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CITTh in r T 1
7 'At: AMD STAB OF NORTIo- . :
"JACOSY & SIIUEIAX Pcbllshen. TRUTH AND RIGHT QOD AND OUR COUNTRY. Two Dollars per Annan In Adrance
VOL. XXX-- j old semes. BLOOMSBURG, COLUMBIA CO., PA., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12,1866. VOL.'. 1 NO 42.
A- -
THEDEMOCRAT AND STAR,
njBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY,US 15L.UU31S.BU1U, FA., lilC .
J ACOBY & SHUMAN.TCTMS. CO In advance. If not paid within
1IX MONTHS, 6 rent additional will b. eharaedU Nopappf dUcnntinoed antil all arrear(a
ftre paid except at U opiuoa or toe editora.RATES OP ADVEXCTTSIJfG. ,iu timeonrrrmt i hoiM. .
One aqaare one or three Ineertione.. . SO
fivery eubaequent inaenioo laa tuan 13 soerce. Im. 2m. 3. Cat, it.
Ona equare, S.no 3 00 4.00 S.OO I 10 TOTwa aqua re a, 3.00 S.oO 6.00 9,00 M.00Tnree 3,00 . .7.00 8.30, 100 lf.00rear eqaaree. 0.C0 8.00 10, o M.Oil 80.00Half roluatn. 10. Go 13.00 M OO IS 00 30 00Do. column. 13. oo ia oo 9J.0O 20.00 so.oa
Xxeentor'e and AdmiaUtrator'a Nolle.. - 3 00Aodlior'e Nocic. --2.iO
Other edrartia amenta inearted according tuapeciojeon tran.
Butincaa otlcea, without advertisement, twenty,cent per lrne.
Transient advertf sementa payable la ad ane, ailthere duo after the flrat maertlow.
E7 OJTICE-- Ia Bbive'a Block, Corner of Mil aand Xroa Btreete.
Addreee, - JACOBY A. SHUJfAN.Bloomibarf. Columbia County, Pa. v
MESSAGE of the PRESIDENT.FtUouxilvuns of the Scnateand House of
Krpresmtat ivcs 4After a brief interval toe Congrera of the
United States resumes its annual legislativelabors. An all-wi- se and merciful Providencehas abated the pestilence which visited ourshores, leaving its calamitous traces uponsome portions of our country. Peace, order,tranquility,' and civil authority have beenformally declared to exist throughout thewhole of the United States In all of theStates civil authority has superseded the co-
ercion of arms, and the people, by their vol-
untary action,- - are maintaining their govern-ments in full activity and complete operation.The enforcement of the laws is no longer"obstructed in any State by combinationstoo powerful to be suppressed by the ordi-nary course of judicial proceedings ; andthe animosities engendered by the war arerapidly yielding to the beneficent influencesoi our ire institutions, ana to me kiuuiyeffects of unrestricted social and commcrciaintercourse. An entire restoration of fraternal feeling must bo the "earnest wishevery patriotic heart t and we will have accomrlished our grandest national achievement when, forgetting the sad events of thepast, and remembering only their instructivelessons, we resume our onward career asfree. prosperous, and united people.
In my message of the 4th of December,1SC5, Congress was informed of the measures which had been instituted by the Executive with a view to the gradual restorationof the States id which the insurrection ocicurred to their relations with the GeneraGovernment. Provisional Governors hadbeen appointed, Conventions called. Governors elected, legislatures assembled, andSenators and Representatives chosen to theCongress of the United States. Courts hadbeen opened for the enforcement of laws longin ooeyance. ine oiocxaae oaa oeen re--moved, custom-house- s andthe internal revenue laws put in force, in or-
der that the people might contribute to thenational income. roBtai operations naa oeenrenewed, and efforts were being made to restore them to their former condition or emciency. The States themselves had beenasked to take part in the high function oamending the Constitution, and of thussanctioning the extinction ofAfrican slaveryas one of the legitimate results of our internecine struggle.
Having progressed thus far, the Executive Department found that it had accomplished nearly all that was within the scopeoi its constitutional autnonty. une tmng,however, yet remained to be done before thework of restoration could be completed, andthat was the admission to Congress or loyalSenators ,and ' Representatives from theStates whose people had rebelled against thei i i fi r v i nlawiut euiuuriiy vi iuij vjreucrai uuciiuucuuThis question devolved upon the respectiveHouses, which, by the Constitution, aremade the judges of the elections, returns,and qualifications of their own members: andits consideration at once engaged the atten-tion of Congress. ...... .
