock this monSng. The crew and
excepting the-tirat engineer, were pet on board of a
boat and Bent to this oity. The steamer then Bailed
in an and was subsequently seen
alongside of another, and, it is supposed; took on
board a supply of coal from heir.
\Tlie attack took place about twenty-one miles
west or Gape Ctod.
Captain Willett and the passengers per the Chesa
peake are now at the Mansion House.
The steamer and cargo are valued at $150,000;
The steamer sailed from New York on Saturday,
and was one of the regular line plying between New
York and Portland.
It will be recolleeted that it was the Chesapeake
that captured Captain Heod and bis party when
they attempted to run away with the.cutter Gushing
from the harbor of Portland.
PORTLAND, Me., Dec. 3— The deputy collector
has applied to Washington to send the gunboat
Agawam after the Chesapeake, and in the meantime
he ia having her armed and manned with the inten
tion to sail at G o’clock this evening.
The citizens are volunteering as a crew; Two de
tachments of soldiers . have been furnished for the
expedition by Brigadier General Rowley, from the
conscript oamp, and Major Andrews, from Fort
Preble. 1
She wiU sail about 6 o’clock this evening, under
theoommand of Captain Webster, of the Revenue
Cutter Dobbin. _
Portland, Deo. 9,10 o’clook P. M.— A private
despatch, which was received this evening, says;
“ There are many suspicious characters about St.
Johns, and there are hints of a plot against the
steamer New England.”
Permission has arrived to put the 'gunboat Aga
wam in commission, whioh Deputy' Collector Bird
bad already taken the responsibility of doing.
-Boston, Dec. 9.—The United States gunboat
Acaocia left here this evening to search for the
steamer Chesapeake.
Portland, Dee. The United States oonsul
telegraphs that it was the opinion there that the
steamer Chesapaeke had proceeded to Halifax. We
are indebted to the consul for all the previous de
spatches relative to this affair.
Boston, Dec. 9. —The name of the commander
of the pirates who took the Chesapeake is Henry
Braine. Lieutenant Burr, one of Morgan’s men,
was second in command. They said they would at
tempt to run into Wilmington.
XXXVIIItb CONGRESS—-Ist SESSION.
1 SENATE.
Washington, Deo. 1363,
The Senate met at 12 o'clock.
The Enrolment Act.
Hr. FOSTER presented a aeries of resolutions
adopted by the General Assembly of Connecticut, in
favor of the modification of the enrolment act, so
that the town organizations may have credit for the
number sent in former calls for men.
The Lawrence Massacre.
Mr. LANE,'of Kansafc, gave notioe that he in*
tended to present a aeries of bills for the adjustment
of accounts of the 6th and 6th Kansas Regiments,
and auditing the claims and indemnifying the citi
zens of Lawrence, Kansas, for the destruction of
property by Quantrell’s raid.
Mr. POwELL gave notice that he would present
a bill to prevent officers and soldiers from interfering
at elections in States.
Mr. HALE introduced a bill to grant a pension to
the widow of the late Major General Whipple.
At half past twelve o’clock, Mi. Nickolay, the
private secretary of the President, announced the
message from the President of the United States.
The message was read, with the proclamation ap
pended, and the usual number of the message
ordered to be printed.
Dr. Sunderland Elected Chaplain -
The Senate then went into an election for
chaplain. Dr. Sunderland was elected on the second
ballot, getting 21 votCf put Of 40.
to Gen. Grant.
A menage was received from the House, an
nouncing thepassage of the joiat resolution of
thanks to General Grant, and for bestowing a
medal upon him, eta.
Some discussion resulted as to the immediate
action thereon; but it being alleged that such hasty
proceedings would afford a bad precedent, the reso
lution was ordered to lie on the table.
The Senate then adjourned. „
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The Russian Naval Officers.
The SPEAKER laid before the House a letter ad'
dressed to Mm by the Secretary of State, informing
him that Admiral Xieasovaki has intimated to him.-
a wish on nia part, and that of the other officers of
the Russian naval vessels now here, to receive on
board of them the members of Congress and the
ladies of their families, etc.
On motion of Mr. POMEROY, of New York, the
'following resolution was passed:
5 Resolved, That the invitation of Admiral Lea
sovski be accepted,'and that Saturday, of this week,
at noon, be fixed for suoh reception, and that the
Clerk be requested to communicate the action of the
House to the Secretary of State.
A Bill to Repeal the fugitive Slave Law.
