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J. W. BURKE & CO.
Georgia JoipaUt Messenger,
J. W. IS I tu<4: ,fcl^|kl*roprJetor*.
A . W.
s. nosn, 1
irtlKS OF 81 BWRIPTID*.
daily.
Ten dollars {h • mnura.
g Five dollars for t x mon.hs.
: rivo lolUrs and llay cents for three months.
One dollar for four mouths.
WMKKLY.
three dollars per annum.
Oue dollar pul fitly ceuis for six months.
One doliae for four months.
J. W. BURKE & tO
THURSDAY, DEO. 10, 1868.
fiOV. HILLOCK'S \TTITtJDB TOWARD
OROKUIA.
We are very sure that every sincere
well wisher to our State and its best inter
ests, will regret the position assumed by
Gov. Bullock with reference to the qoes
tion whether or hot the present status of
Georgia as a member of the Federal Union,
f .all be made the subject of farther legis
w ,‘ion. Os the Governor's motives we I
Small not speak, here. A discussion ‘of j
• (Hat jmint can do no good, now, when it;
is so very important that there shall be
perfect ,quiet and calm, and that the
plain truth as to our condition, tem
per, and purposes shall be made known.
We should dislike, exceedingly, to think j
that Gov. B. was so weak or so malicious j
as to be willing, for motives of revenge, j
or to secure a petty partisan triumph, to,
re-open wounds that are rapidly heating, !
and blow into a flame, fires that are fast i
beginning to smoulder and die away. In ]
any criticism we may make, then, of his
course, we shall strive to avoid even the
appearance of passion, or of an intention to
excite it in others.
11 is our right and our duty, however, to
protect against and condemn, in as strong
language as the restraints of decorum
will allow, any act or words, by any man,
high or low, that we deem calculated to
produce the deplorable results referred to
above, and which, in our judgment, are un
just and unfounded in fact. Such we con
sider Gov. Bullock’s position and declara
tions with reference to Georgia, lie lias
allowed biuiseli to become separated from
the wiser and more moderate wing of his
party on this question, and to be driven
into alliance with the worst and most vin
dictive men in the .State. With all their
aims amt desires we cannot believe he
sympathizes, but in this issue, the most
important to the people of Georgia, he
certainly is giving them most powei'ul
aid. The men with whom he so unfortu
nately’ and erroneously co-operates, do not
desire either peace or good will among our
people. They would reduce Georgia to the
condition of Tennessee or Arkansas if
they could, and so that their pockets were
tilled, care not for other consequences.
Their desire is for a government of the
sword, and not of nd for the people; a gov
ernment whose sign is blood and ruin, and
whose end will he speedy and utter de
struction to our every interest, social, po
litical and material. Gov. Bullock must
know tli n. as "“H as the people do,
at kuo'wieit, * tf 4 F else, it
seer o us, should make him suspicious
rri me bonditlon of affairs
which lie represents as so deplorable, we
have no hesitation in saying that he either
grossly blunders, or lias been most griev
ously deceived, He must know that iris
charges against the people of Georgia are
greatly exaggerated, to say the ltast ol it.
He is obliged to know that if there is any
one sentiment now dominant in Georgia
among all classes, it is that of an earnest
and siucere desire for peace and good will.
He speaks of dangers to life and property,
but lie fails to cite tacts, or enumerate
cases to sustain his declarations. The
quiet and order now prevailing through
our borders; the kindly relations existing
between the two races: and their evident
intention, as shown by practical works to
co operate heartily in building up aud re
storing the prosperity of the Mate, is the
most emphatic answer to bis allegations.
Georgia is as much a State of the Ameri
can Uuiou to-day as New York. Her le
cohsti uetion is tin fait accompli , which
Gov. B. lias himself recognized by many
and most conclusive acts. He holds his
office l>y virtue of such recognition.
Why then this seemingly deliberate \
etlbrt to undo all that lias been doue, and
bring to life all the passions and evils of j
the past? Wo demaiui in the name of the
people of Georgia, that Gov. B. shali lake
beed to these thiDgs, and their inevitable
consequences. V\e ask it of him, both as
a man aud an official. If he spurns our
advice, and despises our appeal, we ahull ,
have nei her difficulty nor scruple in
putting on record where the blame for
a neb refusal aud its possible consequences,
will most surely rest.
Tl.o Railroads.
It lu ay be a matter of interest to some of our
readers to know that uu election for President and
Directors of tho Columbia aud Augusta Railroad
resulted in the choice of Col. W. Johnston, of
Charlotte, as President, with Can, Wade Hampton,
L. 1), Childs. J. G. Gtbbca, "Ed. Hope tod It. W.
Johnston, of Colombia; Vsul (Juattlabaum, of
Lexington; Edward Tiiomas, Josiah Sibley, H. F.
Russell, (Mayor), John J. Cohen, G. F. Jatksou,
of Augusta, the Hoard for tile ensuing year. The
proposition for consolidation with the Charlotte
and South Carolina Railroad Companies was favor
ably received, but actiou thereon deferred.
The stockholders of the F.a»t Tennessee end
Virginia Railroad (from Bristol to Knoxville) have
consolidated the management of this road with that
..f the East Tennessee aud •corgis {from Kuoxville
to Chattanooga) by electing the President of the
tatter, Col. Thomas H. Callaway, aaid the Superin
tendent, Maj. K. C. Jackson, to till the »amo office*
iu the former.
It is of decided interest to both dealers and con
sumers to know that freight* on apples, onions and
potatoes liuve been reduced to $1 per barrel, oier
the Western & Atlantic Railroad from Chattanooga
and stations ou the road, to Savannah and Charles
ton, and to seventy-live seats per bairsl to Maeon
ami Augusta. Old rates wers about twenty per
cent, higher. Loeal freights have been likewise
reduced—from seventy to thirty-three cents per
hundred. We are glad to know that the result of
this red net ion lias been a large and increasing
business to the rood, as well as a decided good to
the puWle,
-
Klhotpin ok Pkukkbsouk.— 'The Beard
of Trustees of the University of Georgia,
at ilk session yesterday, iu this city, made
the following elections; Anew Chair,
that of History and Political Science,
was created, aud Hon. A. H. Stephens
selected to fill It. .Major Charles Morris,
late Professor in William and Mary Col
lege, Va., was elected Professor of Belles
Letters and Oratory; aud Mr. M. J. Smead,
of Montgomery, Ala., Professor of M ml
- Languages. The election of Adjunct
Professor of Ancient Languages was post
poned till the next regular session of the
Board, in August, 1869 The Board ad
journed last night.
—Rev. f. B. Hopkins, of Augusta, has
been elected Adjunct Professor of Natural
Bcience, at-Emory Goliege, in tuts State.
—Mr. William Bird, the oldest inhab
itant of Hancock county, died in that
county ou the 28lh uit.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.
Washington, Dec. 9, isos.
