Weekly chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1866-1877, December 12, 1866, Image 1
OLD REKIES, VOL. LX XV.
ts hvomclc & Sentinel
11 i:n m mooi:i:,
A. I{. WHIfiMT.
TKk.>i> of vi usukiption.
Al (.1 -T \ , <■ \ :
HKIIVKSLMV MOKvTm,. DEIIMBKP. 12 .
The Times on Greeley.
1 lur readers will remember that hut a
few weeks have elapsed 'nee the assembly
in I’hiladelphia of a Convention of the
conservative men of all sections, with a
view to the settlement of the differences
l.etween the extreme men of the North and
West and the President upon the proper
plan or terms upon which the restoration
of th • Union should be effected, ft is
known also that Horace Greeley, then and
n iw the ablest and most reliable leader of
the extreme H elicals, opposed the meeting
of that Convention; and that 11. J. Ray
mond, of the New York Trmrx. arrogated
tn himself the position of chief director and
organizer of that body, and that he took a.
conspicuous and leading part, not only in
the deliberations of the Convention, hut
that lie was the author of the address
which was presented to the people of the
I 'nited States and a leading member of the
committee whielfeadopted the platform.
ftaymond then cal fed himself a Cos uwr
■ iticr, jand was proud of the distinction.
In the address which we have just alluded
to, lie took ground again t the constitution
al amendment upon the ground, among
others, that the Congress which adopted it
w:i i not compos.: ! of all the States of the
/ ./cel; in that the eleven States, lately
composing the Southern Confederacy, hail
been excluded from its councils, and that,
therefore, the States ought not to ratify
this unconstitutional action of the Rump
Congo - It is true that, as a member of
that Coiigrc-s, lie had mini fur the amend
ments but a few Weeks before the meeting
of the Philadelphia Convention; but, pre
tending to act under the conviction of a
more mature judgment, lie boldly pro
claimed the amendments unconstitutional
in the mode of their adoption, and vin'-ise,
malii/inin t and li/runnircil in their effects. I
The address, which is understood to have f
come from his pen, insists that the Congress ■
had no right to exclude from representation ;
any or either of the thir/i/-si.r States coin- |
posing the Federal Union, and that the I
exclusion of loyal representatives from the j
Southern States was a usurpation of power j
on the part of Congress which was do- !
struct ive to the existence of constitutional |
Representative Government. He declared j
that if the Southern people should so far
disgrace themselves and degrade their
States as to accept the proposed amend-I
incuts, they would become unlit associates
of the Federal Union, and that the honest
and honorable masses of the North and
West, would hold them no less treacherous
to their section than recreant to the dictates
of honor and patriotism.
Horace Greeley opposed the assemblage :
of the I’hiladelphia Convention, because |
lie thought that its object was to break i
down the Republican party and pass the !
power and control of the Government into !
the hands of the men who had been for ,
years the antagonists of the policy and
party with which ho then acted. He had,
also, opposed the amendments, but when
they liac received the sanction of the llump
Congress he yielded his opposition, though
still declaring that his own policy of
“ itiiin rsit/xtij/'rai/eand universal annaiti/ ’
was the best. Greeley has been, from the
ee -sat ion of the war, the strong, consistent
and humane advocate of general amnesty
and forgiveness for past political offences. ;
His crotchet of ‘ 1 universal xujfrtnjr ’’ was, j
doubtle.-s, thrown in as a make-weight for ;
his main idea of amnesty. We do not 1
believe that he even now would insist upon j
his proposition for universal suffrage, if'he |
believed it could become the law of the
land. He lias sufficient foresight to per-:
ceive that with the ballot in the hands of (
the ignorant and debased blacks of the '
South, their former masters would control
their votes as effectually and completely as j
they will control their action, at least so
long as the lands and homes of the South j
are owned by the whites. To give the j
ballot to the negro, is but another way of j
adding to the influence and power of the j
white people of the South in the national
government. Greeley sees this, and hence, ;
in his recent address to the people of the
Northern States, he virtually abandons his j
universal sutfragewlien he savs :
/ ant for mitre rued anmesti/ — m fur as •
iiumiiniti/from fear if jnun'sliment or con- i
jiseatton is eonariied —en n though impiir- j
lid suffrage should for the present lie, re- j
fisted onddefeated. I did think it. desirable !
that .Jefferson Davis should he arraigned j
and tried lor treason; and it still seems to
me that this might properly have been I
done many months ago. But it was not j
done then ; and now I believe it would re
sult in far mi we evil than good. It would i
rekindle passions that have nearly burned !
out or been hushed to sleep; it would |
fearfully convulse and agitate the South; i
it would arrest the progress of reconcilia
tion and kindly feeling there ; it would cost
a large sum directly and a far larger sum
indirectly; and, unless the jury were
packed, it would result in a non-agreement
or no verdict. Icm imagine no good end ■
t i he subserved by such a trial, and holding
Davis neither better tic - worse than thou
sands of others, would have him treated !
as they are.
The concluding sentences of the above
paragraph, show him to be not only well
skilled in the arts of good government, but '
they exhibit a kindness and benovelence 1
which does infinite credit to his heart.
Commenting Upon the proposition eon- ;
tained in the first sentence of the above [
extract, Raymond in a late number of the :
'/’tines, says:
We do not believe the people are in favor
«f sueh admission. Indeed, the recent
eleetien, if it proves anything, proves that
they are not. We are certain that nothing
would more shock the public sense of jus
tice, or create greater alarm for the public
safely, than the proposition to make all
the plotters, conspirators and leading ac
tors in the reliellion at once eligible to all
the otlie-'s of the National and Smte tiov
ernments. Yet in this the people are not
vindictive, nor are they sweeping in their
exclusions.
How completely the "little vidian" has
again enacted one of those political sum
mersaults for which he has become so fi
lmin' 1 Raymond thinks the admission of
Southern representatives in the Hails of
Congress, would greatly shock the sense of
public justice in the North and create great
alarm for the public safety. In August
last, he addressed the American people a
long argument to show that the South was
entitled to representation, without terms,
and that to accept this right upon the
terms proposed by the constitutional amend
ments would degrade the Southern people
and render them unfit for association with
a free people. Now he would have them
excluded from Congress; their property
confiscated ; aud their lives forfeited unless
they comply with the terms which he has
assured us, are too intolerable and degrad
ing to be borne by honorable men.
Raymond is convinced that the proposi
tion of the editor of the Tribune, for uni
versal amnesty, is destined to tind no
sympathy in the “great Northern heart.
He can see in it only defeat, disas
ter and shame, coupled with the
further objection, that its adoption will
turn over the Government into the hands
of Rebels, reeking with the blood ol thou
sands of Union patriots and braves. He
can see no blood on the bands of those
who. for lour years, waged a cruel and re
lentless war upon the Southern people —
who invaded our soil, despoiled our cities,
burned our towns and villages, destroyed
our farms and butchered our youths. If
the North mourns the loss of some of its
b*«t citizens, the South can point to almost
| every hill and valley in the Old Dominion,
and upon every rocky eminence in Georgia
and Tennessee, where the bosom of mother
earth ii corrugated with the turf which
rests above the mortal remains of her b‘..-:t
blood and noblest manhood.
There is much to forget and forgive on
both -ides. The agony and desire. of
Southern widows and mothers is as deep
and poignant as that of their unfortunate
fellows of the North and "West. If the
North points with sorrow and.regret to
tin untimely graves of McPherson, and
Reno, and Kearney, the South mourn
the loe! of Johnston, »nd Cobb, and Gregg,
and Bartow, and I'tgram, and Hill, and
Barksdale, and a host of other gallant
souls, who laid down their lives in defence
of a cause which they held as sacred a s
that ibr which their Northern, antagonists
fell. While we honor those who fought an 1
that the Northern and Western people
should always hold in grateful remembrance
tiie virtues and gallant deeds of those who
periled their lives for their cause. It is
not only the duty of humanity, hut the
part of true statesmanship, that the sur
vivor- should overcome the feelings en
gendered by the conflict at the earliert
possible day.
South Carolina- Truth from a Kelu
taut Witness—Frecdmm's Affair . ,
Major General i toward, is in receipt of a 1
rep .r t j’.iiu lirefcd. (Scm-wO H.