Notices were given under the rule of the motions j
for leave to introduce bills, as follow: j
By JOHN H. HUBBARD, a bill amendatory of
an act for organizing the military force of the 1
states. &c. To ask to equalize the opera
tion of saia act
divisions of the enrolment districts.
By Mr. STEVENS, a bill to fix the time for hold
ing elections for representatives in Congress, and to
enable Boldiers to vote at the said elections. Also,
a bill to place colored soldiers and non-commissioned
officers on the same footing with white men, with
regard to pay, bounty, and pensions. Also, a bill to
authorize the construction of the People’s Pacific
Railroad. Also, a bill to repeal the fugitive slave
laws of 1793 and 1850. Also, a joint resolution to
repeal the joint resolution of the 17th of July, 1862,
explanatory of an act to suppress insurrection.
By Mr. ELIOT, of Massachusetts, a joint resolu
tion repealing the last clause of a joint resolution
passed July 17,1862, entitled a joint resolution ex
planatory of an act to suppress insurrection, etc.
The SPEAKER announced as the regular morn
ing business the resolution submitted yesterday, by
unanimous consent, by Mr. Cox, and laid over un
i der the rule.
Exchangeof Prisoners.
The resolution was as follows t \
Resoived, That the President of the United States
be respectfully and urgently requested to take im
mediate steps for the exchange of such of our pri
soners as are now confined In the prisons of the
South, and that he be requested to communicate to
this House all the correspondence in the War De
partment with reference to the exchange of prison
ers.
Mr. WASHBURNE, of Illinois, submitted a sub
stitute, namely, that this House approve of the con
stant, statesmanlike, and humane efforts of the Ad
ministration, to secure an exchange of our prisoners,
now in the hands of the rebels, and that it is hereby
recommended that such efforts be continued to secure
an exchange of all our prisoners now in Southern
priSODB. '
This substitute for the Cox’s resolution was
agreed to—yeas 94, nays 73.
Then the resolution as thus amended was passed—
yeas 106, nay* 46.
■ ' * YEAB
Alley, f Farnsworth! OdelJ, .
Allison, Fenton, O’KVUI C,
Ames, Frank, O’Neill'J,
Anderson, Garfield, Patterson Orih,
Arnold, Gooch, Perham
Ashley, Grinnell, Pike,
Bailey, Griswold, Pomeroy, r
Baldwin, . Hale, Price, ■ -
Baxter, Higby, Randall WH .
Beaman,: Hoopes, Rice AH, ’
Blaine Hotchkiss, Rica J H
Blair J B, Hubbard A W, Rollins E If,
Blow, Hubbard J H, Schenck.
Boutwell, Hubbard Galvin Schofield,
Boyd, Jenks, Shannon,
Brasdeger, . . Julian, Sloan,
Brooxu&U, Hasson, Smith, "
Brown Jas S, Kelley, Smitbers,
Brown WG, Kellogg T W, Spaulding,
Clark Aw, lazear, Starr,
Clarke F» Loan, Stevens,
Cobb, Longyear, Thayer,
Coffroth, Lovejor, Thomas;
Cole. Marvin,| Upson,
Cresswell... McAllister. van Valkenbargh
Davis H W, Mcßride, Washburn KB
Davis TT, McClurg, Washburn Wm B
Dawes." McTndae, Webster,
Doming, Miller 8 F Whaler,
Dixon, . Morehead, Wheeler,
Donnelly, Morrill, Williams,
Drigge, Morris, . Wilder,
Dumont, Myers A Wilson.
Eckley, Myers L Wlndom,
ElUt, Norton, Woodbridge —lO6.
: KAYS.
Allen J C. JohxtsoaP,
’ Allen. WJ, Kalbfleisch, v
Ancona, Kernan r
Baldwin AC, King,
Brooks, Knapp,
Chandler, . LeßLond r
Cox, Long, . ; ' •
Eden, Mallory,
Eldridge, Murray.
Fink, \ McDowell.
Gaxnsen, McKinney,
Harding. Middleton,
Harrington. Morris J R.
-fl&ffifcjii 3 .-. ,Morrison,
:-H.rrick.rr~
Hr. JUIjIfI.N gave notloe, xader tfie’riii. n r «
bill to amend the fugitive slave-acts, boa, lb ° pr f.
vent the return of fugitive..
The Annual Messagewas received from the Presi
dent ef the United States by Mr. Niokolay, hie pri
vate Secretary, and it was by nnanimoue consent
laid before the Home.
