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GEORGIA WEEKLY OPINION that under Much a rule the President can not perform the great duty assigned to him Of seeing the law* faithfully executed, and that it illsable* him most especially from enforcing that rigid accountability which is iiceeasary to the due execution of the revenue laws. The <''institution Invests tfie President vp.ii uiiihorlty to decide whether a removal cimuld be made in any given case; the act of Congress declares, in substance, that he ■hall only accuse such as he sunjioses to lie unworthy of their trust. The Constitution makes him sole judge in the premises; but the statute takes away his jurisdiction, transfers it to the Senate, and leaves him nothing but the odiqu* and sometimes im practicable duty of becoming a j>erscutor. Tin* prosecution is to lie conducted before a tribunal whose members are not, like him. responsible to the whole people, but to separate constituent bodies, and who may hear l»U accusation with great disfa vor. The Senate Is absolutely wirhout any known standard of decision applicable to *uen a case. Its judgment cannot be an- ticipated. for it Is not governed by anv ru e. The law does not define what shall l>.- deemed good cause for removal. It is impossible even lo conjecture what may or may n t lie so considered by the Senate. The nature of the subject forbids clear irroo!*. If the charge be Incapacity, what evidence will supjiort It? FI delitv to the constitution may lie un deisfood or iiikiinde: stood in a thousand different wav*, and by violent party men, In violent party times, mi faith fulness to the Constitution may even come to be con sidered meritorious. If the ollleer be ac- cu-eil of dishonesty, how shall it lie made out? " ill it lie interred from acts uncon nected with public duty, from private his- torv. or from general reputation? Or must the President await the commission of an actual misdemeanor in ofllee? Shall he, in the meantime, risk the character and Intercft of the Nation hi the hands of men to whom lie cannot, give Ids confidence?— Must he forbear his complaint until the mischief is done and cannot tie prevented? If ids zeal in the public service should Im pel 1dm to anticipate the overt act, must lie move at the |H»ril of being tried himself for the offence of slandering his subordi nate ? I» the present circumstances of the country, some one must lie field responsi ble for official delinquency of every kind. It k extremely difficult to say where that responsibility should tie thrown, if it tie not left where it lias been placed by the Constitution. Rut all just men will admit that the President ought to be entirely re lieved from such responsibility, If he can not meet it by reason of restrictions placed by law u pon*his action. The unrestricted power of removal from office is a very great one to be trusted even to a Magistrate chosen by the general suf frage of the whole people, ami accountable directly to them for ills acts. It is un doubtedly liable to abuse, and at some pe riod:! of our history perhaps has been abused. If It lie thought desirable and constitutional that it should be so limited as to make the President merely a common Informer against other public agents, he should at least be permitted to act in that capacity before some open tribunal, inde pendent of party politics, ready to inves tigate tlie merits of every case, furnished with the means of taking evidence, and bound to decide according to established rules. Tills would guarantee the safety of the accuser when lie acts in good faith, and at the same time secure the rights of the other party. I speak of course witli all proper respect for the present Senate, but It docs not seem to me that any legislative body can be so constituted as to Insure Its fitness for there functions. It Is not the theory of tills Government that public offices arc the property of tin who hold them. They are given merely a trust for the public benefit, sometimes for a fixed |H*riod. sometimes during good behavior, but generally they are liable to be terminated at tiie pleasure of the ap pointing power, which represents the col lective majesty and speaks the will of the people. The forced retention in ofllee of a single dishonest person may work great injury to the public interests. The danger to the public sendee conies not from the power to remove, but from the power to api»oint. Therefore it was that the framers of the Constitution left the power of re moval unrestricted, while they gave the Senate a right to reject all appointments, which, in its opinion, were not fit to be made. A little reflection on this subject will probably satisfy all who have the good of the country at heart that our best course Is to take the Constitution for our guide, walk in the path marked out by the found ers of the Republic, and obey the rules made sacred by the observance of our great predecessors. The present condition of our finances and circulating medium is one to which your early consideration is Invited. The proportion which the currency of any country should bear to the whole value of the annual produce circulated by Its means Is a question upon which politi cal economoists have not agreed. Nor can it be controlled by legislation, but must be left to the Irrevocable laws which every where regulate commerce