In the meantime, the Executive Depart-ment no other plan having been proposedby Congress continued its efforts to perfect,as far as was practicable, the restoration ofthe proper relations between the citizens oftne respective states, tne states, ana tne r ea-er- al
Government, extending, from time totimer a tb public interests seemed to re-aui- re.
the judicial, revenue, and postal systems of the country. With the advice andconsent of the Senate, the necessary officerswere appointed, and appropriations made byCongress for the payment of their salaries.The proposition to amend the Federal Constitution, so as to prevent the existence ofslavery within the United States or any placesubject to their jurisdiction was ratified bythe requisite number of States ; and on the18th day of December, 1865, it was officiallydeclared to have become valid as a part ofthe Constitution of the United btates. , AHof the States in which the insurrection hadexisted promptly amended their Constitu-tions, so as to make them conform to thegreat change thus effected in the organic lawof the land : declared null and void all ordi-nances and laws of secession j repudiated alljt.tended debts and obligations created forthe revolutionary purposes of the insurrec-tion ; and proceeded, in food faith, to theenactment of measures for the protectionand amelioration of the condition of the col-
ored race. Congress,' however, yet hesitatedto admit any ot these States to representa-tion ; and it was not until towards the closeof the eighth month of the session that anexception was made in favor of Tennessee,by the admission of her Senators fhd RepTesentaiives. 1 -
I deem ita subject of profound regret thatCongress has thus far failed to admit to seatsloyal Senators and Representatives from theother States, whose inhabitants, with theseof Tennessee, had engaged in the rebellion.Ten States more than one-four- th of thewhole pumber remain without representa-tion; tne seats of fifty members in the'Houseof Representatives and of twenty membersia the Senate are yet vacant not by theirown consent, not by a failure of election,butby the refusal of Congress to accept theiroredentials. Their admission, it is believed,vould have accomplished much towards thcrenewal and strengthening of our relations
3 one people, aad removed serious cause fordiscontent oa the part of the inhabitants ofthese States. It would have accorded withtL great principle enunciated in the Decla-
ration cf American Independence, that noroc 7! 3 cti- -t to bear the burden ot taxation,
V1" dried ths rijht cf representa-tion It J.1 have been in consonancetrita C.2 er":i,"3 provisions of the Cocstita-tl"- i,
tlzi "each Stata eLsU have at least one
Representative," and "tb.at no State, with-
out its consent, shall be deprived of its equalsuffrage in the Senate." These provisionswere in ended to secure to every State, andto the people of every State, the right ofrepre.-- eatation in each House of Congress ;
and so important was it deemed by the fra-me- rs
of the Constitution that the equality ofthe States in the Senate should be preserved, that not even by an amendment of theConstitution can any State, without its con-
sent, be denied a voice in that branch of theNational Legislature.
It is true, it has been assumed that the existence of the States war terminated by therebellious acts of their inhabitants, and thatthe insurrection havin? been suppressed,they were thenceforward to be . consideredmerely as conquered territories. The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Departments of the Government have, however,with great distinctness and uniform consistency, retused to sanction an assumption soincompatible with the nature of our renub- -ican system, and with the professed objects
of the war. Throughout the recent legisla-tion of. Congress, the undeniable fact make3itself apparent, that these ten political com-munities are nothing less than States of thisUnion. At the very commencement of therebellion, each House declared, with a una-nimity as remarkable as it was significant,that the war was not, "waged, upon ourpart, in any spirit of oppression; nor for anypurpose of conquest or subjugation, nor pur-pose of overthrowing or interfering with therights or established institutions of thoseStates, but to defend ' and maintain the su-premacy of the Constitution and all lawsmade in pursuance thereof, and to preservethe Union with all the dignity, equality.andrights of the several States unimpaired ; andthat as soon as these objects were accomplished the war ought to cease." In someinstances Senators were permitted to contin-ue their legislative functions, while in otherinstances Representatives were elected andadmitted to seats after their States had formal! v declared their right to withdraw fromthe Union, and were endeavoring to maintain that right by force of arms. All of thoStates whosr jreople were in insurrection, asStates, wert included in the apportionmentot the direv-ttaxo-
f twenty millions of dol-lars annually laid upon the United States bythe act of March 4th, 1862, and by the ap-portionment of representation thereunder,also recognized - their presence a States inthe Union ; and they have, for judicial pur-poses, been divided into districts, as Statesalone cart be divided. The same recognitionappears in the recent legislation in referenceto Tennessee, which evidently rests upon thefact that the functions of the State were notdestroyed by the rebellion, but merely sus-pended ; and that principle is of course ap-plicable to those States which, like Tennes-see, attempted to renounce their places inthe Union.
The action of the Executive Departmentof the Government upon this subject hasbeen equally definite and uniform, and thepurpose of the war was specifically stated inthe Proclamation issued by my predecessoron the 22d day of September, 1S62. Itl&KZA declared thai"kw,n. v
.v ,n kAA.1 WOi li OO UClClViViC; bUO W 1AA UMt
prosecuted for the object of practically re-storing the constitutional relation betweenthe United States and each of the Statesand the people thereof, in which States thatrelation is or may be suspended or disturb-ed."
The recognition of the States by the Judicial Department of the Government hasalso been clear and conclusive in all proceed-ings affecting them as State?, had in the Supreme, Circuit and Uistnct Uourt.' In the admission or senators and liepre- -sentatives from any and all of the States,there can be no just ground for apprehen-sion that persons who are disloyal will beclothed with the powers of legislation ; forthis could not happen when the Constitutionand the laws are enforced by a vigilant andfaithful Congress. Each house is made thejudge of the elections, returns, and quali
fications of ita own members," and may."with the concurrence of two-third- s, expel
a a rtri - ia member. When a senator or repres-entative presents his certificate of election,he may at once be admitted or rejected ; orshould there be any question as to hi3 eligibility, his credentials may be referred lornvestigation to the appropnrte committee.
