elate rebel eipitol is a matter easily
accomplished. A very few trunks
would be sufficient fe *es
`which contain the di : . s • ievi
dence of the crimes ant Pan .•
of the conspirators. Wt. believe it
was Mason who said liedrould lihrrY
the whole State deparebent Di his
bereches pocket
-21=,, ii . g .— see-ske Ssitair sod -House of
iliVeti;l• , e . ~ . ,
q•
In the midst of unprecedented political
to'
have cause of great gratitude i
to "Goa for unusual good health and most
abandantt 'harvests...Yen will not be sox- I
pitied to-lean:idiot lathe pecirliar exigen- I
'ties of the times our intercourse with for-
Air nations has been - attended* with pro-
foil& solicitude,:chiedy turning upon our
own domestic affairs. A disloyal portion
o.the. ,American people have, during the
ra s e year, been engaged in an attempt to
rede A g a destroy the Union. A nation
*Ma endures factious domestic divisions
iritaposed to disrespect abroad, and one
party, if riot hoth, is sure sooner or later
lin - ihareke foreign intervention. Nations
time tempted ~n) interfere are not always
Ole to resist the counsels of seeming expe
-409' and ungenerous ambition, although
Measures adopted under such influences
seldom fail to be unfortunateand injurious
to those adopting them.
The disloyal citizens of the United
States who have 'offered the ruin of our
toiletry in return for the aid. and comfort
which they have invoked abroad, have re
*yeti)ese patronage and encouragement
pan they probably expected. Hit were
Net 'to .suppose, as the insurgents have
.aeitaned to assume, that foreign nations, in
this owe, discarding all moral, social and
treaty obligations, would act solely. and
aelfishly.for the most speedy restoration of
peminerce, including especially the acqui,
Ntion of cotton, those nations appear, as
La, not to have seen their way to their
•Aject more directly or clearly through
the destruction than through the preser
' ration of the Union.
- 'Uwe could dare to believe that foreign
: nations are actuated by no higher princi
'"koles than this, I am quite sure a sound ar
gpment could be made to show them that
.010 ; could reach their aim more readily
'.slid :easily by aiding to crush this rebel
bn than by giving encouragement to it.
The principal lever relied on by the in
:llirtgents for exciting foreign nations to
ibtistility against us, as already intimated,
the embarrassment of commerce. They
ean..scarcely have failed to perceive that
tbecffort for disunion produces the exist
me, difficulty, and that one strong nation
promises more durable peace and a more
extensive, valuable and reliable com
merce than can the same nation broken
into fragments.
eser.intereentse with Foreign Powers.
'.lt is not my purpose to review our die
'cussions with foreign powers, because
.:whatever might be their wishes or disposi
°dons, the integrity of our country, and the
stability of our Government, mainly de
pend, not upon them, but on the loyalty,
; virtue / patriotism and intelligence of the
American people. The correspondence
itseif, with the usual reservations, is here
with submitted. I venture to hope that
it will appear that we have practiced pru
+rice and liberality towards foreign pow
ers, averting causes of irritation, and with
firmness maintaining our own rights and
honor. Since, however, it is appo
int:it
,that here, as in every other State,
femieTi dangers necessarily attend domes
*. Acuities, I recommend that adequate
std ample measures be adopted for main
wining the public dbfences on every side.
'While under this general recommenda
'tirrh; provision for defending our sea coast
line already occurs to the mind, I a in
tiresome connection, ask the atten of
Congress to our great lakes and rivers. It.
is believed thaw some fortifications and
depots of arms and munitions, with liar
, bor and navigation improvements, all at
well selected •points upon these, would he
.of great importance to the national de
fineetind preservation.
liallroad Connection with Loyal States.
I ask attention to the views of the Sec
, ritary of War expressed in his report upon
'the same subject. I deem it of importance
that the loyal regions of East Tennessee
and Western North Carolina should be
connected with Kentucky and other faith
' ful parts of the Union by railroad. I
'therefore recommend, as a military mess
'rife; that Congress provide efor the con
tirnetion of such a road as speedily as
pciasible; Kentucky, no doubt, will co
oPeraie, and through her legislature make
the most judicious selection of a line.—
'The nesthern terminus must connect with
son.e existing railroad, and whether the
•rbuteshall be from Lexington or Mello-
Taiiiille to the Curnherland Gap. or from
'Lebanon to the Tennessee line, in the di
rection of Knoxville, or on some still dif
ferent. line, can easily be determined.—
If.tentucky and the general government coop
erating, the work can be completed in a very
short time, and when done it will be not
only of vast present usefulness. but also a
'valuable permanent improvement, worth
ifs cost in all the temporary future.
' POreign Commercial Treaty, lac.