; lelLno-CUiaut* of the Senate
-and Haase of Itepreie/Uatuvji :
Up >n tile reassembling of Congress, it
again becomes my duty to call your a ten
| tion to the state of tho Uniou, aud to its
i continued disorganized condition under
1 the various laws which have been passed
upon the subject of reconstruction. It
may be safely assumed as an axiom
l in Die government of States, that
’ the greatest wrongs inflicted upon a
1 jieople are caused by unjust and arbitrary
; legislation, or by T the unrelenting decrees
| of despotic rulers, aud that the timely
1 revocation of injurious and oppressive
measures are the grea est good that can be
c onferred upon a nation. The legislator
or ruler who has the wisdom and magna
nimity to retrace his steps when convinced
of error, will sooner or later be rewarded
with the respect and gratitude of an in
telligent and patriotic people. Our own
history, although emit racing a period less
than a century, affords abundant proof
. ik,d pjpxt if not nil of domestic trouble,,
are directly traceable to violations <>/ the
organic taw and excessive legislation. The
most striking illustrations of this fact are
furnished by the enactments of the past
three years upon the question of recon
struction. After a fair trial, they have
substantially failed, and proved per
nicious in their results, and there seems
to be no good reason why they should lon
ger remain upon the statute book. States
to which the Constitution guarantees
a republican form of government have
been reduced to military dependencies, in
each of whicti the people have been made
subject to the arbitrary will of the Com
manding General. Although the Consti
tution deciar s that each State shall tie rep
resented in Congress, Virginia, Mississippi
and Texas are yet excluded from the two
Houses, aud contrary to the express pro
vision of that instrument, were denied
participation in the recent election for a
President and Vice President of the United
States. The attempt to place tho white
people’under the dominion of persons of
color in the South, has impaired, if not
destroyed, the kindly relations that had
previously existed between them, and mu
tual distrust has engendered a feeling of
animosity which, lead ingin some instances
10 coili-ioti and bloodshed, has prevented
that co operation between the two races so
essential to the success of industrial enter
prises in the Southern States. Nor have
the inhabitants of those States alone suf
fered from the disturbed condition of affairs
growing out of these Congressional enact
ments. Tiie entire Union has been agita
ted by grave apprehension of troubles
which might again involve the peace of
the nation. Its interests have been in
juriously affected by the derangement of
business aud labor, and the consequent
want of prosperity throughout that
portion of the country. The Federal
Constitution, tlie Magna Charta of
American rights under whose wise
and salutary provisions we have suc
cessfully conducted all our domestic
and foreign affairs, sustained our
selves in peace and in war, arid become a
great nation among the powers of the
earth, must assuredly be now adequate to
the settlement of questions growing out
of the civil war waged alone for its viudi
cation. This great fact is made most
manifest by the condition of the country.
When Congress assembled in the mouth
of December, 1865, civil strife had ceased;
tiie spirit of rebellion bad spent its entire
force. In the Southern States the people
hud warmed into national life, and
throughout the whole country a healthy
re-.’tion in public seating,.i’ had take!,
place. By the application of tne simple"
vet effective provisions of the Constily-*'
ffmi.xTK Mx ('tit ! ■ partihent. With the '
voluntary aid of the States had brought
the wor>< of restoration as near comple
tion as was within tiie scope of its author- |
ity, and tiie nation was encouraged by the
prospect of an early and satisfactory ad
justment of ail its difficulties, Congress,
however, intervened, and refusing to per
fect the work so nearly consummated, de
clined to admit members from the unrep
resented States, adopted a series of meas
ures which arrested ttie progress of resto
ration, frustrated all tnat had been so suc
cessfully accomplished, and, after three
years of agitation and strife, has left the
country farther from the attainment of
union and fraternal feeling thau at tiie
inception of tiie Congressional plan of
reconstruction, ft needs no argument to
show that legislation which lias produced
such baneful consequences should be ab
rogated, or else made to conform to the
genuine principles of Republican govern
ment, Under the influence of party pas
sion and sectional prejudices, other acts
have been passed not warranted by the
Constitution. Congress has already been
made familiar with my views respecting
the Tenure-of-office bill. Experience has
proved that its repeal is demanded by tiie
best interests of the country; and that
while it remains in force the President
cannot enjoin that rigid accountability of
public affaire so essential to an honest and
efficient execution of the laws. Its revo
cation would enable the Executive De
partment to exercise the (towerof appoint
ment and removal in accordance with the
I original design of the Federal Constitu-
tion.
The act of March 22d, 1807, making ap
propriations for the support of the army
lor the year ending June 80th, 1868, and
fur other purposes, contains provisions
which interfere with the President’s Con
stitutional functions as com i auder-in
chief of the army, and deny to States of
the Union the right to protect themselves
by means of their own militia. These
provisions should tie at once annuled;
for, wh le the first might, iu times of great
emergency, seriously embarrass the Exec
utive in his efforts to employ and direct
the common strength of the nation for its
protection and preservation, the other is j
contfary to the express declaration of the :
Constitution, that “a well regulated miti- |
iia is necessary to the safety of a free |
Mtate; that the right of the people to keep
and bear arms shall not be infringed." It -
is believed that ttie repeal of at! such laws J
would be accepted by the American peo
ple as at least a partial return to the funda
mental principles of the Government, and
an indication that hereafter the Constitu
tion is to be made ttie nation’s safe and
unerring guide. They can be productive
of no permanent benefit to the coun
try, and should not be permitted to
stand as so many monuments of the
deficient wisdom which has characterized
our recent legislation.
The condition of our finances demands
ttie early and earnest consideration of
Congress. Compared with the growth of
our population, ttie public expenditures
have reached an amount unprecedented in
our history. The population of the United
States in 179 b was nearly four millions
of people, increasing each decade about
thirty-three tier cent. It reached in 1860
thlrty-oiie millions, au increase of seven
hundred percent.on the population of 1790.
In 1869 it estimate.l that it will reach thirty
eight millions, an iucrease of eight hun
dred and sixty eight per cent, in seventy
nine years. The annual expenditures of
Hie Federal Government iu 1791 were five
million- two hundred thousand dollars. In
1H«0 eighteen millions two hundred thou
sand dollars. I u 1830 forty one millions.
In 1860 sixty-three millions. In 1805
luutTy thirteen hundred millions; and
in 1869 it is estimated by the Secretary
ot the Treasury, in his last annual report,
that they will be three liuudred and
seventy-two millions. By comparing the
public disbursements of 1860, as estimated
; with those of 1791, it will Vie seen that the
i iucrease of expenditures since the begin-
I ning of tile G overnment has been eight
! thousand six liuudred and eighteen per
! centum, while the increase of the popula
i tion for the 8; me period was only eight
I hundred add sixty eight per centum.
Again—the expenses of the Government
| in 1860, the year of peace, immediately
preceding the war, were only sixty-three
millions, while iu 1869, the year of peace,
! three yt ars after the war, it is estimated
! they will be three hundred and seventy
i two millions, an increase of four hundred
and eighty-nine per centum, while the
increase of population was only tweuty
one per centum for the sense period. These
statistics further show, that iu 1791 the
annual national expenses compared with
the population were little more than one
dollar per capita, and in 1860 but two dol
lars per capita, while in 1869 they will reach
the extravagant sum of nine dollars and
seventy,eight cents per capita. It will be
observed that all these statements refer to
aud exhibit the disbursements of peace
periods. It may, therefore, be of interest
to compare the expenditures of tiie three
war periods—the war with Great Britain,
the Mexican war, aud the war of the Re
bellion. In 1814, the annual expenses of
the war of 18111 reached their highest
amouut—about thirty-onemillions—while
our population slightly exceeded eight
millions, showing an expenditure of only
three dollars aud eighty ceuts per capita.
In 1847, the expenditures growing out of
the war with Mexico reached ninety live
millions, and the population about twenty
one millions, giving only two dollars and
sixty cents per capita for the war expenses
of that year. In 1865, theexpenses called
for by the Rebellion readied the vast
amount of twelve hundred aud ninety
millions, which, compared with a popula
tion of thirty four millions, gives thirty
eight dollars'and twenty cents per capita.
From the fourth day of March, 1814,
to the thirtieth of June. 1861, the
eutire expenditures of the Government
were seventeen hundred millions of do!- !
iars. During that period we were engaged
in ware with Great Britain and Mexico,
aud were Involved in hostilities with pow
erful Indian tribes Louisiana was par
chased from I'Tauem» at a cost of i
million dollars ; Florida was ceded to the
United States by Spain for five millions;
California was acquired from Mexico for !
fifteen mil ions; and the Territory of New
Mexico was übtaim and from Texas for the
sum of ton mil ions. Early in 1861 the wvr
of the rebellion commenced, and from the
tirst of July of that year, to the 30th of
June, 1865, tiie public expenditures reached
the enormous aggregate of thirty-three
hundred millions.