If admitted to a seat, it must be upon evi-
dence satisfactory to the-Hou- se of which hethus becomes a member, and he possessesthe requisite Constitutional and legal quali-fications. If refused admission as a member for want of due allegiance to the Gov-ernment, and returned to his constituents.they are admonished that none but personsoyal to the United States will be allowed a
voice in the Legislative Councils of the nation, and the political power and mo:al influence of Congress are thus effectively ex-erted in the interests of loyalty to the Gov-ernment and fidelity to the Union. Uponthis question, so vitally affecting the restoration of the Union and the permanencyof our present form of government, my con-victions, heretofore expressed, have under-gone no change ; but, on the contrary, theircorrectness has been confirmed by reflectionand time. If the admission of loyal members to seats in the respective Houses ofCongress was wise and expedient a year ago,it is no less wise and expedient now. If thisanomalous condition is right now if, in theexact condition of these States at the pres-ent time, it is lawful to exclude them fromrepresentation, I do not see that the question will- be changed by the efflux of time.Ten years hence, if these States remain asthey are, the right of representation will beno stronger the right of exclusion will beno weaker.
The Constitution of the United Statesmakes it the duty of the President to recommend to tho consideration of Congress
such measures as he shall judge necessaryor expedient " I know of no measure moreimperatively demanded by every considera-tion of national interest, sound policy, andequal justice, than the admission of loyalmembers from the now unrepresentedStates. This would consummate the workof restoration, and exert a most salutary in-fluence in the of peace,harmony and fraternal feeling. It wouldtend greatly to renew the confidence of theAmerican people in the vigor and stabilityof their institutions. It would bind us moreclosely together as a nation, and enable us toshow to the world the inherent and recuper-ative power of a Government founded uponthe will of the poole. and established nnonthe principles or liberty, justice and intelli-gence. Our increased strength and enhanc-ed prosperity would irrefragably demonstratethe fallacy of the arguments against free in-
stitution" drawn frorn our recent nationaldisorders by the enemies of republican gov-ernment. The admission of loyal members'rom the States now excluded from Con.
gress, by allaying doubt and apprehensionwould torn capital, now awaiting an oppor.
tuaity for investment, into the channels oftrade and industry. It would alleviate thep esmt condition of those States, and by inducing emigration, aid in the settlement offertile regions now uncultivated, and lead toan increased production ot those stapleswnicn nave added so greatly to the wealthof the nation and the commerce of theworld. New fields of enterprise would beopened to our progressive people, and soonthe devastations of war would be repaired,and traces of our domestic differences effaced trora the minds ot our countrymen
In our efforts to preserve "the unity ofuovernment wnicn constitutes us one ceo- -pie, py restoring tne estates to the condition which they held prior to the rebellion.we should be cautious, lest, having rescuedour nation irom perils ot threatened disintcgruuuu, we reson to consolidation, and inthe end absolute despotism, as a remedy forthe recurrence of similar troubles. The warhaving terminated, and With it all occasionfor the exercise of powers of doubtful con- -oHiuuuuaiivy, we ouuuiu iiasteu to Dnng leg-islation within the boundaries prescribed bythe Constitution, and to return to the an-cient landmarks established by our fatherslor the guidance or succeeding generations.4The Constitution which at any time exists,until changed by an explicit and authenticact ot the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upun juj. vir, m tne opinion ot thepeople, the distribution or modification ofthe constitutional powers be, in any particular wrong, let it oe corrected by an amend-ment in the way in which the Constitutiondesignates. But let there be no change byusurpation, lor it is the customary weapon07 which iree Uovernments are destroyed.
y asaingion spoite tnese woros to his countrymen when, followed by their love andgratitude, he voluntarily retired from thecares of public life. : "To keep in all thingswithin the paleot our constitutional powers,and cherish the Federal Union as the only It is important that a suitible public stationrock of safety, were prescribed by Jeffer- - should be for the iron-cla- d fleet-- son
as rules of action to endear to his It is iniAnAoA that th
measures tor their relief and improvementThe suggestions in behalf of this deservingc a nt nm- -
countrymen the true principles of theirConstitution, and promote a union of senti-ment and action equally auspicious to theirhappiness and safety." Jackson held thatthe action of the General Governmentshould always be strictly confined to thesphere of it3 appropriate duties, and justlyand forcibly urged that our Government isnot to be maintained - nor our Union nreserved "by invasions of the rights and pow- -era ot the severalfc rates. In thus attempt- -
"6 v uui vjrciinai jru cruaieni Birongwe make it weak. Its true strength con-sists in leaving individuals and States asmuch as possible to themselves
.; in
.making
i !i 1itaeu lcifc, boi in 11s power, put in its benefi-cence : not in its control, but in its nroten- -
. o-i ,: j: 1 1
uuu.i iU "mums me ctatea more cioseiyto the cen tre, but leaving each to move on- -oo5tructea in its propsrconsututionar orbit."rhese are the teachings of men whosede?ds and services have made them illustriou, and who, long since withdrawn fromscenes of life, have left to their country therich legacy of their example, their wisdom,ana tneir patriotism, drawing tresh inspi-ration from thrir lessons tt. na omnlifjjthem in love ofnSd for TheConst tntmn und th- - awe
j. ne report or tne secretary ot the 1 reas- -ury affords much information respecting therevenue and commerce of the country. Hisviews upon the currency, and with referenceto a proper adjustment of our revenue svs- -