Some treaties, designed chiefly for the
interest of commerce, and having no grave
political importance, have been negotia
!tixii, • and will be submitted to the Senate
'for their consideration. Although we have
'filled to induce some of the commercial
Alvan to adopt desirable melioration of
the rigor of maratime war, we have re
;Moved all obstructions from the way of
thin humane reform, except such as are
'merely of an accidental occurrence. I in
voke yourattention to the correspondence
between Her Britanic Majesty's Minister,
accredited to this Government, and the
Secretary of State, relative .to the deten
'OM" of the British ship Perthshire, in
donne list, by the 'United States steamer
itinteachusetts, for a supposed breach of
the blockade. As this detention was oc
taiiioned by on obvious misapprehension of
'the facts, and as justice requires that we
iiritild commit tip belligerent act not. found
s . 9 i n *trio right, as auctioned by public
L.
ii I recommend that an appropriation
ber i titidi to satisfy the reasonable demand
Oflitte pwors of the vessel for her deten-
CM' '
'Aimiettesai Ciabou Against Chins.
4, repeat the recommendation of my pre
decessor in his annual message to Con
y ftte in December last., in regard to the
. , siti of the surplus which will prob- i
a I :0 rei
. ,
, on ,
nain after satisfying the claims of!
'American citizens against China, pursu- '
Ono the awards of the commissioners,
der the act of the 3d of March, 1850.
K *mover, it should not be deemed advis
itoito, parry . that recommendation into.
VW. I ffrikail suggest that authority be
Ofret for investhig the principal over the
ptheieda of the surplus referred to, in good
:ties; with a"iler to the satisfaction
drikeiti,ether hit claims of our citizens
allialnit- Chi,* to are not unlikelf to arise
tillemifter in =the Bourse of our selanene
cage with that tapirs..
icsaill , !irP of Firirifeors•
- 13 I LiStie . Act pf_ t.he Otik, of. August lath,
.' . Fre , athorisgd.* peilident to i,r,h•
8 0 et Alj • f,p .. . . an N of myt4bla vessels
1in4.tc; 44 ,9 ;
f l ie6met
. : ' . • .:". hiffleatil 'Stift& issi .
Freud in a. single instance only. . For the
more effectual protection of our extensive
commerce, in the Eastern seas especially,
B r vica
' seem s me thstit wouid alio beAdvis
' . ' to. thesmitarollas of - sail- :
.
n_ ' e re-capture a es wiaioll ,
4 pi s pay "sake of lErni tes vefoiel s
an . thee cars ons, a the insular Courts
fish[ established by..dtw itegastern..aoun-
tries to 'adjudicate de cased in event that
this should not be objected to by the local
arithorities.
Hayti and Liberia.
Menage.
If any good reasons - exist why we should
persevere longer in withholding our re- ,
omultion of the independence and sovev
elgaty pf Hayti and Libeiliai: I am unablei
to disfern bbwever, to
in
augurate a novel policy in regard to them
without the approbation "of Congress. I
submit, for your consideration, the expe
'eney of an appropriation for maintain
ing a Charge d'Affaires near each of those
new. States- It does not admit of doubt
that important commercial advantages
might be secured by favorable treaties
with them.
Operations of the Treasury.
The operations of the Treasury during
the period which has elapsed since your
adjournment have been conducted with
signal success. The patriotism of the peo
ple has placed at the disposal of the Gov
ernment the large means demanded by the
public exigencies. Much of the National
Loan has,been taken by citizens of the in
dustrial classes, whose confidence in their
country's faith, and zeal for their coun
try's deliverance from present peril, have
induced them to contribute to the support
of the Government the whole of their
limited acquisitions. This fact imposes
peculiar obligations IR economy in dis
bursement and energy in action.
The revenue from all sources for the
financial year ending on the 30th of June;
1861, was eighty-six millions eight hun
dred and thirty-five thousand nine hun
dred dollars and twenty-seven cents, and
the expenditures for the same period, in
cluding-payments on account of the public
debt, were eighty-four million five hun
dred and seventy-eight thousand eight
hundred and thirty-four dollars and forty
seven cents, leaving a balance in the
treasury on the Ist ofJuly, of two million
two hundred and fifty-seven thousand and
sixty-five dollars and eighty cents. For
the first quarter of the financial year, end
ing on the 30th of. September. 1861, the
receipts from all sources, including the
balance of Ist of July, were one hundred
and two million five hundred and nine dol
lars and twenty-seven cents, and the ex
penses ninety-eight millions two hundred
and thirty-nine thousand seven hundred
and thirty-three dollars and nine cents,
leaving a balance on the Ist of October,
1861, of four million two hundred and
ninety-two thousand seven hundred and
seventy-six dollars and eighteen cents.
Estimates for the remaining three quar
ters of the year, and for the financial year
1862, together with the ways and means
for meeting the demands contemplated by
them, will be submitted to Congress by the
Secretary of the Treasury. It is gratify
ing to know that the expenditures made
necessary by the rebellion are not beyond
the resources of the loyal people, and to
believe that the same patriotism which has
thus far sustained the government will
continue to sustain it till peace and union
shall again bless the land.
