The President's Message
PROCLAMATION OF AMNESTY
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 1863.
Fellow citizens of the Senate and
House of I?epresentatives:Another year
of health, and of sufficiently abundant
harvests, has passed. For these, and
especially for the improved 'condition of
our National affairs, our renewed and pro
found gratitude to God is due. We re
main in peace and friendship with for
eign powers.
The efforts of disloyal citizens of the
United States, to involve us in foreign
wars, to aid an inexcusable insurrection,
have been unavailing. Her Britannic Ma
jesty's Government, as was justly expect
ed, have exercised their authority to pre
vent the departure of new hostile expo•
ditions from British ports. The Empe
ror of France has, by a like proceeding,
promptly vindicated the neutrality which
!he proclaimed at the beginning of the
•COLltest.
Questions of great intricacy and im
portance have arisen out of the blockade,
-and other belligerent operations between
the Government and several of the mari
time powers: but they have been dis
cussed, and as far as was possible, ac
commodated in a spirit of frankness, jus
lice and mutual good will.
It is especially gratifying that our
prise courts, by the impartiality of their
adjudications, have commanded the re
spect and confidence of maritime powers.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Britain for the
suppression of the African Sla; e Trade,
made on the 17th day of February last,
been duly ratified and carried into ex
osessien. It is believed that; so far as
American ports and American citizens
arc ,cancertied, that inhuman and odi
aliS traffic has been brought to an end.
shall submit, for the consideration
of the Senate, a convention for the ad
justment of possession claims.. ia Wash
ington Territory, arising out of the treaty
of the 15th of June, 1846, between the
United States and Great Britain, and
which have been the source of some dis
quiet among the citizens-of that now rap
idly improvino- b part of the country.
A noycl and important question in
volving the extent of the maritime juris
diction of Spain on the waters which
surround the Island of Cuba ; has been
debated without reaching an agreement,
- and--it--is-proposed-in-an--amicable- spirit
to refer it to the_ arbitrament of a friend
ly, power. A . convention for that pur
pose will be submitted to the Senate.
I have thought it proper, subject to the
approval of the Senate, to concur with
the interested commercial powers in an
arrangement for the liquidation of the
Scheldt dues, upon the principles which
have been heretofore adopted in-regard
to the imposts upon navigation in the
waters of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this GossernWP-Pt and that of Chili, touch
ing the seizure at Sitana, in
,Peru, by
Chilton officers of a large amount in
treasure belonging to citizens of the Uni
ted States, has been brought to a close
by the award of his Majesty, the ning
of the Belgians, to whose arbitration the
question was referred by the parties.—
The subject was thoroughly and patient
ly examined by that justly respected
magistrate, and although the sum award
ed to the claimants may not have been as
large as they expected, 'there is no rea
son to distrust the wisdom of his Majes
ty's decision. That decision was promptly
complied with by Chili when intelligence
n regard to it reached that country.
The joint commission, under the act of
the last session, for carrying into effect
the convention with Peru on the subject
of claims, has been organized at Lima,
And is engaged in the business entrusted
to it
Difficulties concerning the inter-oceanic
transit through Nicarauga, arc in course
of amicable adjustment.
In conformity with the principles set
forth in my last an nual message, I have
received a representative from the United
States of Columbia, and have accredited
a minister to that Republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress of
our civil war have forced upon my at
tention the uncertain state of internation
al questions touching the rights of for
eigners ire this ,countAy, and of United
States citizens abroad, in rezard ,to seine
governments. These Rights aii.e at least
p a rtially defined by treaties In no in
stance, however, is it expressly stipula.
Red that in the event of eivil war a for
eigner residing ie this country within the
dines of the insuirgents is to be exempted
from the rule which classes him as a bellig
erent, in whose behalf the government of
his country cannot expect any privileges or
immunities distinct from that character.
tf regxetto say, however, that such clainhi
lhavo.been put forward, and in sonic in
otaricoc ist .behalf of furtligners who have
lived in the United States the greater
part of their lives. There is reason to
believe that many persons born in for
eign countries,who have declared their
intention to become citizens, or who have
seen fully naturalized, have evaded the
military duty required of them by deny
ing' the fact, and thereby throwing upon
the government the burden of proof.
It has been found difficult, or imprae-
AicAte,_ to obtain this proof from the
~geqp,t,qf gAides to the proper sources of
Anformation. l'Acso Might be supplied
r epirin g clerks of courts where de
prmit,:oca pf intention may be made, qr
paturalixations_effected to send periodi.
pally a list of the names of the persons
paturalized or declaring their intention
,to bcpcopepiti,F,ens,_te the Secretary of the
fcterpiri in yhuse department these names
wipbt be arranged and printed for goner-
Afomatio,u• There is also reason to
to bel,ieve that foreigners frequently be
come citizens of the United' statea for
the sole purpose of evading duties ire
.posed by the laws of their native coun
tries, to which on becoming naturalized
here, they at once repair, and though nev
er returning to the United States, they
still claim the interpqsition of this goy
,croment as citizens, Many Many altercations
; and great prejudiqo have heretofore
arisen•out, of this abuse It is therefore'
auhmitted to your serious consideration
It; might be advisable to fix a limit be
yond which no citizen of the ,United
States residing abroad may claim the in=
tornegNpn of his government: •
'The.right'Of suffrage has often been as- .