Scott assistant commissioner of the Freed- :
men's Bureau for the State of South Caro- ,
linn, in relation to the condition of the ‘
freodmen and the operations of the bureau j
in that State duringthe month of October, j
In the district of Anderson, including |
Abbeville, Kdgetield, Burnwelland Ander
son districts, the freedmen arc generally
treated with kindness ; labor is plentiful, j
and no / i'-C tuition known to exist. No >
schools are now open, and though they :
might bo in operation without interference i
of any kind. lack of funds compel them to i
remain dos 'd. In Barnwell district ]
the magistrates are generally disposed to j
treat eases of injustice promptly and to j
compel the citizens to act justly. Com- j
plaints are sometimes made of planters
running employees away from the pianta- j
tions for the purpose of depriving them of
their share of the crops ; though in some i
instances the freedmen are to blame for j
non-attendance to their work.
| The above extract is from a letter of the j
special correspondent of the Philadelphia
Press (Radical), written from Washington, j
I The statements of General Scott as to the j
| character of the people of South Carolina, i
and their good conduct towards their late
slaves, i.- just such a report as the facts of j
the case warrant and demand. The peo
ple of the districts mentioned have been
most villainously traduced and slandered |
by some of the petty officials of the Freed- j
men’s Bureau, and especially while that
institution was under the control and ;
direction of the canting, ferocious and
cowardly General Saxon. All the charges !
that have ever been made against the 1
people of those districts of maltreatment j
of the freedmen have been instigated by
the malice or cupidity of the dirty wretches
who were aj minted to and retained in
power on account of their known subser
viency to the bloodthirsty and vindictive
policy of the Radical Saxon.
Wo are at a loss to account for the pub
lication in the Press of this emphatic
denial of General Scott of the slanders
that have been heaped upon the people of
I the Palmetto State, when we consider the
malignant and mendacious course of that
i paper towards the South for the past
fifteen months. vVe, however, accept it as a
| sign of conscious regret for its past infamy,
j and a desire to atone, in some measure,
I lor the grievous wrongs which it has com
| mitted upon the South, by its advocacy and
support, of the most ultra radical measures
! of punishment and degradation of the
white race in the Southern States.
While there is nothing in the paragraph
which we have quoted which would arrest
i the attention or excite remarks among
| those of us who know the true state of
j public sentiment in the South towards the
- freedmen, it is too painfully true that the
Northern mind lias been studiously kept in
: ignorance of our conduct and position.
The Radical press has been filled with li-
I bellous and untruthful statements of cruel
| treatment on the part of the Southern
people towards the blacks, until the whole
: Northern mind has received and accepted
| the impression that the safety of the ne
i gro is entirely dependent upon the presence
and constant watchfulness of the Bureau
! agents amongst us. We believe that this
' fair, frank and truthful statement of Gen.
! Scott will produce a good effect upon the
Northern masses, and we congratulate our
: people that we have amongst us those in
i official position who are capable of rising
above the predjudices of birth and educa
tion in giving to a fallen, though honorable
foe, the full benefits of a just, reliable and
discriminating report.
Explanatory.
During the temporary absence of the
editors of this paper a communication from
one Martin, an assistant agent of the
Frcedmen’s Bureau, at Waynesboro’, Ga.,
was admitted into our columns, which re
quires a passing notice. This man Mar
tin is the individual referred to in our
Editorial Correspondence from Waynes
boro’, on the 20th ult., as the party who
had attempted to take from the civil au
thorities of that county, a white man.
charged with the crime of arson, on the
ground that ho was a deserter from the
Federal army. Tills fellow Martin had
been in the town of Waynesboro for sonic
time previous to the arrest of the culprit,
Somers—had, it is presumed, daily and
nightly communications with him, (for he
appears to have been a low, dirty creature),
and had never thought ol his being a de
serter until the officers of the law arrested
him for a violation of the laws of the State.
Then Martin seeks to take him from the
custody of the Sheriff, and failing in that,
even had the audacity to demand him from
the Judge of the Superior Court.
After our letter was written, giving an
account of the creature's (Martin) con
duct, the case of Somers was regularly
called for trial; whereupon Martin at
tempted to insult the dignity of our Ju
diciary, by reading, in open court, his pro
test against the trial by the court of lus
ehum and associate. The ease was tried
despite Martin's protest —Somers was
convicted, and, doubtless is, ere this, safely
lodged in the State Penitentiary.
No charge was made against Martin
in our letter except what was conveyed in
the statement that it was believed in Burke
that this charge of desertion against Somers
was a mere ruse on the part of Martin
and hiui to get hiuv off from trial for the
charge of arson. Whether that belief is
well founded or not it exists, and the public
will judge of its probable correctness.
This fellow Martin evidently desires
to receive some notoriety from us, and,
doubtless, imagines that his importance
win be enhanced by a notice from this
paper. T\ e are disposed to gratify the
creature to the extent of saying that we
believe him to be what his conduct in re
lation to this ease proves he is—an unscru
pulous, malignant and despicable enemy of
the white people of the South.
Hon. Cave Johnson died at Clarksville,
Turn,, on the 23d inst., at an advanced
age. The deceased was extensively known
throughout the country. He was fre
quently a member of the Tennessee Legis
lature, and tor many years a prominent
member of the Tutted States Congress.
Subsequently be was Postmaster General,
a position wnichhe tilled with signal ability.
After the close of the late war he was
elected by his fellow-citizens to the State
Senate of Tennessee, but the Radical ma
jority of that body refused jo admit him to
his seat, on the alleged ground that he had
expressed disloyal sentiments during the
Confederate struggle. He- was a statesman
of strict integrity.
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES TO THE
TWO HOUSES OF CONGRESS AT
THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE
SECOND SESSION.
Fellow-citizens of the Senate
anii House of Representatives:
j Aher a 1 irief interval the Congress of the j
1 uited States re-umes its annual legislative
labors. Au all-wise and merciful l’rovi
| dene? has abated the pestilence which I
t visited our shores, leaving its calamitous I
traces upon some portion of our country.
Peace, order, tranquility and civil author
ity have been formally declared to exist
j throughout the whole of the United States, ;
In all of the States civil authority has
superseded the coercion of arms, and the
people, by their voluntary action, are main
l tabling their governments in full activity !
and complete operation. The enforce*:
merit of the laws is no longer “obstructed
in any State by combinations too powerful
to be suppressed by the ordinary course of
judicial proceedings;” arid the animosities :
engendered by the war are rapidly yielding '
to the beneficent influences of our free in
stitutions, and to the kindly effects of uure- .
stricted -octal and commercial intercourse. '
An entire restoration of fraternal feeling I
must be the earnest wish of every patriotic ,
jicart: and wa- willjiavo accomplished our i
, : t nut wheunfo*
getting the sad event, of the past, and !
remembering only their instructive lessons, 1
we resume our onward career as a free, I
prosperous and united people.
In my message of the 4th of December, !
I 1865, Congress was informed of the mea-
I sure.-; which had been instituted by the
: Executive with a view to the gradual res
■ titration of the States in which the insur
i rection occurred to their relations with the
! General Government. Provisional Gover
: nors had been appointed, Conventions
1 called, Governors elected, Legislatures as
j semblcd, and Senator; and Representatives
chosen to the Congress of the United
; States. Courts had been opened for the
i enforcement of laws long in abeyance. The
; blockade had been removed, the custom
; houses re-established, and the internal
i revenue laws put in force, in order that the
j people might contribute to the national
income. Postal operations had been
renewed, and efforts were being made to
j restore them to their former condition of
efficiency. The- States themselves had
been asked to take part in the high function
| of amending the Constitution, and of thus
sanctioning the extinction of African slavery
j as one of the legitimate results of our in
ternecine struggle.
Having progressed thus far, the Execu
: live Department found that it had accom-
I plisbcd nearly till that was within the scope
jof its constitutional authority. One thing,
however, yet remained to lie done before
the work of restoration could be completed,
; and that was the admission to Congress of
loyal Senators and Representatives from
j the States whose people had rebelled
against the lawful authority of the General
1 Government. This question devolved upon
the respective Houses, which, by the Con
stitution, are made the judges of the elec
tions, returns, ond qualification of their
own members; and its consideration at
once engaged the attention of Congress.
In the meantime, the Executive Depart
ment -no other plan having been pro
posed by Congress continued its efforts to ,
perfect, as far as was practicable, the I
restoration of the proper relations between I
the citizens of the respective States and !
the Federal Government, extending, from
time to time, as the public interests seemed
to require, the judicial, revenue, and j
postal system of the country. With the j
advice and consent of the Senate, the !
! necessary officers were appointed, and ap
! propria tions made by Congress for the
payment of their salaries. The propo.si- j
Lion to amend the Federal Constitution, so
as to prevent the existence of slavery :
within the United States, or any place
subject t o their jurisdiction, was ratified by ;
the requisite number of States ; and on the ;
I stli day of December, 1865, it was offi
j eially declared to have become valid as a
part of the Constitution of the United
States. All of the States in which the
insurrection had existed promptly amend
ed their Constitutions, sons to make them
: conform to the great change thus effected
in the organic law of the land ; declared
null and void all ordinances aud laws of
| secession ; repudiated all pretended debts
j and obligations created for the revolu
tionary purposes of the insurrection ; and
proceeded, in good faith, to the enactment
of measures for the protection and ameli
oration of the condition of the colored
race. Congress, however, yet hesitated to
j admit any of those States to representation;
and it was not until towards the close of
i the eighth month .of the session that an
1 exception was made in favor of Tennessee,
by the admission of her Senators and
i Representatives.