Strength and Efficiency of the Army
I respectfully refer to the report of the
Secretary of War for information respect
ing the numerical strength of the army,
and for recommendations having in view
an increase of its efficiency and the well
being of . the various branches of the ser
vice entrusted to his care. It is gratifying
to know that the patriotism of the people
has proved equal to the occasion, and that
the number of troops tendered greatly ex
ceeded the force which Congress authoriz
ed me to call into the field. I refer with
pleasure to those portionsdpf his report
♦hich make allusion to the creditable de
gree of discipline already attained by our
troops. and to the excellent sanitary con
dition of the entire army. The recom
mendation of the Secretary for an organi
zation of the militia upon a uniform basis
is a subject of vital importance to the fu
ture safety of the country, and is com
mended to the serious attention of Con
aress•
The large addition to the regular army,
in connection with the defection that has
so considerably diminished the number of
its officers, gives peculiar importance to
his recommendation for increasing the
corps of cadets to the greater capacity of
the military academy. By mere omission,
I presume, Congress has failed to provide
chaplains for hospitals occupied by volun
teers. This subject was brought to my
notice, and 1 was induced to draw up the
form of a letter, one copy of which, prop
erly addressed, has been delivered to each
of the persons, and at the dates respect
tively named, and stated in a schedule con
taining also the form of the letter, marked
A, and herewith transmitted. These gen
tlemen, I understand, entered upon the
duties designated at the times respectively
stated in the schedule, and have labored
faithfully therein ever since, and therefore
recommend that they be compensated at
the same rate as chaplains in the army,
and further suggest that general provision
be made for chaplains to serve at hospi
tals as well as with regiments.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
'esents in detail the operations of that
ranch of the service, the activity and en
ergy which have characterized its admin
istration, and the results of measures to
increase its efficiency and power. Such
have been the additions, by construction
and purchase, that it may almost he said
a navy has been created and brought into
service since our difficulties commenced.—
Besides blockading our extensive coast,
squadrons larger than ever before assem
bled under our flag have been put afloat,
and performed deeds which have increased
our naval renown. I would invite special
attention to the recommendation of the
Secretary for a more perfect organization
of the tiavy, by, introducing additional
arades in the service. The present organ
ization is defective andansatisfactory,
and the suggestions subm7ltPd by the de
partment will, it is believed, if adopted,
obviate the difficulties alluded to, promote
harmony and increase the efficiency of
the navy.
V&CSIIICieS on the Supreme Bench
There are three vacancies on the bench
of the Supreme Court, two by the de
cease of Justices Daniel and McLean, and
one by the resignation of Justice Camp
bell. I have so far forborne making
nominations to fill these vacancies for
reasons which I will now state. Two of
the outgoing Judges resided within the
States now overrun by revolt, so that if
successors were appointed in the same lo
calities they could not now serve upon
their circuits, and many of the most com
petent then there probably would not take
the personal hazard of accepting to, serve
even here upon the Supreme Bench. I
have • been unwilling to throw all the ap
pointments Northward, thus disabling
myself fr*Orn doing justice to the South on
the return- of peace, although I may re-
Mark;. that to tianereri to the Nosh- one
*hi* 404
,heretObre, been in the 'Slim*
With ,rorems to territiory and
Also lorig
land 3 %.llliiint juairatif' ettreer ott Tine
McLean, him circuit grew into an empire,
Chaplains for the Army
Organization of the Navy
although . Judge to
give the iii re than a nom
att rice 1,. in population
litiratone lio r d and seven
ty an - 7 g. in 1830 to six
millibar one husked fifty-one thou
sand :four handrol and five in 1860. Bc
sidee.this, the country generally has Out
groWn our present judiciary.
If uniformity were at all intended, the
system requires that all.the States shall be
accommodated with Circuit Courts, at
tended by Supreme Judges, while, in fact,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, lowa, Kansas,
Florida, Texas, California and Oregon,
have never had any such Courts. Nor
can this well be remedied without a change
of the system, because the adding of
Judges to the Supreme Courts, enough for
the accommodation of all parts of the
country with Circuit Courts, would create
a Court altogether too numerous for a
judicial body of any sort, and the evil of
it be one which will increase as new States
come into the Union. Circuit Courts, too,
are useful, or they are not useful. If use
ful, no States should be denied them. If
not useful, no State should have them.—
Let them be provided for all, or abolished
as to all.