Three years of peace have intervened,
and during that time the disbursements
of the Government have successively been
five hundred and twenty millions, three
hundred aud fifty-six millions, and three
hundred and ninety-three millions. Ad
ding lo these amounts three huudred and
seventy-two millions, estimated as neces
sary for the fiscal year ending the thirtieth
of June, 1869, we obtain a total expendi
ture of sixteen hundred millions of dol
lars during the five years immediately
succeeding the war, or nearly as much as
was expended during the sev nty-two
years that [(receded tiie rebellion, and
embraced the extraordinary expenditures
already named. These startling facts
clearly illustrate the necessity of retrench
ment in all branc les of the public service.
Abuses which were tolerated during the
war for the [(reservation of the nation will
not be endured by the peope now that
peace prevails. The receipts from Inter
nal Revenue# and Customs have, cjurlng
the past three years, gradually diminish
ed, and the continuance of useless and ex
travagant expenditures will involve us in
national bankruptcy.or else make inevita
ble an increase of taxes, already too oner
ous, and in many respects obnoxious on
account of their inquisitorial character.
One hundred millions annually are ex
pended for the military force, u large por
tion of which is employed ill the execu
tion of laws, noth unnecessary and uncon
stitutional ■ one hundred and fifty millions
are required each year to [(ay tiie interest
on the public dent; an army of tax gath
erers Impoverishes the nation, and public
agents, placed by Congress, beyond tln
control of the Executive, divest from
their legitimate purposes large sum# ot
money which they collect from the peo
ple in tiie name of the Government.
Judiclous legis ation and prod -nt economy
can alone remedy defect# and avert evils
which, if suffered to exist, cannot fail to
dirniuish con tide nee in the people u»» ards
their political institutions. \\ ithout
proper care, the small balance which u is
estimated wilt remain in the Treasury at
the done of the present fiscal year, will
, a oe real*zed, and additional millions be
added to a debt which is now counted by
ii i~n ii . iHdpti 11 im 1 11,1 ... ji ; uUk[ mui
comprehensive report of tile secretary of
the Treasury that
The receipts for the fiscal year ending Jane
30th, 1368. were $405.01 5.08-1. Hie expendi
tures for the same period were >377.340.284.
leaving in the Treasury a surplus of $3*.*397.-
708. It is estimated that tiie receipts during
the year ending June 40th. 1800. will be $341,-
394.868, and th«* expenditures $5:56,155,170,
showing a small balance of 85,240 388 in favor
of the Government. D is estimated that 1
receipts will amount to *387,000,090, and the
expenditures to 4 503.nt(0.0(H), leaving an esti
mated surplus of <*34.000,000. It becomes
proper, in this connection, to make a brief
reference to our public indebtedness, which has
accumulated w itli such alarming rapidity, and
assumed such colossal proportions. In 1780,
when the Government commenced operations
under the Federal Constitution, it was bur
dened with an indebtedness of seventy-four
millions of dollars, accrued during tiie war of
j the Revolution. This amount had been re
duced to forty-five millions of dollars, when.
I in 181*5. war was declared against Great Britain.
The three year.-’ struggle that followed largely
increased the national obligations, and in 1816
they had attained the sum of one hundred and
twenty-seven millions. Wise and economical
legislation, however, enabled the Government
to pay the entire amount within a period of
twenty years, and the extinguishment of the
National debt filled the land with rejoicing, and
was one of the great events of President Jack
son's administration. After its redemption a
large fund remained in the Treasury, which was
deposited for safe keeping with the several
States on condition that it should lie returned
when required by ttie public wants. In 1849,
the year after the termination of an expensive
war with Mexico, we found ourselves involved
in a debt of sixty-four millions, and this was
the amount owed by the Government in 1860,
just prior lo the rebellion. In the spring of
1861 our civil war commenced. Each year of
its continuance made an enormous addition to
the debt, and when in the spring of I*os tho
nation successfully emerged from tho conflict,
the obligations of the Government had reached
the immense sum of 82.878,962.909. The Sec
retary of the Treasury shows that on the first
day of November, 1867. this amount had been
reduced to 82,491.504,452, but at the same
time his report exhibits an increase during the
past year of *36.625,10*2 fur the debt. On the
first ilay of November last it is stated to have
been $2,527,129,562. It is estimated by the
Secretary that the returns for the pa-t month
will add to our liabilities the further sum of
$11,000,000, making a total increase during
thirteen months of $46,500.000. in my mes
sage to Congress, of December 4th, 1865, it
was suggested that a policy should lie devised
which, without being oppressive to the people,
would at once begin to effect a reduction of the
debt, and if persisted in, discharge it fully
within a definite number of years. The Sec
retary of the Treasury forcibly recommends
legislation of this character, aud justly urges
that the longer it is deferred the more difficult
must become its accomplishment. We should
follow the wise precedents established in 1789
and 1810, aud without further delay make pro
vision for the payment of our obligations alas
early a period as may be practicable. Tho
fruits of their labors should tic enjoyed bv our
citizens, rather than used to build up and sus
tain monied monopolies in our own and other
lands. Our foreign debt is already computed
by the Secretary of the Treasury at $850,000,-
000. Citizens of foreigu countries receive in
terest upon a large portion of qur securities,
and American tax-payers are made to con
tribute large sums for their support. The idea
that such a debt is to become permanent should
he at all times discarded as involving taxation
too heavy to be borne, and payment once in
every sixteen years, at the present rate of in
terest, of an amount equal to the original sum.
This vast debt, if permitted to become perma
nent and increasing, must eventually he gath
ered into the hands of a few, and enable them
to exert a dangerous and controlling power in
the affairs of the Government. The borrow
ers would become servants to the lenders. The
lenders the masters of the people.
We now pride ourselves upon having
given freedom lo lour millions of the col
ored race. It will then be our shame that
forty millions of people, by their own tol
eration of usurpation and profligacy, have
suffered themselves to becomeensiaved, aud
| merely exchanged slave-owners for new
j task-masters iu the shape of bondholders
\ aud tax-gatiierers. Besides, permanent
debts pertairito monarchical governments,
and, tending to monopolies, perpetuities
and class legislation, are tota ly irrecon
cilable with free institutions. Introduced
into our republican system, they would
gradually but surely sap its foundations,
eventually subvert our governmental fain
rio, aud erect upon its ruins a monied aris
tocracy. it is our sacred duty to transmit
unimpaired to our posterity the blessings
of liberty, which were bequeathed to us by
the founders of the Republic, aud, by our
MACON, GA„ TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1868.
example, teach those who are to follow us
carefully to avoid the danger# which
threaten a free and independent people.
Various plans have been proposed for the
payment of the public debt. However
they may have varied as to the time and
mode in which it should be redeemed,
there seems to lie a general concurrence
as to the propriety and justness of a re
duction in the present rale of interest.
The Secretary of the Treasury, in his
report, recommends five per cent. Con
gress. in a tiiil passed prior to its adjourn
menton the 27tli of Julv last, agreed upon
four and four and a half per cent., while,
by many, three per cent, has been held to
bean amply suttloient return forthe invest
ment The general impression as to tiie
extinction of the existiug rute of inter
est has ted to an inquiry ill the public
mind respecting the consideration which
the Government has actually received tor
its bonds, and t.be conclusion is becoming
prevalent that the amount which it ob
tained was, in real mouev, three or tour
hundred per cent less than the obliga
tions which it issued in return. Itcannot
be denied that we are paying an extrava
gant percentage tor the use of the money
borrowed, which was paper currency,
greatly depreciated below the value of
coin. This fact is made a;'parent when
we consider that bondholders receive
from the Treasury upon each dollar
they own in Government securities, 1
ai« |H.r wit. I»» #«W, "'•Oh •• SVmtj
or quite equal to nine |ier cent, iu curren
cy. That tiie bonds are then converted
into capital for the National Banks, upon
which these institutions issue their circu
lation, bearing six [ier cent, interest, and
that they are exempt from taxation by tiie
Government and the States, and thereby
enhanced two |ier <ent. in tiie bands of
tho holders. We thus have an aggregate
of seventeen per ceu\, which may be re
ceived upon each dollar by the owners of
government securities. A system that :
prodaces such result# is justly regarded as
favoring a few at the expense of the many,
aud has led to the further inquiry whether
our bondholders, in view of the lurge
profits which they have enjoyed, would
themselves be averse to a settlement of
our indebtedness, upon a plan which
would yield them a fair remuneration, and
at tiie same time be just to the tax-payers
of the nation. Our national credit should
lie sacredly observed ; but in making pro
vision for our creditors we should not for
get what ia due to the masses of the people.
