Nashville union and dispatch. [volume], December 05, 1866, Page 2, Image 2

About Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868

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NASHYILLE UNION ANB DISPATCH DECEMBER 5, 1S66.
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
uses of Sonsress?
Two Houses
m m m
9 " AT THE
Commencement of the Second
Session of the Thirty-Xitlth
I; Congress.
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and House of
Hepretentalhcs:
'4, I t After brief jntervjUhetdongreswof the
uuiicu oiavca jcBuiucn lis annual legisia,-
tive duties. Ait all-wise and merciful
Providence has abated theuestilencerwhlch
YTi8iled;qa shores, leading ata cahiniilous
' -traces upon Fome portions of our country.
Peace,- prder,-, tranquillity? and civil au
thority have been formally declared to ex
rtnjst throughput the whole of the United
States. In all of the States civil authority
has superseded the coercion of arms, and
M iflhe people? by their 'voluntary action, are
maintaining their governments, in full
" activity and complete operation. The" en-
forcemcntof the lawsia no' longer "dbstruct-
,ed in any State by combinations too power
ful to be suppressed by the ordinary course
oi juuiciai proceeoings f ana inc animosi
ties engendered by the war are rapidly
yielding to the benificent influences of our
free institutions, and 'to the kindly effects
of unrestricted social and commercial in
tercourse. An entire restoration of frater
nal feeling must be the .earnest ,- wish, of
every patriotic heart : and we will have ac
complished our grandest national achieve
ment when, forgetting the fad events of the
past, and rememberingonlytheirinstructive
.lessons, we .resume our onward career .as a
ncc, prusperuus, iuiu uuiicu peuuie.
KESTOKATIOJJ.
In my message of the 4th of December,
18C5. Coneress was informed of the meas
ures which had been instituted by the- Ex
ecutive with a view to the gradual reatora-
tion of the States in which' the insurrec
tion occurred to their relations with the
General Government. Provisional gover
nors had been, appointed, conventions
t sembled, and Senators and Representatives
chosen to the Uongress of the United btates.
- Courts had been opened for the enforce
ment of lawtflong in abeyance. The block
- -1 t 11
aae uaa ocen , removed, custom-houses re
established, arid the infernal revenue laws
put in force, in order that the people might
-contribute tb the national 'iiicome. ' Postal
i "operations had been "renewed, and' efforts
were being made to restore them to their
former condition of efficiency. The .States
themselves had been asked to take part in
-tthe hieh function of amending the Consti
tution, and of thus sanctioning the extinc
tion of African slavery as one of the legiti-
mate results, of. our internecine struggle.
" llaving progressed thus far, the Execu
' tive-Department found that it had accom
plished nearly all that was within thencope
to'Pitfl'COnstitultonal authority. One thing,
however, yet remained to be done before
the work of restoration could be completed.
and that was the admission to Congress of
. loyaueenaiors ana representatives from
the States whose people had rebelled
i against the lawful authority of the General
Government. This question devolved upon
the respective Houses, 'which, by the Con
stitution, arc made the judges of the elec-
, j tions, returns, and qualifications' of their
own members: and its consideration at
gtice engaged the attentiomof Congress.
Tn the meantime, the Executive Depart
ment no other plan having beenproposed
1 by Congress continued its efforts to per-
.feet, as far as possible, the restoration, of
the proper relations between the citizens of
the respective btates, and the reueral Uoy
- eminent, extending, from time to time, as
the public interests Fceined to require, the
Ijifdicial, revenue, and postal systems of the
country. With the: advice and consent of
the Senate, the necessary officers were ap
pointed, and appropriations, made by Con
gress for the payment of their salaries.
vI'The proposition to amend the Federal
Constitution, so as to prevent the existence
of slavery within the United States or any
place subject to their jurisdiction, was rati?
,lied by the requisite number of Suites; and
on the 18th day of December, 1865, it was;
officially declared to have become valid as
(a part of the Constitution of the United
States. All of the States in which the in
surrection had existed promptly amended
their Constitutions, so as to make them con-i
form to the great change thus effected in
tliCiOrganic law of the iland; declared n3ll
andvmd,all ordinanceand laws bf seces
sion; repudiated all pretended debts and
obligations created for the revolutionary
purposes;. df the insurrection; and1, pro
ceeded, in good faith," to the enactment of
measures for the .protection and ameliora
tion of the condition of the colored race.
Congress, however, yet hesitated to admit
any of these States to, representation ; and
it was not until towards the close of the,
eighth month of the session that an excep
jtipniwas made in favor rjf-ffennefsee; by
' tlie admission of her Senators and Repre
sentatives. I deem it a subject of profound regret
.that Congress has thus far failed to admit
to seats loyal Senators and Representatives
from theotberStates,who?einhabttants, with
thoso of Tennessee, had engaged in the rebel
lion. Ten States more than one-fourth
of the whole number remain without rep
resentation; the seats of fifty members in
the House of Representatives and of twen
ty members in the Senate are yet vacant
not by their own consent, not by a failure
of election but by the refusal of Congress
to accept their credentials. Their admis
sion, it is .believed, would have accomplish
ed much towards the renewal and strength
ening of our relations as one people, and
removed serious cause for discontent on the
part of the inhabitants of those States. It
would have accorded with the great prin
ciple enunciated in the Declaration of
Amoriaan Independence, that no people
ought to boar the burden of taxation, and
vet.be denied the right of representation.
It would have been in consonance with the
express provisions of the Constitution,
that " each State shall have at least one
Representative," and " that no State, with
out iu consent, shall be deprived of its
equal suffrage in the Senate." These pro
visions were intended to secure to every
State, and to.the people of every Statcthe
right of representation in each House of
congress; and so important was -it deemed
by1the framers of the Constitution that the
equality of the States in the Senate should
be preserved, that not even by an amend
ment of the Constitution can any Sate,
without its consent, be denied a voice in
that branch in the National LogUlature.