Modification Suggested
Three modifications occur to me, either
of which I think would he an improve
ment upon our present system. Let the
supreme Court be of convenient number
in every event; then, first, let the whole
country be divided into circuits of conve
nient size, the Supreme Judge to serve in
a number of them corresponding to their
own number, and independent Circuit
Judges be provided for all the rest; or,
secondly, let the Supreme Judges be re
lieved from the Circuit duties, and Cir
cuit Judges provided for all the Circuits;
or, thirdly, dispense with Circuit Courts
altogether, leaving the judical function
wholly to the District Courts and an inde
pendent SupreMe Court.
Revision of the Statute Laws.
I respectfully recommend to the consid
eration of Congress the present condition
of the statute laws, with the hope that
Congress will be able to find an early rem
edy for many of the inconveniences and
evils which constantly embarrass those
engaged in the practical administration of
them. Since the organization of the gov
ernment, Congress has enacted some five
thousand acts and joint resolutions, which
fill more than six thousand closely printed
pages, and are scattered through many
volumes. Many of these acts have been
drawn up without sufficient caution, so
that their provisions are often obscure in
themselves or in conflict with each other,
or at least so doubtful as to render it very
difficult for even the best informed person
to ascertain precisely what the statute law
really is.
It seems to me very important that the
statute la'vs should be made as plain and
intelligible as possible, and be reduced to
as small a compass as consistent with the
fullness and precision of the will of the
Legislature, and the perspicuity of its lan
guage. This, well done, would, 1 think,
greatly facilitate the labors of those whose
duty it is to assist in the administration of
the laws, would be a lasting benefit
to the people, by placing before them, in a
more accessible and intelligible timn, the
laws which so deeply concern their inter
est and their duties. I am informed by
some, whose opinions I respect, that ail
the acts of Congress now in force, and of
a permanent and general nature, might be
revised and re-written, so as to be em
braced in one volume, or at most two vol
umes of ordinary and convenient size, and
I respectfully recommend to Congress to
consider the subject, and if my suggestion
be approved, to devise such plan as to
their wisdom shall seem most proper for
the attainment of the end proposed.
Summary Laws iu the Rebel States
One of the unavoidable consequences of
the present insurrection is the entire sup
pression in many places of all ordinary
'heaps of administering civil justice by
the officers, and in the forms of existing
law. This is the case, in whole or in part,
in all the insurgent States, and as our
armies advance upon and take possession
of parts of those States, the practical evil
becomes more apparent. There are no
courts nor officers to whom the citizens of
other States may apply for the enforce
ment of their claims against citizens of the
insurgent States, and there is a vast
amount of debt constituting such claims;
some have estimated it as high as two
hundred million dollars, due in a large
part from insurgents in open rebellion to
loyal citizens, who are even now making
great sacrifice in the discharge of their
patriotic duty to support the .mveiliment.
Under these circumstances c l liive been
urgently solicted to establish, by military
power, courts to administer summary jus
tice in such cases. I have thus far declin
ed to do it, not because I had any doubt
that the end proposed—the collection of
debts—was just and right in itself; but I
have been unwilling to go beyond the pres
sure of necessity in the unusual exercise
of powers; but the powers of Congress, I
suppose, are equal to the anomalous occa
sion, and, therefore, I refer the whole
matter to Congress, with the hope that a
plan may be devised for the administra
tion of justice in all such parts of he in
surgent States and Territories as !Ray be
under the control of this Government,
whether by a voluntary return to alle
giance and order, or by the power of
arms. This, however, not to be a perma
nent institution, but a temporary substi
tute, and to cease as soon as the ordinary
courts can be established in peace.
Claims Against the Government
It is important that some more conve
nient means should be provided, if possi
ble, for the adjustment of claims against
the Government, especially in view of the
increased number by reason of the war.—
It is as much the duty of Government to
render prompt justice against itself in fa
vor of citizens, as it is to administer the
same between private individuals. The
investigation and adjudication of claims
in their nature belong to the judicial de
partment; besides it is apparent that the
attention of Congress will be more than
usually engaged for some time to come
with great national questions. It was in
tended by the organization of the Court of
Claims mainly to remove this branch of
business from the halls of Congtess, but
while the Court has proved to be an ef
fective and valuable means of investiga
tion, it, in a great degree, fails to effect the
object. of its creation, for want of power
to make its judgments final. Fully aware
of the delicacy,. not to say the danger of
the subject, I commend to your careful
consideration whether this power of mak
ing judgments final may not properly be
given to the Court, reserving the right of
appeal on questions of law to the Supreme
Court, with such other provisions as ex
perience may have shown to be necessary,
Operations of the Postal Department.
1 ask attention to the reliart of
the Postmaster General, the Tollow
ing being a summary of the statc
ment of the condition of the Depart
ment : The revenue from all sour
ces during the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1861, including the annual
perinauent appropriation of $700,000
'PF'the trahsportittiM! of :free • mei'
ater, wasp 10,040,2A,40, bie it*
alMet-
two: per • eentittitit timinthe rev- ,
enne of 1860. In tWasine time the
CM=
expenditiires Were $13;609,759 11;
showing a decrease of snore than
eight per cent. as . :cnpared With
thoilliof the previous year, and leav
ing #lu excess of expendittires over
the avenue for the last fiscal year of
$4,587,462 71.