and 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 os that which regulates the tides of the ocean; and indeed currency, like tho tides, bos Its ebbs and flows throughout the commercial world. At the beginning of the rebellion the bank note circulation of the country amounted to not much more than two hun dred millions of dollars; now the circula tion of the National Bank notes and those known as “legal tenders” is nearly seven hundred millions. While it Is urged by some that this amount should be Increased, others contend that a decided reduction is absolutely essential to tho best Interests of tho country. In viow of these diverse opinions. It may lie well to ascertain the real value of our paper issues, when com pared with a metal ic or convertible curren cy. For this purpose, let us inquire how much gold anu silver could bo purchased by the seven hundred millions of paper money now in circulation ? Probably not more than half the umouut of the latter—show ing that when our paper currency Is com pared with gold and silver, its commercial value is compressed in three hundred and fifty iniltons. This striking fact makes it the obvious duty of tho Government, ns early ns may bo consistent with tho princi ples of sound iiolitical economy, to take such measures ns will enable the holder of its notes and those of the National Ranks to convert them, without loss, into specie or Us equivalent. A reduction of our pa lter circulating medium need not necessa rily follow. This, however, would depend upon the lawol'deinand ami supply, though it should Is* iHirue in mind thatby making io"\d tender mid hank note# convertible Into coin or i»s equivalent, their present specie value In the hands of their holders would lie enhanced one hundred per cent. Legislation for the accomplishment of a result so desirable 1< demanded by the highest public considerations. The Con stitution contemplates that the circulating medium of the country shall be uniform In quality and value. At the time of the of extravagance and speculation.” It has been averted by one of our profound and most gifted statesmen, that *of all the con trivances for cheating the laboring classes VIM , , of mankind, none has been more effectual anxious to protect their prosterltv from than that which deludes them with paper the evils which they themselves had expe- money. Tills is the most effectual of In- rlenced. Hence, in providing a circulating formation of that Instrument, tin; country hud Just emerged from the "ur of tho Revolution, and was suffering from the ef fects of a redundant and worthless paper currency. The sages of that period were medium, they conferred upon Congress tho power to coin money and regulate the value thereof, at the same time prohibit ing the State* from making anything but gold and silver a tender in payment of ^Theanomalous condition of ourcurreney Is lu striking contrast with that which was originally designed. Our circulation now* embraces, first, notes of the National Ranks, which are made receivable for all dues to the Government, excluding Impost*, and by all its creditors, excepting in payment or Interest upon Its bonds and the securi ties themselves; second,legal tender notes Issued by the United States, ami which the law requires shall be received us well in payment of all debts between citizens as of all Government dues, excepting Imposts; nnd, third, gold and silver coin. Ry the operation of our present system of finance, however, the metalie currency, when col lected, Is reserved only for one class of Government creditors, who, holding its bonds, seinl-aniiually receive their Interest in coin from the National Treasury. They are thus made to occupy an invidious po sition, which may l»e used to strengthen the arguments of those who would bring into disrepute the obligations of the na tion. In the payment of all Its debts, tho plighted faith ot the Government should be inviolably maintained. But while it acts with fidelity toward the bondholder who loaned his money that the integrity of the Union might bo preserved, It should at the same time observe good faith witli the great mosses of the people, who, having rescued the Union from the perils of re bellion. now bear the burden* of taxation, that the Government may be able to fulfill its engagements. There is no reason which will lie accepted as satisfactory by the iieo- ple, why those who defend us on the land ami protect us on the sea; the pensioner upon the gratitude of the nation, bearing the scars and won ml* received while in its service*, the public servants in the various Departments of the Government; the tanner who supplies the soldiers of the army ami the sailors of the navy; tho ar tisan wiio toils iu the nation's workshops, or the mechanics and laborers who build its edifices and construct Its forts and ves sels of war—should, in payment of their Just and hard-earned dues, receive depre ciated paper, while another class of their countrymen, no more deserving, are paid In coin of gold and silver. Equal and ex act justice requires that all the creditors of the Government should be paid in a cur rency jiossessing a uniform value. Tills can only be accomplished by the restora tion of the currency to the standard estab lished by the Constitution; and by this means we would remove a discrimination which may, If it has not