VOL. 63.
A. K. RnEEm, Editor & Proprietor
sumed and exercised by aliens, under
pretences of naturalization, which they
have disavowed when drafted into the
military service. I submit the expedien
cy of such an amendment of the law as
will make the fact of voting an estoppel
against any plea of exemption front mili
tary service or other civil obligation on
the ground of alienage.
In common with other Western Pow
ers, our relations with Japan have been
brought into serious jeopardy, through
the perverse opposition of the hereditary
aristocracy of the empire to the enlight
ened and liberal policy of the Tycoon,
designed to bring the country into the so
ciety of nations. It is hoped, although
not with entire-confidence,- that these
difficulties may be peacefully overcome.
1. ask your attention to the claim of the
minister residing there for the damages
he sustained in the destruction by fire, of
the Legation at Yeddo.
Satisfactory arrangements have been
made with the Emperor of Russia, which
it is believed will result in effecting a
continuous line of telegraph through that
Empire from our Pacific euast. I recom
mend to your favorable consideration the
subject of an international telegraph across
the Atlantic Ocean, and also a telegraph
between_the
,Capital and the National
forts along the Atlantic seaboard and
Gulf of Mexico. Such communications,
established with any reasonable outlay,
would be an economical as well as effec
tive aid in the diplomatic, military and
naval service.
The consular system of the United
States, under the enactment of the last
Congress, begins to be self-sustainlng, and
there is reason to hope that it, may be
come entirely so with an increase of trade,
wltielr will ensue - whencver petice . is 're: .
stored.
Our ministers abrcidd have been faith
fully defending American . rights. In
protecting commercial interests, our con
suls have necessarily had to encounter in
creased labors and responsibilities growing
'out or the war. These they have, for
the most part, met and discharged with
zeal and efficiency, This acknowledg
ment justly includes those con Sills who re
siding in Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Japan,
China and other Oriental countries, are
charged with complex functions and ex
traordinary powet-a.
, The, e,undition of theseveral organized
Territories is generally satisliietory, al
though Indian disturlnitmes its New Mes
itto have not been entirely suppressed.—
The I,llimral resources of Colorado, Ne
vada, Idahoe, New Mexitai and A rizoua
are puvi,v, far richer than has been here
tofore understood. 1 lay before you a
communication On this subject, fiaitu the
Governor of New Mexico.
again submit to your consideration
the expediency of establishing- a system
fur the encouragement of im:nigration.—
Although this source of national wealth
and strength is again flowing with great
er freedom than for several years before
the insurrection occurred, there is still a
great deficiency of laborers in every field
of industry, especially in agriculture and
in our mines, as well of iron and coal as
precious metals. While the demand for
labor is thus increased here, tens of thous
ands of persons destitute of remunerative
occupation, are thronging our foreign
consulates and offering to emigrate to the
United States, if essential but very cheap
assistance can be afforded them. It is
easy to see that under the sharp discip
line of civil war, the nation is beginning
a new life. This noble effort dentands the
aid and ought to- receive the attention
and support of the government.
Injuries unferseen by the government
and unintended, may in some eases have
been inflicted on the subjects 'or citizens
of foreign enuntries, both at sea and l'On
land, by pexsons in the service of the
United States. As this Government ex
pects redress from other powers when
similar injuries are inflicted by Fersons,
in their service upon citizens of tlxe United
States, we roust be. prepared to do justice
to foreigners. If the existing judicial
tribunals are inadequate to this purpose,:
a special court may be authorized with
power to hear :urn de vide such elaiws of
the character referred to as have at isen
under treaties and the public law. Con
ventions for adjusting the claims by joint
commissions, have been proposed to some
government, but no definite answer to
the proposition has yet been received from
any.
In the course of the session I shall pro
b ibly have occasion to request you to pro'
indemnification to•claimants where
(loonies of restitution have been rendered
and damages awarded by Admiralty
and in other cases where this Govern
ment way be acknowledged to be liable
irk principle, and wherg t,lie amount of
that liability has been a.qeertaitAed by an
informal arbitration.
