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ULIjMJfl JiQili 11 luiiiD
STAR AND CUROXICLE.
The President's Message
PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY.
Wasnuroww, Dec. 9, 1803.
Fell jk allien! of tht Senile and Uoute of Rtpn-
taLnitn: Another year of health, ami ol sum
citDtly abundant harvests, has passed. Far
tbesa, act! especial y for the improved condition
cf out National affairs, our rtci itel arid pro
found gratitude to God is due. We remain in
ncaca ami fiiondship with fmeicu cower
The iff xti of disloyal citisens of the United
States, to involve ns in foreign war', to aid an
inexcusable insurrection, have keen unavailing.
ller Britannia Majesty s Government, as was
justly expected, have tier-laid tbeir authority
10 ore vent the departure ot new hostile expo
dittoes (rem British ports. The Emperor cf
France has. ty a like prec eding;, promptly via
dica'ei the neutrality which be proclaimed at
the beginning cf tire c ntcst.
Qiesrionsof great intricacy and importance
have allien out ot the I lockade, ana otbei Del
ligerent operations betwoen the Government
and several of the uiaritime powers ; bat ttey
have been diecofsed, ana as tares was po-stbie.
. accommodated In a sp lit of frankte s, justice
and mutual Rood will.
It is especially gratifying that our prize courts,
by the impartiality ot their a'!i initiations,
have commanded the mj.ci and confidence of
maritime poweis.
The supplemental treaty between the United
State and Great Britain for the tupprereion of
tbe African Slave liaie, made on the 17th day
of Ki brnary last, has been duly ratifiarl aid
carried into execution. It is believed that, ir
far a Atntricsn tort and American citrates
are concerned, that inhuman and odious traffic
hat been brought to an end.
I shall submit, for the eons deration of the
Senate, a convention for the adjurtruent of poe-
aeSoiuQ claims in Washington territory, ana
tng outof tbe treaty of the loth of June, 1846,
between tho United Slates and Great loltain.
and which t avehieu tbe sluice of eorne disquiet
among the uttz ns ot that now rapidly Im-
provug p.-'.not tue country.
A uovel and impoitant qicstirm involving
tbe extcntol tbe marliluie jutisJlctlon of Spain
on the waters which surround the Ielanl of
Cuba, has been debated without reaching tin
agree. en t. and it is proposed in an ami. able
pint to retur it to the arbitrament of a
fneody power. A ciLventLn for that purpose
win ue suuniittra to tne seuate.
1 have thought it proper, sulject to the ap
proval of tbe Senate, to toutur with the inter
ested commercial power in an arrangement for
the liqub aliuu of the Scheldt dues upon tbe
principles watch h-ve teen l.eritoioie a-iop'.ed
la retard to tbe imposts tpen navigation in
lbs waters of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between this
Government and that of Chili, tcU'.hiog tbe
ee sure at S iena, in Tern, by C'nilUa cthsers
of a large amount in treasure belonging to citi
Sao of toe Called State, has been brought to
a dM by tne award of his HI -jany, the King
of the B lKians. to whote arbitration the ques
tion wasreteirtd by tbe paitlea. Thesulj ret was
thoronsblv aud iratiently examined Dy tnat
justly respected magibtrato, and although the
awarded to tho claimants may not have
been as largo as they expected, there is no
reason to diauust tbe wisdom of bis lljesty's
decMon. That decision was promptly com
plied with by Chili when intelligence in regard
it reached that country.
Tbe joint commission, nnd r the a t of the
last aeeslnn, tor carrying lutoeiijct tneconven
Hon witb Peru on rfce subject of claim, has been
orgaoisad at Lima, and is engaged in the busi
ness Intrusted to it.
Difficulties concerning tb Inter-ozeanic tren
ait through Kreiraug, are in course of amicible
adjustment.
In confoiniity with the principle set forth in
mv Lat annual mtSHaze. 1 bavo received a rep
Tesentative from the United States of Columbia,
and have accredited a minister to that Republic.
Incidents occurring in tbe progress of our
tvil war have forced upon my attention the
uncertain state of iuteiuatiotal questions
touching the rights of foreigners in this conn
trv. and cf United States cit zens abroad, in
regard to tome governments. These rights
are at least partially deux a by treaties, lo
no Instance, however, is it expressly stipu
la ted that to tbe event cf civil war a foreigner
residing in this eoontry within tbe lim of the
Insurgents is to be exempted from tho rule
which classes him as a belligerent, in whose
behalf the government ol his country canuut
expect any privilege or immunities distinct
from that character. 1 regret t say, how
ever, that such claims have been pat forward
and ia soma ins'ances in behalf of foreigners
bo have lived in tbe United Stilus t egreaer
part of their lives. There is leasou to beli.ve
Hat many persons born ia foteign countries,
u. Save declared their iutcuiiou to become
Jn. " wiio have been fully naturalized,
atiaeni, - mmta,j dutj required cj thom
baveevaded . ,,nd ,hertsbT throwing
by denying the . tb, bnr(J).n of pioof
upon the - goverumet, tt r impracticable,
a 1LbSf,to!dlfiV-a. Wofguideetothe
to obtain this proo! from tbew. ht te
proper eourcaaof informati n . nt )1(:.re
applied by regi iiinir cleiks cf cu. v.a
declarations ot iutention may be made, . Gl
laliittions effected, to send p-rioditaily a IU.