It'.is true, it 1ms been assumed that the
existence cf the State wm terminated by
the rebellious acts of their inhabitant,
and that the insurrection havingj?een sup
presbed, they $were tKnceforward to be.
iconsiaereaimereiyas conquereaiicrnioriesa
i ne juegisiaii ve,"ir.xecuiiv ana j uucnai
.Departments ?cf the SSorernnJent have
however, with creat dt-tinctnega' and uni
form consistency; refusea to sanction an as
sumption so incompatible with the nature
of our republican system, and with tho
professed objects of war. Throughout the
recent legislation of Congresflj thef tofidehr
able fact make itself apparent, that these
ten political communities are nothing less
than States of this Union. At the Very
commencement of the rebel llion each.
House declared, with a unanimity as
remarkable as it was significant that the
war was not "waged, upon our part, in
any spirit of oppresidn. nor for ' any pury
pose of conquest of subjugation, nqr pur
pose ot overthrowing or mterieriag -with
the rights or established institutions of
those States, but to defend arid maintain
the supremacy of the Constitution and all
lrwa ttinnn in nnivlt'innn tliAfonf nnrt tt
preserve pie Union with alL dignity, jeqaH
ty, and rights of the several States unim
paired; and that as soon as these objects"
were "accomplished the war ought to
cease." In some iniitdnces, Senators .weye
permitted to continue their legislative func
Hons, while in, other instances Representa
tives were elected and admitted to seats
after their- States had formally declared
their right to withdraw lrom the Union,
and were endeavoring to maintain that
right ,by force of arms. All of the States
whose people were in insurrection, as States,
were included in the apportionment of the
direct tax of twenty millions of dollars an
nually laid upon the United States by the
act approved 5th August, 1861. Congress
oy the act ot Aiarch looa, and uy the
apportionment of representation there
under, also recognized their presence as
States in the Union; arid they have, for ju
dicial purposes, been divided into districts,
as estates aione can dc aiviaea. rue same
recognition appears in the recentlegislation
in reference to Tennessee, which evidently
rests upon the fact that the function's of the
fetato were not destroyed by the rebellion,
but merely suspended, and that, principle
is of course applicable ?o those "States
which, like Tennessee, attempted to re
nounce their places in the Union.
The action of the Executive Department
of the Government upon this subject has.
been equally definite and uniform, and the
purpose of the war was specifically stated
in the Proclamation issued by my prede
cessor on the 22d day of September, 1862.
It was then solemnly proclaimdtnd de
clared that ''hereafter, as heretofore, tho
war will be "prosecuted for the object of
practically restoring the constitutional re
lation between the United States ,and each
of the States arid the people thereof, in
which States that relation is or may be sus
pended or disturbed."
The recognition of the States by the Ju
dicial Department of the Government had
also been clear and conclusive In all pro
ceedings affecting them as States, had in,
the bupreme, Circuit, und District Courts.
In the admission of Senators and Repre
sentatives from any and all of the States,
there can be no iust ground of apprehen
sion that person.? who are disloyal will be
clothed with the powers of legislation : for
this could not happen when the Constitution
aud laws are enforced by a vicilant and
faithful Congress. Each House is made
the "judge of the elections, returns, and
qualifications of its own members," and
may, "with the concurrence of two-thirds,
expel a member." When a Senator1 or
Representative presents his certificate of
election, he may be at once admitted or
rejected ; or, should there be any question
as to his eligibility, his credentials may be
referred for investigation to the appropriate
committee. If admittod to a seat, it must
be upon evidence satisfactory to the House
of which he thus becomes a member, that
he possesses the requisite constitutional
and legal qualifications. If refused
admission as a member for want of
due allegiance to the Governments
and returned to liis constituents, they are
admonished that none but persons loyal to
the United States will be allowed a voice in
the Legislative Councils of the Nation, and
the political power and moral influence of
Congress are thus effectively exerted in tho
interests of loyalty to the Uovernment and
fidelity to the Union. Upon this question,
so vitally effecting the restoration of the1
Union and the permanency of our present
form of government, my convictions, here
tofore expressed, have undergone no change;
but, on the contrary, their correctness has
been confirmed by reflection and time. If
the admission of loyal members to seats, in
the respective Houses of Congress was wiso'
and expedient a year ago, it is no less wise
and expedient now. If this anomalous
condition is right now if, in the exact con
dition of these States at the present time,(
it is lawful to exclude them from represent
tation, 1 do not see that the question wilL
be changed by the efilux of time. Ten.
years hence, if these Statesremain as they
are,
the rightrol representation .will he no
stronger-
-the right of exclusion will be no
weaker.
The Constitution of the United States makes
it the duty of tho President to recommend to the:
consideration of Congress "uch measures a ho
fhall judge necessary or expedient. 1 know of
no measure more imperatively demanded by
every consideration of national interest, found
olicy, and equal justice, than tho admission ot
oval members from tho now unrepresented
States. This would consummate the work of
restoration, and exert a most salutary influence
in the re-establishment of peace, harmony, and
fraternal felling. It would tend -greatly to to--
new the confidence ot the American iteooie in
the virornnd stability ff their institutions. It
would bind us more closely tosCtller"as a nation,
and enable us to show to the, world the inherent
and recuperative power Of a Government found
ed upon tho will of a people, and established
pon the principles bf liberty, justico and intel
ligence. Our increased strength and enhanced
irospcniy would lrrciragaoiy demonstrate me
nllapv of the arguments aralnsl free Institutions
drawn from ourrccent national disorders by the
enemies of republican zorerninent. The admis
sion of loyal members from tho States now ex
cluded from Congress, by allaying doubt ahd ip-
prenensiou, wuuiu turu ixyiuii uui .uwuiuukou
opportunity for investment, into tho channels of
trado and industry. It wonld alleviate ue pres
ent troubled condition of those States, and, by
Inducing emigration, aid in the settlement o(
fertile regions now uncultivated, and !ead to an
increased production of thos staples which have
added so greatly to tho wealth of the nation and
tho commerco of the world. Jfew fields of en
terprise would be opened to our progressive peo
ple, and soon tho devastations of war woujd bo
repaired, and all traces of our domestic differ
ences effaced from the minds of our countrymen.