I* -proper- e offmers .of -the—Treasury
have deemed thetoselves required by the
lay of the United States upon the sub•
jeet to demand a tax upon the incomes
of foreign ,consuls ig this,cuootry.i While
such a demand may not, in strictness, be
in derogation of public law, or perhaps
One), existing treaty bettveen the United
States . ,and'a foreign country, the expe
diency of so Par modifying the act as to
exempt from tax the incomes of such
consuls as are not citizens of the United
States, derived from the emoluments of
their office, or from property not situated
in the' United States, is submitted to your
serious consideration. [Make this sug•
gestic!' upon the ground that a comity
which' ought to he reciprocated' ex
empts our consuls in all other countries
from taxation, to the extent thus indioat
ed. The United. States, I thinki --- ought
not to be exceptionally illiberal to inter
national trade and commerce..
'The operations 'of the Treasury during
br
the last year have been successfully con
ducted. The enactment by Congress of
a National Banking Law, has proved a
valuable support of the public credit;
and the general legislation in relation to
loans has fully answered the expectations
of its favorers. Some amendments may
be required to perfect existing laws.—
But no change on their Principles or gen
eral scope is believed to be needed.
Since these measures have been in
operation, all demands on the Treasury,
including the pay of the army and navy,
have been promptly met and fully satis
fied. No considerable body of troops, it
is believed, were ever more amply pro
vided and more liberally and punctually
paid, and it may be awled, that by no
people were the bnrdens incident to a
great war ever more cheerfully borne.—
The receipts during the year from all
sources, including loans and the balance
in the Treasury at its commencement,
were $901,125,671,86, and the aggre.tate
disbursements, $895,796,630,135, leaving
a balance on the Ist of July, 18613
of $5, 1329,014,21. Of the receipts,
there were derived from customs $69,059-
612,40 ; Irmo internal revenue, $17,601,
787 ; 95; from direct. tax, $1,485,103,61;
from lands, 8167,617,17 ; from miscell
aneous sources, $:1,047,615,3.5 ; and front
loans, $776,782.301.57, making the ag
gregate V 01,125,674,814 Of the dis
rse
buments there were : For the civil ser
• -
vice, $23,25:3,922,08 ; for pensions and
Indians, -84,216,520,79, for interest on
public debt, $24,729,46,51 ; fur the War
Department, $599,298,600.83 ; for the
Navy Department., $63,211,10,5,'27; fbr
payment of funded and temporary debt,
$191,0`.34,635,07, making the aggregate
$` 3 95,796,6:30,65, and leaving the bid
stern- -of-$5 ; 3241,0-•-4;21.-.. • But- the ••pay
inept - of funded and temporary debi, hav
ing been made from moneys borrowed.
during the year, must be reg.irded as
nit - rely nominal payments, and the mum-•
cys borrowed to make them as merely
nominal receipts. Their amount, $lBl,-
086,635,07, should thereforc, be deduct-
ed both crow the receipts and disburse
inent.t. This being dune, there remains
as actual receipts, '8720,0-39,093,79, and
the actual disbursements, $714,709,995,-
SS, leaving the balance as already stated.
The actual receipts and disbursements
for the first quarter, and the estimated
receipts and disbursements for the re
maining three quarters of the current fis
cal year, 1861, will be shown in dotal]
by the report of the Secretary of the
Treasury, to which I invite your atten
tion.
It is sufficient to say hero that it is not
heliev,ed that actual results will exhibit a
state of the finances less' favorable to the
country than the estimates of that officer
heretofore subwitted, while it is confi
dently expecte:l that at the close of the
year both disbursements and debt will
he found pretty considerably less than
has been anticipated.
The report of the Secretary rf War is
a document of great interest. It consists
of
First, The military operations of the
year detailed in the report of the Geheral
Second, The organization of colored
persons in the war serv . ice.
Third, The exchange of prisoners, ful
ly set forth in theletter of Gen. llitch
cock.
Fourth, The operations under the
" Act for Enrolling and Calling Out the
National Forces," detailed in the report
of the Provost Marshal General.
Fifth, The organization of the Invalid
Corps ; and
Sixth, The operations of the several
departments of the Quartermaster Gen
eral, Comminsary General, Paymaster
General, Chief of Engineers, Chief of
Ordnance, and Surgeon General. It has
appeared impossible to make a valuable
summary of this report, except such as
would be too extended in this place,
and-bence I content myself by asking
your careful attentbm to the report itself
The duties 'devolving on the naval
branch of the service during the year,
throngliout the whole of this unfutp- .
py contest, hat•c t yeti disub;lnzeti with
fidelity and eminent stores.
extensive blockade has brim constantly
increasing in efliebu,wy us the navy has
expanded. Vet on so line a line, it. has
been so far impossible to entirely suppress
illicit trade. Front returns received at
the Navy Department, it appears that
more than 1,000 vessels have been cap
tured since the blockade was instituted,
and that the value of prizes already sent
fbr adjudication amounts to over $13,000-
000.
The naval force of the United States,
consists, at this time, of SSB vessels,
completed and in the course of comple
tion, and of these 75 aro iron clad or ar•
mored steamers. The events of the war
gives an increased intero4 and import
ance to - the navy which will probably ex
tend beyond the war itself.
