Newspaper Page Text
<i htv Du ill) rcs s.
City Printar —Official Paper
i. v nnv.sT t itTI inn l\hon.
At •Ut'M'l'A, OA.
WnnAT MfIKMK* Dm. 4. IRM
The President's Message.
publish. thi* nrorniug, to the
exclusion of other interesting re-idhig
and our usual liftserliany, the Presi
deitthi Mfs-ujf. It is an important
State paper, »nd. therefore, puldtsh if
in full. \V« have no limo to comment
upon it in iho prosent issue, lint leai v
our rwHiiurs to i*ad it aud judge it lor
themselves.
Some important nn<l interesting dis
patches will also lx* found in our paper
this murmur, under the telegraphic
head.
We gave the President's Message in
an extra yesterday evening, so that, in
a few hours after it was read in Con
gress. our readers had an opportunity
of reading it f>*r themselves. This is a
fast age and the Daily I’rlss is bound
to keep up with it.
Ireland.
The ferment in Ireland continues
and arrests of suspected parlies are
Wing constantly made by the govern
ment authorities. An outbreak at any
moment is possible ; while the Govern
ment is kepi busy watching the move
ments at Liverpool. Glasgow, and oilier
p ts, doubtless inf mded lo keep troops
at home, aud so les-eii the force intend
ed to keep Ireland quiet.
'I his i< an unl .ruinate state of affairs,
ami will only 'end to make the Irish
people more unhappy. It they cannot
endure Briiish Government, let them
come to the South. We want laborers
hero, and to good, honest, industrious
people, will give a warm and hearty
welcome. We want farmers, inechau
ics, and laborers in the South, and tor
these elasses there is room and work.
Therefore, let Fenianistn and fighting
alone. The latter is a had business at
be-t. and seldom pays any interest on
the capital invested. Peace, a good
home, and a competency, are worth any
amount of wars, revolutions, and Fen
ian movements. The former can be
obtained here. The Irish people should
come and get them, and let the latter
alone.
Ren r i Specially for tbo Daily I’rks*.
Georgia Legislature.
Mili.ehokviu.e, bee. 1, 1860.
SENATE.
The Senate met at 10 o’clock, A. M.,
and w » ■ petted wtritli prayer.
The bill to modify the County Court
Act was taken up and passed.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS.
Mr. Blount introduced a bill to allow
the transfer of license, in Stewart county,
to retail spirituous liquors.
Mr. J. F. Johnson :,A bill to allow
the citizens of Twiggs county to settle
the question of the removal of the
county site from Marion to Jefferson
ville, in said county.
Aiso, a bill tor the relief of James TV.
Bryant, of Fulton county.
Mr. McDaniel : A bill to amend the
charter of the Savannah, Griffin, and
North Alabama Railroad. It proposes
to increase the number of Directors
from seven to nine.
Mr. Mims: A resolution to adjourn
on Saturday, Btb inst.
Mr. Moore: A bill to prohibit execu
tors, guardians, and trustees, to reut
or lease real estate, which they hold in
trust, for a longer period than one
year, without an order from the Court.
Mr. C. 11. Smith: A bill to provide
for the appointment, by the Governor,
of a Judge of the Superior Court in
case a majority ot voles is not i mil for
ativ one candidate for the office.
Also, a biii providing that toe > p~t
intemient and officers of the Wc . erti
ano Atlantic Railroad shall 1., p.. ...
same salary as is paid by the railroad
companies of the State lor similar -• i
vice3.
■SENATE BILLS ON THEIR PASSAGE
Bill to consolidate the bait.
Jacksonville Railroad Coin; ~,\ ilt
other companies cu. neiliog with it.
Passed.
Bilt to incorporate the Etowah Canal J
and Water Works. Passed.
Bill to allow the interior Courts ot
the several counties t > pay a competent
salary to County Court Judges in case
the tees of such Judge are not adequate
tor his support. Lost, by a vote of Id
to 20.
Ri.l . incorporate the Albany and I
At:..ota It i toad Company. Postponed
till Tuesday next
Bill ii incorporate the Chestatec
Blooming and Mining Company.
Passed.
i he House Bid to provide for the stay
of cxi litmus, »a taken up, referred lo
the Judiciary Committee, and ordered to
be printed.
Bill to amend section B, IHH oftlie Code.
L '•
I'll! to extend to orphan children the
beio-nt ot dower. Lost.
Bill for the relict ol Executors, Guar
dians and Administrators from | ersonal
liability, in case the nutim may nave
become nisuiv:nl by r.-mmii ol th. . n
cipation ol slave . Lost.
Bill lo allow planters and tanners to
ship on the State Road 600 bushels ol
eurn, and 2,000 pounds o( bacon or pork,
tree of charge. Lost.
Riil to allow creditors of insolvent
banks to present their claims to the j
assignees of such banks within the j
period of one year. Passed.
