organic structure of the (Jovernmcnt ; and if
there be neither judical remedy f r wrings
it indict, nor power in ths people topiotcct
themselves without the orticial aid of their
fl:te l defenders; if, for instance, the I.e-L-'i.itivu
Department should pas nn act,
von through ail forms of law. to abolish a
-ordinate department of the Government,
in such c..se the lVesidnt must take the
high responsibility cf his office and save the
life of the nation at all hazard.
Tlie :called reconstruction acts, though
as pb;!ily unconstitutional as any that ran
bo imagined, wer; not believed to bo within
the cla-s last nieutioncd. The people were
not wholly disarme t of the power of t-elf-ilefca
e. la all the Northern States they
Rtitl had in their hands the sacred right of
the ballot, and it wan uafe to believe that in
da2 time they would come to the rescue of
rhttr own institutions. It gives me pleasure
to add that the appeal to our common con.
Ktitmnts was not taken in vain, ami that my
conft lonce in their wisdom and virtue seetus
not to have Veen misplaced.
It is well and publicly known that enor
mous frauds have been perpetrated on the
Treaitir', ami that colossal fortunes have
been made at the publiccxpen.se. This spe
cies of corruption ha increased, is increasing,
aud if not diminished, will soon bring us in
to total ruin and disgrace. Public creditors
and tax payers are alike interested in an hon
est administration of finances, and neither
clas.4 will long endure birgo handed robber
ic of the recent past. For this discreditable
htate of things there are several causes.
Some of the taxes are eo laid as to present
;ui irresistible temptation to evade payment.
Great suns which officers may hold, will, by
connivance with fraud, create a pressure
which is more than the virtue of many can
withstand, an j there cm bono doubt that
opeu disregard of Constitutional obligations,
wvowed by some of the highest and most in
lluential men in the country, has greatly
weakened the moral sense of those who serve
in subordinate places.
The expenses of the United States, includ
ing thd interest on the public debt, are more
than times as much as they were seven
years ago. To col'ect and disburse this vast
amount requires careful supervision, as well
ns systematic vigilance. The system, never
per tec ted, was muck disorganized by the
tenure of oflioe bill, which has almost de
stroyed official accountability.
The President may be thoroughly con
vinced that an officer is incapable, dishouest
or unfaithful to the Constitution, but under
the law which I have named his utmost en
deavors will be to complain to the Senate, aud
ask the privilege of supplying his placo
with a better man. If the Senate be regard
ed as personally or politically opposed to the
President, it is natural and not altogether
unreasonable for the officer to expect that it
will take his part as far as possible and re
t-tore him to his place, aud give him a tri
umph over his executive superior. -The offi
cer has ether chances of impunity arising
from accidental defects of cvideuce. Under
the peculiar mode of investigating it, and
the eccrccy of bearing it, it is not wonderful
that official malfeasance should become bold
ia proportion as delhjucnts learn to thiLk
themselves safe. I am entirely persuaded
that under such an irresponsible rule the
President cannot perform the great duty as
signed to him of seeing the laws faithfully
executed, aud that it disables him moct ess
pecially from enforcing that rigid accounta
bility which is necessary to the duo exeeu
tion of the revenue laws. The Constitution
invests the President with authority to de
ride whether a removal shall be made in any
given case. The act of Congress declares in
substance that he shall only accuse such as
he suppoststo be unworthy of their trust.
The Constitution makes him sole judge in
the premises, but the statute takes away his
jurisdiction aud transfers it to the Senate,
and leaves hkn nothing but the odious and
sometimes impracticable duty of becoming
a prosecutor. Prosecution is to bo conduct
ed before a tribunal whose members ire not,
like him, responsible to the whole people,
but to separate constituent bodies, and who
may hrrar his accusition with great disfavor.
Tb'j Senate is absolutely without any
kuo.va btandard of decision applicable to
Mica a case. Its judgmeut cannot beantici
pated, for it is not governed by any rule.
Law does not define what shall be deemed a
i:ood cause for removal. It is impossible
even to conjecture whatonay or may not bo
aj considered by the Senate the nature of
the subject forbids clear proof. If a charge
be incapacity, what evidence would support
it 1 Fidelity to the Constitution may be
understood or misunderstood in a thousand
liferent ways by violent party men iu vio
lent party times. Unfaithfulness to the
Constitution tnay even come to be consider
ed meritorious. If officers be accused of Ois
l.onc;ty ho.r shall it be made out ? Wiil it
be inferred from acts unconnected with pub
lic duty, from private history, or from fcen-
0. al reputation ? Or must the Prc;iuwUt
.wait the commission of an actual misde
meanor in office? Shalt he in the meantime
rule the character and interests of the uation
i;i the hands of men to whom he cannot idvo
his confidence? Must he forbear his com
p'aint until mischief is done and canuot be
prevented ? If his zeal in the public service
should impel him to anticipate an overt act.
must he move at peril of being tried himself
I r t lo olfduce of slauderi:-g his suboidinate?