The gross revenue for the year
ending June 30th, 1862, is estimated
at an increase of four per cent. on
that of 1861, making six million six
hundred and eighty-three thou Sand
dollars, to whichloshould be added the
earning of the department in carry
ing free matter, vie : seven hundred
thousand dollars, making nine mil
lion three hundred and eighty-three
thousand dollars. The total expen
ditures for 1862 are estimated at
twelve million five hundred and
twenty-eight thousand dollars, leav
ing an estimated deficiency of three
million one hundred and forty-five
thousand dollars to be supplied from
the Treasury, in addition to the per
manent appropriation.
District of Columbia Boundaries.
The present insurrection shows,
I think, that the extension of this
District across the Potomac river at
the time of establishing the Capitol
here, was eminently wise, and conse
quently that the relinquishment of
that portion of it which lies within
the State of Virginia was unwise and
dangerous. I submit for your consid
eration the expediency of acquiring
that part of the District, and the res
toration of the original boundaries
thereof, through negotiations with
the State of Virginia.
Operations of the Interior Department.
The report of the Secretary of the
Interior, with the accompanying doc
uments, exhibits the condition of the
several branches of the public busi
ness pertaining to the department.—
The depressing influences of the in
surrection have I .)een especially felt
in the operations of the Patent and
General Land Offices. The cash re
ceipts from the sale of public lands
during the past year have exceeded
the expenses of our land system only
about two hundred thousand dollars.
The sales have been entirely suspend
ed in the Southern States, while the
interruptions to the business of the
country, and the diversion of large
numbers of men from labor to mili
tary service have obstructed settle
ments in the new States and Territo
ries of the Northwest.
The receipts of the Patent Office
have (iceline(l ill nine months about
$lOO.OOO, rendering a large redaction
of the three employed necessary to
make it self-sustaining. The demand
upon the Pension Office will be large
ly increased by the insurrection.—
Numerous applicatious for pensions,
based upon the casualities of the ex
isting war, have already been made.
There is reason to believe that many
who are now upon the pension rolls,
and in receipt of the bounty of the
Government, are in the ranks of the
insurgent army, or giving them aid
and comfort.
The Secretary of the Interior has
directed a suspension of the payment
of the pensions of such persons upon
proof of their disloyalty. I recom
mend that Congress authorize that
officer to cause the names if such
persons to be stricken from the pen
sion rolls. The relations of the gov
ernment with thb Indian tribes have
been greatly disturbed by the inSur
rection, especially in the Southern
superintendency, and in that of New
Mexico. The Indian• country south
of Kansas is in the possession of in
surgents from Texas and Arkansas,
and the Agents of the United States,
appointed since the 4th of March fin•
this superintendency, have been una
ble to reach their posts, while the
most of those who were in office be
tbre that time have espoused the in
surrectionary cause, and assume to
exercise the powers of agents,,by vir
tue of commissions from the insur
rectionists.
It has been stated in the public
press that a portion of these Indians
have been 'organized as a military
force, and arc attached to s the army
of the insurgents. Although the
government has no official informa
tion upon this subject, letters have
been written to the Commissioner of
Indiati , Affairs, by several prwninent
chiefs, giving assurance of their loy
alty to the United States, and ex
pressing a wish for the presence of
Federal troops to protect them. It
is believed that upon the repossession
of the country by the Federal forces,
the Indians will readily cease all
hostile demonstrations and resume
their former relations to the govern
ment.
AnEgrieultural Bureau.
Agriculture, confessedly the larg
est interest of the nation, has not a
department, nor a bure*i, but a clerk
ship assigned to it in the Govern
ment. While it is fortunate that
this great interest is so independent
in its nature as to not have demanded
and extorted more from the Govern-
ment, I respectfully ask Congress to
consider whether something more
cannot be given voluntarily with gen
eral advantage. Annual reports, ex
hibiting the condition of our agricul
ture, commerce and manufactures,
would present a fund of information
of great practical value to the coun
try. While I make no suggestion as
to details. I venture the opinion that
an agricultural and statistical bureau
might profitably be organized.
The African Slave Trade.
The execution of the laws for the
suppression of the African slave
trade has been confined to the De
partment of the Interior. It is a
subject of gratulation that the efforts
which have been made for the sup
: preintion of this inhuman traffic have
been recently attended with unusual
success. / f ive vessels being fitted
out for the slave trade have been
! seized and condemned. Two mates
! of vessels Allowed in the trade and
one person in equipping a vessel as a
slaver have been' convicted and sub
jected to the, ,penaity of fine and
impsiortmon, 1 4 16 sitptain taken
I with a cargo of 4 fricAtns on board his
. vassal . 114 K,
_bean convicted of tho
highest-grade of offenceunder our
laws, the punishment Of which is
death.