Rill lo change the lime ot holding the
monthly sessions of the County Court of
Dougherty, Worth, Raker, and Miller
counties. Parsed.
Rill in remit the tax on liquors for
the first quaitcr ol 1000. Passed.
Bill to exempt from taxation thv cap"
•tal stock employed -ill the manufacture
of Cotton mid Wool, liiiit
Bill to make provision' for the pay
ment of bonds of the Statu shortly fulling
due. Passed.
Adjourned till Monday morning.
. house.
Afternoon Session, Nov. 30,
The House resumed the consideration
of the substitute of the Judiciary Coni'
mitten, fur thu bill of the Senate, for the
relief of the people ol Georgia, and to
prevent the levy ami sale ot property
under certain circumstances.
Tht l substitute was adopted and passed.
This bill provides that one third shall
be paid on eaeh the first of Janunrv,
lSiifs ’til), and '7O; and a failure to pay
any installment only subjects the debtor
to suit tor the one third thus refused or
failed to be paid.
Morning Skssios, Dec. 1.
Mr. Morris moved to reconsider the
amendment to the above bill, which
amendment, offered by Mr. Stewart on
yesterday, was as follows: Provided
that nothing in this Act sha'l be con
strued as to prohibit persous from carry
ing property or produce from one county
to another, for the purpose of sale; and
provided farther, that citizens changing
their domicile from one county to
another in this State, shall not be pro
hihited from carrying their property
| with them, where the same is not done
! lo evade die pavui-'iit of just debts.
The Spe ii- v g this motion ou
1 ot order, Mi. Met ved to reconsider
the whom mil. . . t |mic in favor of his
motion, tin- o j ■ : which, he said,
was to reach t - aiu« n Iment mentioned
above. Mr. .'-haw said he wished to
enter his protest against the bill. Mr.
Dorsey spoke in opposition to tlie mo
tion, ns did also Mr. Stewart. Mr. Rus
sel, of Muscogee, favored the reconsid
eration of Mr. Stewart’s amendment,
and he also wished to amend the bill
farther by saying: The provisions of
this Act shall not apply to debts due to
administrators, guardians, and trustees-
Mr. Ridley spoke in opposition to the
reconsideration.
Motion to reconsider lost.
Mr. Adams moved a suspension ot
the rules, when he introduced a resolu
tion looking to tlie purchase, by the
State, of the Library ot tbe lato A. A.
Sinetts. of Savannah.
Mr. Wicker introduced a bill to au
thorize the incorporation of Homestead
or Building Associations. (Should this
bill pass, the incorporation of Building
and Loau Associations will he dispensed
with, and thus much valuable time will
be saved.)
The committee on the Boundary line
between Georgia and Florida reported,
recommending the line run by G. J.
Orr to be tbe permanent line between
the two States.
Mr. Holliday: To allow The transfer
of retail licenses in Stewart county.
Mr. Hardin: For relief of J. M.
Daniel.
Mr. Rhodes: To change the line be
tween Chattanooga and Walker.
Mr. Kibbee: To change the line be
tween Wilcox and Pulaski.
BFECIAL ORIIEK.
To extend State aid to tlie completion
of the Savannah, Griffin, and North
Alabama Railroad.
Messrs. Stallings, Stewart, and Hinder
spoke in favor of the bill, and no one in
opposition. The yeas aud nays were
called, and the bill was lost by three
votes.
THIRD READINGS.
For relief of J. J. Anderson (a recon
siderc and bill). Passed.
To change tbe time of holding the
Superior Court iu Richmond County.
Passed.
To regulate the mode of giving in
lands for taxation. (They must be given
:u by members ofthe district and county.)
Pending the consideration of this bill,
ii.o House adjourned. Pluto.
Fo • the Great Exioition. —The
Kaolin < - tnptmy are g ing to send
peciitcno their ware lo the Paris
position. With these specimens I
»ili send handsomely printed
iritig th ■ -
"Kao it, >■ '■ I ."iv: , Sooth Caro'
in.a. ... i -ft with John I
Vigot A o ■! • Paradise-Pois
-o.iuicrre, Par .. -i .slier, Thomas &
■Scbtiub, Augusta Georgia, United
States.*’
The card is Irom the Job Office of
Mr. E. H. Pugiiu, ami is a beautiful
.specimen of the typographical art.
Thk CibcUs.—! )jih Castello’s “Groat
Show” will be here to day, en route to
the interior of Georgia. A great attrac
tion, on this occasion, will be the
appearance of Mr. Charles Parker, the
renowned clown who so delighted Dan's
patrons last season ; but who was not
with him when he "showed” here this
season. Parker is a great favorite and
will prove a good card lor Dan. Then
there are the Runnels family, and the
Trapejeistn, and the Roders, and the
Lions, and all besides, which people will
go to see, and ulways seem to be pleased
with
Khicp Wahm.—At I. Kahn A. Co’s
you can buy all wool 10-1 Blankets, at
$O.l/0; 11-4 all worn Blankets, jio.OO;
Dark Brown Blankets, $ll.OO per pair.