Ia the present circumstances of the country
tMtne one must be held re.-pouible for .flK
ci-il delinquencies of every kind. It is ex
trernsly diilimlt to say where that responsi
bility Viould be thrown, if it is not left
where it has been placed by the Constitu
tion ; but all just now will admit that the
PresMent ought to bo entirely relieved from
Mich rospotniiLility ir he cannot meet it by
roasou of restrictions placed by law upon
his actio:. The unrestricted power of re
moval fio'u office is a very great one to be
trusted .even to a magistrate chosen by the
geoeral sutl'iage of the whole people, md ac
count iblo to them for his acts. It is un
doubtedly liable to abuse, and at some pcri
mis of our history, perhaps, has been abided.
Jf it be thought desirable aud constitutional
hat it should bo so limited as to make the
President oert ly a common informer against
fcher public .1 jents, he should at least be
permitted to act that capAcity before some
open tribuual, independent of party politics,
rc?dy to investigate, the V ril of every case,
furnished with the means of ;aking evidence.
a I b-iiind to decide according to established
rules. Thi would guarantee tht" safety of
the accuser when he acts in go l fait:', and
:it the sanifc ti.me ucuro the rights of the
other party. I speak, of course, with all
1. roper repect f-r the present Senate, but it
does not Resin to me th.it any legislative
body can be so constituted an to insure its
fitness for thcte functions. It is notMhe the
r.rv of this government that public offices
Arc the property of thoe who hold them.
They arc given merely an a trust for the pub
lic "benefit sometime for a fixed period r
sometimes during aod behavior ; but gu-
erally they are liable to be terminated at
the plea-tire of the appointing power, which
represents the collective maje-ty and epeaks
the will of the people. The forced retention
iu office of a single dishonest person may
work great injury to the public interests.
Danger to the public service cornea not frrm
the power to appoint; therefore it was that
the frarccis of the Constitution left thepow
cr of removal un restricted, while they gave
the Semite the right to reject alt appoint
ments which, iu its opiuiou, were not fit to
be road.
A little reflection on this subject will,
probubty, satisfy all who have the good ol
tho country t heart, that onr beet courso is
to take the Constitution for our guide,
walk in the path marked out by the found
ers of the Itepublic, and obey the rules,
made Bacred by observance, of our great
predecessors.
The present condition of our finances
and circulating medium is one to which
your early consideration is invited. The
proportion which the currency of any
country should benr to the whub value of
the annua! produce circulated by its means
is a question upon which political econ
omists have not agreed ; nor can it be
controlled by legislation, but must bo left
to irrevocable laws which everywhere reg
ulate commerce and trade. The circulate
ing medium will ever irresistibly flow to
those points where it is in greatest demand.
The law of demand and supply is a9 uner
riii" as that which regulates the tides of
the ocean, and indeed the currency, like
the tide, lias its ebbs and flows through
out the comtnerial world. At the begin
ning of the rebellion, the bank note circu.
lation of the country amounted to not
much more than two hundred millions of
dollars. Now the circulation of National
bank notes aod those known as legal ten
ders, ia nearly seven hundred millions,
while it is urged by some that this amouut
should be increased. Others contend that
a decided reduction is absolutely essential
to the best interests of the country. In
view of theso diverse opinions, it may be
well to ascertain the real value of our pa
per issues, when compared with a metallic
inconvertible currency. For this purpose
we inquire how much gold and silver
could be purchased by seven hundred
millions of paper money now in circula
tion. Probably not more than half the
amount of the latter,shoving that when our
paper currency ia compared with gold and
silver, its commercial value is compressed
into three hundred and fifty millions.