Ortititisatioss of New Territories.
The Territories of Colorado, Da
kotah and Nevada, created by the
last Congres s have been or,ganited
and civil administration has been in
augurated therein, under auspices es
pecially gratifying, when it is consid
eud that the leaven of treason was
found existing in some of these new
countries when the Federal officers
arrived there. The abUndant natu
ral resources of these Territories,
with the security and protection af
forded by organized government, will
doubtless invite to them a large im
migration, when 'peace shall restore
the business of the country to its ac
customed channels.
Legislation In District of Columbia.
I submit the resolutions of the
Legislature of Colorado, which evi
dence the patriotic spirit of the peo
ple of the Territory. So far, the au
thority of the United States has been
upheld in all the Territories, as it is
hoped it will be in future. I com
mend their interests and defence to
the enlightened and generous care of
Congress. I recommend to the fa
vorable consideration of Congress,
the interests of the District of Col
umbia. The insurrection has been
the cause of much suffering and sac
rifice to its inhabitants, and as they
have no representative in Congress,
that body should not overlook their
just claims upon the Government.—
At your late session a joint resolution
was adopted, authorizing the Presi
dent to take measures tbr facilating
a proper representation of the indus
trial interests of the United States at
the exhibition of the industry of all
nations, to he holden at London in
the year 186. I regret to say I
have been unable to give personal at
tention to this subject—a subject at
once so interesting in itself and so
extensively and intimately connect
ed with the material prosperity of
the world. Through the Secretaries
of State and of the Interior, a plan
or system has been devised and part
ly mataredk and which will be laid
before you.
Confiscation of Rebel Slave Property
Under, and by virtue of the Act
of Congress entitled "An act to con
fiscate property used for insurrec
tionary purposes"—approved August
6th, 1 8 i,11, the legal claims of certain
persons to the labor and service of
certain other persons have become
forfeited, and numbers of the latter,
thus liberated, are already dependent
on the United States, and must be
provided fbr in some way.
Besides this, it is not impossible
that some of the States will pass sim
ilar enactments fbr their own bene
fits respectively, and by operation
of which persons of the same class
will be thrown upon them for dispo
sal. In such case I recommend that
Congress provide for accepting such
persons, from such States, according
to some mode of valuation in lieu,
protium, of direct taxes, or upon
some other plan to be agreed on with
such States respectively, that such
persons on such acceptance by the
General Government, be at once de
clared free; and that in any event,
steps be taken for colonizing both
classes, or the one first mentioned,
if the other shall not be brought in
to existence, at some place or places
in a climate congenial to them. It
might be well to consider, too, wheth
er the free colored people already in
the United States, could not, so fir
as individuals may desire, be included
in such colonization. To carry out
the plan of colonization may involve
the acquiring of territory, and also
the appropriation of money beyond
that to be expended in the territorial
acquisition.
The Acquisition of Territory
Having practised the acquisition of
territory fin• nearly sixty years, the
question of constitutional power to
do so is no longer an open one.—
With us the power was questioned at
first by Mr. Jefferson, who, however,
''n the purchase of Louisiana, yielded
his scruples on the plea of great ex
pediency. If it be said that the only
legitimate object of acquiring terri
tory is to furnish homes for white
men, this measure effects that object,
for the emigration of colored men
leaves additional room for white men
remaining or coming here. Mr. Jef
ferson, however, placed -the import
ance of procuring Louisiana more, on
political and commercial grounds
than procuring room for population.
On the whole proposition, inclu
ding the appropriation of money
with the acquisition of territory,
does not the expediency amount to
absolute necessity, that without
which the Government itself cannot
be perpetuated ? The war continues.
In considering the policy to be
adopted for suppressing the insurrec
tion, I have been anxious and careful
that the inevitable conflict for the
purpose shall not degenerate into a vi
olent and remorseless revolutionary
struggle. I have, therefore, in every
case, thought proper to keep the in
tegrity of the Union prominent as
the primary object of the contest on
our part, leaving all questions which
are not of vital military importance
to the more deliberate action of the
Legislature.
Adherence to the Blockade
In the exercise of my best discre
tion I have adhered to the blockade
of the ports held by the insurgents,
instead of putting in force by procla
mation the law of Congress, enacted
at the last session, for closing those
ports. So also, obeying the dictates
of prudence, as well as the obliga
tions of laws, instead of transcend
ing, I have adhered to the act of Con
gress to confiscate_property- used for
insurrectionary pufposes. If a new
law upon the same subject shall be
proposed, its propriety will be duly
considered. The Union must be pre
served, and himoe all ind*ensible
means must be employed, Weshould
not be in, haste to det4relinet that
radical and extreme memnres, which
- A
may reach the loyal as well as the
disloyal, indispensible.