On the motion of Mr. STEVENS, it was ordered
that the. message and the accompanying documents
be committed to a Committee of the Whole House
on the state of the Union, and printed.
Mr. STEVENS moved that fifty, thousand extra
copie, of the, message and documents he printed;
which motion was referred to tile Committee on
Pfintiag.
On the motion of Mr. STEVENS; the-'House
then adjourned.
•*699,5(8.787 61
EXTENSIVE KIXKMING OF SHIPPING-—GREAT li©S6BS
A FE.BKT OF VESSELS DESTROYED.
NewlPobk, Dec. 9,—About h&lf p&Bfc onoo’clock,
this afternoon, a .fire broke out o&»the tchoeser Flo
ra Teiaple, which was loaded with hay, and lying
at the dock above Christopher street, in the North
River, ,
The aasnes soon extended to tb- number of barges
and sohooners in the vicinity, and they were soon
one burning flame. Barge after barge took&re, then
followed sloops and schooners, alt falling a prey to
the devouring element.
The firemen worked manfully, but on owept the
flamea> and quickly the brig General BasJey caught
fire and was destroyed.
The flames then crossed to the next piesrwith una
bated fury. setting the shipping there an fire, to
gether with the stationary barges at the docks,
which were loaded with hay.
The force of firemen on band, llndiog that they
could not check the flames a fresh force arrived
upon the ground. Despite- their efforts, the fire
keot sweeping on in its devastating-progress. In
half an hour all thfi vessels between Perry and
Christopher streets (four blocks) wen© on fire.
So fierce at one time was the conflagration that
tee .houses on WesVitroet, opposite the fire, were
threatened with destruction. A number of them
were on fire several timsa, but fortunately the fire
men succeeded in putting out the names, and tluas
saving them. 5 •
The fire k still burning.
readvde^fo n ye y d Veßßt4B ' ° f dß “ rl l>tt°“«. «e al-
The loss cannot faM short of SSOO,QOO.
-Labor Positives Shin oh. Dot Gooes, Fcss,
Ac'—The early particular attention of dealers is re
quested to the attractive and extensive assortment
of British, French, Gorman, and American dry
Ijbods, furs, Ac., embracing about 800 packages and
lots of seasonable, stable, and fancy artlolesi In sot
tons, woolens, worsteds, linens, and silks, to bo pa
remptorUy sold by catalogue, on four montha 1 oredit,
and for cash, commencing this morning at 10 o’olook
precisely, to be continued all day and part of this
evening, without Intermission, by John B. Myers fc
Go., auotIOMSH, Nos, 552»u4 m Market street. '
Pendleton,
Perry,
Randall S J,
Robinson.
Rogers,
Scott,
Stiles.'
Strousa,
Sweat,*
Voorhees.
Wadsworth,
White O A.
White J W,
Wood F—lo.
NEW YORK.
CITY ITEMS.
“Get the Beat.”
HJCAKINB THEM ALL—OOKFABISOK THB 03J&T TEST.
Tho Florknob Sewing Machine Omcfast
(General Agency and Salewocms Ifo» .630 Chestnut
street) are now offering their celebrated Reversible
Feed*Lock and KnobStltch Maohinee to the public
as being the meet perfect,' and adapted to more
different kinds of work, than anj other Sewing IH»*
chine now in nae.
Years have been spent in their perfection, as the
company were determined not to pat the Machines
into market until theycouid BUBtata the assertion
which they now make, that they are
THE BEST IN THE WORLIfc
An intelligent examination of their merits will
show that they have accomplished their object. We
take the liberty, In this connection, for tho direction
of our readers; to append below
THE VALUABLE FEATURES OF THE “FLORENCE”
OVER ALL OTHER MACHINES,
Ist. Its reversible feed, feeding either to the right
orleft; its perfect reliability, never skipping stitches,*
and the making of four different stitches, for the va
lions kinds of work. '
2d, It 1b almost noiseless; runs very fast % t the
change of the feed and* stitch are made whilst the
machine is in motion.
3d. It makes the loci* atitoh, which Iras been con
sidered heretofore, by an almost universal; verdict,
as the only reliable one made. We add-'to that the
double lock, which makes it doubly sure y the half
and full knot stitches, being a perfect knot to every
stitch, whioh is more durable than oan be made by
any other machine, or by hand, and in all oases leav
ing the stitches on both sides of the wosk alike.
The feed may be reversed- at any point desired •urtth&ut
slopping the machine.