already done so, create a prejudice that may become deep- rooted and wide-spread, and imperil tue national credit. The feasibility of making our currency correspond with the constitutional standard may bo -ecu by reference to a few facts de rived from our commercial statistics. The production of precious metals in the United States from 1840 to 1857. Inclusive, amounted to $570.000.000; from 1858 to I860, inclusive, $137,500,000*. nnd from 1801 to 1807, Inclusive, to $457.500.000—making the grand aggregate of products since 1819, $1,174,000,000. The amount of specie coined from 1840 to 1857, In clusive. was $139,000,000; from 1858 to 1800, inclusive, was $125,000,000; and from 1801 to 1807. Inclusive, $310,000,000. making the total coinage since 1840, $874,000,000. L'kai.i 1UJ(I tA i ni'1 ii .1 t'n tlio lint: nv. ntloni to fertilize tin* rich man's fields by the sweat of tin* ivoor man's brow. Ordinary tvraiiny. op pression. excessive taxation—thee*' hear lightly on the happiness of the mass of the community compared with a fraudulent currency, and tlie robberies committed by depreciated paper. Our ow n history has recorded for our instruction enough, and more than enough of the demoralizing ten- deney, the injustice, and the Intolerable oppression on the virtuous and well dis posed of a degraded paper currency, uu- ‘ ’ ‘ * law or in any way count e- overnment.” If Is one of tin* most suceessflil devices, in times of peact or war, expansion* or revulsions, to acconi' pllsh the 'i-iiiisfer of all the precious metals from the treat mass of tlie people Into the hands of iho few. where tlu*y‘i in secret places or deposited Krom 1840 to 1857, inclusive, tho net ports of specie amounted to $271,000,000; from 1858 to 1800, inclusive, to $148,000,000; ami from 1801 to 1807, inclusive, to $322,- 000,000—making the agregate of net ex ports since 1840, $741,000,000. These figures show* an excess of product over net exports of $433,000,000. There are in tlie Treasury $111,000,000 in coin, something more than $40,000,000 in circulation on tlie Pacific Coast, and a few millions in tho National and otiier Ranks—in all about $160,000,000. This, however, taking into account the specie in the country prior to 1849, leaves more than three hundred millions of dol lars which have not been accounted for by exportation, and therefore may yet remnin in the country. These are Important facts, and show how completely the inferior currency will su percede the better, forcing it from circu lation among tlie masses, and causing it to be exported as a mere article of trade, to add to tho money capital of foreign lands. They show the necessity of retiring our paper money, that the return of gold and silver to the avenues of trade may bo In vited, and a demand created which will cause the retention at home of at least so much of tho productions of our rich and Inexhaustible gold-bearing fields as may bo sufficient for purposes of circulation. It is unreasonable to expect a return to a sound currency so long as tho Government, by continuing to Issue Irredeemable notes, fills tho channels of circulation with de preciated paper. Notwithstanding a coin age by our mints, since 1840, of eight hun dred and seventy-four millions or dollars, tho people are now strangers to the cur rency which was designed for their use and benefit, and specimens of the precious inetais bearing the national device are sel dom seen, except when produced to grat ify the interest excited by their novelty,— Ir depreciated paper is to be continued as tbo permanent currency of tho country, and all our coin Is to become a mere article of traffic and speculation, to the enhance ment in price ot all that is Indispensable to the comfort of the people, it would be wise economy to abolish our mints, thus saving the nation the care and expense In cident to such establishments, and let all our precious metals be exported In bullion. The time has come, however, when the Government and National Banks should be required to take tlie most efficient steps and make all necessary arrangements for a resumption oi specie payments at the ear liest practicable period. Spccio payments having been once resumed by tho Govern ment and banks, all notes or bills of paper issued by cither of a less denomination than twenty dollars should by law be ex cluded from circulation, so thnt the pcoplo may have the benefit and convenience of a gold and silver currency which In all their business transactions will bo uniform In value at homo and abroad. Every man of property or Industry, every man who desires to preserve what ho honestly possesses, or to obtain what ho can honestly earn, lias a direct interest In maintaining a safe circulating medium— such a medium as shall be real and sub stantial. not liable to vibrate witli opinions, not subject to bo blown up or blown down by thebreftth of speculation, but to be uiado stable and secure. A disordered currency Is one of tlie greatest political evils. It undermines the virtues necessary for tlie support of tlie social system, ami encour ages propensities destructive of its hap piness; it ware against Industry, frugality, and economy, anu it foster* the evil spirits hoarded ... . . . deposited in strong boxes under bolt* and bar*, wlillo tlie peo ple arc 1« it to endure all the inconvenience, sacrifice, and demoralization