It may be assumed that the holders of mir #e
carities have already received upon their bonds
u larger amount than their original investment,
measured by a gold standard. I pou this state
ment of tacts, it would seem but just and equit
able that the six per ecut. interest, now paid
by the Government, should he applied to the
reduction of the principal, in semi-annual in
stallments, which in sixteen years and eight
mouths would liquidate tue entire national debt.
Six per cent, in gold would, ut present rates,
be equal to nine per cent, in currency, and
equivalent to the payment of the debt one and
a half time# in a fraction leas than seventeen
years. This, in connection with all the other
advantages derived from their investment,
would afford to the public creditors a fair and
liberal compensation for the use of their
capital; and with this they should be satisfied.
j lie lesson# of the past, admonish the
lender that It is not well to be over anxious
in e• acting from the borrower, rigid com
pliance with th - letter of the bond. If
provision be mad ) for tbe payment of the
indebtedness of tiie Government in the
manner suggested, our nation will rapid
ly recover its wonted prosperity. It# in
terests require that some measure should
be taken to release the large amount of
capital laves ted in the se-untie# of the
Government, it is not now merely un
productive, in taxation, annually con
sumes one hundred and iifty million* of
dollars, which Would otlierwi.se iwu- sl
by our enterprising people in adding to
the wealth of the nation. Our commerce,
which atone time successfully rivaled that
of tbe great mu ratine powers, has rapidly
diminished,and our industrial interest# are
in a depressed and languishing con
dition. The development of our in*
twnufll ••• ■ •> <t- - rt»-.
the fertile fields of ttie South are becoming
waste for want of means to till them.
With the release of capital, new 1 fe
would be infused into tin- paralyzed ener
gies of our people, and ctivity and vigor
imparted to every branch of industry.
Our people need encouragement in their
efforts to recover from he effects of the
rebellion and of injudicious legislation,
and it should be the aim of tiie Govern
ment to s.imuiate them »y the prospect of
an early release from ti e burdens which
impede their prosperity. If we cannot
I take the burden# from their shoulders,
we should at least inarjiie.-t a willingness
help to Gear them.
In referring to the condition of the circu
lating medium, 1 shall merely reiterate
substantially that portion of my last an
nual mes-age which relates to that subject.
The proportion winch the currency of j
any country should have to the whole
value of the annual produce circulated by
its means, is a question upon which politi
cal economists have not agreed. Nor can j
it i>e controlled by legislation, but must j
be left to ttie inviolable laws which every- j
where reguate commerce anil trade. The '
circulating medium will ever irresistibly
flow to those points where it is in greatest
demand. The law of demand and supply ■
is as unerring as that which regulates the
tides of the ocean ; and indeed currency, ;
like the tid j s, ha it ebbs and flows
throughout the commercial world.
At the beginning of the rebellion, 1
the bank note circulation of the coun
try amounted to not much more than
two hundred millions of dollars. Now.
the circulation of national bank notes, and
those known as legal tender, is nearly sev
en hundred millions. While it is urged
by some that tins amount should be in
creased, others contend that a decided re
duction is absolutely essential to the best
interests of the country In view of these
diver.-ieopinions, it may be well to ascer
tain the real value of our paper issues
when compared with a metallic or con
vertible currency. For this purpose let
us inquire how much gold and silver could
be purchased by the seven hundred mil
lions of paper money now in circulation.
Probably not more than half tlie amount of
latter, showing that when our paper currency is
compared with gold anil silver, its commercial
value is compressed into three hundred
and fifty millions. This striking fact makes it
the obvious duty of the Government, ns early as
may be consistent with the principles of sound
political economy, to take such measures a?
will enable the holder of its notes, and those of
the National Banks, to convert them without
loss into specie, or its equivalent. A reduction j
of our paper circulating medium need not ne- |
cessarilv follow : this, however, would depend i
upon the law of demand and supply, although ;
it should be borne in mind that by making legal j
tender and bank notes couvertable into coin, or j
its equivalent, their present specie value in the j
hands of their holders would be enhanced one j
hundred per cent. Legislation for the accomp- \
lishment of a result so desirable is demanded j
by the highest public considerations. The ;
Constitution contemplates that the circulating
medium of the country shall be uniform in
quality and value. At tho time of the forma
tion of that instrument, the country had just
emerged from the war of the Revolution and
was suffering from the effects of a redundant
and worthless paper currency.
The suites of that period were anxious
to protect their posterity from the evils
which they, themselves, had experienced;
hence, iu providing a circulating meilium,
they conferred upon Congress ttie power
to coin money and regulate the value
thereof, at the same time prohibiting ttie
states from making anything but gold
and silver a tender in payment of debts.
The anomalous condition of our cur
rency is in striking contrast with that
which was originally designed. Our cir
culation now embraces: first, notes of
the national banks, which are made re
ceivable for all dues to the Government,
excluding imposts, aud by all its credi
tors, excepting in payment of interest
upon its bond-, aud the securities them
selves ; secoud, legal tender notes issued
by the United .States, and which the law
requires shall be received as well in pay
ment of all debts between citizens as of
all Government dues, excepting im
posts; ami third, gold aud silver coin.