In our effort to preserve the unity of Uov-
emment which constitutes ns ono people." by
restoring the States to the condition which they
held prior to tho rebellion, wq shpuld bo cau
tions, lest, having rescued our nation from per
ils of threatened disintegration, wo resort to
consolidation, and in the end absolute despot
ism, as a remedy tor recurrence ot similar iroao
I... Hi-irir liarin terminated. Rnd with it
all occasion for the exercise of power of doubt
ful constitutionality, weshould basleo to bring
losisUtinn within thr boundaries pre'eribed by
the Constitution, and to return to the ancient
landmarks established by our fathers tor the gui
dance of succeeding generations.- ' The Consti
tution which at any time exists, until enangea
I iv nn xvnlii-it ami authentic act of the whole
l-eople. is sueredly obligatory upon all." "If, in
the opinion of tho people, Cs distribution or ,
c,in
Ian
xmendmectjn'the wayjfin which the Cojjstilu-J
tiorfSdesignate. ButjBet there be o igsur a-
tfoifSftr"itisliM cistomary wearon Jjfwh chs
frceyjnverements arejlestroyed." WSsningfan-
i'u&b iiuct irurus io ins countrymen.
wnen iwowedi.oyaineir.Jove and ffcratiiudf,
he TOluotarilr retired from the cures of nublia
lift. To kep in all thints within the
pale "f our constitutional powers.and cherish
the Federal Union as the onlyrocfc of safety."
were procrild by Jefferson ns rales of action to
endear to bis '-countrymen thatrue prhjipiepf
.tuwii wuitHAuuu, mit irju2uiu a.uniou ot sen
timent and action equally auspicious to their
happiness aid safety. ' Jackson held that the
action ottna Meneral Uovernmentshonrd always
be strictly confined to the snhc re nt it nnlirn-
JHto tiM. m4 justly and forcibly urged that
our GoTrniMDt U not to. bfiinainUinednor our
UBitn preserved Dy invasions ot tu rights and
powers of the several States. In thus attempt
ing to make oar General Oovernmerit strong.we
mnk it weak Its true strength consists in leav
ing individuals and tu.tt.-i as much aa possible to
themselves: In making itself felt, not in its
nowerbatin its beneficence; not In its control,
but in Its protection: not in binding the States
more closely tbtho centre, but leaving each to
movo unobstrcted in its irrober constitutional
orbit." Thcso ara tho teachings of men whose
deeds and services have made them illustrious
and who. loir finite withdrawn from the tcines
of life, hare, left to their country the, rich legacy
of their exam pie, their wi?dom, abd their patri
otism. Drawing fresh inepiratiou from, their les-
. 1.1 ' 1.1. - , ! . , ,
n"iir, jci ua eiuuiaic mem in iove oi country ana
.......a... r . 1. n ..... .i il.'i
ivsyw lur iuo vuueuiuuuu nau tac laws.
THE TREAfltnty.
The report f the Secretary of the Treasury
affords mueh Information reelecting the ravenue
and eomiaeroa of the country. His views upon
tnfccurrcncy, and witu reterence to a proper ad
justment of our revenue system, internal as well
as impost, ar lommended to the careful con
sideration of Congress. In my last annual
mcssaga 1 expressed my general views upon
th.ose subjects. I need now only call attention
to. the necessity of carrying into every deDart-
mentof the: government a system of rigid ae-
coanusinty, toorougti retrenchment, and wise
ccon6iny. With no exceptional nor unusual ex
pondituros, the oppressive burdens of taxation
,e,u bo lessened by such a modification of our
revenue laws as will be consistent with the pub
lic faith, and the legitimate and necessary wants
of the government.'
Tho report represents a much' more f atisfac-
tpry condition o our usances than one year ago
tho most sang-.ine could have anticipated.
During thefisca! year ending the30th June,lS65,
tho last year of the war. the public debt was in
creased $W1,'02.537, and on lho 31st of
uctobor. lBbo, it amounted to 52.740.85,7l0.
untneaistdayot uetooer, iboo, it had been 're
duced to 3i55:3J0,OO6. the diminution, during a
eqnou or lourteen montas, commencing Kcptein
er 1, 1865, and ending October 31, IStiO.- having
been $20J,379,5G5. In the last annual report on
the state of thi finances, it was estimated that
uunnstntiaree quarters oi tne nscal year end
ing the 30th of June last, the debt vonlil bn in.
creased 112,194,917. During that period, how
ever, it was reduced S31,1(X3S7. the receipts of
me year naving oecn ssa.vua.yoo more, and tho
expenditures $20029,235 less than tho estimates.
Nothing could moro clearly indicate than these
statements the extent and availability of the
national, resources, and the rapidity and safety
with which, under ourform of government, great
militarr and n.ivnl pntnl!Iliment run tin rii.
banded, and expenses reduced from a war to a
peace looting.