This striking fact makes it tho obvious
duty of the Government as early as may
be consistent with the principles of sound
political economy to take such measures
as will enable holders of its notes and those
of National banks to convert them with"
out loss into specie cr it3 equivalent. A
reduction of our paper circulating medium
need not necessarily follow; this, however,
would depend upon the law cf demand
and supply, though it should be borne in
mind that by making legal tender and
bank notes convertible into coin or its
equivalent, their present ppecie value in
tlie hands of their holders would be en
hanced one hundred per cent. The legis
lation for the accomplishment of a result
so desirable, is demanded by the highest
public considerations. The constitution
contemplates that the circulating medium
of the country shall be uniform in quality
and value. At the time of tho formation
of that instrument, the country had just
emerged from the war of the revolution,
and was suffering from the effects of a re
dundant and worthless paper currency.
The sages of that period were anxious to
protect their posterity from evils which
they themselves had experienced, hence,
in providing a circulating medium, they
conferred upon Congress the power to
coin money and regulate the value thereof,
at the same time prohibiting the States
from making anything but gold and silver
a tender in the payment of debts.
The anomalous condition our currency
is now in, is a striking contrast with that
which was originally designed. Our cir
culation now embraces.
First. Notes of National banks which
are made receivable lor all dues to the
got eminent, excluding imports, and by all
its creditors, excepting in payment of in
terest upon its bonds and securities them
selves. Second. L-gal tender notes issued by
the United State?, which the law re
quires i-haU be received as well in payment
of all debts between citizens as of all gov
ernment dues, excepting imposts ; and
Third. Gold and silver coin. liy the
operation of our present system of linancn,
however, metallic currency, when collect
ed, is reserved only for one class of govern-
meat
creditors,
who, holding its bonds.
semi-annually receive their interest in coin
from the national treasury. Ihey are
thus made to occupy an invidious position,
which may be used to strengthen the argu
ments of, those who would bring into dis
repute the obligations of the nation in tho
payment of all its debts.
The plighted faith of the government
should be inviolably maintained ; but while
it acts with fidelity toward the bondholder,
who loaned his money that the integrity
of the Union might be preserved, it should
at the same time observe good faith with
the great masses of the people who, hav
ing rescued the Union from the perils of
rebellion, now bear the burdens of taxa
tion that the Government may be able to
fuhill itn engagements. There is no rea
son which will be accepted as satisfactory
by the people, why those who defend us
on land and protect us on tea ; pensioners
upon the gratitude of the nation, bearing
scars and wounds received in its service ;
pubiic servants in the various departments
of the Government; fanners who supply
the soldiers of the army aod the sailors
of the navy ; artisans who toil in the na
tion's workshops ; mechanics and laborers
who build its edifices and construct its
fort- and vessel, should, in payment of
their just and hard earned dues, receive
depreciated paper, while another class of
their couutrymcn, uo more deserving, are
p id in coin, gold and silver. Eqoa'l and
c xaet justice requires that all creditors of
the Government phuuM be paid in a cur
rency possessing a uniform value. This
can ordy be accomplished by the restora
tion of the currency to the standard estab
lished by the Constitution, and by this
means wo would remove a discrimination
ivhich may, if it has not already done so,
create a prejudice that may become deep
rooted and wide-spread, and imperil the
national credit.
Tho feasibility of making our currency
correspond with the constitutional stand
ard, may be seen by reference to a few
facts derived from our commercial statis
tics. The production of precious metals
in the United States from 1849 to 1857,
inclusive, amounted to 579,000,000 ;
from 1858 to 18G0, inclusive, to 137,
500,000, and fiorn 18G1 to 1867, inclu
sive, to 457,500,000 making a grand
nggresate of products since 1849 of 1,
174,000,000. The amount of specie
coined from 1849 to 1857, inclusive, was
039,000,000 ; from 1858 to 1860, in
clusive, it was 125,000,000, and from
1861 to 1867, inclusive, "it was 310,
000,000 making the total coinage since
1849, 874-,000,000. From 1849 to
1857, inclusive, the net exports of epecie
amounted to 271,000,000 ; from 1858
to 18G0, inclusive, to $148,000,000, and
from 1861 to 1867, inclusive, it was
322,000,000 making the aggregate net
exports since 1849, 741,000,000. These
figures show an excess of product over the
net exports of 433,000,000. There are
in the Treasury 111,000,000 in coin,
something more than 40,000,000 in cir
culation on the Pacific coast, and a few
millions in national and other banks in
all about 160,000,000. This, however,,
taking into account the specie in the coun
try prior to 1849, leaves more than 300,
000,000 which have not been accounted
for by exportation, and therefore may yet
remain in the country. These are impor
tant facts, and show how completely in
ferior currency will supercede better, forc
ing it from circulation among the masses,
and causing it to be exported aa a mere
article of trade, to add to the money cap
ital of foreign lands. They show the ne
cessity of retiring our paper money, that
the return of gold and silver to the avenues
of trade may be invited, and a demand
created which will cause a retention at
home of at least so much of the produc
tions of our rich and inexhaustible gold
bearing fields as may be sufficient for pur
poses of circulation. It is unreasonable
to expect a return to a sound currency so
long as the government, by continuing to
icsue irredeemable notes, fills the channels
of circulation with depreciated paper.