the names of the pertoni naturalixj) or decla
ting tbeir intention to become citizius, to tbe
Secretary of the Int-rior, in whose department
these names might be arranged and printed f jr
general Information. There is also reason to
believe that foreucneis frequently become citi
asm of the United States tor the tole purp we
of evading duties imposed by tbe laws of their
native countries, to which, on becoming natu
ralixal here, tbey at once repair, and though
never returning to the United Sutes they still
claim the interposition of this government ar
dtlaeca Many!tercatiorji and great prejudice
have heretofore arisen oat of th' nbasa. It
U theretore lubmitted to your serious consider
ation, it might be adv'saUe to fix a limit be
yond which no cltiaen of ihe United States re
aiding abroad MJ tltln y,. in, erp08Uion of Lis
govcrnmut.
The right of juff tge ha o(t, been ruined
and exercised by a leu., ua.ier pretences ot
naturalisation which they havS dlvowe:
when dratted Into tbo m'Litr urtin i ...v.
mltthefxpeifncy of ach an amendm-nt ot
ue uw as win make the fact of voting aa r
toppel against any pira of exemption from
"'ry servioe or otb ar civil obligation on th
grouad of alienaea.
In oommon with a iVA. tpi., . Mr
wttona witb Japan liar been brought Into
' I tasueaia euiaties -v.
-.ti iK t at-i. -ti a elsapioe the photOijrspU of three children
OrT-The Ladies of Miilon will have . . f b v ,
. ... i is idnnt ifii'tl. Ilia name was liutumerton.
serious jeopardy through tbe perverse opposi
tion f the hereditary arietocricy of tbe empire
to th) enlightened and liberal policy of the
Tycoon, designed to bring the country into tbe
society ol nations, it l nopea, aiinonga nui
witb entire confidence, thai t.iese difliculties
mav be neacefully overcome. I aek your attec-
tion to Ihe claim of tbe minister residing there
for the d images he sustained in the destruction
by tire, of the residence ot tbe Legation at
Yeddo.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made with
tbe Emperor ot riusaia, wmcn it is neuevea wu
mult in tffdetinir a continuous line of telegraph
through that Empire from our Pacific coast. I
recommend to your favorable consideration the
subject of an international telegraph across the
Atlantic Ocean, and also a telegraph between
tbe Capital and the National forts along the
Atlantic seaboard and Uull ol Mexico, sucn
communications, established with any reason
able outlay, would le an economical as well an
effective aid in the diplomatic, military and
naval service.
Tbe consular atetem of ihe United States,
undar the enactment of the last Congress, be
gins to be self-sustaining, and there is reason
to hope that it may become entirely to with an
increase of trtdu, which will ensue whenever
peace is restored.
Our ministers abroad bave b:en faithfully
dofending American lights. In protecting com
mercial interests, our consuls bave neceesaiuy
had to encounter iocrea-ed labors and respon
sibilities growing outof the war. These they
bave, for tbe moet part, met nd discharged
with s al and efficiency. Tnig acknowledg
ment justly include those consuls who, re
siding in Morocco, Egypt, lurkey, Japan,
China and other Oriental countiles, are charged
with complex functions and extraoidma-y puw
era.
The condition of the several organ iaedTerri-
tcries ia generally satisfactory, although Indian
disturbances in (new Mexico bave not been en
tirely auppnased. Tbe mineral resources oi
Colorado, Nevada, Idahoe, Mew Mexico and
Ada jo are proving far richer than has been
beretob re nndeiatood. 1 lay Del. re yon I
communication on this subject from the Gov
etnor ot New llexlco.
I lur iln submit to vour consideration the ex
Dediencv of establishing a svstem tor tbe en
touragement of Immigration. Altnuugh this
source of national weillh and strength is again
flowing with greater freedom than for Several
years before tbe insurrection occur. ed, there is
still a great deficiency of laborers in every field
ol industry, especially in agriculture and in our
mines, aa well ot iron and coal aa of tbe
precious metals. While the demand for labor
is thus increa cd be.e, tens of tbousm l ol
persons destitute of remunerative occupation,
are thronging our foreign c insulates and offer
ing to emigrate to the United Stat -a, if essen
tial but very cheap assistance can be afforded
them. It is easy to at that nnder the
sharp discipline of civil war, the nation is be
ginning a new life. His noble en jrt demands
the aid and ought to receive the attention and
aupport of tbe government.