By the operation of our preseut sys
tem of fianance, however, the metallic
currency, when collected, is reserved only
for one class of Government creditors,
who, holding its bonds, semi annually
receive their interest in coin from the na
liouai treasury. Thereiano reason which
will be accepted as satisfactory by the
people, why those who defend us on the
laud and protect us on tho sea: the pen
sioner upon the gratitude of the nation,
bearing tb l f-ars* and wounds received
while itt UrSelylfßf the public servants
t in the various departments of the Govern
ment; the farmer, who supplies the sol
-1 diers of the army and the sailor# of tiie
j navy ; ttie artisan, who toils iu ttie ua
lion’s work ; bops or the mechanics and
| laborers who build its edifice# and
j construct its forts and vessels of war,
I should, in payment of their just and
hard earned dues, receive depreciated
[ia[K)r, whileanother class of their coun
trymen, no acre deserving, arc paid in
coin of gold md silver. Equal amt exact
justice requties that all the creditors of the
Government ilpiuid be paid ill a currency
possessing a uniform value. This can
only he accoropliahed by the restoration
of the currency to tbe standard established
, by the Gone itution ; and by this means
we would remove a discrimination which
may, if it ha.- not already done so, create
a prejudice that may become deep-rooted
atid wide-sprt ad, and imperil the national
credit. Tbe feasibility of making our cur
rency correspond with tiie Constitutional
stamlaid, may be seen by reference to a
few facts derived from oar commercial
statistics. Tbe aggregate product of pre
cious metals ia the United States, from
1849 to 1867, .-.mounted to $1,174,000000,
while for the same period the net exports
of specie were $741,000,000. This shows
an excess of moduct over net exports of
4-;:$ non (>•--. «t »««« are in tho Treasury
in , , •»■>. «.n IT|
the Htaics on the Pacifiic coast, about
$40,000,000, and a few millions in tiie Na
tional and other hanks—in all less than
$l6O/100,000. Taking into consideration
the specie iu the country prior to 1849,
and that produced since 1867, and we have
more than $300,090,000 not accounted for
tiy exportation or by ttie returns of the
Treasury, and therefore most probably
remaining in the country. These are
important facts, and show how completely
the inferior currency will supercede the
better, forcing it from circulation among
tiie masses and causing it to t>e exported
as a mere article of trade, to add to ttie
money capital of foreign lands. They
show the necessity of retiring our paper
money that tiie return of g id and silver
to the avenues of trade may be invited,
aod a demand created which wi I cause
the retention at home of at least so much
of the production# of our rich and inex
baiistible “gold-bearing tieids as may be
sufficient for purpose# of circulation. It
is unreasonable to expect a return to a
sound currency so brig as the government
and bank#, by continuing to is«ue irre
deemabl • notes, till the channels nf circu
lation with depreciated paper. Notwith
standing a coinage by our mints since
1849, of $874,000/100, the jieople are now
stranger# to ttie currency whicti was
designed for their use and benefit, arid
(specimen# of the precious metals bearing tbe
national device# are seldom seen, except when
produced to gratify the interest excised by their
novelty. If depreciated paper is to he con
tinue 1 as the permanent currency of the coun
try. and ail oircoin is to become a mere article
of traffic and speculation, to the enhancement
in [trice of all that is indispensable to the com
fort of the people, it would be wise economy to
abolish our mints, thus saving the nation the
care and expense incident to such establish
ments. and let all our precious metal# Ik- ex
ported in bullion. The time ha-, cotne. how
ever, when the Government and National Banks
should lie required to take the most efficient
stejjs, and make all necessary arrangements for
a resumption of specie payments. Let specie
payments once be earnestly inaugurated by the
Government and banks, and the value of the
paper circulation would directly approximate a
specie standard. Specie payments having been
resumed by the Government aud hanks, ail notes
or hills of paper issued by either, of a less de
nomination than twenty dollars, should by law
be excluded from circulation, so that th<- peo
ple may have the benefit and convenience of a
gold and silver currency, which in ail t heir btisi
ne#* transaction# will be uniform in value, at
home and abroad. Every man of property, or
industry, every man who desires to preserve
what he honestly possesses, or to obtain what
he can honestly earn, has a direct interest in
maintaining a Safe circulating median : such A
Xl>V . i l},
be blown up ut ’flu'-* »*rTiy the breath’of
speculation. bus% he tPfaostable and secure. A
disordered currency i# one of the greatest polit
ical evils—it nnderiAi ties the virtue# accessary
for the support of the social system and encour
age# thing-: iniuriou- t-- it : it war# against
industry, frugality and economy, and it
iosteis tiie evil sj iritsoi extravagance and
speculation. It lias been asserted by oue
of our profound and most gifted statesmen.
Unit of all ttie contrivance# for cheating
the laboring classes of mankind, none
have been more effectual than that which
de odes them with paper money. This is
the most effectual of inventions Id fore
close the rich man’s fields by tbe sweat of
tbe poor man’# brow. Ordinary tyranny,
oppression, excessive taxation —these bear
lightly ori tbe hnppiiies# of the mass of
the community, computed with u fraudu
ent currency, and the robberies commit
ted by depreciated paper. Our own histo
ry has recorded for our instruction enough,
and more than enough, of the demoralizing
tendency,the injustice, and the intolerable |
oppression on the virtuous and well dis
posed, of a degraded paper currency, au
lhorized by law or in any way countenanc
ed by Government It is one of the most
successful devices, in times of peace or war,
ot expansions or revut ions, to accomplish
the transfer of all the precious metals from
tiie great mass of the people into the hands
of the few, where they are hoarded iu se
cret places, or deposited under twits and
bars, while tlse people are left to endure
alt ttie inconveniences, sacrifices and de
moralization resulting from the use of de
preciated and worthless paper.
The Secretary of the interior, In his re
port, lias valuable information in refer
ence to the interests confided to the super
vision of his department and reviews tho
operations of the Land Oilice, Pension Of
fice, Patent O tice, ami the liidiau Bureau.
During the fiscal year ending June 30th,
181*8, 6.665,700 acres of public land were
disposed of. The entire cash receipts of
tiie general laud otfiee for the same period,
were $1,682,745, being greater by $284,868
than tiie amount realized from the same
sources during the previous year. The
entries ui tier the homestead law cover
2,828,923 acres, nearly one-fourth of which
was taken under the act of June 21, 1806,
savhich applies only to the $ tales of Ala
bama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas
and Florida.
On the 30th of June, 1868, one hundred
and sixty-nine thousand six hut dred Und
forty-three names were%orlie on the pen
sion rolls, and during the year ending that
day the total amount paid for pensions,
including the expenses of disbursement,
was $24,000,982 greater than that ex pen a
nd ed for like purposes during the preceding
: year. Durftig the year ending the3oth of
.September last, the expenses of the l’a
-1 tent Office exceeded tiie receipts by one
hundred and seventy-one dollars; and in
j eluding re-issues and designs, fourteen
! thousand one hundred and fifty-three pa-
I tents were issued.
Treaties with various Indian tribes
have been concluded, and will be submit
ted to the Senate for its constitutional ac
tion. I cordially sanction tiie stipulations
which provide for reserving lands for the
various tribes, where they may be encour
aged to abandon their nnipadic habits, and
engage in agricultural and Industrial pur
suits. This policy, inaugurated many
years since, has met with signal success
whenever it has been pursued in good
faith aud will) becoming liberality by the
United States. The necessity for extend
ing it as far as practicable in our relations
with the aboriginal population, is greater
now than at any preceding period. Whilst
we furnish subsistence aud instruction to
tiie Indians, and guarantee the undisturb
ed enjoyment of their treaty rights, we
should habitually insist upon the faithful
observance of tlieir agreement to remain
within their respective reservations. This
is the otilv mode by which collisions with
other tribes and with the whites can be
avoided, and the safety of our frontier set
tlements secured.
The companies constructing the railway from
Omaha to Sacramento have been most ener
getically engaged in the prosecution of the work,
and i: is believed that the lino will be com
pleted before the expiration of the next fiscal
year. The six per cent, bonds issued to tlve.se
companies amounted, on tiie sth inst., to
$44,887,000. and additional work ha-l been
performed to the extent of $3,200,000. lhe
Secretary of the Interior, in August last, in
vited my attention to the report of a Govern
ment Director of the Union Pacific Railroad
Company, who hud been specially, instructed
.to examine the location, construction and
equipment of their road. I submitted, for the
opinion of the Attorney General, certain ques-
tioas in regard to tip authority of the Execu
tive, wbiefi ufoae upon- this report, and those’
which had, from time to time, been presented
to the Commissioner appointed to inspect each
successive section of the work. Afier care
fully considering tbe law of the case, he affirmed
the right of the Executive to order, if neces
sary, a thorough revision of the entire road.
Commissioners were thereupon appointed to
examine this and other lines, and have recent
ly submitted a statement of their investigations,
of which the report of the (Secretary of the
Interior famishes specific information.
The report of the Secretary or' War contains
information of interest and importance, re
specting the several bureaus >f the War de
partment, and the operations o' the army. The
strength of our military force, 1 u the 50th Sep
tember last, wa,- forty-eight theusaud men. It
is computed that by the Ist o January next
this number will be decrease' to forty-three
thousand. It is the opinion o? he Secretary of
War that within the next year i considerable
dimmatiou of the infantry forci may be made,
without detriment to the interc >.s of the coun
try : and in view of the groat ' xpetige attend
ing the military peace establishment, and the
absolute necessity of retrenchtut nt, wherever it
can be applied, it is hoped Congress will sanc
tion the reduction which his repo, t recommends.