Changes for the various kinds of sutebss-aremade
while the machine is in motion.
Its stitches are the wonder to all.
The beauty of it is unsurpassed.
No other covers so large a range of work.
Sews light and heavy fabrics with equal? facility,
and without change or alteration of tension.
The work will feed either to the right or- left.
Runs quietly, sews rapidly.
. No difficulty experienced in sewing access thick
seams.
Needle more readily adjusted than im any other
maohine.
Tailors and Shirt Makers oannot afford, to do with
out them.
Every family should have a “Florence,”
Its motions are all positive.
Will last a lifetime.
No springs to get eut of order.
Is thoroughly practical.
The bemmer the most practical in use.
Turns wide and narrow hems, and fella beauti
fully.
It braids neatly and handsomely, without the
slightest alteration.
The inexperienced find no difficulty in using it.
Oils no dresses, all its machinery being on the top
of the table.
Every machine warranted to substantiate all we
claim for it.
Baraum’s Self-Sewer, which guides the work it
self, furnished with each one of our machines, free
of charge.
Samples of sewing and descriptive circulars will
be sent to any address,' on receipt of stamp.
Address Florence Sewing Machine Comp ant,
Salerooms, 630 Chestnut street.
N. B.—All persons having Sewing Machines, as
well as those-who contemplate purchasing, and me
chanics especially, are invited to call and examine
the merits of the “ Florence,” at our New Store, 630
Chestnut street.
Go and See Them in "Operation.—We
have heard of a number of cases recently where par
ties, before buying Sewing Machines, have visited
the different establishments here and witnessed the
various machines in operation, which has invariably
resulted in a preference for the celebrated Wheeler
& Wilson instrument, sold at No. 70i Chestnut
street. The plan is a good one, and should be gene
rally adopted. The elegant work done by these
machines, the ease with which they'are operated,
and the simplicity of their mechanical construction,
Strike everyone favorably at a glance. Those wish
ing to purohase machines for presents should get the
Wheeler & Wilson by all means. Go to 704 Chest
nut street and see them in operation. We may
state in this connection, that the Wheeler & Wilson
agency send obliging and competent ladies to teach
at the■ residences of purchasers without charge;
neither is any charge made by them for keeping the
machines they Bell in perfect repair. Ladies’ ami
Children’s Furnishing Goods are cut and made In
the most fashionable manner, at the shortest notice,
at the Wheeler “Sewing Department,” No. 704
Chestnut street.
The Great Rush to Obtain Wen
deeoth & Taylor's Pictfrbs. Now that the
holidays are approaching, the rußh to obtain
pictures from Messrs. Wenderoth & Taylor, (for
merly Broadbent & C 0.,) the eminent Photogra
phers, Nos. 912, 914, and 916 Chestnut Street, is
very great; and yet, so perfect are their arrange
ments, few, if any, are obliged-to leave disap.
pointed. To obtain One pictures at the shortest
notice, this is unquestionably the place, for the rea
sons, first, that their facilities are more perfect in
ail respects for taking pictures promptly, and, se
condly, because their plain, untouched Photographs,
possess a degree of softness and life-like expression
equal to some of the most expensively manipulated
pictures. -
“The Unionist.”—This is the appro
priate title of an elegant new style pffßlick.Feit
llavjusr njtruULiceu :;y mr. —vrarnurton, No. 430
Chestnut street, next door to the Post Office, and
which, from its grace, convenience; and comfort, no
less than its identity, in a modified form, to hiß pa
tent Army Folding Hat, which has obtained such a
universal popularity among military men, bids fair
to become as great a favorite in America as the
“Hepublican Hat,” ”Liberty Cap,” and “Kossuth
Hat” have at various times been among the nation
alities of Europe. “ The Unionist ” has everything
to recommend it to gentlemen of taste, and has
withal an individuality about it at once significant
of the capital name It hears, and 4b every way wor
thy of being the National Hat—the civic badge of
loyalty—as we believe it is soon destined to become.
We may state, m conclusion, that the slightly varied
styles adopted by Mr. Warburton in trimming “ The
Unionist,” will contribute materially to its popu
larity with the civic public.
Mb. R. C. "Walborn, Nos. 5 arid 7 North
Sixth street, offers as usual the most complete and
varied stock of Gentlemen’s Furnishing Goods’in
this city, suitable for Holiday Presents. His assort
ment of Gentlemen’s Wrappers is particularly ele
gant, embracing the richest materials, and made up
in his usual-inimitable style. For Presents for
Gentlemen this is the place to go to. Ladies will
please bear this in mind.