.A - 1 IItern, internal as wen as impost, are commended to the careful consideration of Con-gress. In my last annual message I ex-pressed my general views upon thes3 sub-jects. I need now only call attention to thenece8nty of carrying into every departmentof the Government a system of rigid ac-countability, thorough retrenchment andwise economy. With no exceptional norunusual expenditures, the oppressive bur-dens of taxation can be lessened by such amodification of our revenue laws as will beconsistent with the public faith, and the le-
gitimate and necessary wants of the Gov-ernment
The report presents a much more satis-factory coudition of our finances than oneyear ago the most sanguine could have an-ticipated. During the fiscal year ending the30th of June, 1865, the last year of tha warthe public debt was increased $941,902,537,and on the 31st of October, 1865, it amount-ed to $2,740,854,750. On the 31st of Octo-ber, 1866, it had been reduced to $2,551,-310,00- 6,
the diminution during a period offourteen months, commencing September 1,18bo, and ending Uctober 31, 1866, having"been $206,379,565. In the last annual re-port on the ftate of the'finances, it was estimated that during the three-quarte- rs ofthe fiscal year ending the 30th or June last,the debt would be increased $112,194,947.During that period, however, it was reduced$31,196,387, the receipts of the year havingbeen $89,905,905 more, and the expendi-tures $200,529,235 less than the estimates.Nothing could more clearly indicate thanthese statements the extent and availabilityof the national resources, and the rapidityand b lfety with which, under our form off;ovcrnment, great military and naval
be disbanded, and expensesreduced from a war to a peace footing.
During the fiscal year ending the 30th ofJune, 18C6, the receipts were $558,032,620,and the expenditures $520,750,940, leavingan available surplus of $37,281,680. It isestimated that the receipts for the fiscalyear ending the 30th of June, 1867, will be$475,061,386, and that the expenditureswill reach the sum of $316,428,078, leavingin the Treasury a surplus of $158,633,306.For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1868, itis estimated that the receipts will amount to$436,000,000, and that the expenditureswill be $350,247,?41 showing an excess of$85,752,359 in favor'of the GovernmentThese estimated receipts may be diminishedby a reduction of excise and import duties ;but after all necessary reductions shall havebeen made, the revenue of the present andof following years will doubtless be sufficientto cover all Jegitimate charges upon thoTreasury, and leave a large annual surplusto be applied to the payment of the princi-pal of the debt There seem3 now to be nogood reason why taxes may not be reducedas the country advances irr population andwealth, and yet the debt be extinguishedwithin the next quarter of a century.
The report of the Secretary of War fur-nishes valuable and important information inreference to the operations of his Depart-ment during the past year. Few volunteersnow remain in the service, and they are be- -
1 V .fting discharged as rapidly as they can be re-placed by regular troops. The army hasbeen promptly paid, carefully provided withmedical treatment, well sheltered and sub-sisted, and is to be furnished with breech- -loading small arms. The military strengthof the nation has been unimpaired by thedischarge of volunteers, the ' disposition ofunserviceable or perishable stores, and theretrenchment of expenditure. Sufficientwar material to meet asy emergency has
been retained, and from the disbanded vol
provided
unteers standing-- ready to respond to thenational call, large armies can be rapidly or
.1 1 x . 1 i?aiuv;u, wjmupeu, auu cunceuiraieu. fori'locations on tne coast and frontier have re--ceived, are being prepared for more powerful armaments; lake surveys and harbor andriver improvements are m course of energetic prosecution. Preparations have beenmade lor the payment of the additionalbounties authorized during the recent sessionof Congress, under such regulations as willprotect the Government from fraud, and se-
cure to (he honorably discharged soldier thewell earned reward or his faithfulness andgallantry. More than six thousand maimedsoldiers have received artinciai limbs orother surgical apparatus : and forty-on- e national cemeteries, containing the remains of11)4,525 Union soldiers, have already beenestablished. The total estimates of militaryappropriations is 525,205,669. ,
It is stated in the report of Jthe Secretaryof the Navy that the naval force at this timeconsists of two hundred and seventv-eitr-ht
vessels, armed with two thousand three hun-dred and fifty-on- e guns. Of these, onethousand and twenty-nin- e guns, are in commission, distributed chiefly among sevensquadrons. The number of men in the service is thirteen thousand six hundred. Greatactivity and vigilance have been displayedby all the squadrons, and their movementshave been judiciously and efficiently arranged in such manner as would best promoteAmerican commerce, and protect the riehtsand interests of our countrymen abroad.1 he vessels unemployed are undercoinir re--
Eairs, or are laid up until their services mayMost of the iron-cla- d fleet is
at League Island, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, a place which, until decisive actionshould be taken by Congress, was selectedoy the aecretai--y ot the .ft aw as the most
proper condition lor any emergency, and itis desirable that the bill acceptinz LeaeueIsland for naval purposes, which passed theHouse of Representatives at its lat session.should receive final action at an early period,in order that there may be a suitable publicstation for this class of vessels, as well a3 an ivy-yar- d of area sufficient for the wants ofthe service, on the Delaware river. ThNaval Pension fund amounts to $ 1 1 ,750,000.having beed increased $2,750,000 during theyear, ihe expenditures of the Departmentfor the fiscal year endin? SOth June lastwere $43,224,526 and the estimates for thecoming year amount to $23,558,436. Attention is invited to the condition of our seamen, and the importance of Legislative
feJow-citizen- s are earnestlyrecommended to the favorable attention ofCongress.