During-the fiscal year ending (he 30th of June,
uw. w icvciii nciu ,uv, iuiu tne ex
penditures $520,750,940, leaving an available sur
plus of $37,2S1,60. It is estimated that the re
ceipts tor tne nscal year ending the 30th June,
1867. will b i475.0Gl.3S6. and thnt the hTnend!-
turcs will reach the sum of $316,423,078, leaving
in the Treasury a surplus of 8153,633.308. For
me jiscai year ending Juno 3U. 1863,'it It cstima-
eu mat tno receipts win amount to 436,000.000,
and that tho expenditures will bo $350,247,641
showing an excess of $85,752,359 in favor of the
uovernment. xnese estimated receipts may be
diminished by a reduction of exciso and import
amies: out alter an necessary reductions shall
have been made, the rei-enne. nf thn lti-ecnnt nmi
of the following years will doubtless bo sufficient
to coverall legitimate charges upon the Treasu
ry, andlcavo a largo annual surplus to be applied
to i the payment of the principal of tho debt
There seems new to be no good reason why taxc
may not be reduced as1 tho country advances in
population and wealth, and yet the -debt bo ex-
ttn.ni.l.r.JlRll.!. .U. . 1 . t 1
uufiuisuvu iiiiiu tnu utrjLb qmirtcr oi a century.
THE ARMY.
The.rcnort of tho Socret.trv nf Wnr fnmialiea
valuable aad important information in reference
tQ the operations of his Department during tho
past year. -Few volunteers nnw rnmnin in thn
service, and they arc beinfc discharged as rapid-
jr .o lucjui; luiuaccu uj- regular troops, mo
army nas ocen prompuy paid, caretully provided
with medical treatment, well nheltarprt nn,l mh.
sistcd, and is to bo furnished with breech-loading
uiau arias, xucmuiiaryiirengtnoi tile nation
has been unimpaired by tho discharge of volun
teers, the disposition of unscrvicablo or perish
ablcetores, and the retrenchment of expendi
ture. Sufficient war material to meet any emer
gency has been retained, and, from the disband
ed voluntcerrs standing ready to respond to tho
national call, large armies can be rapidly organ
ised, equipped, and concentrated. Fortifications
on.the coast and frontier have, received, or arc
being prepared for more powerful armaments;
lake surveys and harbor and river improvements
arc in course oi energetic prosecution, repara
tions have been made for the payment of the
additional bounties anthorized durinr tho venl
session of Congress, under such regulations as
will protect tno Government from fraud, and
secure to tho honorably-discharged soldier the
wen-earned reward ot his laithtuluess and cal
lantry. More than sixlthousand maimed soldiers
have received artificial limbs or other surgical
apparatus; and forty-ono national cemeteries,
containing the remains of 10J,a2o Union soldiers,
have already been established. Tho total esti
mate of military appropriations is 525,205,669.
THE NAVY.
It is stated in the report of theScretary of tho
Navy that the naval force, at tins time, consist
of two hundred and seventy-eight vessels, armed
with two thousand three hundred and fifty-ono
guns. Of these, ono hundred and fifteen vessels,
carrying one thousand and twenty-nine guns,
aro in commission, distributed chiefly among
seven straadrons. The number of men in the
service is thirteen thousand six hundred. Great
activity and vigilance have been displayed by
all the squadrons, and their movements have
Deen judiciously and efficiently arranged in such
a manner as would best nrnmntf AmrriMn mm.
incrce, and protect tho rights and interests of our
countrymen abroad, lho vessels unemployed
are undergoing repairs, or are laid un until iheir
services may bo required. Most of thciron-clad
uect isat JjeaguQ asland. m the Vicinity of Phil
adelphia, a Dlaco which, until ilecmvn nctinn
should be taken by Congress, was selected by tho
Secretary of tho Navy as tho most eligible loca
tion for that class of vessels. It is important
that a suitable public station should be provided
for the iron-clnrf fleet. It is intended that these
vessels shall bo in proper condition for any
emergency, and it is desirable that tho bill ac
cepting League Island for naval purposes, Trhich
passed the House of Representatives at its last
session, should receive final action at on early
ficriod.in order that there may be a suitable pub
ic station for this class of vessels, as well as &
navy yard of area sufficient for tho wants of
the servioe. on the Delaware river. The aval
Pension fund amounts to $11,750,000. having in
creased S2.750.000 during the year. The- expendi
tures oi me .Department lor the nscal yearend
ing30th June last were 343,324,526. awOhe esti
mates for the coming year amount to $23,568,436.
Attention is invited to the.condition- of.our sea
men, arid'tho importance of legislative measures
for their relief and improvement. The sugges
tions in behalf of this deserving class 6f our fel-low-citiiens
are earnestly recommended to tho
favorable attention of Congress.
rOSTOFFICE DETARTMEXT.
The report of the Postmaster General
presents a most satisfactory condition of
the postal service, and submits recommen
dations which deserve the consideration of
Congress. The revenues of the Department
for the year ending June 30, 1866, were
S14,3SC,9SC, and the expenditures' 515,352,
079, showing an excess of the latter of
S965,093. In anticipation of this.deficien
cy, however, a special appropriation was
made by Congress in the act approved July
2S 1866. Including the standing appro
priation of 5700,000 for free mail matter,
as a legitimate portion of the revenues yet
remaining urexpended, the actual deficit
for the past year is only $205,093 aum
within Sol,l41-of the amount estimated in
the annual report of 1SC4. The decrease
of revenue compared with the previous
year was one and one-fifth per cent., and
the increase of expenditure, owing princi
pally to the increase of the mail tervicelh
the. South, was twelve per cent. On the
30th of June last there were in opera-'
tion 6,930 mail routes, with an aggregate
luoaioeation oi tpo constitutional pojrers
2nDrUcuInr5wronir. let it bp mrrpctwl
hundred and eighty
.thou
anndreu and
twenfv-one?