I deem it a subject of profound regret
that Congress has thus far failed to ad
: init to seats loyal Senators and llepresenta
i fives from the other States, whose inhabi
! tants, with those of Tennessee, had en
gaged in the rebellion. Ten States--snore
than one-fourth of the whole number—
! remain without representation ; .the Seats
i of fifty members in the House of Repre
sentatives and twenty members in the
!’Senate are yet vacant —not by their own
consent, not by a failure of election, hut
by the refusal of Congress to accept their
credentials. Their admission, it i.; believed
would have accomplished much towards
| the renewal and strengthening of our rela-
tions as one people, aud removed serious |
cause for discontent on the part of the :
inhabitants of those States. It would
have .accorded with the great principle
enunciated in the Declaration of American
Independence, that no people ought to |
bear the .burden of taxation, and yet he [
denied the right of representation. It !
would have been in consonance with the :
express provisions of the Constitution,
that “each State shall have at least one j
Representative,'’ and “that no State, j
without its consent, shall be deprived of
its equal suffrage in the Senate. These
provisions wore intended to secure to eve- j
ry State, and to the people of every State, j
the right of representation in each House j
of Congress; and so important was it- ;
deemed by the framers of the Constitution j
that the equality ol' the States in the Sen- j
ate should be preserved, that not even by j
an amendment of the Constitution can any j
State, without its consent, be denied a ;
voice in that branch of the National Leg- |
islature. _ j
It is true, it has been assumed that the
existence of the States was terminated by
the rebellious acts of their inhabitants, and
that the insurrection having been sup
pressed, they were thenceforward to be
considered merely as conquered territories.
The. Legislative, Executive, aud Judicial
Departments of the Government have,
however, with great distinctness and uni
form consistency, refused to sanction an
assumption so incompatible with the na
ture of cur republican system, and with
the professed objects of the war. Through
out the recent legislation of Congress, the
undeniable suet makes itselt apparent,
that these ten political communities are
nothing less than States ol this Union.
At the very commencement of the rebel
lion, each House declared, with a unanimi
ty as remarkable as it was significant, that
the war was not “waged, upon our part, in
anv spirit ot oppression, nor for any pur
pose of conquest or subjugation, nor pur
pose of overthrowing or interfering with
the rights or established institutions of
those States, but to defend and maintain
the supremacy of the Constitution and all
laws made in pursuance thereof, and to
preserve the Union with all the dignity,
equality, and rights of the several Slates
unimpaired : and that as soon as these ob
jects'' were “accomplished the war ought
to cease.” In some instances, Senators
were permitted to continue their legislative
functions, while in other instances Repre
sentatives were elected and admitted to
seats after the States had formally declared
thou- rihhts to withdraw from the Union,
and were endeavoring to maintain that
right by force of arms. All the States
whose people were in insurrection, as
| States, were included iu the apportionment
j of the direct tax of twenty millions of dol
! lars annually laid upon the United States
by the act approved All August, IS6I.
Congress, by the act of March 4. 1863, and
by the apportionment of representation
thereunder, also recognized their presence
as S.ates in the Union : and they have, for
j judicial purposes, been divided into dis
tricts. as States alone can be divided. The
! same recognition appears in the recent leg
islation in reference to Tennessee, which
. rests upon the fact that the functions of
i the States were not destroyed by the rebel
lion. but merely suspended ; and that prin
-1 ciplc is of course applicable to those States
which, like Tennessee, attempted to re
nounce their places in the Union.
The action of the Executive Department
' of the Government upon this subject has
been equally definite and uniform, and the
purpose ot the war was specially stated in
ttio Proclamation issued by mv predecessor
, on the 22d day of September," 1562. It
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY JXIRNISG, DECEMBER 12, 1866.
wa- then solemnly proclaimed and declared
that “hereafter, as heretofore, the war
will be pro-"cuted for the object of practi
cally restoring the constitutional relation
u tw. in the < lilted States and each of the
>tati and thy people thereof, in which
States that relation is or may be suspended
V: 'A-T'-ion of the States by the .Ju
dicial Department ot the Government has
also been clear and conclusive in all pro
• ecedings affecting them as States, had in
the Supreme, Circuit, and District Courts.
In the admission of Senators and Repre
sentatives from any and all of the States,
: there can be no just ground of apprehension
that persons who are disloyal will be clothed
with the powers of legislation; for this
could Pot happen when the Constitution
and the laws are enforced by a vigilant and
faithful Congress. Each House is made
the "judge of the elections, returns, and
qualification- of" its own members,” aud
may, “with the concurrence o l two thirds,
expel a member. When a Senator or
Representative present* his certificate of
election, he may at once be admitted or
rejected; or, should there be any question
as to his eligibility, hi.s credentials may be
referred for investigation to the appropriate
committee. If admitted to a scat, it must
Le upon evidence satisfactory to the House
of which he thus becomes a member, that
lie po-sesses the requisite constitutional and
legal qualifications. If refused admission
a u member for want of due allegiance to
the Government, and returned to his con
stituents, they are admonished that none
but iiur.-nns loyal to the United States will
be allowed a voice in the Legislative Coun-
Gls of the and the political power
mprhl nJJBpc of Congress, arc thus
'e#e¥ii»vcly ifllbwPl in the Interests of loy
alty to the Government and fidelity to the
Union. Upon this question, so vitally
affecting the restoration of the Union and
the permanency of our present form of \
government, in/ convictions, heretofore
expressed, have undergone no change;
but, on the contrary, their correctness has
been confirmed by reflection and time. If
the admission of loyal members to seats in
flic respective Houses of Congress was
wise and expedient a year ago, it is no less
wise and expedient now. If this anoma
lous condition is right now —if, in the ex
act condition of these States at the present
time, it is lawful to exclude them from
representation, 1 do not see that the ques
tion will be changed by the efflux of time.
Ten years hence, if these States remain as
they arc, the right of representation will
be no stronger—tbe right of exclusion will
be no weaker.
The Constitutution of ti e 1 nited States
makes it the duty of the I'resident to re
commend to the consideration of Congress
“such measures as he shall judge necessary
or expedient.” I know of. no measure
more imperatively demanded by every con
sideration of national interest, sound policy,
and equal justice, than the admission of
loyal members from the now unrepresented
States. This would consummate the work
of restoration, and exert a most salutary
influence in the re-establishment of peace,
harmony, and fraternal feeling. It would
tend greatly to renew the confidence of the
American people in the vigor and stability
of their institutions.
It would bind us more closely together
as a nation, and enable us to show to the
world the inherent and recuperative power
of a Government founded upon the will of
the people, and established upon the
principles of liberty, justice, and intelli
gence. Our increased strength and en
hanced prosperity would irrcfraeably de
monstrate the fallacy of the arguments
against free institutions drawn from our
recent national disorders by the enemies of
republican government-. 'The admission of
loyal members from the States now ex
cluded from Congress, by allaying doubt
and apprehension, would turn capital, now
awaiting an opportunity for investment,
into the channels ol" trade and industry.
It would alleviate the present troubled
condition of those States, and, by inducing
emigration, aid in the settlement of fertile
regions now uncultivated, and lead to an
increased production of those staples which
have added so greatly to the wealth of the
nation and the commerce ot the world.
New fields of enterprise would be opened
to our progressive people, and soon the
devastations of war would be repaired, and
all traces of our domestic differences effaced
from the minds of our countrymen.
incur efforts to preserve “unify of
Government which constitutes us one
people, by restoring the States to the
condition which they held prior to the re
bellion, we should be cautious, lest, having
rescued our nation from perils of threat
ened disintegration, wc resort to consolida
tion, and in the end absolute despotism, as
a remedy for the recurrence of similar
troubles. The wav having terminated, and
with it all occasion for the exercise of
powers of doubtful constitutionality, wc
should hasten to bring legislation within
the boundaries prescribed by the Constitu
tion, and return to the ancient landmarks
established by our fathers for the guidance
of succeeding generations. “The Consti
tution which at any time exists, until
changed by an explicit and authentic act of
the whole people, is sacredly obligatory
upon all.” “ If, in the opinion of the
people, the distribution or modification of
tiic constitutional powers be, in any par
ticular, wrong, let it be corrected by an
amendment in the way in which the Con
stitution designates. But let there be no
change by usurpation; for” “it is the
customary weapon by which free, govern
ments are destroyed. ” Washington spoke
these words to Ins countrymen, when, fol
lowed by their love and gratitude, he vol
untarily retired from the cares of public
i life. “To keep in all things within the
pale of our constitutional powers, and
j cherish the Federal Union as the only
rock of safety,” were prescribed by Jeffer
son as rules of action to endear to bis
“countrymen the true principles ol their
; Constitution, and promote a union of senti
i mentand action equally auspicious to their
happiness and safety.” Jackson held that
the action of the General Government
: should always be strictly confined to the
I sphere of its appropriate duties, and
justly and forcibly urged that our Govern
ment is nottobemaintained nor our Union
preserved “by invasions of the rights and
powers of the several States. In thus at
tempting to make our General Government
strong, we make it weak. Its true strength
: consists in leaving individuals and States
as much as possible to in
i making itself felt, notiu its power, but in
its beneficence : notin its control, but in
| its protection ; not in binding the States
more closely to the centre, but leaving each
i to move unobstructed in its proper consti
tutional orbit.” These are the teachings
jot’men whose deeds and services have
j made them illustrious, and who, long
j since withdrawn from the scenes of life,
have left to their country the rich legacy of
their example, their wisdom, aud their
: patriotism. Drawing fresh inspiration
i from their lessons, let us emulate them in
- love of country and respect/or the Consti
tution and the laws.