The armored vessels in our Navy, com
pleted and in service, or which aro un
„der ,confront and approaching completion,
are btaliev,ed ,eLceed in number those
of auy other pOwer. But while these
may be relied upon for harbor defence
and coast service, otherg of greater
strength and capacity will be necessary
for cruising purposes and to maintain
our rightful I ositiori on the ocean.
The change that tails taken place in
naval vessels and naval 'warfare since the
introduction of steam as a motive .power
for ships of war, demands either a cor
responding
change in some of out exist
ing NavyYttids, or the establishment of
new ones for the construction and neces
sary repair of modern naval Vess-ds. No
inconsiderable etnharra-sment, delay and
pUblic injury have been experienced from
want of stich gotternmental establish
ments. .
CARLISLE, PA., FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1863.
The necessity of such a Navy Yard, so
furnished, at some suitable place upon
the Atlantic seaboard, has, oq repeated
occasions, been brought to the attention
of Congress by the Navy Department, and
is again presented in the report of the
Secretary, which accompanies this com
munication. I think it my duty to in
vite your special attention to this subject,
and also to that of establishing a yard
and depot for naval purposes, upon one
of the western rivers.
A naval force has been created on those
interior waters, and under many disadvan
tages, within little more than two years,
exceeding in numbers the whole naval
force of the country at the commence
ment of the present administration
Safisractary and important - as have been
the performances of the heroic men of the
navy at this interesting period, they arc
scarcely more wonderful than the success
of our mechanics and artizans in the pro
duction of war vessels, which has created
a new form of naval power. Our country
has advantages superior to any other na
tion in our resources of iron andtimber,
with inexhaustible quantities of fuel in
the immediate vicinity of both, and all
available and in close proximity to navig
able waters. Without the advantage of
public works, the resources or the nation
have been developed and its power dis
played in the oonstructiun of a navy of
such magnitude, which has, at the very
period of its creation, rendered signal
serViee to the Union.
The increase of the number of seamen
in the public service. frotu 7,500 men in
the spring of 1801, to about 34,000 at
the present time, has been accomplished
without special legislation, or extraordi
nary bounties to promote that inpreafe.— :
It has been found, however, that the ope
ration of the draft; with the hi.glf boun
ties paid for army recruits, is begin
ning to affect injuriously the navy service,
and- will, if not corrected, -be likely to im
pair its efficiency by detaching seamen
fium their proper calling, and inducing
them to enter the army. I therefore re
spectfully suggest that Congress might
aid both the army and naval services by
a definite provision on this subject, which
would at the same time be equitable to
the colninunities more especially interest
ed.
I commend to your consid:Ftetion the
suggestion of the Secretary of the Navy
in regard to the policy of fostering and
training seamen, and also tho education
of officers and engineers fu4iie naval
service. The Naval Academy is render
ing signal service in preparing midship
men fur the highly responsible duties
which, in after life, they will be required
to perform. In order that the country
should not be deprived of the proper
quota of educated officers, for which legal
provision has been made at the naval
school, the vacancies caused by the ne
glect or 0111ISSion to Make nominations
from the States in insurrection, have been
tilled by the Secretary of the Navy.—
The aebnol is now more full and complete
than at, any former period, and in every
respect untitled to the favorable consid
eration of l'ougress.
During thb mist fiscal year the finan
cial COMP tiOn of tite J'ost Office Depart
ment has been one of i nereasi ng prosperity,
and lam gratified in be,in able to state
that the actual postal revenue has nearly
equaled the entire expeditures, the latter
amounting to $11,31400,84, and the
former to $11,163,789,5U, lea.ving a de
ficiency of but 6150,417,25.
In 1860, the year immediately preced
ing the rebellion, the deficiency amount
ed to $5,656, 705 40, the postal receipts
of (list year being $2 645,722 10, less
than those of 1863.
The decrease in 1860 in the actual a•
mount of transportation has been only a
bout 23 per cent., but the annual expen
diture on account of the same has been
reiuced 35 per cent. It is manifbst,
therefore, that the Post Office Depart
went may become self sustaining in a few
years, _even with tbo restoration of the
whole service.
The international conference of Podtal
Delegates from the principal countries of
Europ(3 and America, which was called
at the suggestion of the Postmaster Gen
eral, met at Paris an the 11th of May
last, and cnneltided its deliberations on
tlw Bth of June. The principles estab
lished by the conference as best adapted
to facilitate postal intercourse between
nations, and as the basis of future,,pustal
conventions, inaugurate a general system
of Uniform international chargeb at re
duced rates of postage, and cannot 1;10 to
pro(Juee beneficial results.
1 refer you to the report of ih Seere
tary of the Interior, which is hermit/1
laid before, you, for wefui mkti varied in-
formation in relation to the public lands,
Indian affairs, patents, peustous, and oth
er matters of public conperp pretaiuing to
his department.