Call and buy at once, and protect your
self front the cold weather. These
goods are offered under New York cost,
and all in need will do well. Look at
advertisement. t
Look out koii Coin SVkatpkr.—
Messrs I. Kalin A Cos. advertise a lot
of blankets lor sale at less than New
York cost. As the cold weather is
setting in, everybody ought to keep
warm, and when a good blanket can be
bought for to sls per pair, nobody
can have an excuse tor not keeping
warm. (Jo to Kahn's and get K good
blanket.
(By U«> U N anil Kur»|>«*u N> »» AanucUUuli.)
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE,
I'dUnr Ciliiens of the Senate
ami House of Representatives:
After a brief interval the Congress of
the United States resumes its annual
legislative labors. An all-wise and
merciful Providence has abated the pes
tilence which visited our shores, leaving
its calamitous traces upon some portions
of our country. Peace, order, tranquil
iev, and civil authority has lieen for
mally declared to exist throughout the
whole of the United States. In all of
the States civil authority has superseded
the coercion of arms, and the people, by
their voluntary action, are maintaining
their governments in foil activity and
complete operation. The enforcement
of the laws is no longer “obstructed in
any State by combinations too powerful
to be suppressed by the ordinary course
of judicial proceedings;" and the ani
mosities engendered by the war are rap
idly yielding to the benificent influences
of our free institutions and to the kindly
effects of unre'stricted social and com
mercial intercourse. An entire restora
tion of fraternal ieeling must be the earn
est wish of every patriotic heart; and we
will have accomplished our grandest
national achievement when, forgetting
the sad events of the past, and remem
bering only their instructive lessons, we
resume our onward career ns a free,
prosperous, and united people.
Iu my message oi the 4th of Decem
ber, 18t>5, Congress was informed of
ihe measures which had been institu
ted by the Executive with a view to the
gradual restoration of tlie States in
which the insurrection occurred to their
relations with the General Government.
Provisional Governors had been ap
pointed, Conventions called, Governors
elected. Legislatures assembled, aud
Senators and Representatives chosen to
tlie Congress of the United States.
Courts had been opened for the enforce
ment of laws long in abeyance. The
blockade had been removed, custom
houses re-established, and the internal
revenue laws put in force, in order that
tiie people might contribute to tlie na
tional income. Postal operations had
been renewed, and efforts were being
made lo restore them to their former
condition of efficiency. The States
themselves had been asked to take part
in tlie high function of amending tlie
Constitution, and of thus sanctioning
tlie extinction ot African slavery as one
of the legitimate results of our interne
cine struggle.
Having progressed thus far, the Ex
ecutive Department found that it had
accomplished nearly all that was within
(he scope of its constitutional authority.
Due tiling, however, yet remained t<> be
(lone before the work of restoration
could be completed, aud tiiat was the
admission to Congress ol loyal Senators
and Representatives from the States
whose people had rebelled against the
lawful authority of the General Govern
ment. This question devolved upon the
respective Houses, which, by tlie Con
stitution, are made the ju^ r es of the
elections, returns, and qualifications of
their own members : amt its considera
tion tit once engaged the attention of
Congress.
In the meantime, the Executive De
partment— no other plan having been
proposed by Congress—continued its
efforts to perfect, as far as was practi
cable, '.lie restoration of the proper rela
tions between the citizens of tlie respec
tive States, the States, and the Federal
Government, extending, from time to
time, as tlie public interest seemed to
require, the judicial, revenue, and postal
systems of the country. With ad
vice aud consent of the Senate, the ne
cessary officers were appointed, and ap
proprlatious made by Congress for the
payment of their salaries. Tlie propo
sition to amend the Federal Constitu
tion, so as to prevent the existence of
slavery within the United States or any
place .-abject to their jurisdiction, was
refined by the requisite number of
St >t s: and i,n the 18th day of December,
1865, it was officially declared to h ive
become valid as a part of the Constitu
tion of tbe United States. All of the
States in which the insurrection had ex
isted promptly amended their Constitu
tions, so tts to make them conform to
the great change thus affected in the
organic law of the land ; declared null
and void all ordinances and laws of se
cession ; repudiated all pretended debts
aud obligations created for the revolu
tionary purposes of the insurrection;
and proceeded, in good faith, to the
e nactment of measures for the protec
tion and amelioration of the con lit on
of the colored race. Congress, how
ever, yet hesitated to admit any of these
States to representation ; and it was not
until towards the close of tlie eighth
month of the session that an exception
was made in favor of Tennessee, by the
:tdmission of her Senators and Repre
sentatives.