Injuries, uoforseeo by the government and
unintended, may In some care bar been in
dicted on the subjsctaorcitfa-'DSot foreign coun
tries, both at sea and oo land, by persons in
tbe setvice of the United States. Aa this Gov
ernment expects r edits from other powers
when similar Injuries are inflicted by persons
in their service upon citizjna of tbe United
States, we moat be prepared to do Justice to
foreigner. It tbe existing judicial tnoanais
are inadequate to this purpute, a special court
may be authorised witb power to near and de
cide such claims of the character referred to aa
may have arisen under treaties and the public
law. Conventions for adjusting the claims by
joint commissions, bave been proposed to
some governments, but no definite answer to
the proposition has yet been received from any.
Iu the course of tne session I shall probably
have occasion to r quest you to provide indem
nification to claimants where decrees ot restitu
tion bave been rendered and damages awarded
by Admiralty Courts, and in other cases where
this Government may be acknowledged to be
liable in principle, and where tbe amount of
that liability has been ascertained by an tutor
mat arbitration.
Tne proper officera of the Treasury have
deemed tnemselves required by the law ot Ihe
uuiwu oiaiee uuuu.iue euijact wuciuauu a vaa
upon tbe incomes of foreign consols in this
countrv. While inch a demand mav not. In
atnetnesi, be in oerrogation of public law, or
pernape ot any existing treaty between tbe
United Mate and a foreign country, the expe
diency ot so tar naodityiog the act aa toexeoipt
from tax the income of such consuls aa are not
citizens '.f the United Stake, derived fum the
eci 'lumeiiU of their otboe, or from property
nut titaated In the United Slates, is submitted
to your serious consideration. I make this aog
ges'ion upon the ground that a comity which
ought to ba reciprocated exempts ourcjnsule in
all other c.untriea from taxation, to tbe extent
thua indicated, the United States, I think.
oujbt not to be exceptionally illiberal to inter
national trade and commerce.
Tne operations of the Treasury durinz the
last year bave been successfully deducted.
The enactment by C.ngresaof a National Bank
ing Law, baa proved a valuable aupport of the
public crmtit: and the general legislation in re
lation to loans has mlly answered the txpeo
tations of its favorers. Some amendments may
be reunited to perfect existing laws. But no
change oa their principles or general scope la
ueiitvea lo Le needed.
Since these measures have been in operation.
all demands on tbe Treasury, including the pay
of Ihe army and. navy, have been promptly
met and fully satisfied. No considerable bjdy
of troops, it ia beiieved, were ever more atnulv
ided and more liberally and punctually
PJJ . id it may be added, that by no people
' X. vwdeua incident to a great war ever
more
cheerlni. . l"
- a--, .11 u.
9t UaMUUlUg sHUB Ul 1UO
were $901,125,674 80.
oursements. $896,796,630 'f i?
on the let of July, 1863, of $&,.. '
customs
tkA &tna lluHl BM, HflMIM f P.
Sttn OIO I, t't Afl f,nm Infernal kvmvA $37.
640,767 95 ; from direct tax, $1,485,103 ul
from land. $167,617 17 ; from miscellaneous
aourcra. $3,046,616 85; and from loana. $776,-
C82 861 67. making the aggregate $901,125,
674 86. Of tbe diatmnemeota mere were : ror
ihe civil aervict , $23 258.922 08 ; for pensions
and Indiana, $4.216.620 79, fur interest on
aubllc debt, $24. 729 846 61 ; tor th War De
jirtment, $699 298.600 83 ; for the Navy De
partment, $63,211,106 27 ; for payment of
ouieda temporary oem.aioi.ueo oao w, maa
ng tbe aggregate $895,796,680 65, and leaving
he balance ot $6,829 044 21. Bat the payment
of funded and t-Tn;rary debt having been made
from mooev borrowed during th year, most
' rrgaroed as merely nominal payments, and
the money borrowed to make them aa merely
o- atuat leanipta. 1MU aaOUt, $191,090,'
635 07, should theref ne be deducted both from
tbe reedpte and disbursements. This being
done, there remake as actual rec lpta. Si JO,
039 1379. and theactualdisluisemebte Silsv
709,995 58, leaving tbe balance already
stated.
The actual receipts and dlsburreuient '.oi the
first a natter, acd tbe estimated roceip's and
disbursements for tbe remaining three quarters
of the current fiscal year, 1864, will be shown
in detail bv the report of the Secretary of the
Treasurv. to which 1 invite your attention.
It is sufficient to say cere mat it u not ne
lieved that actual result will exhibit a state of
tbe ficaucea lesa favorable to tbe countiy than
the estimatt s of that officer heretofore submit
t. d. while it ia confidently expected that at the
close of the year both di-bursemente ana debt
will be found pretty considerably lesa than has
been anticipated.
ihe report ol tbe Secret iry of war la a docu
ment of great Interest. It consists ot
First, Ihe military operations cf tbe year
letailed la the report of Ihe Ueneral-m-Uhiel.
Second, The organisation of colored persons
into tbe war service.
Third, Tbe exchange of pris mere, fully aet
forth in the letter of Gen. Hitchcock.
Fourth. Tbe operations nnder the "Act for
huromogan I Calling Out Ihe National Forces,
detailed in tbo neport of the Piovost Marshal
Ueneral.