The quantity of land disposed of during
the last and first - quarter of the present
fise,al year was 3,8-4,54 , 9 acres, of which
I 61,911 acres wprp sold for cash. One
nilliou four hundred and fifty-six thous
tad five hundred and fourteen acres
were taken up under the HonAstead
and the residue disposed of under the
laws granting lends for military bounties,
for railroad and other purposes. It' Also
appears that the sale of the public lands
is largely on the increase.
It'has long been a cherished opinion of
some of nur wisest statesmen that the peo•
pie of the United Sates had a -higher
and more enduring interest in the early
setilpineut apd substantial cultivation of
the public lands than hi' •the amount of
direct revenue to be derived from the sale
of them. This opinion has had a con.
trolling influence in shaping legislation
upon the subject of our National domain,
may eita . ae evidence of. tbia tho
~~~~~~~
eral measures adopted in reference to
actual settlers; the grant to the States of
the overflowed lands within their limits in
order to their being reclaimed and render
ed fit for cultivation. The grants to rail
way companies of alternate sections of
land upon the contemplated lines of their
roads, which, when completed, will so
largely multiply the facilities for reaching
our distant possessions.
This policy has received its most signal
and beneficent illustration in the recent en
actment granting homesteads to actual set
tiers. Since the first day of January last,
the before-mentioned quantity of one million
four hundred and fifty-six thousand five hun
dred and fourteen acres of land has been
taken up under its provisions. This fact,
end the amount of sales, furnish gratifying
evidence of increasing settlement neon the
public lands. Notwithstanding the great
struggle in which the energies of the nation
have been engaged, and which has required
so large a ~ , v ithlrawal of our Citizens from
their accustomed pursuits, I cordially con.
cur in the recommendation of the Secretary
of the Interior, suggesting It modification of
the act in favor of those engaged in the mil
itary and naval service of the Cniti d Stems,
I doubt not that Congress will cheerfully
adopt such measures as will, without essen
tially changing the general features of the
system, secure to the greatest practicable
extent its benefit to those elm have left
their hours in the defence of their country
iu this arduous crisis.
I invite your attention to the views of the
Secretary as to the propriety of raising, by
appropriate legislatien, a revenue from the
mineral lands of the rnited States. The
muaSures provided at your last session for
the removal of certain Indian tribes have
been carried into effect, Smelt v treaties
have Leen negotiated, which will in dim
time be submitted fur the constitutional ac•
tion of the Senate. They contain stipula
tions for extinguishing the possessoly rights
t—va.e tracts
_of large..an luad.l
of hind. It is hoped that the effects of these
treaties will result in the' establishment of
permanent friendly relations with such of
these tribes as have been brought into fie
quent and bloody collisions with our outly
ing settlements and emigrants. Sound pol
icy and our imperative duty to these wards
of the tiovernment, demand our anxious and
constant attention to their material wellbe
ing, to their progress in the arts of civiliza
tion, and above all to that moral training
which, under the blessing of Divine Provi
dence, will confer upon them the elevated
and sanctifying influence, the hopes and
consolations, of the Christian faith.
I - suggested, in my last annual message,
the propriety of remodelling our Indian sys
tem. Subsequent events have satisfied me
of its necessity. The details set forth in the
report of the Secretary will evince the urgent
need for immediate legislative action.
I commend the benevolence of the bleb
tutiocs established or patronized by the Gov
ernment in this District to your generous
and fostering care.
The ;weenie' of Congress (luring the last
session was engaged; tit sotne extent, with
a:proposition for enlarging the water com
munications between the Mississippi river
and the northeastern seaboard, which propo
sition, however. fa led for the time, Since
then, upon a call of the greatest respects
bility, a convention ha, been called at Chi
cago upon the same subject, a summary ut
whose views is coutained in a tnetnorial ad
dressed to the President and Congress, and
which I now have the honor to lay before
you. That this interest is one which, ere
long, will force its own way, I do nut enter
tam a doubt, while it is submitted enthely
to your wisdom as to what can be done now.
Augmented interest is given to this subject
by the actual commencement of work upon
the Pacific Railread. tinder auspices so
favorable to its rapid progress and rumple
non, the enlarged navigation becomes a
palpable need to the great road.
J submit the second annual report c f the
Cumtnissioner of the Dep,rtment of Agri
culture, asking your attention to the devel
opments of that vital interest of the nailer].
When Co: gross assembled a year ago, the
war had already lasted nearly twenty months,
and there bac!. been many conflicts on both
land and sea, with yy.ryino results. The
rebellion hail been pressed bail: into reduc
ed limits, yet, the toile of public feeling and
opinion, at home and abroad, war nut sat is
a ctory. With other signs, the popufs.: elec
tions, then just passed, indicated uneasiness
among ourselves; while amid much that was
cold and menacing, the kindest, words com
ing from Europe were uttered in accents of
pity, that we were too blind to surrender a
hopeless cause. Our commerce was suffer
ing greatly by a few armed ,vessels, built
upon and tut Malted from foreign shores, and
we were threatened with 81101 additions from
lion same quarter as would sweep our t. ade
from the sea, and raise our blockade. We
had failed to elicit from European Govern
ments anything hopeful upon this subject.