Gentlemen’s 'Wrappers, Mufflers,
Gloves, Hosiery, and Furnishing Goods, of every
description, made in the most approved style, and
offered at moderate prices, by G. A. Hoffman, No.
606 Arch street. Present-purchasers should hear
this in mind.
Messrs. Wood & Cart, No. 725 Chest
nut street, have made a large reduction in the prices
of all their splendid Bonnets, in anticipation of the
close of the Beason.
Raisins.—A splendid lot of the celebrated
“Crown” brand, just received by Davis A Rich
ards, Arch and Tenth streets.
An elegant line of Ladies’, Misses’,
and Children’s Walking Hats, just opened by Wood
& Cary, 726 Chestnut street.
-Fbtjits and Vegetables, of the finest
quality and in great variety, put up to their own
order, for sale by Davis & Richards, Aroh and Tenth
streets.
A Beautiful Present for Christmas.
—The improved Stoat Elliptic Family Sewing Ma
chine. Salesroom 721 Chestnut street- deto ist
Wili.cox & Gibbs’
Sewing Machines*
For Holiday Presents.
Faibbanes & Ewing,
de9*tf 715 Chestnut streets
Fresh Maryland Tomatoes, open and
BelliDg by measure, onSmcl after the 12th inrt. Fa
milieu, Hotels, and Reataurant, supplied. Thomas
Waring, 117 Franklin Market House, Tenth street,
below Market. 2i*
Housekeepers, and those about going to
housekeeping, can Bare from 10 to 15 per cent., bf
purchasing their housekeeping artioles at E. S,
Faraon & Co.’s Kitchen Furnishing Booms, No. 28
Dock street, below Walnut. 0023-thsm-M.
Window Shakes. —W. Henry Patten,
the manufacturer, Khades, wholo&e and retail,
1403 Chestnut Btreet. de®-3t
Cabinet pBGAn
Holiday (lilts. ~
J. E. Oouli), Seventh and Chestnut.
Soft Hats, Oaltford’s, Contiaental.
Willcox & Ginns’
Sewing Machines,
For Holiday Presents.
FAIBBANKB-& EWINO,
■dee-tf : 715-Chestnut street.
Mbs. Cjasa ft. Landis, M D.‘, ; treats
all diseases successfully at the Eleotrc-Hygienlc and
Water-Cure Institute, 2207 Gallowhiil street. Dr.
Xsndis’ celebrated Eleotro.Magnetic Hot Air Baths
are commencing to be appreciated by, all delicate,
chilly, and sick persons. Patients rooeived in the
house, and offloe practice attended to. The Areh-
Btreet ears pass our door. Bev. S. Mi Landis, M,
D., consulting physician and surgeon.
Geo. Steck & Co.’s Pianos
For Holiday Presents.
Oakfobds’ Continental Hat Empo
rium;
Willcox «fe Gibbs’- '
Sewing Maohinhs,.
For Holiday presents.
Fairbanks Shewing,
deMf 715 Chestnut street.
Willcox & Giebs’
Sewing Machines,
For Holiday Presents.
Faiebanbs & Ewing,
deS-tf "15. Chestnut street;
Cabinet Organs fob
Holiday Gifts.
J. E. Gounu, Seventh and Chestnut.
Oakfokdh’ Hats, Continentai, Hotel.
A traveller, "waiting- from Illinois, states
that in getting to the place of his destination, he ex
peiienced all kinds of goaheaditiveness. In the first
place, he took,a steamboat jin the aeeond) the rail
road In the third, a maU-eoaeh; the Isuhth, rode OB
horseback; the firth, went six miles on foot, to
Terre Haute, and was finally rode out ef the village
on a rail. Hesays he don’t know whieh to prefer,
out of the six, but thinks the latter-method p un
questionably the Cheapest, though Sts accommoda
tions are most wretched. He -finals brought up at
the palatial Clothing emporium 05 Gran villa S token,
No. 609 Chestnut street, where hrreplaoed his wo«f
out and tattered garments.
Geo. BTEC9y& Co.’s Pianos
For Holiday Presents.