Fifth, Tbe organization of the Invalid Corps;
and
Sixth, Ihe operatlona of Ihe aeve al Depart
ments of the Quartermaster General, Com mis
sary General, Paymaster General, Chief of En
liiueers. Chief of Ordnance, and Surgeon Gen
eral. It baa appeared Impossible to make a
valuable summary of tbia report, except tech
aa would be too extended for this place ; and
hence I content myself by atking your careful
attention to the report itself.
Tho duliu devolving on tbe naval branch cf
the service during tho year, and throughout
the whole of tbia unhappy contaat, bave been
discharged with fidelity and eminent success.
Hie extensive blockade bat been constantly
incrcasiug In 'efficiency as the navy
expandei. Yet on ao long a line, it baa fo far
been impossible to entirely eupprete illicit
trade From returns received at the Navy
Department, it appears that more than 1,000
vessels have b en captured atnee the blockade
waa instituted and that lua vaiuj ot prlaea al
ready rent for adjudication amonola to over
1S,UUI,WU
The naval force of the United States conaiata.
at this time, of 688 vessaia, completed and In
tbe course of completion, and of these 76 are
iron clad or armored atcamera. The events of
the war gives an increased interest and import
ance to tbe navy which will probably extend
bevond the war Itself.
The armored vessels in our Navy, comtleted
and in service, or which are nnder contract and
approaching completion, are believed to exceed
in uumher those of any other power. But
while these may be relied upon for harbor de
feuce and coast service, o there of greater
strength and capacity will be necessary for
cruising purpose and to maintain oar rightful
position on tne ocean.
The cbanas that has taken place In naval
veseeis and naval warfare since tbe introduction
of steam as a motive power for eblpa of war,
demands either a cones pending change In
some of our existing Navy Tarda, or the eatab-
usnment oi new one ror tne o instruction and
necessary repair of modern naval Teasel. No
incousiderable embarrassment, delay and public
niury bave teen experienced Iron, a want ol
such governmental establishments.
Tbe necessity of such a Navy Yard, so fnraishe I,
at some suitable plax upon the Atlantic sea
board, has, on repeated occasions, been
brought to the attention of Congress by the
Navy Department, an 1 ia aaln presented In
the report of the Secretary, which accompanies
this communication. I think it my duty to
invite your special attention to this subject,
and also to that of establishing a yard and de
p it for naval purposes, rjpoo one of the western
rireis.
A naval force haa been .create! on those inte
rior waters, and under many disadvantages,
within little moie than two years, exceeding
in numbers the whole naval force of the coun
try at the commencement of the present ad
ministration. Satisfactory and important ai
have been tbe pertormanoes of tbe beroio men
of tbe navy at this interesting period, they are
scarcely more wonderful than the auooesa of
oar mechanics aad arttxins In the production
of war vessels, which haa created a new form of
naval power. Our country hi advantages
superior to any other nation In our resources of
iron and timber, with inexhaustible quantities
ot fuel in the immediate v eto ttyotboth.and all
available and in close proximity to navigable
waters. Without tbe advantage of public
woiks, the resource of the nation have been
developed and its power diaplayed In tbe
construction oi a navy oi an a mgni(aid.
which has, at Ihe very perl'd of Its creation.
rendered signal service to the union.
Ihe Increase of tbe number of seamen In the
public setvice, from 7.50J men in tbe spring of
UC1, to about 31,000 at tbe present time, haa
biea accomplished without apeclal leaUiatinn.
or extraordinary bonntlea to promote that in
crease. It haa been found, however, that the
operation of the draft, with the high bounties
paid tor army recruit, la beginning to affect
injuriously tbe naval service, and wllL if not
corrected, be likely to Impair Ita efficiency by
aeiacning seamen irom ineu proper calling, and
inuueing mem to enter ue army, i therefore
respectfully suggest that Congress might aid
com tne army ana navat service Dy a definite
provision on tbia subject, which wonld at the
same time be equitable to tbe communities more
especially Interested.
I commend to your consideration the antr-
gestion of the Secretary of the Navy in regard
to Ihe policy of fostering and training teamen,
and also the education of officer! aad engineer
for the naval eery ice. The Naval Academy Is
rendering signal service la preparing midship
men for the highly responsible dntiea which, in
after life, they will ba required to perform. In
order that the country abould not be deprived
or tne proper quota ot eu.ccai.ea omcere, lor
nicu legal provision naa seen mam at tbe
oaval school, tbe vacancies caus-'d by the no
lect or omission to make nomination from the
Stiii la insurrection, have been filled by tbe
Secretary of Ihe Navy. Tbe school ia now more
mil and complete than at any former period,
and in every ft-oect -.ititled to tbe favorable
consideration of Coogi.-a.
During tbe past nscal year the nnanclil con
lltloa of th Pott Office Department has been
one of increasing prosperity, and I am giatifled
n haintr able to atate that tbe actual postal
revenue haa nearly aquaUd the entire expendl-
mraa. th latter amounting to aii,aia,zuo o
ana tha former to $11.163.789 69. leavirg a
U-ai-ijutt of bat $160,417 26.