Notwithstanding the coinage by our mint?
since 1819 of 874,000,000, the people
are now strangers to currency which was
designed for their use and benefit, and soe-
cimens of precious metals bearing national
devices, are seldom seen except when pro
duced to gratify the interest excited
their novelty. If depreciated paper is to
be continued as the permanent currency of
the country, and all our coin is to become
a mere article of traffic and speculation,
to the enhancement in price of all that is
indispensable to the comfort of the people,
it would be wise economy to abolish our
mints, thua saving the nation the care and
expense incident to such establishments,
and let all our precious metals be exported
in bullion. The time has come, however,
when the Government and national banks
should be required to take most efficient
steps and make all necessary arrangements
for a resumption of specie payments at the
earliest practicable period, w Specie pay
ments having been once resumed by the
Government and banks, all notes or bills
of paper issued by either, of a less denom
ination tlwn twenty dollars, should, by
law, be excluded from circulation, so that
the people may have the benefit and con
venience of a gold and silver currency,
which in all their business transactions
will be uniform in value at home and
abroad. Every man of property or indus
try, every man who desires to preserve
what he honestly possesses, or to obtain
what he has honestly earned, has a direct
interest in maintaining a safe circulating
medium such a medium a3 6hall be real
and substantial not liable to vibrate with
opinions, not subject to be blown up or
blown down by the breath of speculation,
but to be made stable and secure. A dis
ordered currency ia one of the greatest po
litical evils. It undermines the virtues
necessary for the support of the social sys
tem, and encourages properties destructive
to its happiness. It wars against industry,
frugality and economy, and it fosters the
evil spirits of extravagance and specula
tion. It has been asserted by one of our
profound and gifted statesmen, that of all
contrivances for cheating the laboring
classes of mankind, none has been more
effectual than that which deludes them
with paper money. This is the most ef
fectual of inventions to fertilize the rich
man's field by the sweat of the poor man's
brow. Ordinary tyranny, oppressions,
excessive taxation these bear lightly on
the happiness of the mass of community,
compared with a fraudulent currency and
robberies committed by depreciated paper.
Our own history, has recorded for our in
struction enough and more than enough of
demoralizing tendency, injustice and intol
erable oppression on the virtuous and well
disposed, of a degraded paper currency,
authorized by law or in any other way
countenanced by the government. It is
one of the most successful devices in times
of peace or war, expansions or revulsions,
to accomplish the transfer of all precious
metals from the great mass of the people
into the hands of the few, where they are
hoarded in secret places or deposited in
strong boxes, under bolts and bars, while
the people are left to endure all the incon
venience, sacrifice and demoralization ro
sulliug from tho uso of paper money.
The condition of our finances and tho
operations of our revenue system are set
forth nd fuily explained in the able and
instructive report of the Secretary of the
Treasury. On the 30th of June, 1866,
the public debt amounted to 2,783, 425,
879 ; on the 30th of June last.it was 2,
692,199,215, showing a reduction during
the fiscal year of 91.226,664. During
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1807, the
receipts were 490,634,010, and expend-"
itures 346,729,129, leaving an availa
ble surplus of 143,904,880. It is esti
mated that the receipts for the fiscal year
ending Jimo 30, 1868, will ba 417,161,
928, and that the expenditures will reach
the sum of 393,269,220, leaving in the
Treasury a surplus of 23,892,702. For
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, it is
estimated that the receipts will amount to
381,000.000, and that the expenditures
will be 372,000,000, showing an excess
of 9,000.000 in favor of government.