The report of the Postmaster General presents a most satisfactory condition of thepostal service, and submits recommendations which deserve the consideration of
SXfendiWawSo Ifie SSSl?486,986, and the expenditures 415.3.V2. 070.showing an excess of the latter of 965.093.In anticipation of this deficiency, however,a special appropriation was made bv Congress in the act approved July 28, 1866. In-cluding the standing appropriation of $700,-00- 0
for free mail matter, as a legitimate portion 01 mo revenues yet remaining unex-pended, the actual deficiency for the nastyear is only f265,093 a sum within 351,14101 me amount estimated in the annual re-port of 1864. The decrease of revenue o in- -pared with the previous year was one andone-fift- h per cent, asd the increase of ex-penditures, owing principally to the en-largement of the mail service in the South,was twelve per cent On th ?.nth of Junolast there were in operation six thousandnine hundred and thirty mail routes, withan aggregate length of on nnnoW nneighty thousand nine hundred and twenty- -one miles, an aggresate annual t nflnortn- -tion of seventy-on- e million eiVht hand thirty-seve- n thousand nine hundred andfourteen miles, an asrerecate nnnn.il post.including all expenditures, of $8,410,184.Ihe length of railroad routes is thirty-tw-o
thousand and ninety-tw- o miles, and the an-nual transportation thirty million six hun-dred
L--and nine thousand four hundred and
sixty-seve- n miles. The length of steamboatroutes is fourteen thousand three hundredand forty-si- x miles, and the annual trans-portation three million four heleven thousand nine hundred and sixty-tw- o
miles. The mail service is rapidly increas-ing throughout the whole country, and itssteady extension in the Southern States in-dicates their constantly improvingcondition.The growing importance of the foreign ser-vice also merits attention. The Post OfficeDepartment of Great Britain and our ownhave agreed upon a preliminary basis for anew Postal Convention, which it 13 believedwill prove eminently beneficial to the com-mercial interests of the United States, inas-much as it contemplates a reduction of theinternational letter postage to one-ha- lf theexisting rates, a reduction of postage withall other countries to and from whTeh correspondence is transmitted in the Britishmail, or inclosed mails through the UnitedKingdom, the establishmentof uniform andreasonable charges for the sea and territor-ial transit of correspondence in closed inail,and an allowance to each Post Office Depart-ment of the right to use all mail communi-cations established under the authority ofthe other for the despatch of correspondence, either in open or closed mails, on thesame terms as those applicable to the inhab-itanc- e
of the country providing the means oftransportation.
The report of the Secretary of the Interiorexhibits the condition of those branches ofthe public service which are committed tohis supervision. During the last fascal yearfour million six hundred and twenty-nin- e
thousand three hundred and twelve acres ofpublic land were disposed of, one millioneight hundred and ninety-tw- o thou!and fivehundred and sixteen acres of which wereentered under the homestead act The po-licy originally adopted relative to the publiclands has undergone, essential modifications.Immediate revenue, and not their rapid set-tlement, was the cardinal feature of our landsystem. Long experience and earnest discussion have resulted in the conviction thatthe early development of our agriculturalresources, and the diffusion of an energeticpopulation over our vast territory, are ob--jecta of far greater importance to the nation- -ai growtn and prosperity man . tne proceedsof the sale of the land to the highest bidderin open marKet. 1 ne pre-empti-
on laws con-fer upon the pioneer who complies with theterms they impose the privilege of purcha-sing a limited portion 01 tnnoffered lands"at the nuninrtaa pnee The homesteadenactmcnts.relieve the settler from the pay- -
ment of purchase money, and secure him ipermanent home, upon the condition of residence for a term of years. This liberal policyinvites emigration from the old, and Iromthe more crowded portions of the new world.Its propitious results are undoubted, andwill be more sienally manifested when timeshall have riven to it a wider development
Congress has made liberal grants of pub-lic land to corporations, in aid of the construction of railroads and other internal improvements. Should this policy hereafterprevail, more stringent provisions will berequired to secure a faithful application ofthe fund. Ihe title to the lands should notpass, by patent or otherwise, but remain inthe Government and subject to its controluntil some portion of the road has been actually built Portions of them might then,irom time to time, pe conveyed to the corporation, but never in greater, ratio to thewhole quantity embraced bv the irrant thanthe completed parts bear to the entire lengthof the projected improvement This restriction would not operate to the prejudice ofany undertaking conceived in cood faithand executed with roasonable energy, as it isthe settled practice to withdraw from marketthe lands falling within the operation of suchgrants, and thus to exclude the inception ofa subsequent adverse right A breach otthe conditions which Congress may deemproper to impose should work a forfeiture ofclaim to the lands so withdrawn but uppon- -vej'ed, and of title to the lands conveyedwhich remain unsold.