1 deem it a subject of profound regret
that Congress has thus far (ailed to ad
tnit to seats loyal Senators and R"pro.
sentatives from the other States, whose
inhabitants, with those of Tennessee,
had engaged in the rebellion. Ten
States —more than one fourth of the
whole number—remnin without repro.
seutation ; the seats of fifty members in
the House of Representatives and twenty
members in the Senate are yet vacant •
not by their own consent, not by a
failure of election, but by tint refusal of
Congress to accept their credentials.
Their admission, it is believed, would
have accomplished much towards the
renewal and strengthening of our re
lations aS otic people, and removed
serious cause for discontent on the part
of the inhabitants of those States. It
would have accorded with the great
principle enunciated in the Declaration
~f American Independence, that no peo
ple ought linear the burden ol taxation
and yet ho denied the right ol repre
sentation. It woukl have been in con'
..ouuiice with the express provisions of
the Constitution, that “each State shall
have at least one Representative,” and
"that no State, without its consent,
sliall l>e deprived of iU equul suffrage
in the Senate." These provisions were
intended to secure to every State, and
to tlie people of every State, the right o*"
representation in each House of Con
gress ; and so important was it deemed
by iho framers of the Constitution thut
tlie equality of the Stutea in the Senato
should be preserved, that not even by
an amendment of the Constitution can
any State, without its consent, be denied
a voice in that branch of the National
Legislature.
Is is true it lirs been assumed that
the existence of the States was termi
nated by the rebellious acts of their in
habitants, and that the insurrection
haring been suppressed, they were
thenceforward to be considered merely
as conquered territories. The Legisla
tive, Executive, and Judicial Depart
ments of the Government have, how
ever, with great distinctness nnd uniform
Consistency, refused to sanction an as
sumption so incompatible with the nature
of our republican system, and witii the
professed objects of the war.
out the recent legislation of Congress,
the undeniable fact makes itself appa
rent, that these ten political communi
ties are nothing less than States ot this
Union. At the very commencement of
tlie rebellion, 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
oppression, nor for any purpose of con
quest or subjugation, nor purpose of
overthrowing or interfering with the
rights or established institutions of
those States, but to defend and main
tain tlie supremacy ot the Constitution
and all laws made iu pursuance there
of, and to preserve the Union with all
the dignity, equality, and rights of the
several States unimpaired ; and that as
soon as these objects” were “accom
plished, the war ought to cease.” In
some instances, Senators were per
mitted to continue their legislative
functions, while iu other instances,
Representatives were elected and ad
mitted to seats after their States had
formally declared their right to with
draw from the Union, and were en
deavoring to maintain tiiat right l>y
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 annually laid upon the United
States by the act approved sth August,
1801. Congress, by the act of March
4, 1802, and by the apportionment of
representation thereunder, also recog
nized their presence as States in the
Union; and they have, for judicial pur
poses, been divided into districts, as
States alone can be divided. The same
recognition appears in the recent legis
lation in reference to Tennessee, which
evidently rests upon tlie fact that the
functions of tlie State were not de
stroyed by the rebellion, but merely
suspended; and that principle is of
course applicable to those States which,
like. Tennessee, attempted to renounce
their places in nion.
The action of the Executive Depart
ment of the Government upon this sub
ject has been equally definite and uni
form, and the purpose of the war was
specifically stated in tbe Proclamation
issued by iny predecessor on the 22d of
September, 1862. It was then solemnly
proclaimed and declared that “hereafter,
as heretofore, the war will be prosecuted
for tlie object of practically restoring the
constitutional relation between the Uni
ted States and each of the States ami the
people thereof, in which States that rela
tion is or may be suspended or disturb
ed.”
The recognition of tlie States by the
Judicial Department of the Government
has aiso been clear and conclusive in all
proceedings affecting them as States,
had iuthe Supreme, Circuit, and District
Courts.
In the admission of Senators and Rep
resentatives from any and all of the
States, there can be no just ground of
apprehension that persons who are dis
loyal will be clothed with the powers of
legislation; for this could not happen
when the Constitution and the laws are
enforced by a vigilant and faithful Con
gress. Each House is made the “judge
of the elections, returns, and qualifica
tions of its own members,” and may,
“with the concurrence of two thirds,
expel a member.” When a Senator or
Representative present! his certificate
of election, lie may at once be admitted
or rejected; or, should there be any
question as to his eligibility, his creden
tials may bo referred for investigation to
the appropriate committee. If admitted
to a seat., it must be upon evidence sat
isfactory 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 lor want of due allegiance to
the Government, and returned to his
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 the interests of loyalty to the Gov
eminent and fidelity to the Union.