I mnes, Sin
actrrecate annual transt:
wrtar
tionipf seventjtspne million eight hundred land
f seventsSine million eight hundred
thirty-seven thjhsand nine tfSn-red and fuur
teetf miles, aiu an aggregatSv annual cost. in'SJ
eluding fill expeuditure-V of f S.410,164. het
length of railroad routes is thirty-two thousand
and ninety-two miles, and the annual trans
portation thirty million six hundred, and nino
thousand four hundred and sixty-seven miles.
isnon
dred and eleven thousand nine hundred and
sixty;two mile. The mail servica is rapidly in
creasing throughout the whole country, and its
steady extension, la ne southern Mates mdi;
eates their 'constantly lm'brovinr nnndition
The growing importance of the foreign service
also, merits- attention. The 'Post Office De
partment of Great Britain and oilr own hnve
agreed upon a. preliminary basis for a new.
Postal Convention, which it is believed will
.: .i i c i .ij - ' -
liuvccmiueiiuy uencuviai to ine commer
cial interests of the' United States, Inas
much as it contemplates a reduction of the
international letter postage to one-half
the existing rates; a reduction of postage
with all other countries to arid from which
correspondence U transmitted in theJirit
i8h.mail, or in' closed -malls through the
United Kingdom : the establishment of
uniform and reasonable charges for the sea
ana territorial transit of correspondence
in iclosed. mails:; .and an allowance to each
Post IJJhce Department of the ncrht to use
all mail communications established under
the authority of the other for'the dispatch
of correspondence, either in open or closed
mails, on the same terms a3 thoso appli-
came io tneinnaoitanta ot tne country pro-
viuiug me weans ui transmission
IKTERIOH.
The report of tne Secretary of the Inte
rior exhibits the condition of those
branches of the public service which are
committed to his supervision. During the
last nscal, year 4,09.31 acres of public
land were disposod of, 1,892,516 acres of
which were entered under the homestead
act. The policy originally adopted relative
to the public lands has undergone essential
modifications. Immediate revenue, and
not their rapid settlement, was the cardinal
feature oi our land system. Long experi.-
ence ahd earnest discussion -have resulted
in the conviction that tbo early develop
ment of our agricultural resources, and the
diffusion of an energetic population over
our vast territory, are objects of far greater
importanco to the national erowth .and
prosperity than the proceeds of the sale of
the land to the highest bidder in open mar-
Ket. xue pre-emption laws confer upon.
the pioneer who complies with the terms
t .1 sii r t...-, .
wcj uuiiusc me privilege oi purcuasmg' a
limited portion of "unoffered. lands" at the
minimum price. The homestead enact
ments relieve the settler from .the payment
oi purcnase money, ana secure liim a per
manent home, upon the condition of resi
dence for a term of years. This liberal
policy invites emigration from the old, and
from the more crowded portious of the nev
world. Its propitious results are undoubt
ed, and will be more Hicnallv manifested
when time shall have given to it a wider
aeveiopment.
Congress has m.nln lilieml mnii nf nufi;
.jiiuu iv wui puruuuus, in aia, oi too construction
ot rauroatu ana otner internal improvements.
Should this policy hereafter prevail, more
stringent provisions will bo required to secure, a
faithful application of the fund. Thetitlp'totho
lands should not pass, by patent or .otherwise,
but remain in thornvonmlonf unrl mhWl tn its
conlrol until some portion of the road has been"
actually duuu rontons of them might then,
from time to time, bo conveyed to the corpora
tion, but never in a greater ratio to the whole
au&ntity embraced bv thn rrnnt tdm thnm-
pleled parts bear to tho entire length of the pro
jected improvement. This rostriction wouldnot
operate to tne prpjudico of any undcrtakingcon-
cen uu m guou laita and executed witn reason
able energy, as it is the sottled practice to with
draw from market the lands falling within tho
operation of such grants, and thus to exclude the
inception of a subsequent adverse right. A breach
of tho conditions which -Congress may deem.
proper to imposo should work a forfeit of claim
to tho lands so withdrawn but uncgnvoyed, and of
iiue io me lunua conveyed wmcn remain unsold.
PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Operations on the several lines of the
Pacific Eailroad hayebeen prosecuted with.
uud.uuuiuu vigor ana success, anouid no
unforeseen causes of delay occur, it is confi
dently anticipated Ihat this great thorough
fare will be completed before the expiration
of the period designated bv'Contrress.
PEXSI0N3.
Durinp; the iast fiscal vear the amon'nl
paid to pensioners, including the-exnenses
of disbursement, was thirteen million four
hundred and fifty-nine thousand nine hun
dred and mnety-six dollars; andvfifty
thousand one hnndred add sevenfv-seven
names" were added to the-pension rollrf. The
entire number of pensioners, June 30, 1866,
was one hundred and twenty-six thousand
seven hundred and twentv-two. Thia fact
furnishes melancholy and striking proof of
ine sacnuces maue .to vindicate the consti
tutional authority of the Pederal Govern
ment; and to maintain inviolate the ihteg-
rity of the Unjon. They impose oh us cor
responding obligations. It i3 estimated
that thirty-three million dollars will be re
quired to meet the exigences of this branch
of the service durinc the next fiscal vear.
Treaties have been concluded with the Indians,
who, enticed intc- armed opposition to our Gov
ernment ai me cuiDreaK ct '.tie rebellion, hare
unconditionally i ubmittod to our authority, and
manifested an .irnest desire for a renewal of
inenuiy reiauoni..
During tho y:ir ending September 30, 1506,
eight thousand Jtsren hundred and sixteen pat
ents fornscful int entiqnsanddesignswcreissued,
anp at that date tho balanec in the Treasury to
tho credit of tii Patent fund waa two hundred
and twenty-eight thousand two hundred and
ninety-seven dolHrs.
THE JIISSI3IPPI RIVER.