PUBS AT ©AXFOHB3,’ CONTINEtITAX!,
The Tontine,—-This oplendid new 8&-
. loon, in Seventh street, aboye Chestnut, is enjoying
the best favor of the holidays. All are invited to
partake of its generous lunch es, fine wines, and
appetizing dishes. But lately opened, it has all tho
novelty and promise of youth, and' as a firat-oIMS
establishment, has few equals of .'he kind. Tho
best of oooks and the best of cooking, the choicest
importations of wines and cigars, the nearest sensa
tions' in the world of refreshment, the treat atteu*
tiqnn and the handsomest accommodations; reader
it worthy in every way of envy sad patronage. £
lunch, a glass of wine, or a dlnnflr there, Is suffl
oient to fix its reputation among all the appre
ciative, Messrs. Woodworth & Walton deserve
peaise for the liberal basis epon whictothey have es
tablished this attraction.
AN ANTITHESIS! E ,\T ij AIN F. T>, —-it appfiftfS
the British iran.plat&S steamer Warrior io not sea
worthy, rolling and leaking so badly I'Zrouzh the
ports that she is considered unsafe. It in strango
that a vessel burlt expressly to seize ships should do
nothing but ship seas.
IVc understand that the sewing machine? most
sought otter by the young ladies are the kind that
have 11 fellers” attached to them; and seurit'seems.
To suit your daughter, you give her the cashmere.-
to stiff your son, the mere cash, and send him to
Charles Stokeß & Co.'s one-price, under the ” Conti
nental.”
Bend tub Soldier a box of “Brown**
Bronchial Trachea,” which will relieve the distress,
ing affections of thß Throat and Cough produced t»r
cold and expooure.
ShAkbpearean Relics. —In anticipation
of the approaching celebration of Shakspeare’s
birthday, there has already sprung up a demand for
relics and memorials of tho poet. Fragments of-
Heme's Oak, and the old raftera of the bam at New
place, Stratford-on-Avon, are now anxiously sought
after. A block of oak, fifteen inohes long, from the
latter place, has already been carved by the wood
carver to the Queen Into a-graoefal bust of the poet;
In this country, one of the most interesting inaaif
ties, in a Shakspearean point of view, lathe site if
the old Chestnut-street Theatre. It is now occupied
by the Brown Stone Clothing Hall of EookhiU fc
Wiloon, Hob, €OS and 6Qfr Chestnut street, ■ above
Sixth, which is a splendid architectural successor to
the ancient temple of Thespis.
New Style Hats—Charles Oakford &
Sons, Continental Hotel.
Cabinet' Organs fob
Holiday Gifts.
J- E. Gotra-h, Seventh and Chestnut.
C. Oakford & Sons, Continental,
Ladies* and Gentlemen’s Pnks—kha
largest and best stock in the city, at Charles Osk
ford & Sons’, Continental Hotel.
Military Goods, Oakfords’, Corti-
KBKTSL.
Geo. Steck & Co.’s Pianos
For Holiday Presents.
SPECIAL NOTICES.
NOTICE.
U. S. INTERNAL REVENUB.
Ttp.ihe Residents of the Twenty-second, Twenty third,
and Twenty-fifth Wards:
Fifth Collection District, Pbnnbtlvanya.
Yon are respectfully notified that the ANNUAL AS
SESSMENT for the above-named District of all persona
liable to tax on Incomes, Carriages, pleasure Yachts,
Billiard Tables, and Odd' and Sliver Plate, and also eg
all persons required to take ont licenses, having been
completed, the taxes aforesaid and taxes on monthly
returnii for the TWENTY-SECOND and TWENTY
FIFTH WARDS will be received at the office, Lang
stroth’s Bnilding, GEBMANTOWN. and those for tha
TWENTY-THIRD WARD, at tho office, FHANKFOE*
Street. Frankford, on and after MONDAY, tho 23d No
vember. between the hoars of 9 A, M. and S P. M.
On "WEDNESDAY, December 2,1863, William H. Mil
ler, Deputy Collector, will be at Hand’s Hotel, corner
of RICHMOND and WILLIAM Streets, between the
hours of 9 A. M. and 3 P. M. to accommodate those re*
sidlnc in the Twenty-fifth, ward.
PENALTIES.
All persons who fall to pay their annual taxes en or
before the 12th day of December, 1863, will inear a
penalty of ten per cent, on the amount thereof and costs,
as provided for in the 19th section of the Excise law of
July 1,1862.
All persons who in like manner shall fail to take out
their licence, as required by law, on or before the said
12th day of December, will incur a penalty of ID per cent,
additional to the amount thereof, forfeit three times the
amount of said license, and he subject to a term of Im
prisonment not exceeding two years, in accordance with
tbe provisions of the 19th and 59th sections of the
law aforesaid, and the 24th section of the amendment
thereto.