K.
Review 44the Rebellion Since April
•. . •
14th.
insolgural address at the be
ginning eit the Administration, and
the message to Congress at the late
special session, were both mainly de
voted to the domestic controversy
out of which the insurrection aid
consequent war sprung . ._ Noth
ing now occurs to add to or subtract
from the, principles or general pur
poses stated and expressed in those
documents. The last ray ofhope, for
preserving the Union peaceably, ex
pired with the assault upon Fort
Sumter, and a general review of
what has occurred since may not be
unprofitable. What was painfully
uncertain then is much better defin
ed and more distinct, and the pro
gress of events is plainly in the right
'direction.
The insurgents claimed a strong
support from north of Mason and
Dixon's line, aid the friends of the
Union were not free from apprehen
sion on that point. This, however,
was not settled definitely ; and on
the right side, south of the line, noble
little Deleware led oft' right from the
first; Maryland was made to seem
against the Union, and our soldiers
were assailed, bridges were burned,
and railfoads were torn up within her*
limits, and we were many days at
one time without the ability to bring
a single regiment over her soil to the
Capital. Now. her bridges and rail
roads are prepared, and open. to the
Government. She already gives
seven regiments to the cause of the
Union. and none to the enemy; and
her people. at a regular election,
have sustained the cause of the
Union by a larger majority and a
larger aggregate vote than they ever
bethre gave to any candidate on any
question.
Kentucky, too, for sonic time in
doubt, is now decidedly. and, I think,
unchangably ranged on the side of
the Union. Missouri is comparative
ly quiet, and, I believe, cannot again
be overrun by the insurrectionists.—
These three States, Maryland, Ken
tucky and Missouri, neither of whom
would promise a single soldier at
first, have now an aggregate of not
less than forty thousand men in the
field for the Union, while Of their
'citisens certainly not more than a
third of that number, and they of
doubtful wherabouts and doubtful
existence, are in arms against it.
The 'Union Canso Advancing South-
weird.
After a somewhat likody struggle of
months, winter closes on the Union
people of Western Virginia, leaving
them masters of their own country.
An insurgent force, of about one
thousand five hundred, for months
dominating the narrow peninsular
region constituting the counties of
.Accomac and Northampton, and
known as the eastern shore of
,n m Vir
toaether with some conti,p-
•
ous parts of Maryland,. have Mid
down their arms, and the people
there have renewed their allegiance
and accepted the protection of the
old flag. This leaves - no armed in
surrectionists north of the Potomac,
nor east of the Chesapeake. Also,
we have obtained a footing at each
of the isolated points on the South
ern coast of Hatteras. Port Royal,
Tybee Island, near Savannah, and
Ship Island, and we likewise have
sonic general accounts of popular
movements in behalf of the Union in
North Carolina and Tennessee.—
These things demonstrate that the
cause of the Union is advancing
steadily southward.
Retirement of Lieut. Gen. Scott
Since your last adjournment, Lieut.
General Scott has retired from the
head of the army. During his long
life the nation has not been un
mindful of his merit, yet, on calling
to mind how faithfully- and brilliant
ly he has served the country from a
time far back in our history, when
few of the now living had been born
and thenceforward continually, I
cannot but think Ate are still his
debtors. I submit, therefore, for
your consideration, what further
mark of recognition is due to him
and to ourselves as a grateful people.
With the retirement of General Scott
came the Executive duty of appoint
ing in his steada General-in-Chief of
the army. It is a fortunate circum
stance that neither in council Or
country was there, so flu- as known,
any difference of opinion as to the
proper person to be selected.
Appointment of Gen, McClellan
The retiring chief repeatedly ex
pressed his judgment in favor of
General McClellan for the position,
and in this the nation seemed to give
a unanimous concurrence. The des
ignation of General McClellan is,
therefore, in a considerable degree,
the selection of the country, as well
as of the Executive, and hence there
is better reason to hope there will
be given him confidence and cordial
support thus by fair implication
promised, and without which he can
not with so full efficiency serve the
country. It has been said that one
bad General is better than two good
ones, and the saying is true if taken
to mean no more than that an army
is better directed by a single mind,
though inferior, than by two su
perior ones at variance and cross pur
poses with each other, and the same
is true in all joint operations where
in those engaged can have none but
a common end in view, and can differ
only as to the choice of means.
Right of Suffkage in the South.
In a storm at sea, no one on board
can wish the ship to sink, and yet,
not unfrequently all go down togeth
er, because too many will direct, and
no single mind can be allowed to
control it. Every day continues to
develope that the insurrection is
largely, if not exclusively, a war
upon the first principle of popular
government, the rights of the people.
Conclusive evidence of . this is found
iu the most grave pod maturely con
-4614114 public documents, as well se
in the imerel tone othe insurgents.