Operations on the several lines of the Pacific Railroad have been prosecuted withunexampled vigor and success. Should nounlbrseen causes of delay occur, it is con-fidently anticipated that this creat thoroughfare will be completed before the expira-tion of the period designated by Congress.
During the last fiscal year the amountpaid to pensioner?, including the expensesof disbursement, was thirteen millions fourhundred and fifty-nin- e thousand nine hundred and ninety-si- x dollars, and fifty thou-sand one hundred and seventy-seve- n nameswere added to the pension rolls. The entirenumber of pensioners, June 30, 1866, wasone hundred and twenty-si- x thousandseven hundred and twenty-tw- o. This factfurnishes melancholy and strikin proof ofthe sacrifices made to vindicate the consti-stution- al
authority of the Federal Govern-ment, and to maintain inviolate the integrity of the Union. They impose uponus corresponding obligations. It is esti-mated that thirty-thre-e million dollars willbe required to meet the exigences of thisbranch of the service during the next fiscalyear.
lreaties have been concluded with the Indians, who, enticed into armed oppositionto our Government at the outbreak of therebellion, have unconditionally submittedto our authority, and manifested an earnestde?ire for a renewal of friendly relations.
During the year ending September 30,1866, eight thousand seven hundred and sixteen patents for u-ef- inventions and deigns were issued, and at that date the
balance in the Treasury to the credit of theatent fund was Iwo hundred and twenty- -
eight thousand two hundred and twenty- -seven dollars.
As a subject upon which depends an immense amount of the production and com-merce of the country, I recommend to Congress such legislation as may be necessaryfor the preservation of the levees of the Mis-sissippi river. It is a matter of national im-portance that early steps should be takennot only jto add to the efficiency of these bar-riers against destructive inundations, but forthe removal of all obstructions to the freeand safe navigation of that great channel oftrade and commerce.
The District of Columbia, under existingaws, is not
.entitled to that representation
.ft Va.T ft aT ft ft tin tna xMational councils which, irom ourearliest history, has been uniformly accordedto each lerntory established from time totime within our limits. It maintains peculiar relations to Congress, to whom the Con-stitution has granted the power of exercisingexclusive legislation over the scat of govern-ment. Our fellow-citize- ns residing in theDistrict, whose interests are thus confidedto the special guardianship of Congress, exceed in number the population of several ofour lerntones, and no jut reason is per-ceived why a delegate of their choice shouldnot be admitted to a seat in the House ofRepresentatives. No mode ECcms so appropriate and effectual of enabling them tomake known their peculiar condition andwant", and securing the local legislationadapted to them, I therefore recommendthe passage of a law authorizing the elec-tors of the District of Columbia to choose adelegate, to be allowed the same rights andprivileges as a delegate representing a Ter-ritory. The increasing enterprise and rapid
of improvement in the District areErogress and I trust that the effortsof the municipal authorities to promote theprosperity of the national metropolis will re-
ceive the efficient and generousof Congress.
The report of the Commissioner of Agri-culture reviews the operations of his Depart-ment during the past year, and asks the aidof Congress in its efforts to encourage thoseStates which, scourged by war, are nowearnestly engaged in the reorganization ofdomestic industry.
It is a subject of congratulation that noforeign combinations against our domesticpeace and safety, or our legitimate influenceamong the nations, have been formed or at-
tempted. While sentiments of reconcilia-tion, loyalty and patriotism have increasedat home, a more just consideration of ournational character and rights has been man-ifested by foreign nations.
The entire success of the Atlantic Tele-graph betweenthe coast of Ireland and theProvince of Newfoundland, is an achieve-ment which has been justly celebrated inboth hemispheres as the opening of an erain the progress of civilization. There is rea-son to expect that equal success will attend,and even greater results follow, the enter-prise for connecting the two Continentsthrough the Pacific Ocean by the projectedline of telegraph between Kamschatka andthe Russian possessions in America.
The resolution of Congress protestingagainst pardons by foreign Governments ofpersons convicted of infamous offences, oncondition of emigration to our country, hasbeen communicated to the States with whichwe maintain intercourse, and the practice, so
i'ustly the subject of complaint on our part,been renewed.
The congratulations of Congress to theEmperor 01 Russia.kupon his escape from at-
tempted assassination, have been presentedto that humane and enlightened ruler, andreceived by him with expressions of gratefulappreciation.
The Executive, warned of an attempt bySpanish-America- n adventurers to induce theemigration of freedmen of the United Statesto a foreign' country, protested against theproject as one which, if consam mated,would
reduce them to a bondage even more oppres-sive than that from which they have just,1 J A 1 roeen reuevea. .assurance nas oeen receivedfrom the Government of the State in whichthe plan was matured, that the proceedingwill meet neither its encouragement nor ap-proval. It is a question worthy of your consideration, whether our laws upon this sub-ject are adequate to the prevention or pun-ishment of the crime thus meditated.
In the month of April last, as Congress isaware, a friendly arrangement was made be-tween the Emperor of France and the Pres-ident of the United States for the withdraw-al from Mexico of the French expedition-ary military forces. This withdrawal was tobe effected in three detachments, the first ofwhich, it was understood, would leave Mex-ico in November, now past, the second inMarch next, and the third and last in No-vember, 1867. Immediately upon the com-pletion of the evacuation, the French Government was to assume the same attitude of
in regard to Mexico, as isheld by the Government of the UnitedStates. Repeated aasurances have been giv-en by the Emperor, since that agreement,that he would complete the promised evac-uation within the period mentioned, or soon-er.