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury affords much information respecting
the revenue and commerce ol' the country. ;
His views upon the currency, and with
reference to a proper adjustment of our
revenue system, internal as well as impost,
arc commended to the careful considera
tion of Congress. In my last annual
message I expressed my general views
upon these subjects. I need now only call
attention to then cessity of carrying into
every department of the Government a
svstem of rigid accountability, thorough,
retrenchment, and wise economy. With
no exceptional nor unusual expenditures,
the oppressive burdens of taxation can lie
lessened by such a modification of out
revenue laws as will be consistent with the
public faith, aud the legitimate aud neces
sary wants of the Government.
The report presents a much more satis
factory condition of our finances than one
year ago the most sanguine could have
anticipated. During the fiscal year end
ing the 30th June, 18'‘5, the last \eai ol
the war. the public debt was increased
8941,902,337, and oil the 31st of October,
1v.;,. it amounted to $2,710.554,7.a>.
()n the 31st day of October, 1866, it had
■
nutioD, durinsr a period ot fourteen months,
commencing September 1, 1863, and end
inn October 31. 1866, having been §200,-
379 565. In the last annual report on the
state of the finances, it was estimated that
during the three quarters of the fiscal vear
ending the 30th of June last, the debt
would be increased $112,194,947. During
that period, however, it was reduced $31,-
1*6,387, the receipts ol the year having
been 889-905,905 more, and the expendi
tures $200,529,235 less than the estimates.
Nothing could more clearly indicate than
these statements the extent and availabil
ity of the national resources, and the ra
pidity and safety with which, under our
form cf government, great military and
naval establishments can be disbanded,
and expenses reduced from a war to a peace
Daring the fiscal year ending the_3oth of
June. 1866, the receipts were $558,032,-
620. and the expenditures $520,750,940,
leaving ah available surplus of $37,281,680.
It is estimated that the receipts forjhe fiscal
vear ending the 30th June, 18t>,, witi be
$475,061,386. and that the expenditures
will reach the sum of $316,428.0(8, leaving
in the Treasury a surplus ot $158,633,306.
i
For the fiscal yea rending June jb, 18(18. it!
; is estimated that fesftcceipts ill amount
to $436,1NK),i".mi, and that the cpenditurcs
will be S:;NO,-47f H showing « excess of
, $85,7.52,559 in favo; of the Gternment.
These estimated recants may bt diminish
ed by a reduction dfificfec and iiport du
ties : but after ail necessary reductions
.shall have b en ma le, the revliue of the
present and ol the following tears will 1
doubtie. .5 be sufficient to cove all logiti
uiate charges upon nic Treasury and leave
j a large annual surpns to be apdied to the
payment of the fifecipal of the debt.
There seems now no good tasou why
taxes may n >t be flJuced a- the country
j advances in jiopulafioti ami wjalth, anil
yet the debt be exfltiguished Iritliin the
next quarter of a ec usury.
The report of the secretary o’ War firt
nishes valuable and important information
in reference to thejopfrations pf hk De
; partment during theuiast year. Few vol
unteers now remain (Uihesorvice. and they
tire being dischargeros rapidly as they can
be replaced by regutjr troops. The army
has been promptly jRa. carefully provided
with medical treatumit, well sheltered and
subsisted, and is to bwurnished with breach
loading small arms. The military strength
of the nation has beciutni impaired by the dis
charge of volunteers * he -disposition of un
serviceable or peruhaljjo stores, and the
retrenchment of espe*diturc. Sufficient
war material to U” ‘t any emergency lias
been retained, and, from the disbanded
volunteers standing ready to respond to
the national call, laigearmies caube rapid
ly organized, equip "'! ..and concentrated.
Fortifications on tin' coast and frontier
have received, or win;/ epared lor
mere ]i,c,verlV: : s.qtvi'
amfnarTStfr tun! lrvOr improvements are tfi
course of energetic prosecution. Prepar
ations have been made for the payment of
the additional bounties au' honzed during
the recent session of Congress, under such
regulations as will protect tic Government
from fraud, and secure to the honorably
discharged soldier the well-earned reward
of his faithfulness and galautry. More
than six thousand maimed soldiers have
received artificial limbs or ether surgical
apparatus; and forty-one nitional ceme
teries, containing the remain, of 104,526
Union soldiers, have already been estab
lished. The total estimate oftnilitary ap
propriations is $25,205,669.
It is stated in the report of he Secretary
of the Navy that the naval Free at this
time consists of two hundred and seventy
eight vessels, armed with tvo thousand
three hundred and fifty-on: guns. Os
these, one hundred and fifeen vessels,
carrying one thousand and twenty-nine
guns, are in commission, distributed chiefly
among seven squadrons. Tht number of
men in the service is thirteen housand six
hundred. Great activity aid vigilance
have been displayed by till tin squadrons,
and their movements have hem judicious
ly and efficiently arranged in fitch manner
as would best promote Americtn commerce,
and protect the rights and interests of our
countrymen abroad. The vessels unem
ployed arc undergoing repairs, or are _ laid
up until their services may lie required.
Most of the iron-clad fleet is at League
Island, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, a
place which, until decisive action should be
taken by Congress, was selected by the
Secretary of the Navy as the most eligible
location for that class of vessels. It is
important vliat a suitable public station
should be provided for the iron-clad fleet.
It is intended that these vessels shall be in
proper condition for anr emergency, and it
is desirable that the bill accepting League
Island for naval purposes, which passed
the House of Representatives at its last
session, should receive final action
at an early period, in order that
there may be a suitable public station
lor this class of vessels, as well as a
navy-yard of area sufficient for the wants of
the service, on the Delaware river. The
Naval Pension fund amounts to $11,750,-
000, having been iicreased $2,750,000
during the year. The expenditures of the
Department for the fiscal year ending 30th
June last were $43,324,526, and the es
timates for the coming year amount to
$23,568,436. Attentfin is invited to the
condition of our seamen, and the impor
tance of legislative measures for their relief
and improvement. The suggestion of this
deserving class of our fellow-citizens are
earnestly recommended to the favorable
attention of Congress.
The report of* Postmaster’General pre
sents a most satisfactory condition of the
postal fervioc, but . tfbht * -."couuuenda •
tions which deserve the consideration of
Congress. The revenues for the Depart
ment lor the year hiding June 30, 1866,
were $14,386,968, and the expenditures
$15,352,079, showing an excess of the
latter of $965,093. li anticipation of this
deficiency, however, a special appropria
tion was made by Coigress in the act ap
proved July 28, 1866. Including the
standing appropriation of s7()o,ooo’ibr free
mail matter, as a legitimate portion of the
revenues yet remaining unexpended, the
actual deficiency for the past year is only
$265,093 —a sum within $51,141 of the
amount estimated in the annual report of
1864. The decrease of revenue compared
with the previous year was one and one-
fifth per cent., and tiic increase of expen
ditures, owing principally to the enlarge
ment of the mail service in the South, was
twelve per cent. On the 30th of June
last there were in operation six thousand
nine hundred and thirty mail routes, with
an aggregate length of one hundred and
eighty thousand, nine hundred and twenty
one miles, an aggregate annual transpor
tation of seventy-one million eight hun
dred aud thirty-seven thousand nine hun
dred and fourteen miles, and an aggregate
annual cost, including all expenditures, of
$8,410,184. The length of railroad routes
is thirty-two thousand and ninety-two
miles, and the annual transportation thirty ;
million six hundred and nine thousand four
hundred and sixty-seven miles. T
length of steamboat routes is fourteen thou
sand three hundred and forty-six miles,
and the annual transportation three million
four hundred and eleven thousand nine !
hundred and sixty two miles. The mail j
service is rapidly increasing throughout j
the whole country, and its steady extern |
sion in the Southern States indicates their j
constantly improving condition. The grow- j
ing importance of the foreign service also!
merits attention. The Post Office Depart- ]
ment of Great Britain and our own have !
agreed ppon a preliminary basis for anew j
Postal Convention, which it, is believed will I
prove eminently beneficial to the commer
cial interests of the United States, inas
much as it contemplates a reduction of the
international letter postage to one-half the j
existing rates; a reduction of postage
with all countries to and from which cor- I
respondence is transmitted in the British
mail, or in closed mails through the United
Kingdom; the establLshmegt of uniform 1
and reasonable charges for the sea and ter
ritorial transit of correspondence in closed
mails ; and an allowance so each Post office ,
Department of the right to use all marl
communications established under the au
thority of the other for the dispatch of
correspondence, either in open or closed •
mails, on the same terms as those applica
ble to the inhabitants of the country pro
viding the means of transmission.