As a subject cnon which depends an im
mense amount of the production and com-,
merce of the tonntr', I recommend tb
Congress such Iiislation as may be neces
sary for the preservation of the levees of
the Mississippi river. It is a matter of na
tional importance that early steps phoulS
be taken not only to add to the efficiency of
these barriers against destructive inunda
tions, butibr the removal of ali obstructions
to the free and safe navigation of that great
channel of trade and commerce:
TIIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The District of Columbia, under existine
laws, is not entitled to that representation
in the National Councils which, from our
earliest history, has been uniformly accord
ed to each Territory established from time
to time within our limits. It maintains
peculiar relations to Congress, to whom the
Constitution has granted the powerof ex
ercisine exclusive legislation over the seat"
of government. Our fellowcitiiens re
siding in the District, whose interest-'Jat'e'
thus confided to the special guardianship of
Congress, exceed in number the population'
of several of our Territories, and no just,
reason is perceived why a delesrate of their'
choice should not be admitted to a seat in.
the House of Representatives. Ifo mode
seems Eo appropriate! and effectual of enax
bling them to'make known their peculiar'
condition and wants, arid of securing the
local legislation adapted to them. I there
fore recommend the passage of a law author
izing the electors of the District of Colum-
length .of one
sarin nine
bia toTchooseSdel
atfJ"toB5 alljjwedltho
szmetfights and nrivilegesSis ajdetegat-
s aldelegate
representing Territory. Ifrhe increng
enternrise andjr.ipiil progress oPimprovewcadauagmenind sentence ot death have
ami "rusi that Xtik efforts of the municipal tnaxim of government, th t severity of civil
authorities to promote the prosperity of the punishment for misguided persons who have en
n,;nl n,..V, :il rJLzI,,n gased in revolutionary attempt wbi mivedis-
and generous co-operation of Congress.
f 1 i t A.GEICULTUKE.
The report of the Commis-uoner of Agri
culture reviews the operations of his De-
s J partment during the p,ast year,. ,and, ask.
'mhejaid of-jCongr's-ij-its efibrtj to'ejicour-
age mose oiaieswnicn, scourgea oy war,
are now earnestly .engagedj in the reoigan
ization of"doinetic industry.
GENERAL YOREipjT JtELATIOXS-
11 is a snciect ot cor-cratulation lliat nn
foreign combinations against our domestic peace
anataieiy, or our legitimate jnuuenca among
the nation?,, haTe been, furtaed, or attempted.
While sentiments of reconciliation, loyalty, and
patriotism have increased at home, a more Just
ccnsiueration oi our national character and
rights has been manifested by foreigp nation.
The entire snecesa nf ' the Atlantic TVleff-rih
between the' canst ef Ireland and the Provide of
" r. . ii 1 - i t . i-i i
.icHivuuuuuiu, is an. acoieveiueiiL wsioa ua?
been justly celebrated jn both hemispheres as
the openingnf an era-irt the progress of civiliza
tion. There is reajfln to expect that equal suc
cess will attend, and even greater results fdVlo w.
tno enterprise lor connecting the two Conti
nents through the PocificOcean by the projected
ltnoof telegraph between Kamschtka ami the
Kussian possessions in America.
The resolution of Congress protesting against
pardons oy toreign uovcraments orpersons cor.
victed bf infamous Offenses, on eondftiiri of emi
grating to our eountrr, has been commttaieatcd
to the btates with.which we maintain intercourse.
nnu tne practicv. so juswy tne sut;ect ot com
plaint on our part, las not been renewc .
The conzrutulations of Consrets tn thmPm
peror of Kussisu upon his escape from aUnmtited
assassinaticn nave been presented -to that hu
mane ond -enlightened rnler. and received by
aiiiu im cAiircpDiuuB ui cnciciui apyreeutiiOD.
The Executive, warned of an nttemDtbv Sunn
isli-American adventurers to induce the emigra
tion of freedmen of the United States td a for
eign country, protested against tho project as one
which, if consummated, would reduce them to a
bondage even more oppressive than that from
which they haVe inst been relieved. Assurance
has beenreceived from tho Government in whish
the plan was matured, that the proceeding will
meet neither the its'oncou ragemont npr, appro vaL
It is a question worthy of your consideration,
whether 0ur law upon this subject nre adequate
to the, prevention or punishmonf of the crime
in us meditated.
TRANCE.
Iri the month of April last, as Coagie?s
is .'aware, a friendly arrangement was iqade
between (he Emperor of France and the
President af the united States for the with
drawal from Mexico of the French expedi
iiuimiv mimarv iurees. auis witnurawai
was to be eflected in three detachments,
the first of which, it was understood, would
leave Mexico In November, now past, the
second in March next, and the third mid
last in November. 1867. Immediately up
on the completion of the evacuation, the
French Government was to assume the same
attitude of non-intervention, in recard to
Mexico, as is held by ,ihe Government of
me united oiaies. repeated assurances
have been given by the Emperor, since that
agreement, that lie would complete the
juuiuitfu cvacuaiiuii wumii me penoa
mentioned or .sooner.
It "was rcasonablv expected that the pro
ceedings thus contemplated would produce
;r . 1 i . .t
a, utiti5 ui icui. (loiiiteat interest in tne
Kepubliaof Mexico. The newly-appointed
Minister of the united States, Mr. Camp
heir, was therefore sent forward, on the 9th
day ot jovemter last, to assume his pro
per tunction3 as .Minister rienipptentiary
of the United States to that Republic. It
was also thought expedient that he should
be attended in the vicinity of Mexico by
the Lieutenant General of the Army of the
united btates, with the view of obtainin
such information as might be important to
determine the course that might be pursued
by tlm United Stateain re-establishing and
i 7 .
iuiuiiuiiniiiK nerewary anu proper inter
course with the Republic of .Mexico. Deep
ly interested in the cause 'of liberty and
humanity, it seemed an obvious duty oh,
our part to exercise whatever jnlluence we
possessed for the restoration and permanent
establishment in that country of a domestic
and Republican form of Uovernment.
touch was the condition of affairs, in re
gard to Mexico, when, on the 22d of No
vember last, official information was id-
ceived from Pans that the Emperor of
Jf ranee liadrsome time beforcuecided not
to withdraw a detachment of his forces in
the month of November past.' according to
engagement, but that this decision was
made with the purpose of wtihdrawingthe
wnoie. ot those -lorces in the ensuing
spring. Vi this determination, however,
the united States had not received any
notice or intimation; and, so soon as the
information was received by the Govern
ment, care was taken to make known its
dissent to the Emperor of France.