resulting from the u*e of a depreciated uij^jyortldess pa per money. The condition of our finances and the operation* of our revenue system fnrtli and fully explained in .tlie able and instructive report of tlie Secretary of tlie Treasury. On the 30th of dune, I860, the public debt amounted to $2,783,425,870; on tit** 30th of .June last it was $2,692,199,- 215, allowing a reduction during the fiscal year of $91.22(5,064. During tho fiscal year ending June 30, 1807, tlie receipts were $490,934,010, and the expenditures $346,720,120, leaving an available surplus of $143,004,880. It is estimated that the receipt* for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868 will be $417,101,928, and the expendi ture* will reach tlie sum of $303,260,226, leaving iu the Treasury a surplus of $23,- 892,702. For tlie fiscal year ending June 30.1809, it is estimated that tlie receipts wili amount to $381,000,000. and that the expenditure* will be $372,000,000. showing an excess of $9,000,000 iu favor of the Gov ernment. Tho attention of Congress Is earnestly invited to the necessity of a thorough re vision of our revenue system. Our Inter nal revenue taws and impost system should be so adjusted a* to bear most heavily on articles ot luxury, leaving the necessaries of life as free from taxation as may be con sistent with the real wants of tlie Govern ment. economically administered. Taxa tion would not tlieu full unduly on the man of moderate means; and white none would l»e entirely exempt from assessment, all, in pro|H>rtiun to their pecuniary abili ties. i! oiiid contribute toward the support of the State. A modification of tlie inter* nal revenue system, by a large reduction ill the number of article* now subject to tax. would be followed by results equally advantageous to tlie citizen and the Gov ernment it would render the execution of the law less expensive and more certain, remove obstruction* to industry, lessen tlie temptations to evade tlie law, diminish the violation* and frauds perpetrated upon its f irovi-iou*. make its operations less inquls- torial. and greatly reduce in numbers the army of tax-gatherers created by the sys tem, who ‘‘take from tlie mouth of honest labor tlie bread it has earned.” Retrench ment, reform, and economy should be car ried into every blanch of tlie public ser vice, that tlie expenditures of tlie Govern ment may l>o reduced nnd the people re lieved from oppressive taxation; a sound currency should be restored, and the public faith in regard to the national debt sacred ly observed. Tlie accomplishment of these important results, together with the restor ation of the Union of tlie States upon tlie principles of the Constitution, would in spire confidence at home and abroad in tlie stability of our institutions, and bring to the nation prosperity, peace, and good will. Tlie report of the Secretary of War ad interim exhibits the operations of tlie army and of the several Bureaus of the War De partment. The aggregate strength of our military force, on tho 30th of September last, was 56,315. Tlie total estimate for military appropriations is $77,124,707, iu eluding a deficiency in last year's appro priation of $13,600,000. Tho payments at tho Treasury on account of the service of the War Department from January 1 to October 29.1807—a period of ten months— amounted to $ 109.807,000. The expenses of the military establishments us well as the number# of the army, are now three times ns great us they have ever been in time of peace; while tho discretionary pow-er is vested In tho Executive to add millions to this expenditure by an increase of the army to the maximum strength al lowed by the law. The menacing attitude of some of the warlike bands of Indians Inhabiting tho district of country between the Arkansas and Platte rivers, and por tions of Dekota Territory, required the presence of a large military force in that region. Instigated by real or Imaginary grievances, the Indians occasionally com mitted acts of barbarous violence upon emigrants and our frontlor settlements; but a general Indian war has been provi dentially averted. Tho Commissioners under tne act of 20th July, 1867, were in vested with (Ull power to adjust existing difficulties, negotiate treaties with the dis affected bands, and select for them reserva tions remote from tho traveled routes be tween the Mississippi and tlie Pacific. They entered without delay upon the exe cution of their trust, but have not yet made any official repart of their proceedings* 11 Is of vital importance that our distant Terri tors should be exempt from Indian outbreaks, and that the construction of tho Pacific Railroad, an object of national Im portance, should not be interrupted by hos tile tribes. These objects, as well as the ma terial Interests and themoraland Intellect ual improvement of the Indians, can be most effectually secured by concentrating them upon portions of the country set apart for their exclusive use, and located, at points remote from our highways and encroaching white settlements. Since the commencement of the second session of tho Thirty-Ninth Congress, five hundred and ten miles of road have been constructed on the main line and branches of tho Pacific Railway. The line from Omaha Is rapidly approaching tho eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, whilst tho terminus