The attention of Congress i3 earnestly
invited to the necessity of a thorough re
vision of our revenue system. Our inter
nal revenue laws and impost sj'stem should
be so adjusted as to bear most heavily oa
articles of luxury, leaving tho necessaries
of life as free from taxation as may be
consistent with the wants of ti.e govern
ment, economically administered. Tax
ation would not then fall unduly on men of
moderate means, and while none would be
entirely exempt from assessment, all, in pro
portion to their pecuniary abilities, wou'd con
tribute towards the support of the State. A
modificatiou of the Internal lteveuue system,
by a large reduction of the number of articles
now subject to tax, would be followed by re
sults equally advantageous to the citizens aud
the government. It would render tho execu
tion of the law less expensive and more cer
tain, remove obstructions to industry, lessen
temptations to evade the law, diminish viola
tions and frauds perpetrated upon its provi
sions, make its operation less inquisitorial,
and greatly i educe in numbers the army of tax
gatherers created by the system, who take
from the mouth of honest labor the bread it
has earned. Retrenchment, reform and econ
omy should be carried into every branch of
the public service, that the expenditures of
the government may bo reduced aud the peo
ple relieved from excessive taxation. A sounds
currency should be restored, and public faith
in regard to the national debt faithfully ob
served. The accomplishment of these impor
tant results, together with a restoration to the
Union of all the States upon the principles of
the Constitution, would inspire confidence at
home and abroad in the stability of our insti
tutions, and bring to the nation prosperity,
peace and good will.
The report of the Secretary of "VTar ad in
terim exhibits the operations of the army and
of the several Bureaus of the War Depart
ment. The aggregate strength of our mili
tary force, on the 3Uih of September last, was
G,315. The total estimate for military ap
propriations is $77,124,704', including a de-
iiciency in last year s approoriations of 1
13,000.000. The payments at the Treasury
on account of the service of tho War Depart
ment from January 1 to October 'Z3, 18i7 a
period of ten mouths amounted to $100,
807,UOO, The expenses of the militury
tstablishmeiit, ns well as the numbers cf the
array, are row three times as great as they
ever have been in time of peace ; while the
discretionary popr is vested in the Execu
tive in add millions to this expenditure by
an increase of the array to the maximum
strength allowed by the law.
lhe menacing attitude of some of the war
like bands of Indians inhabiting the district
of country between the Arkansas and Platte
rivers, aud portions of Dakota Territory,
recpaired the presence of a large military
loroe in that regiou. Instigated by real or
imaginary grievances, the Indiana occasion
ally committed acts of barbarous violence
upon emigrants and our frontier settlements,
but a general Indian war has been providen
tially averted. The Commissioners under
the act of 20th July, 1SG7, were invested with
fail power to adjust existing difficulties, ne
gotiate treaties with the disaffected bands,
and select for thorn reservations remote lioui
the traveled routes between the Mississippi
and the Pacific. They entered without delay
upon the execution of their trust, but have
not yet made any official report of their pro
ceedings. It is of vital importance that our
distant Territories should be exempt from
InJiau outbreaks, and that the construction
of the Pacific Itft:lroad, an object of national
importance, should not be interrupted by
hostile tribes. These objects, as well as the
material interests aud the moral aud intel
lectual improvement of the Indians, can be
most effectually secured bv concentrating
them upon portions of country set apart for
their exclusive use, aud located at points
remote from our highways aud encroaching
white settlements.
Since the commencement cf tho second
session of the Thirty-ninth Congress, five
hundred aud ten miles of road lmve been
constructed on the main line toi bram-hei of
the Pacific Railway. The line from Omaha
is rapidly approaching the eastern ba.-e of
the llocky Mountains, whilst the terminus of
the last section of constructed road in Cali
fornia, accepted by the Government on the
24th day of October last, was but eleven
miles distant from the summit of the Sierra
Nevada. The remarkable energy evinced by
tho companies offers the strongest assurance
that the completion of the road from Sacra
mento to Omaha will not long be deterred.
During the last fiscal year, 7,C4i,0l4 acres
of public land were disposed of, aud the cash
receipts from sales and fees exceeded by one
half million dollnrs the sum realized from
those sources during the preceding year.
The amount paid to pensioners, including
expenses of disbursements, was $18,G19,0oo,
and 3G,481 names were added to the rolls.
The entire number of pensioners on the 30ih
of June last was 155,474.
Eleven thousand six hundred and fifty-five
patents and designs were issued during the
year ending September 30, lltl, and at that
date the balance in the Treasury to the cred
it of the Patent fund was $i6,bo7.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
states that we have seveu squadrons actively
and judiciously employed, under efficient and
able commanders, in protecting the persons
and property of American citizens, maintain
ing the dignity and power ot the govern
ment, and promoting the commerce and
business interests of our countrymen in every
part of the world. Of the 238 vessels com
posing the present navy of tbt United States,
53, carrying 507 guns, are iu squadron ser
vice. Tho total expenditures of the Naval
Department for the fiscal year ending Juno
30, 1867, were $31,034,011 . No appropria
tions have been made or required since the
close of the war for the construction and re
pair of vessels, for steam machinery, ord
nauce, provisions and clothing, fuel, hemp,
&c., the balances under these several heads
having been more than sufficient lor current
expeuditurcs.