In 1860, the year immediately preceoiug ue
reeulao, ua oacatney nmoiunta, to to, von,
totamw..wr.g- j Freflh
Isaac 31. Wilkinson, of lGtli Ta. Caw- j Rage
70S 49. the postal receipts of that a ear being
lilM Til 19. lias than those of I8U3.
The decrease la I860 in the actual amount of
transportation has been onh alo it 25 per cent..
but Iba annual. expenditure on account of tbe
same haa been reduced 35 per cent. It is m tLi
feat, therefore, that the Post Office Department
may become self-sustaining in a 'ew Je.rs, even
wnb the restoration of the whole service.
Tbe international conference of Postal Dele
gates from the principal countries of Europe and
America, which waa called at the suggestion ol
the Postmaster General, met at. Pail on tbe
11th o! May last, aod concluded ita dulibera
tions on Ihe 8th of June. The principles estab
llsbed by the cnnferer.ee as best adapted to
facilitate -postal Intercourse between nation.
and aa the basis of future pcatal conventioi a,
inaugurate a general system of uniform Inter
national chaigea at reduced rates of postage.
and cannot tail to produce b. nebcial results.
1 rel r you to tbe report of the Secretary of
the Interior, which is berewitb laid before you.
for useful and varied information in relation to
tbe public lands, Indian affairs, patent, pen
sions, and other mattera of public concern per
taining to hia department.
Ihe quantity of land dispoaed of dating tbe
last and Srat quarter of tbe r re-en t fiscal year
was 3.841 649 acres, of which 1C1.&11 acres were
sold for cash. One million four hundred and
fifty-six thousand five, hundred and fourteen
actt a were taken up under the ilomeateai law.
and the residue disposed cf under the lawsgrant-
ing lands for military bounties, for railroidand
other purposes It a'.so appsara that the sale
ot tbe public lands la largely on the increase.
it haa long been a cherished opinion of some
of our wlcest atateemen that the people of tbe
united statea had a bbiber acd more enduring
Interest in the early" settlement ajd aubstantial
cultivation of the public landa than in the
amount of direct revenue t be derived mm
the ale of them. This opinion hat had a con
trolling influence in shaping legislation upon
ine surjeci oi our national uoma'n.
I may cite aa evidence of thia the liberal
measures adopted in reference to actual settler
tha grant to the States of the oveiflowed lands
within their limit in oider to their beinsr re
claimed and rendered fit for cultivation. The
granta to rallwayc mpauitaof altemateeections
of land upoa the contemplated linea of their
roans, wnicn, wnen completed, wtii io lareelv
multiply the facilities for reaching our distant
pcasesaiotia.
Ibis policy haa received re moat nigral and
beneficial Illustration in the recent! enactment
granting Homesteads lo actual a ttl .r.
Since the firat day of January laat. the before
mentioned quantity of l,ob,614 acre of laud
have teen t ken op nnder ita provisions. This
fact, and tho amount of tales, furnish gratify ing
evidence of increasing etilercent npon tbe
pnbuc lands, notwithstanding the great strut
gle In wbich tbe energies ot tbe nation havt
been engaged, and which baa reauired eo lame
a withdrawal of our cltlxeca from their accus
tomed purauita.
I cordially concur la tbe recommendation of
the Secretary of tbe Interior, austrt atioa a modi-
noatioo of Ue act in favor of thuae engaged in
the military and naval service of the United
etatta. 1 doubt sot that pougreaa will cbeer
folly adopt such meaeare ae will, without ea
seutially changing tne general featurea of the
ystem, secure, lo the greatest practical ex
tent, iu benefit to thosu who have left their
home la the defence of tbe country In thi
ardu-xi e lais.
I invite your attention to the views of the
Secrctaiy aa to tbe propriety of raising, by ap
propriate leg elation, a revenue Irom tue miu
oral landa of the United State?.
The meatnrea provided at vour last session
for tbe removal cf certain Indian tribes have
oeen carried into effect Sundry treatie have
been negotiated, which will, in due time, be
submitted fur the constitutional action of the
senate.
They contain atipu'ationa for extiniruialiinir
the possessory ligbta of the Indiana to lanr
auu vaiua'Jie tracts oi laud, it la hoped that
van eueci oi meee ueauea will result In the ea
tablishment of permanent friendlr relation
w.tn auch of these tribes aa have been brought
into frequent and blocdy collision with onr
outlying settlements and emigrants. Sound
policy ana our imperative dutv to these ward
of the Government demand our anxious and
constant attention to their material well-
being, to tbeir progress in tbe arte of civiliu
tiuP, and above ail lor that moral training
wuicu.i.iiuor ine messing oi umue rrovideuce,
will confer uixia them tbe elevated and sancti
fying influences, the hopes and consolationa of
the Christian faith.
1 suggested In my last annual message tbe
propriety ol remodelling our Indian syatem.
subsequent events have tatbtied me of ita ne
cessity. The dt taila set forth iu tbe report of
tae secretary evince the urgent need for imme
diate legislative action.