The report of the Secretary of the lute- j
rior exhibits thecondition of those branches
of the public service which arc committed !
to his supervision. During the last fiscal
year, four million six hundred and twenty
nine thousand three hundred and twelve
acres of public land were disposed of, one
' million eight hundred and ninety-two thou
sand live hundred and sixteen acres of
which were entered under the homestead
act. The policy originally adopted relative
to the public lan 1- has undergone essential
modifications. Immediate revenue, and
not their rapid settlement, was the cardinal
I feature of our land system. Long expe
rience and earnest discussion have resulted
in the conviction that the early develop
ment of our agricultural resources, and the
| diffusion of an energetic population over
: our vost territory, are objects of far greater
importance to the national growth aud
■ prosperity than the proceeds of the sale of
the land to the highest bidder in open mai
ket. The pre-emption laws confer upon
the pioneers who complied with the terms :
they impose the privilege of purchasing a
limited portion of “unoffered lands” atlhe
minimum price. The homestead enact
ments relieve the settler from the payment
; of purchase money, and secure him a per
manent home, upon the condition of resi
dence for a term of years. This liberal
policy invites emigration from the old. and
from the more crowded portions of the new
world. Its propitious results are undoubt
: ed, and will be more signally manifested
when time shall have given to it a wider
development.
Congress has made liberal grants of pub
lic land to corporations, in aid of the con
struction of railroads and other internal
improvements. Should this policy here
after prevail, more stringent provisions
will be required to secure a faithful appli
cation of the fund. The title to the lands
should not pass, by patent or otherwise,
j but remain in the Government, and sub
ject to its control, until some portion of
the road has been actually built. Por
tions of them might then, from time to
time, be conveyed to the corporation, but
never in a greater ratio to the whole
qusntity embraced by the grant than the
• completed parts bear to the entire length
:of the projected improvement. This re
striction would not operate to the preju
! dice of anv undertaking conceived in good
faith and executed with reasonable energy,
as it is the settled practice to withdraw
from market the lands , falling within the
operation of said grants, and thus to ex
clude the inception of a subsequent adverse
right. A brtiach of the conditions.which
(5 tigress may deem proper to impose
. lioukl work a forfeiture of claim to the
land! -0 withdrawn but unconveyed, and
of title to the lands conveyed which remain
unsold.
Operations on the several hues of the
Pacific Railroad have been prosecuted with
unexampled vigor and success. /Should no
unforeseen causes of delay occur, it is con
fidently anticipated that this great thorough
; fare will be completed before the expira
tion of the period designated by Con
! press. ••
During the last li.-eal year the amount
paid to pensioners, including the expenses
of disbursement, was thirteen million four
hundred and fifty-nine thousand nine hun
i dred and ninety-six dollars; and fifty thou
i sand one hundred and seventy-seven names
wete added to the pension rolls. The en
tire number ot pensioners, June 30, 1866,
was one hundred and twenty-six thousand
.-even hundred and twenty-two. This fact
’ furnishes melancholy and striking proof, of
the sacrifices made to vindicate the cou
i stitutiomd authority ol the Federal Gov
ernment. and to maintain inviolate the
integrity of the Union. They impose upon
us corresponding obligations. It is esti
mated that thirty-three million dollars will
' be required to meet the exigencies of this
j branch of the service during the next fiscal
j \ptr. •
e. Treaties have been concluded with the
j Indians who, enti/vd into armed opposition
To our Uwerntntent at the oSfbrcafc of tfi/'
rebellion, have unconditionally submitted
to our authority, and manifested an earnest
desire for a renewal of friendly relations.
During the year ending September 30,
1866, eight thousand’seven hundred and
sixteen patents for useful inventions and
designs were issued, and at that date the
balance in the Treasury to the credit of the
Patent fund was two hundred and twenty
eight thousandjtwo hundred and ninety
seven dollars.
Asa subject upon which depends an
immense amount of the production and
commerce of the country, 1 recommend to
Congress such legislation as may be neces
sary for the preservation of the levees of
the Mississippi river. It is a matter of
national importance that early steps should
be taken not only to add to the efficiency
of these barriers against destructive in
undations, but for the removal of all ob
structions to the free and safe navigation
of that great channel of trade and com
merce.
The District of Columbia, under existing
laws, is not entitled to that representation
in the National Councils which, from our
earliest has been uniformly ac
corded to each Territory established from
time to time within our limits. It main
tains peculiar relations to Congress, to
whom the Constitution has granted the
power of exercising exclusive legislation
over the seat of government. Our fellow
citizens residing in the Distrii t, whose
interests are thus confided to the special
guardianship of Congress, exceed in num
ber the population of several of our Terri
tories, and no just reason is perceived why
a deligate of their choice should not be
admitted to a seat in the House of Repre
sentatives. No mode seems so appropri
ate and effectual of enabling them to make
known their peculiar condition and wants,
and of securing the local legislation adapt
ed to them. I therefore recommend the
passage of a law authorizing the electors
j of the District of Columbia to choose a
i delegate, to be allowed the same rights
j and privileges as a delegate representing a
; Territory. The increasing enterprise and
rapid progress of improvement in the
District are highly gratifying, and I t rust
j that the efforts of the municipal authori
ties to promote the prosperity of the na
tional metropolis will receive the efficient
and generous co-operation of Congress.
The report of the Commissioner of Agri
culture reviews the operations of his De
partment during the past year, and asks
the aid of Congress in its efforts to en
courage those States which, scourged by
war, are now earnestly engaged in the re
i organization of domestic industry.
it is a subject of congratulation that no
foreign conbinations against our domestic
peace and safety, or our legitimate influ
j cnee among the nations, have been formed
or attempted. While sentiments of recon
ciliation, loyalty, and patriotism have in
creased at home, a more just consideration
of our national character and rights lias
been manifested by foreign nations,
j The entire success of the Atlantic Tele
j'graph between tbe coast of Ireland and the
: I’rovfn'oe of Newfoundland, is an achieve
ment which lias been justly celebrated in
both hemispheres as the opening of an era
in the progress of civilization. There is
reason to expect that equal success will
attend, and even greater results follow,
the enterprise for connecting the new Cou- _
tinents through the Pacific Ocean by the'
projected line of telegraph between Kaui
sehatka and tbe Russian possessions in
America.
The resolution of Congress protesting 1
against pardons by foreign Governments of
persons convicted of infamous offences, on
condition of emigration to our country, has
been communicated to the States with
which we maintain intercourse, and the
practice, so justly the subject of complaint
on our part, has not been renewed.
The congratulations of Congress to the
Emperor of Russsia, upon his escape from
attempted assassination, have been pre
sented to that humane and enlightened
ruler, and received byliiin with expressions
of grateful appreciation.
The Executive, warned of an attempt by
Spanish-American adventurers to induce
the emigration of freedmen of the United
States to a foreign country, protested
against the project as one which, if consum
mated, would reduce them to a bondage
even more oppressive than that from which
they have just been relieved. Assurance
has been received from the Government of
the State in which the plan was matured,
that the proceeding will meet neither its
encouragement nor approval. It is a ques
tion worthy your consideration, whether
our laws upon this subject arc adequate to
the prevention or punishment of the crime
thus meditated.
In the month of April last, as Congress
is aware, a friendly arrangement was made
between the Emperor of France and the
President of the Tinted States for the
withdrawal from Mexico of the French ex
peditionary military forces. This with
drawal was to he effected in three detach
ments, the first of which, it was under
stood, would leave Mexico in November,
now past, the second in March next, and
the third and last in November, 1807. Im
mediately upon the completion of the eva
cuation, the French Government was to
assume the same attitude of non-interven
tion, in regard to Mexico, as is held by (he
Government of the United States. Re
peated assurances have been given by the
Emperor, since that agreement, that he
would complete t.he promised evacuation
within the period mentioned, or sooner.
It was reasonably expected that the pro
ceedings thus contemplated would produce
a crisis of great political interest iri the
Republic of Mexico. The newly appointed
Minister of the United States, Mr. Camp
bell, was, therefore, sent forward, on the
9th day of November last, to assume his
proper functions as Minister Plenipotenti
ary of the United States to that Republic.