Upon this question, so vitally affecting
the restoration of the Union and the
permanency of our present form of gov
ernment, my convictions, heretofore ex
pressed, have undergone no elinugc;
but, oil the contrary, their correctness
has been confirmed by reflection and
fiine. If the admission of loyal mem
bers to seats in the respective Houses of
Congress wus wise and expedient a your
ago, it is no less wise and expedient
now. If this anomalous condition is
right uow—if, in the exact conditio** ot
these States at tiie present time, it is
lawfal to exclude them from representa
tion, I do not sue that the question will
he changed by the etllnx of time. Ten
years hence, if these States remain as
tliey are, the right of representation
will he no stronger—the right of exclu
sion will be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to
recommend to the consideration of Con
gress "such measures as he shall judge
necessary or expedient.” I know of no
measure more imperatively demanded
by every consideration of national inter
est, sound policy, and equal justice, than
the admission of loyal members from
the now unrepresented States. This
would consummate the work of restora
tion, and exert a most salutary influence
in the re-establishment of peace, har
mony, and fraternal feeling. It would
tend greatly to renew the confidence of
the American people in the vigor and
stability of their institutions. It would
bind us more closely together as a na
tion, and enable us to show to the w 'rid
the inherent and recuperative power of
a Government founded upon the will of
the people, aud established upon the
principles of liberty, justice, and intelli
gence. Our increased strength and en
hanced prosperity would iricfragably
demonstrate the fallacy of the argu
ments against free institutions drawn
from our recent national disorders by
the enemies of republican government.
The admission of loyal members from
the States now excluded from Congress,
by allaying doubt and apprehension)
would turn capital, now awaiting an
opportunity for investment, into the
channels of trade and industry. It
would alleviate the present troubled con.
dition of those States, and, by inducing
emigration, aid in the settlement of
fertile regions now uncultivated, and
lead to an increased production of those
staples which have added so greatly to
the wealth of the nation and the com
merce of the world. New fields of en
terprise would be opened to our progres
sive people, and soon tlie devastations
of war would be repaired, and all traces
of our domestic differences effaced trout
the minds of our countrymen.
In our efforts to preserve “the unity
of Government which constitutes us one
people,” by restoring the States to the
condition which they held prior to the
rebellion, we should be cautious, lust,
having rescued our nation from perils of
threatened disintegration, we resort to
consolidation, and in the end absolute
despotism, as a remedy for the recurrence
of similar troubles. The war having
terminated, aud with it all occasion for
the exercise of powers of doubtful con
stitutionality, we should hasten to bring
legislation within the boundaries
prescribed by the Constitution, and
to return to the ancient landmarks
established by our fathers for the
guidance ot succeeding generations.
“Tlie Constitution which at any time
exists, until changed by an explicit
and authentic act of the whole people
is sacredly obligatory upon all.” “If
in the opinion of tlie people, the distri
but ion or modification of the constitu
tional powers be, in any particular,
wrong, lot it be corrected by an amend
ment in the way in which tbe Constitu
tion designates. But let there be no
change by usurpation ;” for “it is the
customary weapon by which free Gov
ernments are destroyed.” Washington
spoke these words to his countrymen,
when, followed by their love and graii
tude, he voluntarily retired from the
cares of public life. “To keep in all
things within the pale of our constitu
tional powers, and cherish the Federal
Union as the only rock of safety,” were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of
action to endear to his “countrymen tlie
true principles of their Constitution, and
promote a union of sentiment and action
equally auspicious to their hanplness
and safety.” Jackson held that tlie
action of the General Government
should always be strictly confined to the
sphere of its appropriate duties, and
justly aud forcibly urged that our Gov
ernment is not to be maintained uor our
Union preserved “by invasions of the
rights and powers of the several States.
In thus attempting to make our General
Government strong, we make it weak.
Its true strength consists in leaving
individuals and States as much as pos
sible to themselves; in making itself
felt, not in its power, but in its benefi
cence ; not in its control, but in its pro
tection ; not in binding the States more
closely to the centre, but leaving each
to move unobstructed in its proper con
s'itutiomd orbit.” These are the teach
ings of men whose deeds and services
have made them illustrious, and who,
long since withdrawn from the scenes of
life, have left to their country the rich
legacy of their example, their wisdom,
and their patriotism. Drawing fresh
inspiration from their lessons, let us
emulate them in love of country and
respect for the Constitution and the
laws. t
The report of the Secretary ot the
Treasury affords much information re
specting the revenue and commerce of
die country. His views upon the cor
rency, and with reference to a proper
adjustment of our revenue system, in
ternal as well as impost, are commended
to the careful consideration of Congress.
In my last annual Message I expressed
my gencrnl views upon these subjects.
I need now only call attention to the
necessity of carrying into every depart
ment of the Government a system of
rigid accountability, thorough retrench
ment, and wise economy. With no ex
ceptional nor unusual expenditures, the
oppressive burdens of taxation can be
lessened by such a modification of out
revenue laws ns will be consistent with
the public faith, aud the legitimate and
nlpcessary wants of the. Government.