'While in 1860 sixteen thoucund three hun
dred men cost the nation $16,4,3,000. the sum
of 65,685,000 dollars is esliiu lied a# noces
-ary for the support of the army during tiie
last two fiscal year# were, for 1867, $33,814,-
461, and for 1868 $55,505,609 The actual
expenditures during the ratue periods
were, respectively, $95,551 i 15, and $123,-
346.648. The e-tiniate submitted in De
cember laid, for the fiscal vea. ending June
30th, 1869, wh» $77,154,797, 4he expendi
tures- for the first quarter en. ing ttie 30th
of September last, were $2 ,219,117, and
the Secretary of the Treasury trivea $60,-
000,000 as tbe amount which will probably
lie required during Lite reu aining three
quarters, if there sJjouJd be do reduction
of the army ; malting its age; jgate cost for
the year considerably In ex ■< -s of $93,009,-
000. The difference between the esti
mates and expenditure# ior the three fiscal
years which have been tsu ued is thus
shown to be $175,545,343, fi r this single
brand] of the public service
Ttie report of the Hecretar; of the Navy
exhibit# tne operations of that depart
ment duriug the year. A considerable
reduction of the force Im# -en effected.
There are forty-two vessels, i arryfng four
hundred and eleven guns n tie six squad
rons which are established in different
parts ot the world. Three o these vessels
are returning lo the Unit i State#, and
four are used a# store shipc, leaving the
actual cruizing force thirty five vessels,
carrying three bundled Olid iitty-#ix euus.
The totai number of vessel# iu the Navy
i# two hundred ami six Bio .iiting seven
teen hundred and forty-three guns.
Eighty-one vessels of every description are
iu use,armed with six iiumti and and nine
ty six gun#. The number of'enlisted men
in ttie service, including apprentices, has
been reduced to eight thousand five hun
dred. An increase of navy yard facilities
is recommended a# a measure w hich will,
iu the event of war, be pronmiive of econ
omy and security.
A more thorough and systematic survey
ot the North Pacific Ocean D advised, in
view of our recent acquisition, our ex
paodiug commerce, and the increasing iu
tere*ts between tiie Paoiiic.'Batonaud Asia.
Ttie naval p-utioa fund, whicti consists
of a rnof -y of the avail# c<f prizes captured
during the war, amounts to fourteen mil
lion dollars
Exception is taken to the act of 53d of
July la*t, which reduce# ttie interest on
the fund I*• 'tried to tiie Government by the
xeeretary, a- trustee, to three per cent, in
stead of six per cent, which was original
ly stipulated w hen th Investment was
made.
An amendment of the pension law# is
suggested, to remedy omissions aud de
fect# in existing enactment# The expen
diture# of the Department during the last
ti-cal yfar were s3d 159,594. and the esti
mate* for the coming year amount# to
$50,993,414
HThTThim rrea-'-wL:bi \>W riplSe opeffEte*t- aiJJT
condition of the postal service. The oraimHry
po-tal revenue for the fiscal venr ending Jane
goth, 1868, was $1(i,295,000, and tbe total ex
pendttures, embracing a- the service for which
special appropriation-. ! ave /.ecu made by Con
gress. amounted to ®3?,7: ! VV<3, -howing an
excess of * xiKveluure# of sb, t;>7,941i. De
ducting trout me expeudilur* tins sum of
$1,896,555, the amyuni ojt appropriation* for
ocean steamship and other special service, the
excess of exremi * ;r#« was *1.541.466. By
tiring an unexpended balance in the ‘t reasury
of cJ.bo*i.'XM', the actual- sum for which a
special approjwiauqu i» required to meet
the deficit, is 5741,166. Theca - - which pro
duced thi j large of expenditure? over
revenue were the restoration of service in the
late insurgent States, aod the petting in opera
tion of new ,-en ice establieiied by acts of Con
gress, which amounted, within the last two
years and a half, to about $48,7u0 miles, equal
to more than one-third of the whole amount
of the service at the close oi the war.
New postal convention- with Great Bri
tain, North Germany, Belgium, the Netb- .
eriands, Switzerland, and Laly, respec
tively, iiave been carried into effect. Un- 1
dertheir provisions important improve-j
merits have re-ulied in reduced rates of
international p stage, and enlarged mail
facilities with European countries. The
cost of the United States Trans-Atlantic
ocean mail service since January Ist, ls*sß,
has been largely lesseued under the opera
tion of these new conventions A reduc
tion of over one-half having been effected
under the new arrangements for ocean
mail steamship service which went into
effect on that date, the attention of Con
gress is invited to the practical sugges
tions and recommendations made in his
report by the Postmaster General.
No important question has occurred du
ring the last year in our accustomed cor
dial and friendly intercourse with Costa
Rica, Guatamala, Honduras, San Salva
dor, France, Austria, Belgium, Switzer
land, Portugal, the Netherlands, Den
mark, Sweden, Norway, Rome, Greece,
Turkey, Persia, Egypt, Liberia. Morocco,
Tripoli, Tunis, Muscat, Siam, Borneo and
Madagascar. Cordial relations have also
been maintained with the Argentine and
the Oriental Republics. The expressed
wish of Congress that our national good
offices might be tendered to those repub
lics, and also to Brazil and Paraguay, for
bringihg to an end the calamitous war
which ha* so long been raging in the Val
ley of the .Laplatte, has been assiduously
compiled with, ami kiudly acknowledged
by all the belligerents. That important
negotiation, however, has thus far been
without result.
Charles A. Washburn,late United States
Minister to Paraguay, having resigned, j
and being desirous toieturu to the United !
•States, the Rear Admiral commanding t he
South Atlantic Squadron was early direct
ed to send aship-of-war to Ascencion, the
Capitol of Paraguay, to receive Mr. Wash
burn and his family, and remove them
from a situation which was represented
be endangered by faction ami foreign J
war. The Brazilian commander of the i
allied invading forces refused permission I
to the Wasp to pass through the block
ailing force, and that vessel returned to
its accustomed anchorage. R monstrance ,
having been made against this refusal, it j
was promptly overruled, and the Wasp j
therefore resumed her errand, received j
Mr. Wasliburne and his family, and !
conveyed them to a safe and con
venient sea port. Tn the meantime an
excited controversy had arisen between the Pre
sident of Paraguay and tue late United States
Minister, which it is understood grew out of his
proceedings in giving asylum in the United
States legation to alleged enemies of that lie
public. The question of the right to give asyl
nm is one always difficult, and often productive
of great embarrassment . 11l States well organ
ized and established, •''■•eign powers refuse
either to concede or exi-mue that right, except
as to persons actually belonging *o the diplo
matic service; on the other hand, all such
powers insist upon exercising the right of asyl
urn inStates where the law ol nations is not fully
acknowledged, respected and obeyed. The
President of Paraguay is unde tood to have
opposed to Mr. Washburn's proceedings the
injurious, and very improbable charge, personal
complicity in insurrection and treason.
The correspondence, however, has not
vet reached the United estates. Dr. Wash
burn, in connection with this controversy,
represents that two United States citizens
attached to the legation were arbitrarily
seized at his side, when leaving the capi
tal of Paraguay, committed to prison, and
there subjected to torture for the purpose
of procuring confessions of their own
criminality and testimony to support the
SUrgsiitfeDt'# accoentiousagati.Ht the U nUed
B*STStes in!nl«ter.
Mr. McMahon, the newly appointed min
ister to Paraguay, having reached the Ua-
Platte, lias been instructed to proceed,
without delay, to Asumcian, there to in
vestigate the whole subject. The Hear
Admiral commanding the U. 8. .South
Atlantic Squadron lias been directed
to attend tiie uew minister with a
proper naval force to sustain such
just demands as the oeeawon may require,
and to vindicate the rights of the United
Strte# citizens referred to, and of any oth
er# who may be exposed to danger in the i
theatre of war. With these exceptions,
friendly relation# have been maintained
between the United Htates and Brazil and
Paraguay. Our relations during the past i
year with Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru and Chili j
I have been especially friendly and cordial
Spain and the Republics of Peru, Bolivia
and Ecuador have expressed their will- !
ingness to accept the mediation of the
United States for ttie termination of j
the war upon the South' Pacific coast.