The preliminary etthoiGipation proclama
tion, which was issued in September, was
running its assigned period to the beginnin g '
of the new year. A month later the final
prochunatiOn came, including the annOUllee
ment that colored men of suitable condition
would be received into the war service. -
1.10 policy or emancipation, and of eat
ploy,ing black soldicra, vave to the future a
new aspect, about which hope and Mar and
doubt contended in uncertain conflict.
Amording to our politiMil system, as a
matter of civil administration, the General
Government had no lawful power to effect
emancipation ill awy Nude , anAl for (t, long
time it had been hoped that the rebellion
could have been suppressed without resort
tog
_to it as B..milio.ry..mestattre. It. VMS 1111
the while deemed possible that the necessity
for it might come, and that if it should, the
crisis of the contest would then be presented,
It caute, and, ai was. portended, it was fol.
lowed by dark and doubtful days.
llevp,t months having pass. d, we are now
permitted to take another review.
The rebel borders are pressed still further
' mu tt, ttnd by the complete opening of the
, Mississippi river, the country dominated by
the rebellion is divided into distant parts,
with 'no practical cointannication between
theni. Tennessee and Arlcarnins have been
substantially
. cleared of insurgtint Co.. trel
and influence, a:.d the citizens of a own
ers of slaves and advocates of slavery at the
beginning of the rebellion. now declare open,
ly for ethatteipation in their tespectite States.
Of those States not included in the emanci•
pation , proclamation, >taryland and Missouri
—neither of which, three years two; would
tolerate anY:restraint 'upon the extension of
ttlavery hits. , the :Territpries- 4 oely, :dispute
now ail to the best mode of rensoving.it with
in
their own limits.
Of those who were slaves at the beginning
of. OA rebellion, full one hundred thousand
fr iii 11.14
TERMS:--$1,50 in Advance, or 82 within tho year
are now in the United States military ser
vice—about one-half of which number ac
tually bear arms in the ranks—thus giving
the double advantage of taking so much la
bor from the insurgent cause and supplying
the places which (aim wise must be filled
with so many white men. So far as tested,
it is difficult to say that they are not as good
soldiers as any. No servile insurrection or
tendency to violence or cruelty has marked
the measures of emancipation and arming
the blacks. These measures have been much
discussed in foreign countries, and cotem
porary With such discussion the tone of pub•
lie sentiment there is much improved. At
home the same measures have been fully
discussed, supported, criticised and denounc
ed, and the aminol elections following are
highly encooraging to those whose official
duty it is to bear the country through this
great trial.
Thus we have the new reckoning. The
crisis whiCh threatened to divide the friends
of the Union is past.
Looking now "to the present and future,
and with reference to a resumption of the
national authority within the States wherein
that authority has been suspended, I have
thought fit to issue a proclamation, a copy
of which is herewith transmitted. On ex
amination of this proclamation, it will ap
pear, as is believed, that nothing is attempted
lier.md what is justified by the Constitution.
True, the form of an oath is given, but 110
man is coerceti t to take it. A BUM is only
ptomised a pardon in case he-voluntarily
takes the oath. The Constitution authorizes
the Executive to grant or withhold the par
don at his own absolute discretion, and this
includes the power to grant on such terms
as is fully established by judicial :phi other
authorities, It is also proffered that h "in
any o f the Stains Narn,,d, a State Uuvern
ment shall he in; the mode prescribed set up,
such government shall be reeognized and
guarantied by the United States, and that
under it the State shall, on the constitutional
CundillullS, Ire protected against invasion and
domestic violence."
Tho constiLutiund obli„atin7,of the U.
States to guarar.tee to every State in the
Union a republican form of government,
and to protect the State in tho cases ilated,
is explicit arid fill. But why tender- the
benefits of this provision only to it State
Government set up in this particular way ?
This section of the Constitution contemplates
a case wherein the element, within a :state
favorable, to a republican form of govern
ment in the Union may be too feeble fur an
opposite and- hostile element, external to
and even within the Suite; such are
precisely the cases with which we are now
dealing. An alien pt to guarantee and pro
tect a revived State government, constructed
in whole or in preponderating, part from the
very clement against whose hostility and
violence it is Its h r protected. is simply- ab
surd. There must be a test by which to
separate the opposing elements, so as to
budd only from ilie sound; and that test is
a sufficiently liberal one which accepts as
sound whoever will make a sworn recantation
of his former unsoundness.