In those (loolimei!te we find tho
MrMEIV
abridgment of the existing 114 of
suffrage and the deniiil to tkie people
of all right tg.particip4te in the se=
leetfon of puNic, except ; the
Legiglature, boldly a d 7Z)catea with
labored arguirnitsii to prove that
large colltrol of the people in the
government is the flource of all polit
ical evil. Monarchy itself is some
times hinted at and a possible refuge
from the power of the people. In
the presentposition I could scarcely
be justified were I to omit raising a
warning voice against this approach
of returning despotism.
Capital and Labor.
It is not needed, nor fitting here f
that a general argument should be
made in favor of popular institutions;
but there is one pointy with its conk
'motion, not so hackneyed at most,
others, to which I ask brief attention.
It is the effort to place capital on an
equal footing with, if not above, la
bor, in the structure of government.
It is presumed that labor is available
only in connection with capital;
that nobody labors unless somebody
else owning capital, somehow, by the
use of it , nalues him to labor. This
assumed, it is next considered wheth
er it is best that capital shall hire la
borers, ands thus induce them to'
work by their own consent, or buy
them, and drive them to it' without
their consent.
Having. proceeded' so far; mkt ,
wally coneTudeg that an labtrters arat
either hired laherers, or what We
call slaves ; and further, it is as
sumed that whoever is once a hired
laborer is fixed in that condition for
life. Now there is no such relation
between capital and labor as assumed,
nor is there any such thing as a free
man being fixed forlife in the con
dition of a hired laborer. Both
these assumptions arc false, and all
inferences from them arc groundless.
Labor is prior to anti independent
of capital. Capital is only the fruits
of labor, and could never have exist
ed if labor had not first existed.—
Labor is the superior of capital, and
deserves much the higher considera
tion. Capital has its riets, which
are as worthy' of protection as any
other rights; nor is it denied that
there is, and probable always will be,
a relation between labor and capital
producing mutual benefits. The
error is in assuming that the whole
laboring comthunity exists within
that relation. A few men own cap
ital and that few would labor them
selves, and with their capital hire or.
buy another few to labor for them.—
A large majority, belon g ing to neither
class, neither work for others nor
have others working for them.
In most of the Southern State§ a
majority of the people of all colors
are neither slaves nor masters,
while in the Northern a large major
ity are neither hirers or hired. Men,
with their families, wives, sons and
daughters, work for themselves on
their farms, in their houses and in
their shops, taking the whole product
to themselves, and asking no favors
of capital on the one hand nor , of
hired laborers on the other. It is
not forgotten that a considerable
number of persons mingle their own
labor with capital; that is, they la
bor with their own hands and
also buy or hire others to labor
fbr them. but this is only a mixed
and not a distinct class.
No principle stated is disturbed by
the existence of this class. Again,
as has already been said, there isnot,.
of necessity, any such thing as the
free hired laborer being fixed to that
condition for life. Many independent.
men everywhere in these States, a
few years - back in their lives, were
hired laborers. The prudent, penni
less beginners in the world labor for
wages awhile, saves a surplus with
which to buy tools or land for him.
self, then labors on his own account
another while, and at length hires
another new beginner to help him.
This is the just, and generous and
prosperous system, which opens the
way to all—gives hope to all, and
consequent energy and progress to
No men living are more worthy to
be trusted than those who toil up
from poverty; none less inclined to
take or touch. aught which they have
not honestly earned. Let them be
ware of surrendering a political pow
er which they already possess, and
which, it' surrendered, will surely be
used to close the door of advancement
against such as they, and to fix new
disabilities and burdens upon them,
till all of liberty shall be lost. From
the first taking of our National Cen
sus to the last are seventy years, and
we find our population at the end of
the period, eight times as great as it
was at the beginning. The increase
of those other things which men deem
ed desirable has been even greater,
We thus have at one view what the
popular principle applied to govern
ment through the machinery of the
States and the Union has produced
in a given time, and also what, if
firmly maintained, it promises for
the future. There are already among
us those win), if the Union be pre..
served, will live to see it contain two,
hundred and fifty millions. The
struggle of to-day is not altogether
for to-day—it is for a vast future also.
With a reliance on Providence, all
the more firm and earnest, let us pro
ceed in the great task which °yenta
have devolved upon us.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
'WASHINGTON, Dee. 3, 1861
ES.T ERN CONTRA F.:WM.-41011a F.
P. Blair, Chairman of the Comittee
of Military Affairs, has arrived in
Washington. He reports great dis
tress in the West among those who
have done service for the public, in
consequence of the slow mode of pay
ment adopted by the Government.—
Contractors are forced to sell their
claims at heavy discount, and bank-
Iffli.and speculators are grow ing rich
out ottitor suffering. Col. Blair will
attempt Ilktm4diate legislative row.
dy dfc4e6e wogs.
Lfl