(Jhtli has not finally declared upon the '
question. In the meantime the conflict !
t ha® practically exhausted, itself, since no
belligerent or hostile movement lias been
i made by either party during the last
two years, and there are no indications of
a present purpose to r»sume hostilities on
either side. Great Britain and France
have cordially utix+uii&i our nroxtutilw**'
-nr v.ryjs,; 7T , <n,lmopu»
that it may soon be ccepted Up all the
belligerents, and Jead toa secure establish
roent of peace and friendly relations be
tween the Spanish American Republics
of the Pacific, and Spain—a result which
would be attended with common benefits
to the belligerents, and much advantage
toail commercial nations.
I communicate, for the consideration of Con
gress, a corn -pondenee which hows that the
Bolivian Republic has establishedtheextrerncly
liberal principle of receiving into us citizenship
any citizen of the Unijed States, or of any other
of the American republics, upon the biinpie
condition of voluntary legistrv. The corre
spondence, herewith submitted, will be found
painfully replete with accounts of the ruin and
wretchedness produced by recent earthquakes,
of&nparaleled severity, in the Republics of Peru.
Kcuuador and Bolivia. The diplomatic agents
and naval officers of the I'nited Slates, who
were present in these countries at the time of
these disasters, furnished all the relief in their
power to the sufferers, and were promptly re
warded with grateful and thouching acknowl
edgments by the Congress of Peru. An appeal
to the charily of our teiiow-eiuzeiis has been
answered by much liberality.
In this connection I submit au appeal
which has been made b.y the Swiss Re
public, whose Government and institu
tions are kindred to our own, in behalf of
its inhabitants, wh > are suffering extreme ,
destitution, produced by recent inunda
tions.
Our relations with Mexico during the ;
year have been marked by an increasing i
growth of mutual confidence. The Mexi
can Government has not yet, acted upon
the three treaties celebrated here la-t sum
mer—fur establishing the rights of na'u-i
raliz ! citizen!- upon a iibeiai and just ba j
sis; for regulating Consular newer* ; and
for the adjustment of mutual claims.
Alt commercial nations, as well as ail
friends of republican institutions, Lave ,
occasion tc iegret the frequent local dislur- t
bailees which occur in some of the consti- j
tuted rttates of Colombia Nothing tvs ’
occurred, however, to affect the harmony i
ftiid cordial friendship which have fur
several y-ars exis'ed between that youth
ful and vigorous Republic and our own.
Negotiations are pending wiiii a view to the
survey and construction of a ship canal across >
the Isthmus of Darien, under the auspices of
the Irnitvd1 r nitvd States. 1 hope to be able to sub- j
mit the results of that negotiation to the Senate 1
during its present session. The very liberal i
treaty which was entered into last year by the !
United .Slates and Nieurauga, bus been ratified
by the latter republic. Costa Rica, with the
earnestness of a sincerely friendly neighbor,
solicits a reciprocity of trade, which i com
mend to the consideration of Congress.
The Convention Bert \ ore created by a
treaty between the I up •* t
in ,* r%G r » for the • yaX jjgt
t: • -*• , irT- JL-T
deci.-:ioii3 have IT go received sviUi iv
partmeutof Btate. I’be heretofore reeeg
d zed G vernnieist: of the United .State®
of Venezuela nas betn substituted for a
Provisional Government. Having been
instituted under circumstances which
promise durability, if has been formally
r cognized. I have beeu reluctantly
obliged to a>k explanation and satisfaction
fi r national injuries committed by the
President of Haiti. The political and
social condition of the Republics of Hayti
arid St. Domingo and the other West In
dies, except the Sp&ui.-h lid ads of Cuba
and Porto Rico, has been followed by a
profound popular correction of the right
fulness of republican institutions, and an
intense desire to secure them. The at
tempt, however, to establish Republics
there, encountered many obstacles, most
of which may be supposed to result from
long indulged iiabits, of colonial supine
ness and dependence upon European mo
narchical powers.
While the United States have, on all oc
casions, professed a decided unwillingness
that any part of this Continent, or of its
adjacent island®, shall be made a theatre
fi r anew establishment of mouatcfaual
power, too little has oeen done by us, on
the other baud, toattach thecommunities
| by which we are surrounded to our own
country, or to lend even amoral support
j to the efforts they are so resolutely and so
constantly making to secure republican
institutions for themselves. It is indeed
a question of grave consideration whether
our recent and present “sample is not cal
culated to "heck the growth and expan
sion of free principles, and make these
communities distiust, if not dread, a gov
ernment which, at will, consigns to mili
j tary dominion States that are integral
, parts of our Federal Union, and whileready
| to resist any attempts by other nations to
\ extend to this hemisphere the runuarchi-
I cal institutions of Europe, assumes to es
tablish over a large portion of its people a
rule more absolute, harsh and tyrannical
than any kuowu to civilized powers. The
acquisition of Alaska was made with the
view of extending national jurisdiction
and republican principles in the Ameri
can hemisphere.
Believing that a further step could be
taken in the same direction, 1 la*t year
entered into a treaty with the King of
Denmark, for the purchase of the islands
of tit. Thomas and Ht. John, on the best
terms then attainable, aud with the ex
press consent of the people of these islands.
This treaty still remains under considera
tion in the Senate. Anew convention has
been entered into with Denmark, enlarg
ing the time lixed for final ratification of
the original treaty. Comprehensive na
tional policy would seem to sanction the
acquisition and incorporation into our
federal Union of the several adja
cent continental and insular com
munities as speedily as it can he done
peacefully, lawfully, and without any vio
lation of national justice, faith 0.1 honor.
Foreign possession or control of ihe*e
communities has hitherto hindered the
growth and impaired the influence of the
United •States. Chronic revolution and
anarchy there would bo equally injudi
cious Each one of them, when tirmlv
establish'd as an independent republic, or
when incorporated into the United Slates,
would be anew source of strength and
power. Cou orming my administration
to these principles, I have on no occasion
lent support oi> toleration to unlawful ex
peditiona set on foot "upon five plea of
republican propugaudisni or of national
extension or aggrandizement.
The necessity, however, of repressing
such unlawful movements, clearly indi
cates the duty which rests upon us of
adopting our legislative • to the new
circumstances of a ueciin ■» of European
monarchies' sower and influence, and the
increase of A me. can republican ideas, in- 1
lerests and sympathies. It cannot be
long before it will become necessary for j
this Govenroent to lend acme affective
aid to the solution of the political aud so
cial problems which are continually kept
before the world by the two republics of
the island of St. Domingo, and which are
now disclosing themselves more i«ttnclly
than heretofore in the island of Cuba.
The subject is brought to your consideration
1 with all the more earnestness because i am sat
isfied that the time bus arrived when even to
direct a proceeding as a proposition for an an
| novation of the two republics of the island of
! St. Domingo would not only receive the con
-1 sent of the people interested, but would also
; give satisfaction to ail other foreign nations,
j I am aware that upon the question of further
extending our possessions it is apprehended by
Y OU. LX-, NO. 39.
i «Mf*di«t «mv fnHHdit system" chrtho* «it*seKg
: fully be applied to an area mare extended th»r.
I our continent, but tlie conviction is rapi ily
I gaining ground in the American cind fine
i with the increased facilities for urteren’nne-ni
J cation b* tween all portions off the e»"}i. the
| principles of free government, •<*.• ..on-ied in
our Constitution, if fni'hf i. v ijaintahied and
carried out. would prove off®' ilicieiit • 'rbngtli
and breadth to comprehend within th ir ®? ice
and influence the civilized cations of the world.