It was also thought expedient that he
should he attended in the vicinity of Mexi
co by the Lieutenant General of the Army
of the United States, with the view of ob
taining such information as might be im
portant to determine the course to be pur
sued by the United States in re-establish
ing and maintaining necessary and proper
intercourse with the Republic of Mexico.
Deeply interested in the cause of liberty
and humanity, it seemed an obvious duty
on our part to exercise whatever influence
we possessed for the restoration and per
manent establishment in that country of a
domestic and republican form of govern
ment
Such was the condition of affairs in re
gard to Mexico, when, on the l!2d of Novem
ber last, official information was received
from Paris that the Emperor of Francs had
some time before decided not to withdraw
a detachment of his forces in the month
of November past, according to engage
ment. but that this decision was made
with the purpose of withdrawing the whole
of those forces in the ensuing spring. Os
this determination, however, the United
States had not received any notice or in
timation ; and, so soon as the information
was received by the Government, care was
taken to make known its dissent to the
Emperor of France.
I cannot forego the hope that France
will reconsider the subject, and adopt some
resolution in regard to the evacuation of
Mexico which will conform as nearly as
practicable with the existing engagement,
and thus meet the just expectations of the
United States. The papers relating to
the subject will be laid before you. It is
believed that, with the evacuation of Mexi
co by the expeditionary forces, no subject
for serious differences between France and
the United States would remain. The ex
pressions of the Emperor and people of
France warrant a hope that the tradition
i ary friendship between the two countries
! might in that case be renewed and per
manently restored.
cmim of a citizen of the United States
j for indemnity for spoliations committed on
, the high seas by the French authorities, in
the exercise of a belligerent power against
Mexico, lias been met by the Government
\ of France with a proposition to defer set
tlement until a mutual convention for the j
adjustment of all claims of citizens aud
! subjects of both countries, arising out of
j the recent wars on this Continent, shall be
agreed upon by Alio two countries. The
i suggestion is not deemed unreasonable, j
but it belongs to Congress }o direct the
i manner in which claims for indemnity by !
I foreigners, as well as by citizens of the
United States, arising out of the late civil
j war, shall lie adjudicated and determined, j
1 have no doubt that the subject of ail such
claims will engage your attention at a con
venient and proper time,
i It is a matter of regret that no considor
, aide advance lias been made towards an
■ adjustment of the differences between tlie i
United .States and Great Britain, arising
out of tlie depredations upon our national
commerce and other trespasses committed
during our civil war by British subjects,
in violation of international law and treaty
obligations. The delay, however, may lie
believed to have resulted in no smalt de
i gree from tlie domestic situation of Great
Britain. An entire change of ministry Oc
curred in that country during the last ses
sion of Parliament. The attention ol the
new ministry was called to the subject at
an early day, aud there is some reason to
expect that it will now be considered in a
becoming and friendly spirit. The impor
tance of an early disposition of the question
cannot be exaggerated. Whatever might
be tlie wishes of the two Governments, it
is manifest that good -will and friendship
between the two countries cannot be es
: tablished until a reciprocity, in the practicp
of good-faith and neutrality, shall be. re
stflrodfifc natiyus.
“TW? fSsffiii violation of i
our neutrality laws, a military expedition
I and enterprise against the British N’ort h
American Colonies was projected and at
tempted to be carried on williiu tho terri
tory aud jurisdiction of the United States.
In obedience to the obligation imposed up
on tho Executive by the Constitution, to
see that the laws are faithfully executed,
all citizens were warned, by proclamation,
against taking part in or aiding such un
lawful proceedings, and tho proper civil,
military and naval officers were directed
to take all necessary measures for tho en
forcement of the laws. The expedition
failed, but it hips not been without its pain
ful eon sequences. Some of onr citizens
who, it was alleged, were engaged in tlie
expedition, were captured, and have been
brought to trial, as for a capital offence, in
the Province of Canada. Judgment and
sentence of death have been pronounced
against some, while others have been ac
quitted. FulJy believing in’ tlie maxim of
government, that severity of civil punish
ment for misguided persons who have en
gaged in revolutionary attempts which
; have disastrously failed, is unsound and
! unwise, such representations have been
1 made to the British Government, in behalf |
i of the cpnvictdd persons, as, being sustain
ed by an enlightened and humane judg
j ment, will, it is hoped, induce in their
I cases au exercise of clemency, and a judi
j cinus amnesty to all who were engaged in
j the movement. Counsel has been employ
l ed by the Government to defend citizens of
tho United States on trial for capital of
j fences in Canada; and a discontinuance of
tho prosecutions which were instituted in
the courts of tlie Uniied States against
j those who took part in the expedition, lias
been directed.
j 1 have regarded the expedition as not
j only political in its nature, but as also in a
I great measure foreign from the United
j States in its causes, character, and objects.
The attempt was understood to be made in
sympathy with an insurgent party in Ire
land, and, by striking at a British Province
on this Continent, was designed to aid in
obtaining redress for political grievances
which, it was assumed, the people of Ire
land had suffered at the hands ofthe British
Government during a period of several
centuries. The persons engaged in it were
chiefly natives of that country, some of
whom had, while others had not, become
citizens of the United States under our gen
eral laws of naturalization. Complaints of
misgovernment in Ireland continually en
gage the attention of the British nation,
and so great an agitation is now prevailing
in Ireland that the British Government
have deemed it necessary to suspend the
writ of habeas corpus in that country.-
These circumstances must necessarily
modify the opinion which we might other
wise have entertained in regard to an ex
pedition expressly prohibited by onr ;
neutrality law s. So long as those laws re- !
main upon our statute-books, they should \
be faithfully executed, and if they operate !
harshly, unjustly, or oppressively, Con- i
gress alone can apply the remedy, by their j
modification or repeal.
Political and commersial interests ofthe !
United States are not unlikely to be affect
ed in some degree by events which arc |
transpiring in tho eastern regions of Eu- \
rope, ./.lid the time seems to have come 1
wfien our Government ought to have a j
proper diplomatic representation in Greece. !
This Government lias claimed for all
| persons not convicted, or accused, or sus- j
j peeled of crime, an absolute political right j
j of self-expatriation, and a choice of new j
j national allegiance. Most of tho European j
States have dissented front this principle, I
and have claimed a right to hold such of !
their subjects as have immigrated to and j
been naturalised in the United States, and
afterwards returned on transient visits to
their native countries, to the performance
of military service in like manner as resi
dent subjects. Complaints arising from
the claim in this respect made by foreign
States, have heretofore been matters of con
troversy between tlio United States and
some of the European Powers, and the*
irritation consequent upon the failure to
.settle this question increased during the
war in which Prussia, Italy, and Austria
v. ere recently engaged. Whilg Great JSrit
ain has never acknowledged the right of
expatriation, she lias not practically in
sisted upon it. France has been equally
forbearing ; and Prussia lias proposed a
| compromise, which, although evincing
increased liberality, has not been accepted
; by the United (Slates. Peace is now pre
i vailing .everywhere in Europe, and the
| present seems to be a favorable time for an
I assertion by Congress of the principle, so
long maintained by the Executive Depart
ment, the naturalization by one State fully
exempts the native-born subject of any
other State from the performance; of mili
taay service under any foreign Govern
ment, so long as he does not voluntarily
renounce its righLs and benefits.
In the performance of a duty imposed
i upon me by the Constitution, I have thus
I submitted to the Representatives of (ho
States and of the Peoplo such information
! of our domestic and foreign affairs as the
public interests seem to require. < nir Gov
ernment is now undergoing its most try
ing ordeal, and my earnest prayer is, that
the peril may be successfully and finally
passed, without imparing its original
strength and symmetry. The interests of
the nation are best to be promoted by (lie
i revival of fraternal relations, the complete
| obliteration of our past differences, and
; the re-inauguration of all the pursuits of
| peace. Directing our efforts to . the early
; accomplishment of these great ends, lit n's
S endeavor to preserve harmony between
I the co-ordinate Departments of the Gov
j eminent, that each in its proper sphere
I may cordially co-operate with the other in
I securing the maintenance of the Constitu
■ lion, the preservation of the Union, and the
i perpetuity of our free institutions.
ANDREW JOHNSOX
' Washington, December 3, 1866.
Georgia.
| Going West.- -The high wages offer&l
| for laborers has induced a good many to
; leave for Mississippi plantations. We are
told that about one hundred left Talbotton
I on Monday, and Tuesday a lot of between
j fifty and seventy left Columbus. They
i went with their employers, and seemed to
be well satisfied at being promised in
creased wages, and the prospect of making
large crops on good land. The pay allow
ed, between $l5O and $175 per year, is
liberal, and will attract away many freed
men ; though wc believe the large ma
jority will not consent to leave Georgia.
The “Bureau" approves all contracts,
j Some negroes who would go are frightened
i from the project by the very foolish report
| that their employers would cany them to
i Cuba, whore they would be sold. The
negroes who left here were carried by rail
j via Chattanooga and Memphis.—Colvm
■ bvs Sun.
j Distinguished Visitors. — Lieut. Gen.