The report presents a much more sat
isfactory condition of our finances than j
One year ago tlie most sanguine could i
buve anticipated. During the fiscal
year ending the 30tl» June, 1805, the
last year of the war, the public dent was
increased $1)41,902,537, and on the 3l*t
of October, 1805, it amounted to
$2,740,854,750. On the 31st day of
October, 1806, it bad been reduced to
$2,551,310,006, tlie diminution, during a
period of fourteen mouths, commencing
September 1, 1865 and ending October
31, 1866, having been $206,379,505. Iu
the lost animal rejiort on the stale of
the finances, it was estimated that
during the three quarters of the fiscal
year ending the 30th of June last, the
debt would be increased $112,194,947.
Daring that period, however, it was re
duced $31,196,387, the receipts of the
year having been $89,905,905 more,and
the expenditures $200,529,235 less tl an
the estimates. Nothing could more
clearly indicate than these statements
the extent and availability of the na
tional resources, and the rapidity and
safety with which, under our form of
government, great military and naval
establishments can be disbanded, and
expenses reduced from a war to a peace
footing.
Daring the fiscal year ending tbe 30th
of June, 1866, the receipts were $558,-
032,020, and the expenditures $520,750,-
940, leaving an available surplus of
$37,281,680, It is estimated that the
receipts for the fiscal year ending the
30th June, 1867, will be $475,061,386,
and that the expenditures wilt reach tbe
Sum of $316,428,078, leaving in the
Treasury a surplus of $158,633,308. For
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868, it is
estimated that the receipts will amount
to $350,247,641 —showing an excess of
$85,752,359 in favor of the Government.
These estimated receipts may he dimin
ished by a reduction of excise and im
port duties; but after all necessary
reductions shall have been made, the
revenue of the present and of following
years will doubtless be sufficient to cover
all legitimate charges upon the Treas
ury, and leave a large auuuul surplus to
be applied to the payment of the prin
cipal of the debt. There seems now to
bo no good reason why taxes may not
be reduced as the country advances in
population and wealth, and yet the debt
he extinguished within the uext quarter
of a century.
The report of the Secretary of War
furnishes valuable and important infor
mation in reference to the operations of
his Department during the past year.
Few volunteers now remain in the ser
vice, aud they are being discharged as
rapidly as they eau be replaced by regu
lar troops. The army has been promptly
paid, carefully provided with medical
treatment, well sheltered and subsisted,
und is to be furnished with breech-load
ing small arms. The military strength
of tlie nation has been unimpaired by
the discharge of volunteers, ths dis
position of unserviceable or perishable
stores, and the retrenchment of expen
diture. Sufficient war material to meet
any emergency has been retained, and,
irom the disbanded volunteers standing
ready to respond to the national call,
large armies can be rapidly organized,
equipped, aud concentrated. Fortifica
tions on tlie coast aud frontier have
received, or are being prepared for more
powerful armaments ; lake surveys and
harbor and river improvements are in
course of energetic prosecution. Prep
arations have been made for the pay
ment of the additional bounties author
ized during the recent session of Con
gress, under such regulations as will
protect the Government from fraud, and
secure to the houorably discharged sol
dier the weil-earned reward of his faith
fulness and gallantry. More than six
thousand maimed soldiers have received
artificial limbs or other surgical apara
tus ; and forty-one national cemeteries,
containing the remains of 104,526 Union
soldiers, have already been established.
The total estimate of military appropri
ations is $25,205,669.
It is stated in the report of the Secre
tary of the Navy, that the naval force at
this time consists cf two hundred and
seventy-eight vessels, armed with two
thousand three hundred and fifty-one
guns. Os these, one hundred and fif
teen vessels, carrying one thousand
and twenty-nine guns, are in commis
sion, distributed chiefly among seven
squadrons. The number of men iu tbe
service is thirteen thousand six hun
dred. Great activity and vigilance
have been displayed by all the squad
rons, and their movements have been
judiciously and efficiently arranged in
such manner as would best promole
American commerce, and protect the
rights and interests of our countrymen
abroad. The vessels unemployed are
und: riroing repairs, or are laid up until
their services may be required. Most
of the iron-clad fleet is at League
Island, in the vicinity of Philadelphia,
a place which, until decisive action
should be taken by Congress, was
selected by the Secretary of the Navy
as the most eligible location for that
class of vessels. It is important that a
suita! le public station should be pro
vided for the iron-clad fleet. It is in
tended that these vessels shall be in
proper condition for any emergency,
and it is desirable that the bill accept
ing League Island for naval purposes,
which passed the House of Representa
fives at its last session, should receive
final action at an early period, in order
that there may be a suitable public
station tor this class of vessels, ns well i
as a navy yard of area sufficient for the 1
wants of the service, on the Delaware i
river. The Naval Pension fund
amoutns to $11,750,000, having been in
creased $2,750,000 during the year.