The attention of the Senate anil of t mgress
is again respectfully invited to tec treaty fir
the establishment of commercial reciprocity
with the Uawaian kingdom, entered into last
year. It is already tanned by that government.
Che attitude of the United States t ». arils these
islands is not very <Tiff rent from that in which
they stand towards the West Indies. T fy. known
aud felt by the Hawaian governmer end peo
ple that their guverruneci. usd ins! a lions are
feeble and precarion.- ; that the In:.- laics,
being so near a neighbor, would he un u ling to
see th>- islands pass under foreign control.
Their prosperity is cOßtiiwal y dbturued by ex
pecUUoua aud aiarißs of .lu/iiendiy political
proceedings, as well from the United Malt:, as
from other foreign power®. A reciprocity treaty,
while it Could not miu erratic dimiMsh the frve
nues of the United States, w ould bea guaranty
of the good wild and forbearance ol'ali nations,
until the,people of the islands shallot' them
selves, at no distant'day, voluntarily apply for
admission into the Union.
'Tam* iiituin*r.»r of ha* acceedc<» to
■ui, •ivmiy ia^.
for tbe security of tr c ? marks in cue
interest of manufactui -rs. I have Invited
his attention to the Importance of estab
lishing now, while it seems easy* and prac
ticable, a fair and equal regulation of the
vast fisheries belonging to the two uatioiis
in tbe waters of {be North Pacific Ocean.
The two treaties between theUnitedStates
ami Italy for the regulation of Consti far
powers aud tiro extradition of enoiinais,
negotiated and ratified here during the
last session of Congress, have been accept
ed and confirmed by the Italian Govern
ment.
A liberal consular convention which has
been negotiated with Belgium will be
submitted to the Senate, Tbe very im
portant treaties which were negotiated be
tween the United State® and North Ger
many and J.avaria for tbe « culation of
the rights of-naturalized citizens, have
been duiy ratified aud exchanged, aud
similar treaties have been ente-ed iuto
with the kingdom® of feelginra am! YVur
temburg. and with the grand duchies of
Baden aud H“®se .Darmstadt. Ilnpt soon
to be able to submit equally satisfactory
negotiations of the same character now in
the course of nego iation with the respec
tive Governments of Spain, Italy, and
the Ottoman territories.
Examination of claim® against the Uni
ted State-bythe Hudson Bay ompany,
and the Pugii’s Sound Agricuilu al Com
pany, on account of certain possessory
rights iu thectateof Oiegou aud ieuitory
of Washington, alleged by these comp ,®
nice in virt ic of provisions of the treaty
between tfie United States and Great
BritaiD, of June loth, ]%<>, has been dili
gently prosecuted under the direCiiOß of
tiie joint interna tuna! eemm.-aion, to
which they were sab niited for adjudica
tion by treaty between the two govern
ment®, of July Ist. lhtkt, and will, it is ex
pected, be concluded at an early day, ,
No practical regular,-.u concern mg colo
nial trade and (he fisheries can be cm om
plished by treaty between the United
States ami Great Britain until ( digress
shall have expressed ineir jndgmeet con
cerning tiie principle® invoived. Three
other questions, however, between tbe
United States and Ur-.c. Britai « remain
open for adjustment. These ar» the
mutual rights of naturalized citizens,
the boundary question, i; \./lviug ti e
t'tle to the island of ®an Juan, in the
Pacific const, and m tap,! claims arising since
the year ISiVJ of the citizens and ‘abject* of the
i ■' '
iv governments. Negotiations upon these sub
ject-: are pending, and 1 am not without hope
of being abie to lav before th» Senate, lor its
a*i Ti: ;
tocoG calc, -ted to bring to an end these justly
.-a&citßuzanu loug cxtamig cogu-. ■ ,—• ■ .Vi e~
-rirtr-w.a"%t<-®~®- -m r—- . -'‘£ Ac-w
Oovt - t lent upon The ft»!c and ansijfcioa.s
treaty iiich wax recent!, e. i hrated n i»h i '
plenipofyntiftrieS af lhis capital. *
Japan remains s. theatre cf civil war,
marked by religious incident.® aud jmlit •
cal severities peculiar to tba, long isolated
Empire. Tbe Executive has hitherto
maintained strut neutrality among the
belligerent®, and acknowledge* with plea
sure that it baa tieen frankly and fully
sustained in that course by io> riiigbten
ed cuacurr nce aud co-opera! h; u ot the
other treaty powers, monely, Great Bri
tain, Franc'.-, tbe Netberlam!®, Ncrfh'fGer
many, and italy.
Spain having leeeutly undergone a rev®
olutiou marked by exiruordu ary unanim
ity and preservation oT order, the provf
eional government estnblisl ed at Madrid
has been recognised, and the friendly in
tercourse wuicb lias soiling happily exist
ed between the two countries remains un
changed. I renew the ‘recommendation
contained in n>v communication to Con
gress, dated isth July last, a copy
of which accompanies this message,
that the judgment of the people
should be taken on the propriety of ®o
amending the Federal Constitution, that
it shall piovide. First: For an election of
President aud Vice-President hy a direct
vote of the people, instead of through the
atreuey of electors, and making tLem in
eligible for re-election to a second terra.
Second : Fora distinct designation of tbe
person who shall discharge the duties of
President in the event of a vacancy in
that office by tbe death, resignation
or removal of both President and \ ic«
President, and for the election of Sena
tors of the United states direct!y by ihe
people of tbe several trtates. inxteaii of by
. the Legislature®. Fourth, r :!n- . uit-i
--tion to a period of years of the term® of
Federal J udges.
Profoundly impressed with the propriety
i of makiug .these Important modifies .on®
iu the Constitution, I re-peetfully sub-nit
them for the early and mature considera
tion of Congress.
We should as far us possible remove all
pretext for violation of the organic law by
remedying such imperfection® a® time nd
experience may develope, ever remember
ing that the Constitution, woieh at my
time exists, until changed by an explicit
aud authentic ac: of the whole pc r p e. is
sacredly obliga’ory upon all
In the performance of a doty imp *ed
upon me by the Constitution. 1 lave
communicated to Congres- into, muiii • of
tiie state of the Union, aud recommenced
for their consideration such men- 11 res
have seemed to me neces-arv and expe
dient. If carried info effect, they wiil
hasten the accomplish men t of the gi-at
and beneficent purposes for which
the Constitution was •. dained and
which it coniprehe iv v si: ;-s were,
to form a more perfect I cion, ectan’ish jn=tice,
insure tranquility, provide for the common-de
fence, promote the general welfare, aud secure
the blessings of liberty to oun aua .our
posterity. In Congo- - arc v. -•• and all Itda
tive powers, and upon them devolves the respon
sibility, as well for framing unwise and exces
sive laws, us for neglecting to devie auu auupt
measures absolutely, demanded by the wain ? ot
the country.
Let us earnestly hope that before the
expiration of our respective term* of ser
vice, now rapidlv draw ing to a cl i-c. aa
all-wise Providence will .-<> guide mir coun
sels as to strengthen and prt.-cive the
Federal Union, inspire reverence for the
, Constitution, restore prosperity and ha; -
pi ness to our whole people, aid promote
on earth peace, good will toward all men.
Andrew Johnson.
—The town of Greenbrier, West Vir
ginia which has a population ol twfc.ve
hundred, only polled m the recent election
eight votes. All the rest are disfranchised,
aud under the Constitution forced upon
that State by bayonets, they never can be
come voters. There are Twenty ilve thous
and in the State in the s.uue ‘ Umriiou.
They are required to pay taxes, r-uaie and
National, but are not allowed to vote, This
•s Radicalism.
- One hundred and two rats--, 1x 1
ly one bushel—were kiile i by a
. . 111 tiv and ati 1•. me
Bloomington, Iff-. ree * n l - '
of twenty minutes’ trine. '
—B. B. DoGrattenried, been electee
Clerk, and N. G. Hammond, Reporter of
the Supreme Court.