Longstreet, Col. P. W. Alexander, the well
known war correspondent, and Hon. J as.
ML Smith, late of the Confederate Con
gress, are in our city. We have been
pleased to learn that the two last named
gentlemen are likely to become residents.—
Columbus Eiupiirer.
Distressing Affair. — A colored man
and his wife, and five children, were burned
to death in their cabin, on the plantation
. of Mr. \V. C. 1 lays in this county, on
j Thursday night last.
The fire occurred about one o'clock at
| night, and it is supposed that the roof of
j the cabin caught fire first, and fell in upon
its sleeping inmates, before they were
: aroused to a sense of their danger. '
The scene, after the burning, is said to
have been most horrifying.— CiUhlert Ap
peal, 2d.
Augusta as a Market. —lt i3 a well
attested fact that Augusta, Ga., is one of
our best markets. The merchants are lib
eral and enterprising, of which no better
evidence is wanting than a glance at our
columns—they advertise liberally, ’ keep
fine stocks, and sell cheaper than any other
inland town or city, Charleston scarcely ex
cepted ; in fact, the “Queen City” must
look out, or Augusta will outstrip her. The
only drawback on Augusta is that ours
and other upper Districts have no railroad
communication with her.
Columbia is deserving much, and we
hope will receive her share of patronage ;
but it is an old custom of our planters to
carry their cotton and produce to Augusta,
and unless the merchants of the former
place make more effort to draw our trade,
the latter will continue a formidable rival.
| LaxcrencevUk ( S. C) Herald. |
NEW SERIES, VOL. XXY. NO. 51.
- GEORGIA LEGISLATURE,
REPORTED FOR THE CHRONICLE AND SENTINEL.
HOUSE —ATERNOON SESSION.
Friday, November 30.
The llonse resumed the consideration
of' the bill to exempt from levy and sale
property in Georgia under certain circum
stances. After perfecting the substitute,
the'previous question was ordered, aud the
substitute was adopted and passed. This
bill provides that one-third of old debts
must be paid Ist of January 1868, aud the
other two—thirds in two other annual in
stallments. The failure to pay the one
third when required by this bill only sub
jects the defendant to a levy and sale for
the oile-third only.
SENATE.
Saturday December 1. j
The Senate met at 10 o’clock a. m., and '
was opened with prayer.
The bill to modify tlie County Court !
Act was taken up and passed.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS.
Sir. Blount, introduced a bill to allow j
the t ransfer in Stewart county, of license to
retail spirituous liquors.
Mr. J. F. Johnson : A bill to allow the \
citizens of Twiggs county, to settle the j
question of removal of county site from !
Marion to Jeffersonville in said county. j
Also a bill for the relief of James W. |
Bryant of Fulton county.
Mr. McDaniel: A bill to amend the
charter of Savannah, Griffin and North
Alabama Railroad, ft proposes to in
crease the number of Directors from 7 to 9.
.Mr. Mime: A resolution to adjourn on
Saturday the Bth iust.
l/UA) A bill to prohibit exocu- !
tors, guardians and trustees to rent or
lease real estate, which they hold in trust
for longer period than one year without au
order from the Court.
Mr. C. H. Smith : A bill to provide
for the appointment by the Governor of a
Judge of the Superior Court in case a
majority of votes is not cast for any one
candidate for the office.
Also, a bill providing that the Superin -
tendent and officers of tlie Western and
Atlantic Railroad, shall be paid the same
salary as is paid by tlie Railroad Compa
nies of the State for similar services.
SENATE BILLS ON THIRD PASSAGE.
Bill to consolidate the Dalton and Jack
sonville Railroad Companies, with other
Companies connecting it. Passed.
Bill to incorporate the Etowah Canal
and Water Works. Passed.
Bill to allow the Inferior Courts of the
several counties to pay a competent salary
to county Court J udges in case the fees of
such Judge are not adequate for his
support. Lost by vote of! Bto 20.
Bill to incorporate the Albany and At
-1 anta Railroad Company. Postponed till
January next.
Bill to incorporate the Chestatee, Bloom
ing and Mining Company. Passed.
The House bill to provide for the stay of
executions, was taken up, referred to the
Judiciary Committee, and ordered to be
printed.
Bill to amend Section 3188 of the Code.
Lost.
Bill to extend to orphan children the
benefit of dower. Lost.
Bill for the relief of Executors, Guar
dians and Administrators from personal
liability in case the same may have become
insolvent by reason of the emancipation of
slaves Lost.
Bill to allow planters and farmers to
ship over the State Road, five hundred
bushels of corn and two thousand pounds
of bacon or pork free of charge. Lost.
Bill to require creditors of insolvent
bauks to present their claims to the as
signees of such banks within a period of
one year. Passed.
Bill to change the time of holding the
monthly sessions of the county courts of
Dougherty, Worth, Baker and Miller
counties. Passed.
Bill to remit the tax on liquors for the
first quarter of 1866. Passed.
Bill to exempt from taxation tho capital
stock employed in the manufacture of cotton
and wool. Lost,
Bill to make provision for tlie payment
of bonds of’ the State, shortly lalling due.
Passed.
Adjourned till Monday morning 10
o’clock.
HOUSE—MORNING SESSION.
Saturday, December 1.
Mr. Morris moved to reconsider Mr.
Stewart’s amendment to the bill to exempt
from levy and sale'certain property in the
State of Georgia, which amendment was
agreed to, and is as follows :
Provided, That nothing in this act. shall
be so construed as to prohibit persons from
carrying property or produce from one.
county to another for the purpose of sale;
and. provided further, that citizens changing
their domicils from one county to another
in this State shall not be prohibited from
j carrying their property with them, where
the same is not done to evade the payment
of their just debts.
The Speaker declared the motion out of
rder, and
Mr. Morris then moved to reconsider
the whole bill.
Mr. Shaw, of Stewart, addressed the
House, saying he wished to enter his pro
test against the passage of tlie bill.
Mr. Morris spoke in favor of his motion.
Mr. Dorsey in opposition, as also Mr.
Stewart.
Mr. Russell, of Muscogee, was in favor of
the reconsideration to amend Mr. Stewart’s
amendment, and also to offer an additional
amendment, “That the provisions of the
bill shall not apply to debts due to adminis
trators, guardians, and trustees,”
Mr. Ridley spoke in opposition to the
reconsideration.
.Motion to reconsider lost.
| The rules were suspended, when
Mr. Adauis offered a resolution looking
! to the purchase of A. A. Smith’s Library
: for the State.
Mr. Wicker offered a bill to authorize
the incorporation of homestead or building
| associotions in this State. (A good bill —it
\ allows any number of persons in any city,
town, county or village in this State to or
ganizc themselves into an association with
| out an act of the Legislature. The pas
| sage of this bill will greatly curtail the
! ordinary business of the Legislature.
DILLS ON TIIEIIt PASSAGE.
For relief of J. J. Anderson—(a rccon
i sidered bill.) Passed.
To change the time of holding Superior
Court in Richmond county (changes to Ist
Monday in January and-June.) Passed.
To regulate the manner ofgiving inlands
for taxation (must be given in by number
| of districts and counties—without a de
j vision on this bill, the House adjourned to
. 3 o’clock I>. M.
The Committee on the boundary line
between Florida and Georgia reported, re
commending the line run by G. J. Orr, as
I the permanent line between the two States.
HILLS INTRODUCED.
j Mr. Holiday : To authorize the transfer
! of license to retail spiritous liquors in
Stewart county.
Mr. Harain: For relief of J. M. Daniel.
Mr. Rhodes : To change the line be
; tween Chattooga and Walker counties.
Mr. Kibbce : To change the line be- j
tween Pulaski and Wilcox counties.
SPECIAL ORDER.
To aid in the competition of the Savan- !
j nan, Griffin and North Alabama Railroad. •
On the passage of the bill the yeas were !
j 64 : Nays 07. The bill was lost.
Mr. Stallings, of Coweta, opened the
debate in favor of the bill, lie is a young I
man—he seldom speaks, but when he is j
interested he fears not to speak his mind.
His voice is not good, but his general man
ner is forcible arid iinpres-ive.
He was followed by Mr. Stewart, of
Spalding, also in support of the bill—
who is a gentleman of very youthful perso
nal appearance. I do not know but that he
might be ranked among the young mem
; bersof the General Assembly. He has a
florid complexion, light hair and eyes, and
as something very unusual in these days,
he wears but little beard. \Y hen unexcited
he has a sleepy look, but when aroused by
. interest in any measure pending, or when
| engaged in debate, he presents an animated
and bright countenance, glowing with in
telligence. His delivery is rapid and ve- 1
: hement, .not unfrequently, however, a
slight impediment in his speech betrays
itself, and detracts somewhat from the
j pleasure, with which you listen to his ana
lytical reasoning and his logical conclusions.