I commend the benevolent institutions, estab-
Uhed or patronized by the Government, in tale
uisirm, to year generous and loitering care.
Tbe attention of Cong teas during the last
session waa engaged to tome extent with a pro
position for enlarging the water communication
between tbe Mi&is:ippi river aud the North
eastern Bjaboaid, which propositi, n, however,
failed far the time.
Since then, upoa a call of tbe greatest re
spectability, a convention baa been held at
Chicago cpon the tame subject, a summary of
whoas viewa ia contained ia a memorial ad
dressed to tbe President and Congress, and
which I now have Ihe honor to lav before von.
That thia interest ia one which, era long, will
force Ita own way, I do not enteitain a doubt.
While it auDmltt.'d entirelv to vour wk-
dom aa to what can be d ne now, augmented
interest la given to thia aubject by tbe actual
commencement of work npon the Pacific Bail-
road, under auspices ao favorable to raDid
progresa and completion. Tbe enlarged naviga
tion oecomea a palpable net d to tbe great road.
I transmit the Second Annual Ferwrt of the
Commissioner ot tba Department of Agrlcul
tore, asking your attention to the developments
In that vital Inter eat of tba aatioo.
When Coo grets assembled a tear aoro. the
war had already lasted naariv twenty month.
and there had been many conflict cn both lane
and sea, with varying rcaulta. The rebellion
oaa oeen prcesed back Into reduced limit, vei
the tone of public feeling aad opinion at home
and abroad was not satisfactory. With othei
slgna, the populor elections, then just passed,
indicated uneasiness among utus.lres, wbib
amid much that was cold and menacing tbt
kind)': words coming fiotn Europe, were nt
terra in accents ot city that we were too blind
to STtrrendor a hopeless ram
uur commerc waa aufferlria: trrastlr bv a
few armed vessels built uDon and InrnUhec
rrom fore ten sborea. and wa were threatened
with each addition from the same quarter at
ruiua sweep cur i aae irom ne teas and ralat
ur D ockada. We had tai lad to elicit from
European Governmeata anvthinir honfalaeon
.LL. i: .
Butter... SS K.ba Mde. o j
4, 5, and 6 Ham ...11 . .
The preliminary Emancipation Proclamation,
issued In September, waa running ita aasigned
peiiodtotbe beginning of Ihe new year,
mor.tb later tbe final Proclamation came, in
cludirg the announcement that colored m-n of
a auitabie condition would ba received into the
war Bervice. Ihe policy of emancipation, and
of employing black soldiers, gave to tbe future
a new aspect, about wbich hope and fear and
uoudi contended in uncertain eonnict.
According to our political system, aa a mat
ter of tivil adminiatraticn, tb General Gov
ernment bad no lawful power to en ct emand
nation in any Sta'e, and for a long time it had
been hoped tnat tbe rebellion could be anp
pressed without resorting to It aa a military
me isure. It wa, all the while, deemed posi
bla that the necessity for It might come, and.
that if it should, the cilsia cf tbe contest would
then be presented.
it came. and. aa waa anticipated, waa follow
ed by dark and doubtful days. Eleven months
having now passed, we are permitted to take
another review, ihe rebel borders are pressed
ill further, back by Ihe complete opening of th
aiiAUiKippi ; tne country dominated by me re
bellion la divided into distinct parts, with no
practical le communication between them, len
nea.ee aud Aikansaa have been substantially
cleared of insu'geata control, aod ictlaentiil cm
i-ns io each, owners of slaves and advocatea of
Slavery at the beginning of the rebellion, now
declare openly for Emancipation in their respec
tive statea.
Of those States not ir.c'nded in the Ernancl
palion Proclamation, liirylmd and Miaacuri,
neither of which three years ago would tolerate
any restraint uporythe extension of slavery into
new Territories, only dispute now as to the best
mo le of removing it within their own limits.
Of thcaa who were slave at the beginning of
tue rebellion, lull i JU.ouo are now in the United
States military aerv'ce, about one half of which
number actually bear arms In the ranks thus
giving the double advantage of takiug ao much
labor from the insurgent causa, aal enpplying
the places which must otherwise bo filled with
ao many white men.
So far aa Uattd it ia difficult to aiy that they
are not aa good soldiers aa any. No servile in
surrection, or tendency to violence or cruelty,
haa marked tbe meaeures of emancipation atd
arming tbe black. Tness measures have been
much discussed in foreign countries, and, con
temtairary with such discussion, tbe tone of
public sentiment there is much improved.
At home the same measure have been fulTv
discussed, supported, critic zed and denounced,
and the annual election following are highly
encouraging to those whose official duty it is
to bear the country through this great trial.
Thus we bavs tbe new reckoning. Ihe crisis
men threatened to divide the frlecds of tbe
Union it past.
Looking, now, to the preaont and fu'.ure.and
with reference to a resumption of the national
autboriry wlttin the Statea wherein that au
thority has been suspended, I have thought
fit to issue a Proclamation, a copy of wbich is
herewith transmitted. On examination of thia
Proclamation it will appear, aa i believed, that
ootbing 1 attempted beyond what ia amolv
iiuuaea uy uao tyooeuiuiion.