of the last section of constructed road In California, accepted by tho Gov ernment on tho 24th day of October last, was but eleven miles distant from the sum mit of tho Sierra Nevada. The remarka ble energy evinced by the companies offers the strongest assurance that the comple tion of the road from Sacramento to Oma ha will not bo long deferred. During the last fiscal year seven million forty-one thousand one hundred and four- teen acres of public land were disposed of, and the cash receipts from soles and fees exceeded by one-half million dollars the sum realized frointhote sources during the preceding year. The amount paid to pen sioners, including expenses of dlsbure- raents, was $18310.955, and thirty-six thousand four hundred and eighty-two names were added to the rolls. The en tire mini tier of pensioners on the 30th of June last was one hundred and fifty-live thousand four hundred and seventy-four. Eleven thousand six hundred ana fifty- five patents and designs were issued during tlie year ending September 30,1807, and at that date the balance In the Treasury to the credit of the Patent fund was $286,907. The report of tho Secretary of the Navy states that we have seven squadrons ac tively and judiciously employed under ef ficient and able commanders, in protecting the persons and property of American /^ilgens, maintaining the dignity nnd power of the’Government, and promoting tlie commerce and business interests of our countrymen In every pari of the world. Qf tlie two hundred and thirty-eight ves sels composing the present navy of tlie United States, fifty-six, carrying five hun dred and seven guns, are in squadron ser vice. During tho year the number of ves sels In commission lias been reduced twelve, and there arc thirteen less on squadron duty than there were at the date of tlie lust report. A large number of vessels were commenced and in course of construc tion when tlie war terminated, and although Congress had made the necessa ry appropriations for their completion, the 1 apartment has either suspended work upon them or limited the slow completion off tin* *teani vessels, so as to meet the con tract- for machinery made with private c.'taMi'hmeiits. The total expenditure* of tic* Navy Department for tlie fiscal year ending dune 30.1S<>7. were $31,034,011. No appropriation* have been made or required since tlie close of the war for the construc tion nnd repair of vessels, lor steam ma chinery. ordnance, provision# and clothing, fuel, hemp, etc., tlie balances under these several heads having been more than suf ficient lor current expenditure*. It should also be -tated to the credit of the Depart ment that, besides asking no appropria tion* for tlie above object* for tlie last two year*, the Secretary of tlie Navy, on the 30th of September hist, In accordance with the act of May 1.1820, requested tlie Sec retary of tlie Treasury to carry to tiicsur- S lus fund the sum of sixty-five millions of ollar*. being tlie amount received from tlie sales of vessels and other war property, and the remnant* of former appropriations. The report of tlie Postmaster General show* the business of the Postoffice De partment and tlie condition of the postal service in a very favorable light, and tlie attention of Congress is called to Its prac tical recommendations. Tlie receipts of the Department for tlie year ending June 30,1867. Including all special appropria tions for sea and land service and for free mall matter, were $19,078,693. The expen ditures for all purposes were $19,235,483, leaving an unexpehded balance in favor of the Department of $743,210, which can bo applied toward the expenses of tlie De partment for the current year. The in crease of postal revenue, independent of specific appropriations, for tlie year 1867, over that of 1806, was $850,040. Tlie in crease of revenue from the sale of stamps and stamped envelopes was $783,401. The Increase of expenditures for,lS67 over those of the previous year was owing chiefly to the extension of tlie land and ocean mall service. During the past year new postal conventions have been ratified and exchanged with tlie United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Belgium, tlie Netherlands#, Switzerland, tlie Nortli Ger man Union, Italy, and tlie Colonial Govern ment and llong-Kong, reducing very large ly the rates of ocean and land postages to and from and within those countries. The report of the Acting Commissioner of Agriculture concisely presents tho con dition, wants, and progress of an interest eminently worthy the fostering care of Congress, and exhibits a large measure of useful results achieved during the year to which it refers. The rc-establi'hincut of peace at home, and the resumption of extended trade, travel, and commerce abroad, have served to increase flic number and variety of ques tions in the department for foreign affairs. None of these questions, however, have se riously disturbed our relation* witli other States. The/Republic of Mexico, having been re lieved from foreign intervention, is earn estly engaged In efforts to re-establish her constitutional government. A good un derstanding continue* to exist between our government nnd the Republics of Ilnytl and Snn Domingo, uml our cordial relation* with tlie Central nnd South American States remain unchanged. The tender, made Ji\,(;on fortuity