I cannot foreed the !" "Franco will rn-
consider tho tut-ject, nnl adopt some resolution
in regard to the evacuation of Mexico which will
conform as nearly ,at practicable with the exist
ing engagement, and tbu meet the just expocta-)
tions of the United States. Tho tapcrs reSattrig
to the subject .will Lelaid before you. It itf be
lieved that with the evacuation of .Mexico by
tho expeditionary farces, no suMeet forseriou
difference! bttwen France and thoUnlled States
would remain.; The expressions, of tho Emperor
and people of France warrant a hope that the
traditionary friendship between the two coun
tries might in that easo be renewed and perma
nently restored.
'A claim of a citizen of thelTmtetl Kt.ito for
indemnity for spolfittinns committed on the. high
sca$ by the French authorities in the exercise
of a belligerent power against Mexico, has been
met by the Government of Trance with a urniui.
sition to defer settlement untila mutual ctnven- -
tipn tor.tne adjustment of all claims of citizens
and subjects of bnth countries, arising sutof the
rocent wars on thbf continent, shall be agreed
upon'by tbo two countries. The suggestion in
not deemed unreasonable, bufit belongs to Con
gress to direct the manner in which claims for
indemnity by foreigners, as well as by citizens of
the United.Sta.tei, arising out 'df'tho late ciTil
war. shall be adindiaated and dafnrminect f
have no donbt that the subiect Of sTlueh clkim
will engage your attention at a convenient awl
Proper time.
It is a matter of regret: that nn rttniilerM
advance has been made towards an adiuntmnnt
nf tho differences' between tho United Sutra and
urent-Untatn. arising out of the ilepredntlons
upon our national commerce and other impas
se committed during our civil war by British
subjects, in -violation of international law and
treaty obligations. Tho delay, however, may be
believed to have resulted in ne small degree
from 'tbo domestic situation of Great Britain,
An entire change or ministry occurred in that
country .daring the last session of Parliament
Tho attention, of the new ministry was sailed to
the subject at an early day, and thero is some
reason to expect that it will now bo considered
in a. becoming and friendly spirit. -The impor
tance of an earlydjjpoiUion of the question can
not be exaggerated. Whitever might bo the
wishes of the two Governments, itl mnifat
that goOd-lfill and friendship between tho two
countries cannot be established until aredprocr
ty, in the .practice of good faith and neutrality.
sTrall be restored between the respective na
tions, t
FESIXS1S3S.
On the 6th of June last, in violation nf nnr
neutrality lans.'iruillltarr expedition and enter
prise againeiioeu)ciiMuirtn- American lyOio
nies was projected and attempted to be carried
mi witMiltbe territory and jnrisdiation of tb
IlnitMl Sfsl , In nnvMnr 4a Re nRltf-Atfnn
imposed npn the xentire by the Constita
tion, to see that laws are faithfully executed, all
citizent were warned, bj" proclamation, against
taking part in or aidfBgfneh'uBlawfal prverai
inzs, and t'le-rroper civil, military, and naval
officers were directed to take.allneesssary.jaca-
ure for the cnfr:ement of the laws. TJfefejr
pedition failed, but It ks not beea witlmt'its
painful consequences. (gSme of cor citizens who.
" 'SSf:
enewca in tnn ex.
nn.Jrite captunpTtsmt have been brought
Jrffffial. saffor caniul offense, in the Province of
i representations have bctu made to th
I 0-- verr.merit.in behalf of the tonwdted
j a.', being sustained by an ouliJhfVnW
be British
ntd and hu
mane judgment, will, it is tu-i od. induce 13
their cases an exercise of clemency, and ajadi
eions amnesty to all who were engaged in tho
uiovcmejit. CaunseLbji bees emaloyedby the
Government to defoi! clti 'oT the 'united
States on trial foe capital offense in Can da: and
a disrontinuaneo of the prosecution, which were
Instituted in the courts of the United State
against those who took part in the expedition,
has been directed. 'f
I have regarded the expedition as' not
only political in its nature, but asaLo in a
great measure, foreign from the United
States in its causes, character and. objects.
The attempt wa understood to be jaade in
sympathy with, an insurgent party in 'Ire
land, and, by striking at a British Province
on thifv Continent, was designed to aid in
obtaining redress for political grievances
which, it wa-s assumed, the people of Ire
land had suffered at the hands of the
British Government during a period of
several centuries. The person? engaged
in it were chiefly natives of That country,
some of whom had, while others-had not,
become citirensof the United Statesnnder
our general lawr of naturalization. Com
plaints of misgovernment in Ireland'con
tinually engaged the attcntion of the British
nationrso great an agitation is rrnvprevatling
in Ireland that the British Govehlrdenf have
deemed it necessary to suspend the writ of
corpus in that comitrr. These' cir
cumstances, must necessarily modify the
opinion whioh we might o:herwise"'Bave
entertained in regard to an expedition'- ex
pressly prohibited by bur neutrality laws.
So long as those laws remain upon 'our
statute-books, they should be faithfullyexe
cuted, and if they operate harshly, unjustly,
or oppressively, ongrcs atone can'apply
the remedy, by their modification or repeal.