True, tbe form of aa oath ia given, but no
man ia coercid to tike it; the man la only
promised a pardon in case be voluntarilv lakr
toe oain. ine loaaticutloo anthoria- tne
Executive to grant or withhold the narilon at
bis on absolute discretion, and this Include
ine power io grant on term, aa ia fully eatab-
iianeu oy judicial ana otner autboiiile
it la also proffered that If in anv of the
S'ates named a Slate Goversment shall be, in
tbe mode prescribed, set up, such Government
sball be recognized and guaranteed by the Uni
ted States, and that nnder it the State shall.
uu iuo iuue'tuuuua! uouumui., do protected
. 1. - 1 . ... . : 1:., I 7
against invasion ana aomesuo violenee.
Ibe constitutional obligation of tbe United
S tatea to guarantee to every State in the Un ion a
republican form ol government, and to protect
the State in the cases stated, U explicit acd
full. But why tender the benefits of tbia pro
vision only to a State Government set no in this
particular wayf
lbta aectlon of tbe Constitution content nlatea
a case wdviciu we element wiium a state IA-
vorable to republican Government, in tbe
Union, may be too feeble for an opposite and
hostile element external to, or oven within the
State, and such are precisely the cases with
which we are now dealing.
Au attempt to guarantee aud protect a re
vlved State Government, in whole or in a Pre
ponderate part, from tho very element against
boss hi etuitl. a and violence it is to be pro
tected, is simply absurd. There must be a test
by which to separate the opposing elements,so as
to build only from the sound, and that test is
a sufficiently lib ral one which accepts as sound
whoever will make a sworn recantation of hia
former ncaoundneaa.
But if it ba proper to require aa a teat of ad
mission to the political body an oath of alleai-
ance to the Constitution of the United Sratee
and to the Union under it, why also to the
laws and proclamations in regard to slavery f
Those lawa aad proclamations we.e enacted
and put forth for tbe purpose of aiding io the
suppression of tha rebellion. To give them
tbeir lullest enact there bad to be a pledge for
their maintenance. In my judgment, they
bave aided, and will further aid, the causa lor
which they were Intended. To now abandon
them would be not only to relinquish a lever of
power, bat would also be a ctu.l and an
astounding breach of faith.
1 mav add. at tbia color, tnat while i remain
in my present position I shall not attempt to
retract or modify the Emancipation Proclama
tion, nor shall I return to slavery any person
who la free by tha terms of that Proclamation.
or by any of tha acts of Congress.
For these ana other reasons it la thought
best that support of these measure shall be in
eluded in tbe oath, and it is believed tbe Ex
ecutive may lawfully claim it In return for
pardon and reatoration of forfeited righta,
which he baa clear sonstituiionat power to
withhold altogether or grant npon tbe terms
which be shall detm wisest for the public
interest.
It should be observed also that thia part of
the oath is tubjaoa to the modifying and abro
gating poster oi legislation and supreme judicial
decision.
Ihe procosed acquiescence of the National
executive In any reasonable temporary Stale
arrangement for tbe freed peopla, is made with
the view of poeaibly modifying the confusion
nl destitution which muat at beet attend
til c'a-aea by a total revolution of labor
throughout tbe whole States.
It Is hoped that the already deeply afflicted
people In three States may be somewhat more
ready to give up tha causa of their affliction,
f to thia extent this vital matter be left to
themselves, white bo power ot tha National
Executive to prevent an abuse ia abridged by
tha riropoaiikia.
Th sngpattoti la tht Fmbjita fl f
lhfr rixt-re. sl-ay. on
of fuI..ished a, ,hort nmirr.
maintaining the political framework of the
State, or what ia called reconstruction, la made
in the hope that it may do good without danger
or harm. It will save labor, and avoid great
confusion. But why any Proclamation now
upon th's subject f This question is beset with
the conflicting view that the a'ep might be
delayed too long or be taken tco on.
In some Stat: a tbe elements f ,r resumption
seem ready for action, hnt remain inactive, ap
parently for the want of a rallying point or
plan of action. Why shall A adopt the plan
of B, rather than B that of A; an I if A and B
shou'd agree, how can they know bet that
the General Government here will rrj ret their
plan.
By the Proclamation a plan is presented which
may be accepted by them aa a rallying point,
and which they are aiwured in advance will not
be rejected here. Tuis may bring them to act
sooner than they otherwise would.
The objections to a premature presentation
of a plan by tbe National Executive, consist in
the danger ol communis oo points wnicn coma
be more safely left to further developments.
Care haa been taken to ao shape toe docu
ment aa to avoi i embarrassments from thtj
sonrce. Saying that, on certain terms, reitaia
classes will be pardoned, with rigbta restored,
it is not said that other classes or other terms
will never be included.
BsjU.g that reconstruction will be accepted
if presented in a specific way, it is tot said it
will never be accepted in any other way.