witli a resolu tion of Cong&liMjf the good office* of the Government, with a view to an amicable adjustment of peace between Brazil nnd her allies, on one side, nnd Paraguay on tlie otfcqa, and between Chili nnd ho allies, on tw and tjde, and Spain on the other, though kindly Mel ived. 1ms' in neither case been AlUy accepted by 1 , the belligerent*. The war In .t^o Valley of the Parana is still vig orously maintained. On the other hand, actual hostilities between the Pacific States and Spain have been more than a year sus pended. I shall, on any proper occasion that may occur, renew tlie conciliatory re commendation# which have been already mado. Brazil, witli enlightened sagacity and comprehensive statesmanship, has opened tlie great channels of the Amazon and Iu tributaries to universal commerce. One thing more seems nccdftil to assure a rapid and cheering progress In South America. I refer to those peaceful habits without which States and Nations cannot, in tills age, well expect material prosperity or social advancement. The Exposition of Universal Industry at Paris has passed, and seems to havo frilly realized tho high expectations of the French Government. If due allowance be made for tlie recent political derangement of industry here, tho part which the United Stares has borne In this exhibition of In vention and art may bo regarded with very high satisfaction. During tho Exposition a conference was held or delegates from several nations, tho United States being one. In which the inconveniences of com merce and social intercourse resulting from the diverse standards of money value were very frilly discussed, and plans were devel oped for establishing, by universal consent, a common principle for the coinage of gold. These conferences arc expected to be re newed, with tho attendance of many for eign States not hitherto represented. A report of these interesting proceedings will lie submitted to Congress, which will no doubt Justly appreciate the great object, mid bo ready to adopt any measure which may tend to facilitate its ultimata accom plishment. Oil the 25th of February, 1862, Congress declared by law that Treasury notes with out Interest, authorized by that act, should be legal tender in payment of all debts, public nnd private, within tho United States. An annual remittance of $30,000, less stipulated expenses, accrues to claim ants under the Convention made with Spain in 1831. These remittances, since tho passage of that act, have boon paid In such notes. The claimants insist that the Government ought to require paymont in coin. Tlie subject may be deemod worty of your attention* No arrangement hit as yet been reached for the settlement of our claims for British depredations upon* tlie commerce of the United States. I have felt it my duty to detune the proposition of arbitration mado by Her Majesty’s Government because It has hitherto been accompanied by reser vation* and limitations Incompatible with the right*, interest, and honor of our coun- \\y- «not to be apprehended that Great Britain will persist in her refusal to satisfy these just ami reasonable claims, which In volve the sacred principle of non-interven tion—a principle henceforth not more im portant to the United States than to all ot J>cr commercial nationg. The West India Islands were settled and colonized by European States simulta neously with the settlemement and colo nization of the American continent. Most ot the colonies planted here became Inde pendent nations in the close of the lost and the beginning of the present century. Our country embraces commuuitles which, °, ne J™ 10 * woro colonies of Orwt Britain, Franco Ul^n* Holland, Hwe9.cn, and Ruula. The people In the West Indies, with tho exception of those of tne Island of Ilajtl, 1-i/e neither attained nor aaplred to Inde pendent, nor have they become prepared for self-de fense. Although possessing considerable commercial value, tin jr havo been held by the aevt-ral European States which cdoniz-d or at somo time conquered them, chiefly for purposes of military and naval strate gy In canvlng out European policy and designs in re gard to this continent. In our Revolutionary War. P«rts und harbors In tho West India Islands were used by our enemy to the groat injury and embarrassment of the United States, we had tho same experience in oar second Wsr with Oreat Britain. Tbo somo European policy for a long tlino excluded us even from trade with the nest Indies, while wo wero at peace with all l lions. In our recent civil war tho rebels, and their ratlcal blockade-breaking allies, found facilities lu 1 same ports for the work, which they too successfully compushed, of Injuring sod devastating the commerco which wc are engaged In rebuilding. We labored espe cially under this disadvantage—that European steam, vessels, eroployd by our enemies, found friendly sbeltei protection, and supplies In West Indian ports, while oui own naval operations were necessarily carried on fron oar own distant shores. There was then a universal feel ing of the want «f an advanced naval outpost l-ctween the Atlantic coast and Europe, Tbo duty o. obtaining such an outpost peacefully and lawfully, while ’joltbi doing nor menaciog Injury to other States, earnestly el gaged the attention of tlio Executive Department i>ef»i the close of tho war.and It has not been