The expenditures of the Department
for the fiscal year ending 30th June
last, were $ 13,324,526, and the esti
mates for the coming year amount to
$23,568,436. Attentiou is invited to
the condition of our seamen, and the
importance of legislative measures for
their relief and improvement. The
suggestions in behalf of this deserving
class ot our fellow-citizens are earnestly
recommended to the favorable attention
of Congress.
The report of the Postmaster Gen
eral presents a most satisfactory condi
tion of the postal service, aud submits
recommendations which deserve the
consideration of Congress. The reve
nues of the Department for the year
eliding June 30,1866, were $14,386,986,
and the expenditures $15,352,079, show
ing an excess of tlie latter of $965,093.
In anticipation of this deficiency, how
ever, a special appropriation was made
by Congress in the Act approved July
28, 1866. Including the standing ap
propriation of $700,000 for free mail
matter, as a legitimate portion of the
revenues yet remaining unexpended,
the actual deficiency for the past year is
only $265,093 —a sum within $51,141
of tbe amount estimated in the annual
report of 1864. The decrease of reve
nue compared with the previous year
one and one fifth per cent., and the
increase of expenditures, owing princi
pally to the enlargement of the mail
service in the South, was twelve per
cent. Ou the 30th of June last there
were in operation six thousand nine
hundred and thirty mail routes, with an
aggregate length of one hundred and
eighty thousand nine hundred and twen
ty one miles, an aggregate annual trans
portation of seventy-one million eight
hundred and thirty seven thousand nine
hundred and fourteen miles, and an ag
gregate annual cost, including all ex
penditures, of $8,410,184. The length of
railroad routes is thirty two thousand and
ninety two miles, and the annual trans
portation thirty million six hundred and
nine thousand four hundred and sixty
seven miles. The length of steamboat
routes is fourteen thousand three hun
dred and forty six miles, aud the annual
transportation three million four hun
dred and eleven thousand nine hundred
and sixty two miles. The mail service
is rapidly increasing throughout the
whole country, and its steady extension
in the Southern Suites indicates their
constantly improving condition. The
growing importance of tlie foreign ser
vice also merits attention. The Post
Office Department of Great Britain and
our own have agreed upon a prelimi
nary basis for anew Postal Convention,
which it is believed will prove eminently
beneficial to the commercial interests
of the United States,inasmuch as it con
templates a reduction of the international
letter postage to one half the existing
rates; a reduction of postage with all
other countries to and from which cor
respondence is transmitted in the British
mail, or in closed mails through the
United Kingdom; the establishment of
uniform and reasonable charges for the
sea and territorial transit of correspon
dence in closed mails; and an allow
ance to each Postoffice Department of
the right to use all mail communications
established under the authority of the
other for the dispatch of correspondence,
either in open or closed mails, on (he
same terms as those applicable to the
inhabitants of the counfry providing the
means of transmission.
The report of the Secretary of the
Interior exhibits the condition of those
branches of the public service which are
committed to his supervision. During
the last fiscal year, 4,629,312 acres of
public land were disposed of, 1,892,516
acres of which were entered under the
homestead act. The policy originally
adopted relative to tbe public lands has
undergone essential modifications.
Immediate revenue, and not their
rapid settlement, was the cardinal fea
ture of our land system. Long expe
rience and earnest discussion have re
sulted in the conviction that the early
development of our agricultural resour,
ces, and the diffusion of an energetic
population over our vast territory, are
objects of far greater importance to the
national growth and prosperity than the
proceeds of the sale of the land to the
highest bidder in open market. The
preemption laws confer upon the pioneer
who complies with the terms they impose
the privilege of purchasing a limited
portion of “ unoffered lands ” at the
minimum price. The homestead enact
ments relieve the settler from the pay
ment of purchase money, and secure
him a permanent home, upon the con
dition of residence for a term of years.
This liberal policy invites emigration
from the old, and from tlie more crowd
ed portions of the new, world. Its pro
pitious results are undoubted, and will
be more signally manifested when time
shall have given to it a wider develop
ment.
Congress lias made liberal grants or
public land to corporations, in aid or
the construction' of railroads and other
infernal improvements. Should this
policy hereafter prevail, more stringent
provisions will ho required to secure a
faithful application of the fund. The
title to the lands should not pass, by
patent or otherwise, but remain in the
Government and subject to its control
until some portion of the road lias been
actually built. Portions of them might
then, from time to time, be conveyed to
tho corporation, but never in a greater
ratio to the whole quantity embraced by
the grant than the completed parts bear
to the ontiro length of the projected im
provement. This restriction would not
operate to the prejudice of any under
taking conceived in good faith, and
executed with reasonable energy, as it
is the settled practice to withdraw from
market the lunds falling within tho ope
ration of such grants, and thus to ex
clude the inception of a subsequent
adverse right. A brqpeh of tho condi
tions which Congress may deem proper
to impose should work a forfeiture ot
claim to the lands so withdrawn but
““conveyed, and of title to the land*
conveyed which reiuaiu unsold.