The report of the Postmaster General
Bhows the business of the Postotiice Depart
ment and tho condition of the postal service
in a very uyoraoie Jignt. The receipts ot
the Department Tor the year ending J'inc 30,
18S7, lt.elu iinir all special appropriations ior
sea an I hind service and for free m i:l matter,
v.-crc 10,978. r,03. The expenditures for all
purpoaes were 19,233,483, leaving an uaex
pended balance infuvor of the Department of
STi? )in '
The report of the Acting Commissioner of
.Agriculture concisely presents the condition,
wants, aed progress of an interest eminentlv
wormy tne tostering care of Congress, and ex
hibits a large mea3ureof useful result achiev
ed during the year to which it refers.
The re-establishment of peace at bom? and
the resumption of extended trade, travel and
commerce abroad, have served to increase the
number and variety of questions in the depart
ment for foreign affairs. None of these ques
tions, however, hare seriously disturbed our
relations with other States.
The Republic of Mexico, having been re
lieved from foreign intervention, ii earnestly
engaged in efforts to re-establish her consti
tutional pystem of government. A good
understanding continues to exist between our
government and the Republic of Hayti and
San Domingo, and our cordiui relations with
the Central and South American States re
main nnchanged. The tender, made iu con
formity with resolution of Congress, of the
good offices of the Government, with a view
to an amicable adjustment of peace between
Brazil and her allies, on the one side, and
Spain on thu other, though kindly received,
U1J " neuner case Deen tully accenK-d bv
tne belligerents. The war in the valley of
aUa is sun vigorously mantained. On
tho other hand, actual hostilities between the
Pacific States and Spain have been more than
a year suspended. I shall, on any proper
occasion that may occur, renew the concilia
tory recommendations which have been al
ready made. Brazil, with enl.giiie.-ied sa
gacity and comprehensive cutesuinnship,
has opened the gra.it channels of tho AiiiH7.cn
and its tributaries to universal commerce.
One thing more seems needful to assure a rp
idaud cheering progress in Sou h America.
I refer to those peaceful habits without which
States and nations cacnot. in this acre, well
expect material prosperity or social advance
ment. The Exposition of Universal Industry at
Paris has passed, and seems to have fullv
realized the high expectations of the French
Government. If the allowance be made for
the recent political derangement ot industry
here, the part which the United States has
borne in this exhibition, of indention and art
may be regarded with very high satisfaction.
During the Exposition, a conference was beid
of delegates from several nations, the United
States being one, in which the inconvenien
ces of commerce and social intercourse re
sulting from the diverse standaras of money
value were fully discussed, and plans were
developed for establishing, by universal con
sent, a common principle for the coinage of
gold.
Ou the 25th of February, 1862, Congress
declared by law that Treasury notes without
interest, authorized by that act, should be
legal tender in payment of all debts, public
and private, within the United States. An
annual remittance of $30,000, less stipulated
expenses, accrues to claimants under the
Convention made with Spain in iS34. These
remittances, since the passage of thit act,
have been paid in such notes. The claim
ants insist that the Government ought to re
quire payment in coin. Ths subject may be
deemed worthy of your attention.
No arrangement has ss yet been reached
for the settlement of coir claims for Dritish
depredations upon the commerce of the Uni
ted .States. I have felt it my duty to decline
the proposition of arbitration made by Her
Majesty's Government, because it hus hith
erto been accompanied by reservations aud
limitations incompatible with the rights,
interests and honor of our country. It is not
to be apprehended that Great Britain will
persist in her refusal to satisfy these just and
reasonable claims, which involve the sacred
principle of non-intervention a principle
henceforth not more important to the United
States than to all other commercial nations.