lost sight of sine that time. A not entirely dissimilar naval want revealed Itself during tho same period on the Pacific coast. Tho requirel foothold there was fortunately secured by our late treaty with tho Emperor ofRussla, and It now seems Imperative that the more obvious necessities of the At lantic coast should not b« less carefully provided for. A good and convenient port and liarbor, capable of easy defence, will tupplv that want. With the possession of with bo absorbed early statesmen that the West Indl._ viato to, and may be exacted ultimately by the Continental States, Including our i with thorn also thut It Is wise to leave tl , . such absorption to tills process of natural gravitation. Tho Islands of St. Thomas and SL John**, which con stitute s part of tho groupe called the Virgin Islands, seemed to offer us advantages immedlatelv desirable, while their acquisition could be secured iu harmony with tho principals to which I have alluded. A treaty has, therefore, been concluded with the King of Den mark for the cession of those islands, and will be sub mitted to the Senate for ooaldcratlon. It will hardly be necessary to call tho attention of Con- gross to tho subject of providing for tho payment to Kus- i«la of the sum stipulated In the treaty for the cession of Alaska. Possesalon having been formally delivered to our commissioner, the territory remains for the present in care of a military force, awaiting such civil organiza tion as shall be directed by Congress. The annexation of many amafiOerman States to Prus sia, and tho reorganization of that country under a new and liberal constitution, have induced me tore-new the effort to obtain ajustand prompt aettlement of the long- vexed question concerning the claims of foreign States for military service from their subjects naturalized in the United BUtes. In connection with this subject, the attention of Con* md embarrassing mentofthlaOov- gress is respectfully called to a singular ami embarrassing conflict of laws. Tho Execntlve Department of this Gov- held, as It now holds, . with the Constitution 1 States, absolves the recipient from his native allegiance. The courts of Oreat Britain hold that allegiance to the British Crown Is Indefeasible, and is not absolved by our laws of naturalization. British judges cite courts and law authorities orthe United State: In support of that theory against the position held by tire United States. This conflict perplexes the public mim concerning the rights of naturalized citizens, ond impair: the national authority abroad. 1 called attention to thl subject In my last annual message, and now again respect fully appeal to Congress to declare the wl ,f - mlstaknbly upon this Impm-:..; • Tho abuse of our laws by »!•- of the Afrlccn slave trade ii - n •*.»■. . American citizens has nltogvilo r •« •. latlngclrcnmstancea.no apprehensions *.fu, :<•••■ this part of the world nre c»it< rt propose to Her Majesty's Uovernment a suspension <-r discontinuance ol the stipulations for maintaining a naval force for the suppression of that trade. ANDREW JOHNSON. Wasuwotox, December 0. 1SC7* Specie Pay me isf—.Hr* Jlorrill , «* mill 31 r. Morrill, of Vermont, has Introduced, in tho Senate, tho following bill, which was ordered to be printed nnd laid over for further consideration: Re it enacted. Ac., That after tlie 14th day of July, 1809, the Secretary of the Treasury he, and ho Is heieby, authorized and directed to pay in coin all United State* note# not bearing interest and com monly called **leg«l tender” notes, which may no presented for such payment at the Treasury office in Washington, D. ('., or at such other place* as may bo designated, of which public notice shall be given by the Secretary of the Treasury. Skc. 2. And be it further enacted, That hereafter nnd until January 1st, 1 whenever there shall bo Iu the Treasury of tho United States, after paying tlie in terest and tho coupons falling duo on tho 1st of January and July of each year, and deducting gold certificates of deposit, any oxcess or coin over nnd above tho sum of seventy-five millions of dollnrs, the Secre tary of the Treasury shall be authorized and is hereby required within thirty days from the 1st of January and July as afore said, to sell tho same in such manner os in his judgment will best promote the public interest, and may receive in pay therefor United States notes, notes or National Banks of the United States, Compound In terest notes, or U. S. three per cent. Cer tificates. Sec. 3. Be It frirther enacted, That all Natlonol Banks having less than 20 per centum in specie on hand of their respec tive capital, shall hereafter, and until July 1st, I860, be required to keep and to hold In coin all interest received on United States bonds which may be deposited by them, according to law, with the Treasurer of tho United States: Provided, That this shall not be so construed as to add any thing to tho amonnt of the reserve now required to be held by said banks. Sec. 4. And be it frirther enacted, That on and after the 4th day of July, 1SC9, all National Banks shall be respectively re quired, and hereby are required to redeem and pay In coin on demand all their bills Issued as currency of the denomination of five dollars and under, when presented at tho counters o! said banks, and all bills of a higher denominations so