贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > the writings-5 >

第74章

the writings-5-第74章

小说: the writings-5 字数: 每页4000字

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页,按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页,按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部!
————未阅读完?加入书签已便下次继续阅读!




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


返回目录 上一页 下一页 回到顶部 0 0

你可能喜欢的