Money of the United States only received. Ho farther
notice will be given.
To Avoid the Dangers of a Cough oe
COLD, use an. effective remedy at once—one that, whilst
it. destroys- the disease, strengthens the system, and
renders it lobb liable to a re-attack. Buch is
“Dr. Sway ne’s Compound Syrup of Wild Cherry.”
“Dr. Swayne’s Compound Syrup of Wild Cherry."
•• * Dr. Swayne’s Compound Syrup of Wild Cherry. tV
“It cleanses the Lungs of all imparities, "
“Infusing strength, vigor, and new life"
“Into the diseased and debilitated system."
A trial of many years has-proved to the world that
this remedy is 'more efficacious in curing all Throat,
Breast, and Lung Complaints, than any hitherto known
to mankind. For Bronchitis, Sore Throat, Asthma, it is
a sovereign remedy. For the weak and debilitated, it
acts as a strengthening alterative. For disturbed sleep
its uie will give repose.. Prepared onlyh* 1 Dr. SWATHE
.j» : cw>*r,-iro;-T*ju "irorth SIXTETStreet. Sold by dealers
everywhere. . _• • de9-tf
One-Price Clothing, of the Latest'
Styles, made in the Best . Manner, expressly for 82-
TAIL SALES. LOWEST Selling Prices marked in Plain
Figures. All Goods made to Order warranted satisfac
tory. Our One-Price Ststkm is strictly adhered to.
All are thereby treated alike.
del2-ly JONES & CO., 604 MARKET Street.
. ,
Hair Dye! Hair Dye!!
BATCHELOR’S celebrated HAIR DTE is the Best in
the World. The only Harmless,-True* and Reliable
Dye known. This splendid Hair Dye is perfect—changes
Bed, Busty, or Gray Hair, instantly to a Glossy Black
or Natural Brown, without injuring the Hair or stain
ing the Skin, leaving the Hair Soft and Beautiful; im
parts. fresh vitality, frequently restoring its Pristine
color, and rectifies the HI effects of bad Dyes. The
genuine is signed William A. Batchelor ; all others
are mere imitations, and should be avoided. Sold by
all Druggists, Ac. FACTORY. 81 BARCLAY Street.
New York. Batchelor’s new Toilet Cream for- Dreeing
the Hair. . v jy99-ly
Deafness, Eye, Ear, Throat Diseases,
and Catarrh, treated with the utmost success, by Dr*
VON MOSCHZISKEB, Oculist and Aurist. Numerous
testimonials and the very best city references can be ex
amined at his offiee 1037 WALNUT street. de2-10t*
Dr. Sweet’s Infallible Liniment affords
Immediate relief for Piles, and seldom fails to cure.
Electricitly Scientifioaly ' Applied
by Dr. A. H. STBVBNS, 1418 Sooth PENN SQUARE.
Philadelphia. ' n025-tf
HOLIDAY
PRESENTS.
' STECK & CO.’S
MASON & HAMLIN'S
CABINET
ORGANS
J. E. GOULD
SEVENTH AND CHESTNUT,'
no2l*tde26
MARRIED.
GKGYBKMAN —KTfOWLES. —On Tuesday, December
1. 1663, at St. James 7 Church, Kingsessing. by Bey.
Charles A. Matson. A. Groverman, Jr., of Balttmo***
Md- %to Lydia P.» daughter of John C. Knowles, Esq.,
of Delaware county, Pa. No cards. *
ROBINSON—FRYER.—Oa Tuesday, November 24, by
Rev. P. S, He* son, Mr. John P. Robinson to Miss Mary
A. Fryer. *
CASPER—FRY.—Oa the Bth instant, in Philadelphia,
bythoßeg-. J. Hyatt Smith, Thomas-J; Cksper, M. D.« of
West Chester, Pa., to Emm&V., dauehterof John Fry;
Esq., of Philadelphia. *
BAKER—LUDWIG —On Tuesday evening, December
8, by Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, D. D:, Bishop of Penn
sylvania, Joseph W. Baker to Emily M., daughter of
■William C. Ludwig, Esq., all of this city. *
KIEFER—EMHASDT.—On the Bth instant, by Rev.
Charles W. Schaffer, D. D., Mr. Frederick W. Kiefer to
Miss Mary Augusta, eldest daughter or Frederick Em
hardt. Esq., all of Germantown. *
DIED.