issued and so presented, may and shall bo paid either in coin or lu United States legal tcuder notes. Sec. 5. And be it Author enacted. That any National Bank which shall fall to comply with tho provisions of this act, so far as tho same may bo applicable, shall be deemed to havo forfeited It* charter, and the Comptroller of tho Currency upon re ceiving satisfactory evidence of tlio same, shall proceed to dose and wind up the same as in other coses of forfeiture provi ded by law, and In Ucu ot any such bank may authorize new National Banks witli an equal amount of capital to bo located in such States as may nave less than their proportion of tho wnole amount now au thorized by law; provided thatthls shall not authorize any increase of the present aggregate amount circulation of tne Na tional Banks. Appointment* fcf the North Georgia _ Conference for 180$* Augusta District—W. II. Potter, P. E. Augusta—St. John's Church, A. Wright. Augusta—St. James Church, G. H. PatlUo Asbury—C. W. Key. City Mission—E. W. Calhoun. Richmond—John A. Reynold*. Appling—R. A. Conner. Thompson—L. Rush. Warrenton—W. H. Evans. Sparta—A. J. Jarrell. Hancock—J. Lewis and W. T. Caldwell. Milledgeville-W. C. Malloy. Baldwin—J. V. M. Morris. Eatontou—George Kramer. Putnam—J. W. Knight and R. B. John son. Athens District.—W. U. Branham, P. E. Athens—n. II. Parks. Watkinsvllle—R. J. Hansel! and 1*. J. Ellis. Factory Mission—To bo supplied. Madison—E. W. Spear. Morgan—W. It. Foote and A. L. Pierce, sun. Greensboro'—J. M, Dickey. Greene—C. A. Mitchell. Lexington—D. J. Myrlck, and one to be supplied. Washington—G. W. Yarbrough. Broad River—John W. Heldt. Little River—M. Calloway. Montlccllo—W. W. Oslin. Monroe—M. F. Malsby, Elbcrton District—J. A. Grogan, P. K. Klbcrton—A. G. Worley. Elbert—E. G. Murrain Jefl'erson—J. H. Mashbnrn, and one to be supplied. Madison Springs—W. T. Norman. Homer—C. H. Ellis. Hartwell—L. P. Sccsc. CJarkesville—F. G. Hughes. Clayton Mission—G. K. Quillian. Gainesville—J. It. Parker. Cleveland—A. W. William*. Lincolnton—B. Sanders. Dahloncga DIst.—W. A. Simmons, P. E. Dahlonega and Auraria—G. Hughe*. Lumpkin—W. F. Quillian. Cumming—J. D. Anthony. Canton—J. R. Gaines. Ellilay—To be supplied by J. Newell. Sprlngplace—To bo supplied by R. A. Glddon. Blairsville—M. G. Hambry. Jasper—To be supplied. Rome District—zk.G. Haycood. P. K. Rome—A. 31. Thigpen. Cave Springs—Tho«. A. Seal*. Cedar Town—To bo supplied. Cartcrsvllle—C. A. Evans. Stilesboro’ Mission—To be supplied. Bartow 3llsslon—R. II. Jones. Kingston—W. C. Dunlap. Calhoun—B. J. Johnson. LaFayeete—J. L. Lupo. Dalton—J. T. Norris. Tunnel Hill—To be supplied by T. M. Pledger. Tilton—To be supplied. Ringgold—W. D. Heath. Summerville—W. T. Hamilton. Oostanaula—To be supplied by W. !>’ Powell. Floyd Mission—To be supplied by A. J. Stewart. LaGrauge District.—A. J. Graves, V. K. LaGrangc—R. W. Blgham. LaGrange and West Point Colored Mis sion—To be supplied. West Point and Long Cane—E. M. Ry- burn. Troupe and Colored charge—T. S. I.. Harwell. Whltcsvlllc and Colored Charge—"'..!. Cottov. l.’ouela a lid < uloreri < ,i.»rge ~ l.\ F, Jones. Newimn—E. 1*. Birch. Palmetto and Grantviiie—.1. T. Lowe. Franklin nnd Colored Charge—J.Mc Ghee. llowdou—To be supplied. Carrollton—C. TririscU. and one to G upplied. llaralsu nralson Mission—To be supplied. Campbell—J. J. Davis. Sand tow ii Mission—'To bo supplied, Atlanta District—Thomas F. Pierce, p. K. Wesley Ciinpel—F. A. Kimball. Trinity Church—W. M. Crumley; I. N. Craven. Sup. City -Mission—C. J. Oliver, W. P. PatlUo. Atlanta Ciivult—W. J. Wardlaw. Fulton—J. J. Bellnh. Decatur—W. A. Dodge. DoKalh Colored Charge—To he supplied. Stone Mountain—Albert Gray. Covington—P. A. Heard. Oxford—Jos. J. Singleton; J. T. Curtis, sup. Conyers—W. A. Florence. Alpharetta—Jas. Chamber*. Roswell—To bo supplied. Marietta—W. F. Cook; A. Mean*, sup. Ac worth—W. 8. Scott. Acworth Mission—To he supplied. Powder Springs—To he supplied. Dallas—To bo supplied; A. J. Dearours, sup. Lawrencevillc—A. M. Lowry, and one to be supplied. Griffin District—John C. Simmon*, P. K. Griffin—H. J. Adams. Zebulon—W. P. Rivers; Ii. A. r*caL*, Sup. Pike and Colored Mission—31. Bellnh. Tbomaston and Colored Charge— Dan.’ei Kelsey. Barnesvllle—W. F. Smith. Fayetteville—R. A. Stripling. McDonnough—J. M. Bright. Jonesboro’—J. W. Turner. Culloden—J. W. Reynolds. Clinton—W. E. Arnold. Jackson—To be supplied. Indian Spring Mission—To be supplied* Forsyth—W. 1*. Pledgor. Forsyth Circuit—F. B. Davis. Griffin Female College—W. A. Rogers. Sunday School Agent—W. A. Rogers. Transferred to the South Georgia Con ference : .T. Jones, J. U. Clarke, ,T. W, Hin ton, J. W. Talley, I. S. Honk in*. W. P. Harrison, J. T. Payne. J. B. McGhee, and G. T. Embry. Transferred to tlie Montgomery Confer ence: W.C. Rowland. AUGUSTA DISTRICT—COLORED. Richmond—To be supplied. Columbia—To be supplied. Warren—Joshua Andrew. Jefferson— 1 To bo supplied. Burke—To be supplied. JIILLKIHi KV 1LI.K DISTRICT—COLORED. Hancock—Lucius Holsey, K. Handy. Washington—To be supplied. Baldwin—July De Saussurc. Putman—To bo supplied. Macon District—To bo supplied. Jones—George Simmons. Jasper—B. Showers, W. Moreland. Monroe—J. Green. Culloden—S. Kendall. Barnesvllle District—To be supplied* Barnsvlllc—To bo supplied. ThomaitoH—To be supplied. Pike and Flat Skoals-% Bush, 0&0 to bf supplied.