the writings-5-第74章
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Nicholasville to the Cumberland Gap; or from Lebanon to the Tennessee
line; in the direction of Knoxville; or on some still different line;
can easily be determined。 Kentucky and the General Government
co…operating; the work can be completed in a very short time; and
when done it will be not only of vast present usefulness but also a
valuable permanent improvement; worth its cost in all the future。
Some treaties; designed chiefly for the interests of commerce; and
having no grave political importance; have been negotiated; and will
be submitted to the Senate for their consideration。
Although we have failed to induce some of the commercial powers to
adopt a desirable melioration of the rigor of maritime war; we have
removed all obstructions from the way of this humane reform except
such as are merely of temporary and accidental occurrence。
I invite your attention to the correspondence between her Britannic
Majesty's minister accredited to this government and the Secretary of
State relative to the detention of the British ship Perthshire in
June last by the United States steamer Massachusetts for a supposed
breach of the blockade。 As this detention was occasioned by an
obvious misapprehension of the facts; and as justice requires that we
should commit no belligerent act not founded in strict right as
sanctioned by public law; I recommend that an appropriation be made
to satisfy the reasonable demand of the owners of the vessel for her
detention。
I repeat the recommendation of my predecessor in his annual message
to Congress in December last in regard to the disposition of the
surplus which will probably remain after satisfying the claims of
American citizens against China; pursuant to the awards of the
commissioners under the act of the 3d of March; 1859。 If; however;
it should not be deemed advisable to carry that recommendation into
effect; I would suggest that authority be given for investing the
principal; or the proceeds of the surplus referred to; in good
securities; with a view to the satisfaction of such other just claims
of our citizens against China as are not unlikely to arise hereafter
in the course of our extensive trade with that empire。
By the act of the 5th of August last Congress authorized the
President to instruct the commanders of suitable vessels to defend
themselves against and to capture pirates。 His authority has been
exercised in a single instance only。 For the more effectual
protection of our extensive and valuable commerce in the Eastern seas
especially; it seems to me that it would also be advisable to
authorize the commanders of sailing vessels to recapture any prizes
which pirates may make of United States vessels and their cargoes;
and the consular courts now established by law in Eastern countries
to adjudicate the cases in the event that this should not be objected
to by the local authorities。
If any good reason exists why we should persevere longer in
withholding our recognition of the independence and sovereignty of
Haiti and Liberia; I am unable to discern it。 Unwilling; however; to
inaugurate a novel policy in regard to them without the approbation
of Congress; I submit for your consideration the expediency of an
appropriation for maintaining a charge d'affaires near each of those
new States。 It does not admit of doubt that important commercial
advantages might be secured by favorable treaties with them。
The operations of the treasury during the period which has elapsed
since your adjournment have been conducted with signal success。 The
patriotism of the people has placed at the disposal of the government
the large means demanded by the public exigencies。 Much of the
national loan has been taken by citizens of the industrial classes;
whose confidence in their country's faith and zeal for their
country's deliverance from present peril have induced them to
contribute to the support of the government the whole of their
limited acquisitions。 This fact imposes peculiar obligations to
economy in disbursement and energy in action。
The revenue from all sources; including loans; for the financial year
ending on the 30th of June; 1861; was 86;835;900。27; and the
expenditures for the same period; including payments on account of
the public debt; were 84;578;834。47; leaving a balance in the
treasury on the 1st of July of 2;257;065。80。 For the first quarter
of the financial year ending on the 3oth of September; 1861; the
receipts from all sources; including the balance of the 1st of July;
were 102;532;509。27; and the expenses 98;239733。09; leaving a
balance on the 1st of October; 1861; of 4;292;776。18。
Estimates for the remaining three quarters of the year and for the
financial year 1863; together with his views of ways and means for
meeting the demands contemplated by them; will be submitted to
Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury。 It is gratifying to know
that the expenditures made necessary by the rebellion are not beyond
the resources of the loyal people; and to believe that the same
patriotism which has thus far sustained the government will continue
to sustain it till peace and union shall again bless the land。
I respectfully refer to the report of the Secretary of War for
information respecting the numerical strength of the army and for
recommendations having in view an increase of its efficiency and the
well…being of the various branches of the service intrusted to his
care。 It is gratifying to know that the patriotism of the people has
proved equal to the occasion; and that the number of troops tendered
greatly exceeds the force which Congress authorized me to call into
the field。
I refer with pleasure to those portions of his report which make
allusion to the creditable degree of discipline already attained by
our troops and to the excellent sanitary condition of the entire
army。
The recommendation of the Secretary for an organization of the
militia upon a uniform basis is a subject of vital importance to the
future safety of the country; and is commended to the serious
attention of Congress。
The large addition to the regular army; in connection with the
defection that has so considerably diminished the number of its
officers; gives peculiar importance to his recommendation for
increasing the corps of cadets to the greatest capacity of the
Military Academy。
By mere omission; I presume; Congress has failed to provide chaplains
for hospitals occupied by volunteers。 This subject was brought to my
notice; and I was induced to draw up the form of a letter; one copy
of which; properly addressed; has been delivered to each of the
persons; and at the dates respectively named and stated in a
schedule; containing also the form of the letter; marked A; and
herewith transmitted。
These gentlemen; I understand; entered upon the duties designated at
the times respectively stated in the schedule; and have labored
faithfully therein ever since。 I therefore recommend that they be
compensated at the same rate as chaplains in the army。 I further
suggest that general provision be made for chaplains to serve at
hospitals; as well as with regiments。
The report of the Secretary of the Navy presents in detail the
operations of that branch of the service; the activity and energy
which have characterized its administration; and the results of
measures to increase its efficiency and power such have been the
additions; by construction and purchase; that it may almost be said a
navy has been created and brought into service since our difficulties
commenced。
Besides blockading our extensive coast; squadrons larger than ever
before assembled under our flag have been put afloat and performed
deeds which have increased our naval renown。
I would invite special attention to the recommendation of the
Secretary for a more perfect organization of the navy by introducing