It wasreasonably expected that the pro-ceedings thus contemplated would produce acrisis of preat political interest in the Re-public of Mexico.
.The new-appoint- ed Min- -
.1 T T fister or the united states, Jlr. UampbeJI,was therefore sent forward, on the 9tn dayof November last, to assume his proper func- -110ns as iuimster .rjenipotentiary or theUnited States to that Republic It was alsothought expedient that he should be attended in the vicinity of Mexico by the Lieutenant General of the Army of the UnitedStates, with theview of obtaining such in-
formation as might be important to deter-mine the course to be pursued by the Unitedstates in and maintainingnecessary and proper intercourse with theRepublic of Mexico. Deeply interested inthe cause of liberty and humanity, it seemedan obvious duty on our part to exercisewhatever influence we possessed for the res-toration and permanent establishment inthat country of a domestic and republicanform of government
such was the condition of affairs in regard to Mexico, when, on the 22d of November last official information was receivedfrom Paris that the Emperor of France hadsome time before decided not to withdraw adetachment of his forces in the month ofNovember past, according to engagement,but that this decision was made with thepurpose of withdrawing the whole force inthe ensuing spring. Of this determination,however, the United States had not receivedany notice or intimation ; and, as soon as theinformation was received by the Government, care was taken to make known its dis-sent to the Emperor of France.
1 cannot forego the hope that France willreconsider the Eubject, and adopt some resolution in regard to the evacuation of Mex-ico which will conform as nearly as practica-ble with the existing engagement, and thusmeet the just expectations of the UnitedStates. The papers relating to the subjectwill be laid lefore you. It is believed thatwith the evacuation of Mexico by the expe-ditionary forces, no subject for serious dif-ferences between France and the UnitedStates would remain. The expressions ofthe Emperor and people of France warranta hope that the traditionary friendship be-tween the two countries might in that casebe renewed and permanently restored.
A claim of a citizen of the United statesfor indemnity for spoliations committed onthe high feea3 by the French authorities, mthe exercise of a belligerent power againstMexico, has been met by the Governmentof France with a proposition to defer settle--pent until a mutual convention for the ad-justment of all claims of citizens and sub-jects of both countries, arising out of therecent wars on this Continent, shall beagreed upon by the two countries. Thesuggestion is not deemed unreasonable, butit belongs to Congress to direct the mannerin which claims for indemnity by foreignersas well as by the citizens of the UnitedStates, arising out of the late civil war shallbe adjudicated and determined. I have nodoubt that the Mibject of all such claimswill engage your attention at a convenientand proper time.
It is a matter of regret that no considera-ble advance has been made towards an ad-justment of the differences between theUnited States and Great Britain, arising outof the depredations upon our national com-merce and other trespasses committed dur-ing our civil war by British subject', in vio-lation of international law and treaty obli-gations. The delay, however, may bebelieved to have resulted in no small degreefrom the domestic situation of Great Brit-ain. An entire change of ministry occurredin that country during the last session ofParliament The attention of the new min-istry was called to the subject at an earlyday, and there is some reason to expect thatit will now be considered in a becoming andfriendly spirit. The importance of an earlydisposition of the question cannot be exag-gerated. Whatever might be the wishes ofthe two Governments, it is manifest thatgood-wi- ll and friendship between the twocountries cannot be established until a reci-procity, in the practice of good faith andneutrality, shall be restored between therespective nations.
On the 6th of June last, in violation ofour neutrality laws, a military expedition andenterprise against the British North Amer-ican Colonies was projected and attemptedto be carried on within the territory andjurisdiction of the United States. In obedience to the obligation imposed upon theExecutive by the Constitution, to see thatthe laws are faithfully executed, all citizenswere warned, by proclamation, against takingpart in or aiding such unlawful proceedings,and the proper civil, military and naval orfi-ce- rs
were directed to take all necessarymeasures for the enforcement of the law.The expedition failed, but it has not beenwithout its painful consequences. Some ofour citizens who, it was alleged, were engag-ed in the expedition, were captured, andhave been brought to trial, as for a capitaloffence, in the Province of Canada. Judg-ment and sentence of death have been pro-nounced against some, while others havebeen acquitted. Fully believing in the max-im of government, that severity of civil pun-ishment for misguided persons who naveengaged in revolutionary attempts whichhave disastrously failed, is unsound and un-wise, such representations have been madeto the British Government, in behalf of thethe convicted persons, as, being sustained byan enlightened and humane judgment, will,it is hoped, induce in their cases an exerciseof clemency, and a judicious amnesty to allwho were engaged in the movement Coun-sel has been employed by the Governmentto defend citizens of the United States ontrial for capital offences in Canada and ft
discontinuance of the prosecutions whichwere instituted in the Courts of the UnitedStates against those who took part in theexpedition, has been directed.