JONES.— Suddenly, at Germantown, on the morning
of the 9tK instant, Lillie, daughter of Ch&lkley L. ana
Sophia A. Jones, in the Bth year of her age.
Due notice of the funeral will be given. . r ***
DAVIS.—On the 9th instant, Beniamin-Dans, in the
79th year of his age. I , „.. .
The'relatives and male friends of the family are re
spectfully invited to attend his funeral, ficm his late re
sidence, northwest corner of Broad and Poplar streets,
~w*. KftinTda.y, 12th instant, at 10 o'clock, without further
notice. To procwea to Laurel HiU. ***
BROWJfIoTG. On the evening of the eth instant, Mrs.
Beulah Browning, in the 86th year of heruge.
Her relatives, and friends of the family,-are respect
fully invited to attend her funeral, from her late resi
dence. corner of Fifth and Market streets, Camden, N. J.,
at 11 o'clock A. M. .of Saturday next. 12th instant, with
out farther notice. * ***-
AYRES.—On Tuesday evening, Bth instant, Ellen Cris
well, wife of William Ayres, Esq., in the 43d year of her
age. Interment at MeYeytown. Pa. **
WOOLSTON.—On the morning of the 9th inst., Eliza
beth Woolaton, wife of Stephen Woolston, in the 75th
year of her age.
. . Funeral from the residence of her husband, at Fall
sihgton. bn Sixth-day, 11th'instant, at'2 o'clock P. M.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to at
tend, without further notice. Carriages will meet the
11-IS AM. train from Kensington at Tull? town station.**
LOUGHEAD.—On Tuesday evening, Sth Instant, Mrs.
Mary D, Longhead, relict of Joseph Loughead. in the
SOth year of her age. . ,-v I.’ . .. ..
The relatives and fnende of the finally are respectfully
Invited to attend the funeral, from the resideace of her
son. Joseph F. Longhead, Harvey street, Germantown,
on Friday, 11th instant, at 12 o'clock, without farther
notice. , . **
[Baltimore papers please copy.] _
WALTON. —On the 7th instant, Elizabeth B r widow of
Benjamin Walton, and daughter of Captain. Jacob
Coats, deceased. . . ...
Her relatives and friends and those of her family Are
requested to attend her funeral, from the residence of her
son, Coates Walton, No. 1731 Wallace street, onFriday.
the 11th instant, at 10 o'clock, without further notice.
To proceed to Laurel Hirl. ' , . **
CROSSMAN. —On Tuesday morning, the Sib instant*
Charlie H., son of James M. and Mary Ann-Crosamao.
relatives and friends are invited to attend his
funeral, from his father's midence, No. 1423:Chestnut
street on Friday, the 11th instant, at 1 o’clook. **
BROOMELL.— On the morning of the Bth instant, of
disease contracted' in camp, while defending the State
from invasion, James P. Broomell, in the 29th year of
his age. r -
His friends are respectfully invited tooall atthe Com
meicial Hotel, Sixth Btreet, above Chestnut, oa Thurs
day, December 10y 1563,-from 10 to 1 o’clock. Interment
to lake place from the residence of his brother, Joshua B.
Broomell, MhWilliametown, Chester- county. Pa., oa
Friday, Dec. 11. at 2 o'clock P..M:
' COhesteruanntr papers please copy-].
TJLAO K DIS ESS GOO-D S.—CASH
XJ jpSKBSi VetesiT R©pe» Tamises, S-4 and 6-4 Moue--
Mlineav. Merinoes, Henrietta Clothe or silk-warp Cash.;*-
meres, Ottoman Poplins; Irish PopilnD, English
Freni* Bombazines, Alpines, corded Mpusselines, Axd***-
Crapes, EarallwsN, Taiin Cloths, ParairmttfltfrL.
Key, Arniare, SoUanS
Grain Slllu.
<*23 Honmlu Slora. So. BIS CHESTNUT Stieei. _
TTAVANA BROWN AND RO^AL
-CL WEPLE PINK PKKNCH M|BINO.
TTAVANA BROWN AND HUM
■CL BOLD! PURPLE SILK-PACED
IJAVANA BROWN AND HUM
-CL..BOLDTPOKPLS BKH ?LAman.KS& 801K.83,
dat ITS!
JOHN W. COWELL,
Collector.
Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive

The press. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1857-1880, December 10, 1863, Image 2

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Pennsylvania Newspaper Archive