Operations on the several lines offf, e
Pacific Railroad have been prosecute
with unexampled vigor and success
Should no unforeseen causes of dels
occur, it is confidently anticipated that
this grcal.tlioroughfare will be. completed
before the expiration of the period des
ignated by Congress.
During the last fiscal year the amount
paid to pensioners, including the ex
peoses of disbursement, was thirte
million four hundred and fifty nine th()u
sand nine hundred and ninety six dob
lars; and fifty thousand one hundred
and seventy seven names were added to
the pension rolls. The entire numberof
pensioners, June 30, 1866, was oue hun
dred and twenty six thousand seven
hundred and twenty two. This fact
furnishes melancholy and striking proof
of the sacrifices made to vindicate the
constitutional authority of tbe Federal
Government, and to maintain inviolate
tbe integrity cf tbe Union. They im
pose upon us corresponding obligations.
It is estimated that thirty three million
dollars will be required to meet the exi
gencies of this branch of the service
during the next fiscal year.
Treaties have been concluded with the
Indians, who, enticed into armed oppo
sition to our Government at the out
break of the rebellion, have uncondi
tionally submitted to our authority, and
manifested an earnest desire for a re
uewal of friendly relations.
During the year ending September 30,
1866, eight thousand seven hundred and
sixteen patents, for useful inventions
and designs, were issued, aud at that
date the balance in the Treasury to the
credit of the Patent fund was two hun
dred aud twenty eight thousand two
hundred and ninety seven dollars.
Asa subject upon which depends aa
immense amount of the production and
commerce of the couutry, I recommend
to Congress such legislation as mav be
necessary for the preservation of the
levees of the Mississippi riVer. It is a
a matter of national importance that
early steps should be taken not only to
add to the efficiency of these barriers
against destructive inundations, but for
the removal of all obstructions to the
free and safe navigation of that great
channel of trade and commerce.
The District of Columbia, under ex*
isting laws, is not entitled To that repre
sentation in tbe National Councils which)
from our earliest history, has been
uniformly accorded to each Territory
established from time to time within
our limits. It maintains peculiar rela
tions to Congress, to whom the Consti
tution has granted the power of exer
cising exclusive legislation over the seat
of goverument. Our fellow-citizens re
siding in the District, whose interests
are thus confided to the special guard
ianship of Congress, exceed in number
the population of several of our Territo
ries, and no just reason is perceived why
a delegate of their choice should not be
admitted to a seat in the House of
Representatives. No mode stems so
appropriate and effectual of enabling
them to make known their peculiar
condition and wants, and of securing
she local legislation adapted to them, I
therefore recommend the passage of a
law authorizing the electors of the
District of Columbia to choose a dele
gate, to be allowed the same rights aud
privileges as a delegate representing a
Territory. The increasing enterprise
and rapid progress of improvement in
the District are highly gratifying, and I
trust that the efforts of the municipal
authorities to promote the prosperity of
the national metropolis will receive the
efficient and generous cooperation of
Congress.
The report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture reviews the operations of his
Department during the past year, and
asks the aid of Congress in its efforts to
encourage’those States which, scourged
by war, are now earnestly engaged in
the reorganization of domestic industry.
It is a subject of congratulation that
no foreign combinations against our
domestic peace and safety, or our legiti
mate influence among the nations, have
been formed or attempted. While sen
timents of reconciliation, loyaltv, ami
patriotism, have increased at home, a
more just consideration of our national
character and rights has been mani
fested by foreign nations.
The entire success of the Atlantic
Telegraph between the coast of Ireland
and the Province of Newfoundland, is.
an achievement which has been justly
celebrated in both hemispheres as the
opening of an era in the progress of
civilization. There is reason to expect
that equal success will attend, and even
greater results follow, the enterprise for
connecting the two Continents through
the Pacific Ocean by the projected line
of telegraph between Kamschatka and
the Russian possessions in America.
The resolution of Congress protesting
against pardons by foreign Governments
of persons convicted of infamous of
fences on condition of emigration to
our country, has been communicated to
the States with which we maintain in'
tercourse, and the practice, so justly
the subject of complaint on our part,
has not been renewed.
The congratulations of Congress to
the Emperor of Russia, upon his escape
from attempted assassination, have been
presented to that humane and enlight
ened ruler, and received bv him with
expressions of grateful appreciation.
The Executive, warned of an attempt
by Spanish American adventurers to
induce the emigration of freedmen ot
the United States to a foreign country,
protested against the project ns one
which, if consummated, would reduce
them to a bondage even more oppressive
than that from which they have just
been relieved. Assurance has been
received from the Government of tlie
State iu which the plau was matured,