To his efforts in debate, and the earnest
appeals he has made to members, when not
in scission, is to be attributed the respect
able vote which the bill just noticed receiv
ed. While the bill to aid the Macon &
Brunswick Railroad elicited supporters in
the way of speakers, from nearly every
i part of the State, this project so far as
speakers are concerned seemed to fall al
most entirely upon the shoulders of Mr.
Stewart. Nothing daunted by the failure
,of the bill last week, Mr. Stewart
: succeeded in inducing a violent oppo
' opponent to State aid to railroads, in any
1 and all of its forms, to move a reconsidra
tion, which was carried by an almost
unanimous vote. This was a triumph
which he hardly anticipated, but which
amounts to nothing, as the bill was lost by
! three votes.
Asa member of the Judiciary Com
mittee Mr. Stewart’s services are highly
appreciated by the older and more expe- i
nenced members of that committee He
is most punctilious in his attendance upon
the sessions of the committee, as well a j
! upon the sessions of the House. His moral
j character is unimpeachable, and his habits
! most regular. He is never seen in bar
rooms or restaurants. Ido not know
whether he is a member of any one of the
| Christian denominations, but should think,
: from his general deportment, that lie is.
: 1 write this with no sinister motive, but
I merely as a tribute to one whom I consider
a very worthy man, and as one who is in
strange contrast with the general demorali
zation of the times.
Hr. Hinder followed Mr. Stewart. Mr.
R. is a young man (unmarried) of con
siderable talent, and is not afraid to enter
the lists with older and much more expe
rienced public speakers. His ambition is
to rise, und he will no doubt succeed.
L. C.
SENATE.
Monday, December 3.
The Senate met and was opened with
prayer by Rev. S. E. Brooks.
The report of Mr. Redding, from the
Penitentiary Committee, which, without
being wholly read, wasordered to be printed.
The report recommended no removal of the
Penitentiary.
Mr. Turner introduced a bill to declare
of force for 00 years the several acts incor
porating the Atlanta & West Point Rail
road.
Mr. Earwiok : A bill to authorize the
City Council of Bainbridgcto issue $50,000
worth oi bonds.
Also, a bill to incorporate tin; Southern
Railroad Company—the road to run from
Bainbridge to Dawson, or Cfttlibert.
Mr. Owens: A bill to regulate the build
ing of walls and fences iu-tlie city of Sava#
nail. „ a
Mr. J. A. W. Johnson: A bill to incor
porate the Aaltoona Mining and Manufac
turing Company.
Also, a resolution to authorize the Super
intendent of the Western & Atlantic Rail
road to issue $200,000 worth of change
bills.
Mr. Dickey: A bill to allow disabled
soldiers to peddle without license.
HOUSE BILLS ON THEIR PASSAGE.
A bill to punish with death insurrection
and attempt at insurrection on the part ot
convicts and members of the chain gang.
Amended by inserting after the word
“death,” or such punishment as the Judge
in his discretion may direct. Passed. ”
A bill to amend Section 0354 of the Code.
Lost.
A bill provide for the issue of new bonds
in the place of the ante helium bonds that
matured during the war, whose places
were supplied with bonds issued during the
war. Lost.
A bill to allow Ordinaries to issue letters
of administration and dismission, and leave
to sell lands without publication ofcitation,
provided the estate does not exceed SI,OOO
in value, and provided that the heirs are
duly notified in writing. Passed.
A bill to prescribe the liability of Stock
holders in Danks. It provides that the
amount claimed shall be only for what the
bills are worth at time of the commence
ment of the suit, or the amount proved to
have been paid tor the bills. Passed by a
vote of 21 to 12.
Mr. Butler introduced a bill to amend
the act incorporating the Madison Petrole
um Company. It allows the capital stock
to be $400,000 instead of $250,000.
Mr. Turner: A hill to continue in force
the act incorporating the town of Fairburn.
Mr. Owens: A bill to declare that no
stay law heretofore passed, or that may
be hereafter passed shall apply to taxes
inforced by municipal corporations.
A message was received from His Excel
lency, returning, without approval, a bill
to repeal an act regulating the sale of
spirituous liquors in Stewart county, and to
allow the transfer of licenses in said county,
on the ground that the subject matters
were in the bill, and they were not express
ed in the title.
The bill to incorporate the Wilcoxen
Manufacturing Company. Passed.
Bill to authorize the owners of land lying
on Middle River, in Burke county, to re
move obstruction in said river. Parsed.
Bill for the relief of James H. Jackson,
in the county of Jackson. Passed.
Bill for the removal of the Asylum of the
Deaf and Dumb. Lost.
Bill to change the time of holding the
semi annual sessions of the County Court
of Columbia county. Passed.
Bill to incorporate the Middle River
Mining Company. Passed.
Bill to define when the late war ceased.
Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Resolution in relation to the work ou
Parliamentary, Laws and Rules of Order,
in ooifrse Juf preparation by Jno. B. iVeetns,
Esq, ' Agreed to.
Resolution authoring the Governor to
have certain' repairs made, -on the Capitol.
Agreed to. •
Resolution requiring the Governor to
furnish to the next General Assembly in
formation in reference to the number of
acres of land now owned by the State, and
the value of the same. Agreed to.
On motion, it was agreed that the Senate
sit to-day till 2 o'clock p. m., and then ad
journ till 10 o’clock to morrow morning, in
order to allow the gas fixtures to be put up.
HOUSE BILLS ON THIRD READING.
Bill to incorporate the Hancock Iron
Company. Passed.
Bill to change the line between Dough
erty and W orth. Passed.
Bill to amend the charter of Adairsville,
Bartow county. Passed.
Bill to regulate the pay of Grand and
Petit J urors of Merriwether county. Pass
ed.
Bill to ratify the apprenticeship of col
ored minors entered into with the agents of
the Freedmen’s Bureau. Passed.
Bill to incorporate the Raccoon Gold
Mining Company. Passed.
Bill to authorize the Justices of the In
ferior Court of Decatur county to audit
certain claims. Passed.
! Bill to encourage sheep raising in the
State. Passed.
Bill to authorize the Justices of the Infe
rior Court of Camden county to raise a
special tax to pay off the county’s indebt
edness-amended by including the counties
of Glynn and Effingham. Passed.
The remainder of the morning was occu
pied in reading Senate and House bills
a second time.
IIOUSE.
Afternoon, Saturday, Dec. T.
The afternoon was spent in reading up
bills a second time, after which the House
adjourned to Monday.
Monday, December 3.
The House elected Col. John 8.. Fstcs
; pro feni. Clerk of the House of llepresen
j tatives, by acclamation.
SPECIAL order.
I To compel owners of lands to give ill
! their lands by numbers, sections and dis
| tricts. This bill was under consideration
' at the adjournment on Saturday morning.
! Bill passed.
This bill was introduced by Mr. Swear
ingen, of Decatur. In the course of the
j debate, gentlemen argued that there were
i 11,000,000 acres of laud in Georgia un
i taxed, because not returned. The annual
tax on these lands would be $30,000; and
if by this bill this amount of money is an
nually added to the revenues of the State,
Mr. Swearingen will not have come to the
Legislature in vain. He deserves the
highest commendation for the energy with
which he pushed this bill to success. Such
a bill has been attempted to be passed for
the last twenty years.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr. Williams: To amend 3624th section
! of the Code.
| Mr. Mitchell: To amend the charter of
| Thomasville.
Mr. Brown: To provide for jail fees in
! certain cases.
third reading.
1 To pay Boughton, Nisbet & Barnes for
printing done in 1864 and 1865. Lost—
yeas 53, nays 85.
I To regulate the sale of spirituous liquors
j in Stewart county. Passed.
To prevent persons from hunting or fisli
| ing on lands or premises of others without
i permission. Lost.
j To repeal 12th section of an Act for the
! support of the Government, and to repeal
specific tax on liquor. Tabled for the
■ present.
To encourage European emigration. ~
Postponed for the present.
To define the liability of debtors in cer
tain cases. (1 his bill declares obligations
for the purchase of slaves invalid.) Post
poned for the present.
so regulate the building of fish traps in
W ithlacoochee river. Passed
For the relief of Nancy E.‘ Bass, 'fa
bled.
To amend 1,669 th section of the Code.
Passed.
To pay the last quarter’s salary of
Judge W. W. Holt. Passed.
I o legalize the sale of the personal pro
perty of Joseph Bohannan, deceased.—
1 ostponed for the present.
To empower the Inferior Courts of tiie
several counties to increase the pay for
dieting prisoners. Passed.
To compel persons having freedmen in
their employ, who are subject to poll tax,
to return them to the Receiver and pay
their tax. Lost.
For the relief of securities and endorsers.
Lost.
To amend the charter of the Memphis
Branch Railroad and Canal Company.—
Passed.