GREECE.
Political and commercial interests .oftjtiie
Unjted States are not unlikely to be.affcct
ed in some degree by events whieh ,are
transpiring in the. eastern regions of, Eu
rope, and the time seems to have come
when our Government oucht to have a
proper diplomatic representation in.Greece.
the maiiT ,or sxrxTRixTioni6
This Gayerninent lias claimed -for all
persons not convicted, or accned. o'r'su.
pected of crime, an absolute political right
of self-expatriation, and a choice of new
national allegiance. Most of the European
States have dissented from this principle,
and have claimed1! ho right to hold such of
tneir subiectfl ns have emigrated to ami
been naturalized iri tho United States ' and
afterwards returned on transient visits, to
their native countries to the -performance
of military service frl like manner as res
ident subjects Complaints arisimr from the
claim In thi respect made by foreign States,
iiuve iiercioiure oeen mailers ci controver
sy between the United States and gome
of the European Powers, and the irritatibn
consequent upon ihe failure to settle this
question increased during the war jn which
rrussia, iiaiy, ana Austria were recently
engaged. "While Great Britain has never
acknowledged the rfcht of expatriation,
she has not practically insisted upon it.
r ranee nas oeerr equally forbearing ; and
Prussia has proposed " a compromise,
whichalthough evincinsr increased liber
ality, has not been accepted "by the united
States. Peace is now prevailing every
where in Europe, and the jre.-ent seema'to
be a favorable time for an assertion bv'Con-
gress of the principle, so long maintafhetl
by the Executive "Department tha,t natur
alization by one State fully exejnipti' the
native-born subject of any other State from
the performance of military service under
any foreign Government, bo Iqijc as Tie tloes
not voluntarily renounce its rights aniL ben
efits. ' :r'
CONCLUSION'. ' ..
Tnthe performance of a dutv ;.-nnA2At ntiAn
me by the ConsWttrtfen. I have thus submitted
to th Representatives of the People suehMnfor-
roatiqn of eur doinetic and foreign affdrs as
the public interests seem to require. Our
Government 1 now undergoing it most try
ing ordeal, and ray earnest prayer is. that the
peril may bo suocfcufuHv -ml finnllv mui
withont lLipairiuglito orin:-I strength and
symmetry. Tfie Interwt of the nation
are best io. bo proaietcd by t'e renewal
of fraternal relatiiw, the otmpte ob
literation 0"f Our nflaf itiffvrencr. ami thn n.
inauguration of al! the puT.Jnits of peace.
Directing our effort to the early aeeemplffh
mcnt of these--great emir, let X- endeavor to
preserve harmony between the co-ordinf de
partments of tho government, tb Jt eaeh in its
jroper sphere may eonlially co-or erato with tho
oiner in securing me maintenance r,j tao oan
stltution. the pre.ervtn of the Union, andthc
perpotulty of our freo institutions .
ANJIRFAV JOHNSON.
.WASHl.VQTOS.Iecwnbor3, lSid. " 1
fOR HAliE XT AFC t JO
OX TUKSI1AY. 4TH r DnciTJinEU
on tho premitx. at II o'clock. a two stary
In ono of the finest ntkLiji.rW.il in tUr oitv
fronting about 37 feet mi Si ruce. running k-ialr 1
Aotujt tiurnii. kiiu uihuo Known a inosflie.
ANDERSON.. JOltNSON A-eiinfllp "
Kl tate Agents.
nov23 td.
HMIERE WILL EE jI.D ON TIIE BRE
X mises. to thehlche- MdJer. at 'fw rWdnft
of the lato Dr. Joun It. J- ne. in Bedford
county, about Jeuuu.e wt ShelbrviTlc,
on the Low&burg mtfrTwul. on aUNIAithe
lith dar erDeeerhVr. and from day to day
thereafter, all tbe'iteYsVrtinl property belonging
to said jsstate, cmUtm of llouiebold and
Kltehen rorniture, I arcane Tool? and Imple
ments.' Horses,' M'tle Jsek, Jennets, Oatlle;
gheei) and lids! (Ib-s-bOTS eontistof ttooichogs
and fut hogs ready lor .slaughter, ta jwks re
young and very fine, and a prtia of the oattlo
aro very superior: C-tra, t'udJer, fhla, Jlay",
and a variety f other art iele.
And on the first day of January there will be
sold at the same place the tract of land consti
tuting the homestM!. eontainlr gMbMt tBfeo
hundroilandforty-eiirlK-esre", alt Bndrniost
sunerior eedar fence,-and divided into -lots and
fields with the same description 0: fence; frame
dwelling ionrfl of jix er seven radios elegant
and commodious., Tba uth'iue are newi.and
Terysunerior: fin younrfor(hard; Paly or fifty
acres of meadow ; pUnty of m-i er-fjlfmr n'ater.
The personal protertytiill be aold erfa credit
of twelve aiontki. eaejK. where tte pnrehale
arelesr than fire doliari. in which caae Uio cash,
rr-1 , 1 -ll t I I - -i . 1 !.. .. 1 1
inn mini n 111 ii Mm wt jtt 1. . Lwvifr.
'c2kten
and twenty-four iaoni4 t'iifre.
Notlo withlip-
. tt
uroved tierSOnal seenntv will be reuuirml in. all
oases, and alien wfli Le retained oa.tfio land
until the purchase m
U i.aid.
ILARRlaOX, -Exooa)r.
NATILAX IEL B AXT EH, J , ,
noTSS-lm
TORI AN, MACRAE. & GO.,
COTTON AND T0BfCC6XCT0ES,
COM3IISSIOX HER OA NTS,
NO. 63 CAK0NDELST WCRSET.
ep!5-3aa
3EW onLE.jrs.
i