But if it, be proper to require as a test of
admission - to - the political body an oath of
allegiance to the. Constitution of the United
Mites, and to the ("Ilion under it , wiry nut
also to the laws and proclamations ill regard
to slavery? Those laws and proclamations
were enacted and pi.t. forth for the put-pose
tdf aiding in the suppression of the rebellion.
To give them their tidiest effect, there had
to be it pledge for their maintenance. In
my judgment they have aide i, and will fur
ther aid, the cause for which they were en
listed
Tu give up 063 principle would be not
only to relinquish a lever u( power, but would
also be a cruel and astounding, breach of
faith. I nay add, at this point, that while 1
remain in my present position, 1 shall not
attempt to retreat, or modify the emancipa
tion proclamation. Nor shall 1 return to
slavery any person who is free by the terms
of the proclamation ur by any act of Con
gress.
For these and other reasons, it is thought
best that the support of these measures shall
be included in the oath, and it is believed
the Executive may lawfully claim it in re
turn for pardon and restoration of forfeited
rights which he has a clear constitutional
power to withhold altogether, or grant upon
the terms which he shall de :m wisest for the
public interest.
It should be observed, also, that this part
of the oath is subject to tho modifying and
abrogating power of legislative and supreme
judicial decision.
The proposed :Lquie- cence of the Nation
al Executive inn any reasonable temporary-
State arrangement for the freed people, is
made with the view of possibly modifying
the confusion and destitution which must,
at best, attend all classes by a total revolu-
Lion of labor throughout e hole States. It is
hoped that the already deeply afflicted people
in those States may be somewhat more rea
dy to give up the cause of their affliction, if;
to this extent, this vital matter be left to I
themselves, while no power rut the -National
Executive to prevent an abuse , is abridged
by the proposition.
The suggestion in the proclamation, as to
maintaiuitig the political framework of the
&AO'S on ‘s hat wrus called reconstruction, is
mad,: in the hope that it may du good, with-
out. the danger of harm. It mil! save labor
and avoid great confusion. 13ut why any
proclamation now upon the subject? This
question is'beset by the coots cling views
that the step might he delayed too long or
be taken too soon. In some States the ele-
meads of resumption seem ready for action,
but remain inactive, apparently, for want of
q. rallying — point—a plan of action. Why
shall A adopt the plan of B rather than B
tbet-of A ? and if A and B should agree,
how cap they know but that the General
Government will reject their plan ? By the
proclamation, a plan is presented which may
be accepted by them as a rallying point, and
which, they are assured in advance, will not
be rejected here. This may bring them to
act sooner than they otherwise would.
The objection to a premature presentation
of a plan by the National Executive con-
sists ipp the - danger of committals on points
which IFould be more surely left tb further
developments. Care has been taken to so
shape ihe doeu'r.ent as to aVold - embarrass
meat from this source. In saying that on
certain terms certain classes will be pardon
ed, with their, Fights restored, it is not said
that otlierclasses on other terms will never
ha included. In saying that a reconstruc
tion will be accepted if presented in a spe
cified way, it is not said that it will Meyer be
accepted in any other way.
The movements, by State action, for man
cipalion, in several .of the States not hulled.
ed. in the emanciption proclamation, 'are
matters of profound.gpatultition ; and while
I dtrnot repeat in detail what I hare here-
tofore an earnestly urged. nppn this subject,
my general views and feelings remain un
changed, and I trust that Congress will omit
no fair opportunity of aiding these important
steps to 'the great consummation. In the
midst of other cares, however important, we
must not lose sight of the fact that the war
power is still our main reliance; to that
power alone call we look yet for a time to
give confidence to the people in the contest
ed regions that the insurgent power will not
again overrun them. Until thet confidence
shall be established, little enn be dono any
where fur what is called reconstruction ;
hence our eh iefest care must still be directed
to the army and navy, who have thus far
borne their harder part so nobly and well.
And it may be esteemed fortunate that,
in giving the greatest efficiency to those in.
dispensable arms, we do also honorably re
cognize the gallant men, from commander
to sentinel, who compose them, and to whom,
Inure than to others, the world must stand
indebted for the home of freedom disenthral
led, regenerated, enlarged, and perpetuated,
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
Dvormscrt 8, 180.
NO. 50
The following Proclamation is appended
k the Message:
PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, In and by the Constitution of
the United States, it is proAded that the
President shall have power to grant reprieves
and pardons for offences against the United
States, except in cases' of impeachment; and
whereas, a rebellion now exists whereby the
loyal State Governments of several States
have, fur a lung time, been subverted, and
many persons h tve committed and are now
guilty of treason against the United States;
and whereas, with reference to said rebellion
and treaf-on, laws have been enacted by Con
gress declaring forfeiture and confiscation
of property and liberation of slaves, all upon
terms and conditions therein stated, and also
declaring that the President was thereby
authorized, at any time thereafter, by proc
lamation, to extend to persons who may
have participated in the existing rebellion in
any State or part thereof pardon and am
nesty. with such exceptions, and at such
times and on such condition s as ho may
deem expedient for the public welfare ; and
If7herettN, The Congressional declaration
fcr Ilieited and conditional pardon accords
with established judicial exposition of .
the pardoning power ; arid
Jr /wows, With reference to said rebel
lion, the President of the United States has
issued several proclamations with provisions
in regard to the l'iberation of slaves ; and
IrAereets. It is now desired by some per
sons, heretofore engaged in said rebellion,
to resume their allegiant e to the U. States,
and to re-thaugurat e loyal State Govern
meets within and for their respective States.