The West India Islands were settled and
colouized by European States simultaneouj
with a settlement and colonization of the
American continent. JIst of the colonies
planted here became in Jcpendei.t uatious in
the ch se of the 1 ist and the beginning of the
present century. Our own country embraces
communities which, at one period, were col
onies of Great Britain, Prance, Spain, Hol
land, Sweden, and Russia. The people of the
West Indies, with the exception ot those iu
the island of Ilayti. have never attained nor
aspired to independence, nor have they be
come prepared for self-defense. Although
possessing considerable commercial vnlue,
they have been held by the several Iiaropean
States which colonized or at some time coa
quered them, chiefly for purposes of military
and naval strategy in carrying out European
policy and desiyas m regaiu to this conti
nent. I'i our revolutionary war, ports and
harbors in the Wi-st luii i Id.mds were used
by our enemy, to the gi-p.at injury and embar
rassment of he United States. Wo had the
same experience in our second war with
Great Britain. The same European policy
for a loi:g rime excluded us even from trade
with the West Indies, while we were at pe.ice
with all nations. In o jr recent civil war, the
rebels and their piratical, blockade-running
allies found facilities in the same ports for
the work, whiih they too successfully ac
complished, of injuring ani devastaiin-j the i
commerce which we are now engaged in re
building. We labored esneciMllv under this
disadvantage that European sieam vessels,
employed by our enemies, fjana friendly
shelter, protection, and supplies in West In
dian ports, while our own nav;.l operations
were necessarily carried oa from our own
distant shores. There was then a universal
feeling of the want of an advanced naval
outpost between the Atlantic coast and Eu
rope. The duty of obtaining such an out
post peacefully and lawfully, while neither
doing nor menacing injury to other States,
earnestly engaged the atteution of the Exec
utive Department before the close of the war,
and it has not been lost sight of since that
time. A not entirely dissimilar naval want
revealed itself during the eauie period oa the
Pacific coast. The required foothold there
wa3 fortunately secured by our late treaty
with the Emperor of Russia, aud it now
seems imperative that the more oovious ne
cessities of the Atlantic coast should not be
less carefully provided for. A good andjeon
venient port aud harbor, capable of easy de
fense, will supply that want. With the pos
session of suet, a btation by the United
States, neither we nor any other American
nation need longer apprehend injury or ot
fense fiom auy Trans-Atlautic enemy. I
Hgree with our early statesmen that tbe West
Indies naturally gravitate to ir.d may be ex
pected ultimately to be absorbed by the
Continental States, including our own.- I
agree with them, also, that it is wise to lcav;
the question of such absorption to this pro
cess of natural political gravitation. The
islands of St. Thomas and Si. Johns, which
constitute part of the group called the Vir
giu Islands, seemed to offer us advantages
immediately desirable, while their acquisi
tion could be secured in harmony wilh the
principles to which 1 have ailuued. A treatv
has, therefore, been concluded wilh the King
oi uenmark, lor the cession ot those islands,
and will be cubuiitted to the cu;ilc for con
sidti ation.
It wili hardiy be nec-s-rv
lion of Cotiores t the sub:
for the piymiMit to It i-si i o
lated in the trentv fur the
1'- Sun
c:
i onr VommUinr?r t, . 1-"e'n"" to
. . i"'. - winwjj
. "'"v:,i i vmai-, a
the present in cara of a military force k
tinii such civil organization as Bhall htdM
cd by Congress.
The annexation of manv Emi;i
States to Prussia, and the Veorgani
that country under a new and liberal con,2
tution, have induced me to renew the eff0r"
to obtain a just and prompt settlement of hl
long vexed question concerning the claim of
foreign States for military service from ih.t
subjects ratnralired in the United States
In connection with this subject, theAtten
tion of Congress is respectfully called to
singular and embarrassiop; conflict of laws
The Executive Department of this Govern
ment has hitherto uniformly held, as it now
holds that naturalization, in conformity with
the Constitution and laws of the United
States, absolves the recipient from his native
adcgiance. The Courts of Great Britain hold
that !lcg;ance tc the British Crown is inde
feasible, and ia not absolved by our laws cf
naturalization. British Judges cite Courta
and laws authorities cf the United State in
support of that theory against the posfcfoa
belu by the Executive authority of the United
States. This conflict perplexes the public
mind concerning the rights of naturalized
citizens, and impairs the national authority
abroad. I now again respeftfullv appeal to
Congress to declare the national will unmis
takably upon this important question.
Tte abuee of our laws by the clandestine
prosecution of the African slave-trade from
American ports or by American citizens has
altogether cessed, and, under existing'cir
eumstances, no apprehensions of its renewal
in this part o" the wcrld are entertained.
Under thee circumstances it becomes a ques
tion v.-h'tN-r we shall not propose to Her
Majesty's tiovernmeut a suspension or discon
tinuance of the stipulations for maintaining a
naval lorce for the suppression of that trade.