Ihe movement by State action, for emaoci-
patlon in aeveiai ol the Statea cot ii.ciu.ltd in
tbe Emancipation Proclamation, are mattera of
profound gratulation.
And while I do not leoe.tin detail what 1
have heretofore ao earnestly urged upon this
subject, my general views aud feeling remain
unchanged, and I trust that Congress will omit
no fair opportunity of aiding these important
step to a great consummation.
Iu tha midst of other cues, however im
portant, we must not luaetight of the fact that
tbe war power ia (till our main reliance; to
that power alone can we look yet for a time to
give confidence to the psple i l tha cmtested
legions, that tbe resurgent power will not
again overrun tbem.
until that confidence shall be established, little
can be done any a here f-r wh.tis called re
construction.
Hence our chief at care must still be directed
to the army and navy, who have thus far bores
their harder part ao nobly and well.
And it may be esteemed tortuoato that in
giving the greatest efficiency to theee indispen
sable arms, we ilo ilsu honorably recou aa the
gallant men, tiom commander to sentinel, who
composed toem, aad to whom, 'mure than to
others, Ibe world must stand indet.tr d for the
borne of tnedom disenthralled, n generated.
enia-ged and perp;ta.te-i.
December 8th, 1SC3.
Proclamation of Amnesty.
The following proclamation la appende 1 to
the message :
PROCLAMATION.
Wannaa, la and by tba Constitution of the
United States, it la provided thai Ibe President
"hall have power to grant reprieves and par
dons fur tffjuce against toe United S.ate, ex
cept tn oaes of Impeachment ;" aod
Wktrmt, A terelllcn now exist wbereby the
loyal Slate government ot several Stares have
for a long time been subverted, and many per
sons bave commitftd and aie now guiliy oi
treaann anaiuat the Unl.ed States ; and
Haanos, With relereoce to said rebellion and
treason, lawa have been enacted by Conines.
declaring forfeiraresand confiscation of property
and liberation of siavSs, all upon terms aod
condition therein at. ted, acd also declaring
tnat tne rreviaent waa thereby authorised at
any time thereafter, by proclamation, to ex
tend to persons who may bare participated in
he existing retellion, in any Suite or cart
thereof, anion and amnesty, with such excep
tions ana at sucn times aud on such conditions
as he may deem expedient for tbe public wel
fare; and
If Aaron, Tbe Congressional declaration for
limited and conditional pardon accords with
well-established judicial expositi tn ot tae par
doning power ; and
Whereat, With reference to sail rebellion.
the President of the United States has issued
several proclamation, with provisions in re
gard to the liberation of siavea ; and
It Imeat, it ia now desired by tome tettons
heretofote engaged In said rebellion to resume
their all giance to tbe United Slate, and to
reinauaurate loyal Slate governments within
and for tbeir respective States ; therefore.
1, Abraham Lincoln, 1 resident ol the United
States, do proclaim, declare, and make known
to all penons who nave, directly or by impli
cation, participated in the existing rebellion.
except as hereinafter excepted, that a full par
don ia hereby granted to them and each of
tbem, with restoration ot all rigbta ot properly.
except as to slaves, and in propeity cases where
rights of third parties shall have inteivened,
and upon the condition that every sucn person
shall take and subscribe an oath, and thence
forward keep and maintain said oath inviolate;
and which oath shall be registered for perma
nent preservation, and shall be of the tenor an i
effect following, to wit :
"I. . do solemnly swear, in
presence of Almighty God, that I will hence
forth faithfully support, protect and defend the
Constitution of tbe United States, and ibe
union of tbe States thereunder; and that I will,
in like manner, abide by and faithfully support
all acts of Congress passed during the existing
rebellion with reference to slaves, so long snd
so far as not repealed, modified, or beta void
by Congiess, or by decision ul tue suoreme
Court; and that I will, In bke manner, abide
by and faitafully support ail proclamations of
he President, mad during toe tx suog rebel
lion, having reference to slaves, so long aod so
tar as not nioduied or declared void by decision
of tbe Supreme Court, So help me God."
The Beraotu excepted irom tne n, ntntsoi tho
foregoing provisions aieall who srs.or shall bave
been, civil or diplomatic officers or agent of tbe
so-called confederate government; all who have
lelt judicial station under the United States to
aid tha rebellion ; all who are, or she 1 have
been, military or naval othcersof said so called
confederate government above tbe rank of Oolo
oel in the army, or of lieutenant In the navy;
all who left seals In tbe United States Congress
to aid tha rebellion: all who resigned com mi
lo i in tbe army or aa y of tho United States,
id afteraaids aided tha mbeli oo; aud all wbw
u.vs engaged ia any way in treating color, d
ncranna. or white ueraon In ch-rjie of SUeb,
otherwise than lawfully as prison of war, and
hieh mmns mav have been louoa in ine
United Stat amice as teldlers, stamen, at in
ai!ctbcety.
Aid 1 Oo wruitr prmuuui, - -
ooKCicvsa oat faas J
Mav ii. 1H63 " E. J- HUM..
"'nlnn Prater Mcrllnst
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hereafter .-"
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