Therefore, 1. Abraham Lincoln, President
of the fruited States, do proelaim,,declare,
nnil make - known to all persons who have
directly, or by implici.tion,- participated in•
the existing rebellion, except as hereinafter
except e d, that aii.-// pgrtion is hereby grant
ed to them, arid each of them, with the retr•
toration of all rights ef property except as
to slaves, and in property cases when the
rights of third parties shall have intervened;
and upon the condition that every such per
son shall take and subscribe an oath, and
thenceforward keep and maibtain said oath
inviolate; and which oath shalt lie registered'
for permanent preservation, and shalt be of
the tenor and effect following, to. wit
(I() solemnly swear, in the presence of
Almighty God, that I will henceforth faith
fully support, protect, and defend the Con
stitution of the United States and the Union
of the States thereunder ; and that 1. wil4,
in
like manner, abide by and ftithfully support
all acts of Congress passed during the ex
isting rebellion with referee en to slaves, so
long and so far as not repealed, modified, or
held void by Congress, or by decision of the
Supreme Court ; and that I will, in like man
ner, abide by and faith fully,support all proe
la-nations-of the Presblent inade during the
existing rebellion, having reference to slaves,-
so long and so tar as not modified or de
clan d void by the decision of the Supreme
Co , rt. so lirdp me God."
The persons excepted front the benefits of
the foregoing pvovisions are all who are, or
shall hay' been, civil or diplomatic cflicers
or agents uf the se-called Confederate Gov.
erimmnt ; all who have left judicial stations
under the United States to aid the rebellion;
all who are or shall have been military or
naval officers of said Confederate Govern
ment above the rank of colonel in the army,
or of lieutenant in the navy ; all who left
seats in the United States Congress to aid
the rehehien all who resigned their com
missions in the army or navy of the UPiterl
and afterwards aided the rebellion ;
and all who have engaged in any way in
treating colored , persons or white persons,
, in charge of such, otherwise than lawfully as
prisoners of war, and which persons may be
found i n the United States service as sol
diers, seamen, or in any other capacity. And
I du further proclaim, declare, and make
known, that whenever in any of the States
of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,
Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, S.
Carolina and North Carolina, a number of
persons, Pitt less than one -tenth in number
of the vote cast in such State, at the Presi•
dential election of the year of our Lord 1860,
each having taken the oath aforeytaid, and
not having since violated it, and being a
qualified rut r by the election law of the
State, existing immediately before the so
called act of secession, and excluding all
others, shall establish a State Government
which shall be republican, and in no wise
contravening said oath, such shall he recog
nized as the true Government of the'State,
and the State shall reeeive thereunder the
benefits of the constitutional provision which
declares that the rnited States shall guar
anti e to every State in this Union a repub
lican form or gore! 'uncut, and shall protect,
each of them agAinst inva,ion, and on ap
plication of the Legislature, or the Execu•
tive when the Legislature cannot be con
vetted, against domestic violence.
And I do further proclaim, declare, anti
make knowtiNh a t any provision which may.
be adopted by such State Governintmt, in
relation to the freed pe , ,ple of bitch State,
which shall recognize ai d declare their per
wauewt freedom, provide for their educa
tion, and which way yet be consistent, as a•
temporary arraagetneut, with their present
condition, aslaboring landless, and home
less class, will not be objected to by the
National Executive.
And it is suggested as not improper that,
in constructing a loyal State Crevernmentin
any State, the name of the State, the boun
dary, the subdivisions, the Constitution, and
the gener a l code of laws as before the rebell—
ion be maintained, subject only to the modi
fications made necessary by the conditions
hereibbeforo stated, and snob others, if any,
not contravening the said conditions, and
which may be deemed espedient by those
framing the new State Quveroment.
To avoid Imisunderstanding, it may be
proper to say that this proclamation, eq far , '
as it relates to State Governments, has no
reference to the States wherein loyal State
Governments have all the while been main
tained.
And to the' same reason it may be proper
to further say that, whether members of
of Congress from any State shall be admit
ted to their seats constitutionally rests-exclu
sively with the respective Elouses,.and not
to any extent with the Executive. And still
further, that this proclamation is intended•
to present to the people of the States where
in the national authority has been suspetid•
ed. and the loyal State Governments 'hare
been subverted, a mode by•which. the net=
OONCLUSION. ON g L eOND PAtilt