I have regarded the expedition as not onlypolitical in its nature, but as also in a greatmeasure foreign from the United States inits causes, character and objects. The at-tempt was understood to be made in sym-pathy with an insurgent party in Ireland,and, by striking at a British Province onthis Continent, was designed to aid in obtain-ing redress for political grievances which, itwas assumed, the people of Ireland had suf-fered at the hands of the British Govern-ment during a period of several centuries.The persons engaged in it were chiefly na-tives of that country, some ofwhom had,while others had not, become citizens of theUnited States under our general laws ofnaturalization. Complaints of misgovern-me- nt
in Ireland continually engage the at-tention of the British nation, and so greatan agitation is now prevailing in Irelandthat the British Government have deemedit necessary to suspend the writ of habeascorpus m that country. These circumstancesmust necessarily modify the opinion whichwe might otherwise have entertained in re-gard to an expedition expressly prohibitedby our neutrality laws. So long as thoselaws remain upon our statute-book- s, theyshould be faithfully executed, and if theyoperate harshly, unjustly, or oppressively,Congress alone can apply the remedy, bytheir modification or repeal
Political and commercial interests of theUnited States are not. unli'tnl. n v r-.- -j
in some degree by events which are transpiring in tne eastern regions of Europe, andthe time seems to have mm a ) n- -ernment ought to have a proper diplomat!ivwitocjiwuuu iu vjrrcece.
sons not convicted, or accused, or suspectedof crime, an absolute political right of self--
r;1 w"" vuviw, ji new nationalallegiance. Most of the European Stateshave dissented from this principle, and have" -- w uuiu duw ui tiieir Euojecxs -
as have immiirratprl to nnA Knar. T: Iin the United btates, and afterwards
.return- -
nn rn noionr in t?" . "-"-- ".i" vo tucir native countries, to the performance of military servioeau aiavxs iiianrifr n am v--t tinnnr mtAA.. m v
plaints arising from the claim in this respectmade by foreign States, have heretofore beenmatters of controversy between the Unitedstates and some of the European Powers,and the irritation consequent upon the fail-ure to settle this question increased duringthe war in which Prussia, Italy and Auwtriftwere recently engaged.
While Great Britain has never acknowl-edged the right of expatriation, he has notpractically insisted upon it France hasbeen equally forbearing, and Prussia hasproposed a compromise, which, althoughevincing increased liberality, has not beenaccepted by the United S'taf es. Peace isnow prevailing everywhere in Europe, andthe present seems to be a favorable time foran assertion by Congress of the principle,so long maintained by the Executive Depart-ment, that naturalization by any State fullyexempts the native-bor- n subject of any oth-er State from the performance of militaryservice under any foreign Government, bolong as he does not voluntarily renounce itsrights and benefits.
In the performance of a duty imposedupon me by the Constitution, I have thussubmitted to the Representatives of theStates and of the People, such informatioaof our domestic and foreign affairs as thepublic interest seems to require. Our Gov-ernment is now undergoing its most tryinfordeal, and my earnest prayer is that theperil may be successfully and finally passed,without impairing its original strength anasymmetry. The interests of the nation arebest to be promoted by the revival of fra-ternal relations, the complete obliteration ofour pa.t differences, and theof all the pursuits of peace. Directing ourefforts to the early accomplishment of thesegreat ends, let us endeavor to preserve har-mony betwenn the ate Departmentsof the Government that each in its properpphere may cordially co-oper-ate with theother in securing the maintenance of the"Constitution, the preservation of the Union,and the perpetuity of onr free institutions.
ANDREW JOHNSON.ashington, Dec. 3, 1SC6.
Wonders.When a young man is a clerk ia a store
and dresses like a prince, smokes "foreigncigars," drinks "nice brandy," attends thea-tres, dances and the like, I wonder if hedocs all on the avails of his clerkship ?
When a young lady sits in the parlor dur-ing the day, with her lillv white finger nr.ered with rings, I wonder if her motherdoesn't wash the dishes, and do the work iathe kitchen?
When the deacon of the church sellsstrong butter, recommending it as ft goodarticle, I wonder what he reliesnpon for sal-
vation ?
WTien a lady laces her waist a third lessthan nature made it, I wonder if her prettyfigure will not shorten life a dozen years ormore, besides making her miserable whileshe does live ?
When a young man is dependent Cpoadis daily toil for his incomes and marries ftlady who does not know how to make ft loafof bread or mend a garment, I wonder if heis not lacking somewhere, say towards thetop, for instance ?
When a man receives a periodical or news-paper weekly, and takes great delight iareading it, and don't pay for it, I wonder ifhe has a soul or a gizzard.
A Loving Wife. A man named Blankwas recently killed cn the Lehigh YallejfRailroad, and the Coroner, at the request ofsome of the jury, sent a messenger to theresidence of the deceased, to inform his faix-il- y
of his death. The messenger thought bawould endeavor to tell the sad news to tbdistressed woman in as feeling a Bins,r aspossible., but he soon found that teademess.in that quarter was like throwing pearis taswine. She received the iotelHfenee cf Mideath very calmly, and said she'was "ghd fcwas gone." The messenger told her. thajj ifhis corpse wis not removed Vy his. frieyimmediately, that it would be taken, to t!Poor House for burial She replied th&"she did not intend to bother herhaad abouthim they might bury him !nh faraJJeh cared."