Weekly chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1866-1877, December 12, 1866, Image 1

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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.