Andrew Johnson.
Washington, December 3, 18G7.
Mills & Davis, llth street, Ebcn3
bur, are cramming their store with
goods for the holidays. Oqc and all are
invited to give them a call, and if tha
call should be repeated seventy tituea
seven, the proprietors would not object.
Ou tbe contrary, we feel sure they would
rather like the operation.
If "OU want bargains in Clothing, bar
gains in Dry Goods, bargains in Groce
ries, bargains in Hardware or Queen.ware,
bargains in Doots or Shoes, bargains iu
Hat? or Caps, bargains in anything, go to
V. S. Barker's!
Weston, the pedestrian, vriil shortly
attempt tha ieat of walking from Chicago
to Kbensburg in filteen days. He will
come here, fiiat, to win a bet of $500, and
second, to buy a bill ol wiuter goods at
A. A. Barker's tuamructh store.
Jim. Thompson hasJately received his
now goods lor the winter. Have ycu
seen the stuck ' It is the largest, p requ
est, and cheapest in towa. Go aud see!
Go to-day !
They SAY that the skating is now ex
cellent. It you want to put yourself in
proper trim to enjoy it, to to Thomas
Williams' hardware store and buy a pair
of the elegant skates svld there.
It is a fact that C T. Kobcrts keeps
the best stationery "n town, and the best
petis and the bestiuk. This, we say, ia
a lact. Bear it in ruiud when next joa
mike any purchases in that line.
Good News to Owners or Horses. Hiv
ing secured the aid of a good fcdioer, aad
being well supplied with Nails and Shut, i
am determined to offer to each cuiji r: the
greatest inducement held out in thi? .ice
iince things were low. You ean hiive your
Horse shod all round for One Dollar and Fif
ty Cents. I will also iroa Weighs and .Sleds,
mate Y"agon Tire and all kinds of Chair-,
aud do everything in the Klacksniit'ning Li::e
at gitiitly reduced prices for tut enth.
Shop near the Foundry cf E. Gla?3
" It. II. SlNiI&.
Ebcniburg, Dec. 12, lSo7-3m.
IIartioku Live Stock Issuuasce Co.
call the attention of owner3 of horses and
cattle to the advantages offered by the Hart
ford Live Stock Insurance Company. Kerr
A Co., 100 Main street, Altooaa, are the Gen
eral Agents. The Company offers insurance
against loss by theft or death. Its capital is
half a million, giving ample.security for the
ability to settle all losses, however exten
sive, while the undoubted character of the
gentlemen connected with it is a guarantee
of honorable action. Farmers tnd others
will Sr.d it to their interest to insure their
live stook, as by the payment of a small an
nual premium they will secure themselrei
against loss. All necessary particulars may
be obtained of the agents as above.
"f ST HAY.
Can.e to the residence of the subscri
ber, iu White township, Cambria countr,
about the !."-st of October- lusti a White Co,
"v:!h red Ppe-V, and supposed to be about 9
years old." The owner will come forward.
! p:-evc vr -perty, pay cuarges, ana k
nwav, cr n ...11 oe uisposeu oi accorui'
law.
ROBERT IIULLK.V.
December 12, 1867-3t.
I73TRAY.
li Came to the premises of the subscri
ber, ia Washington township, Cambria coun
ty, during the mouth of September lis'.,
last spring's Erindle Bull Calf. The owner
will come forward, prove propery, p "-
g?s, and take it away, or it will be
of according to law.
Dec. 12. ISG7.31. THOMAS A--
i i luieuu lent nig iuc juuj - ,
time, and am desirous of having my ' ,
settled. All knowing themselves ndeU'j
will please call, as you can settle on tt
terms with me than wiih any one else-
WALTER 13LLL.
Summit, Dec. 12, 1SG7.21
if-I cheerfully recommend my s -j
sor, Dr. uevereaux,
nJ Pliveinan el
rsiciaa :,
to the confidence of the people oi
and vicinity
17L1JUIDGE STILES,
Pi EdexsbiRS,
.Manufacturer of Barrels, Keg?, iu-Wooden-ware
generally. Meat sun
Kraut stands ou hand and for sale.
p., Rfiairina douc cheap tor ca .
Orders from a distance promf
Nov. 1, 1
cd to.
AMES C. EASLY, Attorney J
Carrolltown, Cambria 'untJ'grecifi
ti.firal Drawings fla ;!
r-
U"n-
Mtious made.
A