a --v. TAKE OF . PRECEDING PAGE o O o G" o ENTERPRISE. jFcirvT 1)KCEMBES 8, 1SCC. : .. ...:... .f fWwnlter Cth. 1SC6.1 From the lauy wp1'"" PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE. Fellow Cltlz.uH of the Senate - 7 it I?m;vfRr1ltrttlFei ' After a brief interval the Congress of the United PUteVrcsuinea its annual legislative labors An all vU and merciful providence has abated the pestilence which visited our shores, leaving its ca Luuitous traces upon some portions of our country . Peace, order, tranquility civil authonty have been formally declared to exist throughout the whole of the United States. Civil authonty has -uner-eded the coercion of arms, and the people bv voluntary action are maintaining their govern ment in full activity and complete operation. The enforcement of the laws is no longer obstruct ed in any place by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings. The animosities engendered by the war are rapidly yielding to the, beneficent influ ences of our free institution?, and to the kindly efforts of unrestricted social and commercial inter course ' An entire restoration of fraternal feeling mut c the earnest wish of every patriotic heart, aud we will have accomplished our greatest na tional achievement when, forgetting the sad events of the past and remembering only tTieir in structive lessons, we resume our onward career as tf'ree, prosperous aud united people. In my message of the 4th ofDccejnber, 1865, Coneress was inSrmed of the measures which had been instituted by the executive with a Vew t' the gradual restoration of the States in which the insurrection occurred, to their former relations with the General Government. Provisional Gov ernors had beeif appointed, Conventions called, Governors elected, Legislatures assembled and Sen ators and Representatives chosen to the Congress of tho United States, and Courts had been opened for the enforcement of laws long in abeyance, the blockadead been removed, custom houses reestab lished, and the internal revenue laws put in force iu order that the people might contribute to the internal income. Postal Operations hadbeen re newed and efforts were being made to restore them to their farmer condition and efficiency. The State themselves had been asked to take part in the high funcCio-i of amending th&Constitution and thus sanetiouiug the ex fiction of African slavery as one of the legitimate results of our struggle. Having progressed thus fat, the Executive Head found that it had accomplished nearly all that was within the scope of its Constitutional author ity. One thing, however, yet remained to be done before the work of restoration could bo aecoin-T.li-jht'd. find that was tbe admission to Con gress of loyal Senators and Representatives for the States where tho people had rebelled against,? the lawful authority of the General Government. .This question devolved upon the respective houses which, by thief Constitution, fere made the judges of the election rotuxns anf qualifications of thjr own members, andnts con sideration at once engaged the attention of (Con gress. In the mean time the Executive plan hav ing been proposed by Congress (?) continued its efl'orts to perfect as far as was practicable the res toration of the proper relation between the citizens of the respective States and the Federal Govern ment, extending from time to time what the public interests seemed to require to the judicial, revenue and postal systems of the country. With the advice aud consent of the; Senate the necessary officers were appointed, and appropriations were made by Congress for the payment of their salaries. The proposition to amend the Fedjerji'l Constitution so as to provide for the abolition of slavery within tho Unitodi States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction was ratified by the sufficient number of States, asvi on the 18th day of November, 18t5, it was officially declared to have bfeome valid and a part ot the Constitution of the United States. All of the States in which the insurrec tion had existed, promptly amended their consti tutions so as to make them conform to the great change this effected in the organic law of the; land. They declared null and void all ordinances and laws of secession, repudiated all pretended debts and obligations created for the revolutionary purposes of the insurrection, and proceeded itfgool fnith to the enactment of meas ures for the protection and amelioration of the condition of the colored races. Congress, howev er, yet refused to admit any of these States tit representation, and it was not until towards the close of the eighth month of the session that an . exception was made in favor of Tennessee bythe admission of her Senators andJlepresentatives. I deem it a subject of profound regret that Con gress has thusir failed to admit to feats loyal Senators and Representatives from th other States whose inhabitants withcthose of Tennessee, had engaged in rebellion. Ten States, mare than one-fourth of the whole number remained without representation. Thg"sats of fifty mcax bers in the(4louse of Representatives, and of twenty miiubersn the Scuate, are ,yet vacant, fnot by their tovn consent, not by a fractiousuess of Electors? but by the refusal of Congress to ac cept their credentials. Their admission, it i be lieved, would have accomplished much toward the renewal and strengthening of our relations as one people and removed a serioflDs cause for dis content on the part of the inhabitants of these States. It woiild have accorded with the great principle enunciated uf the Declaration of American Independence, that no people ought to bear tho(h-urden of taxation and yet be u.gniea tue ngnt ot representation. It would hffcvobeen in consonance;) with the express provis ions of the Constitution that each State shall have at least one representative, and that no State with ,Qout its consent shall fcd deprived of its equal suf frage in the Senate. Those provisions were in tended to;,,sel-ure to every State, and to the people of every State, the right of representation in each House of Congress; and so important was it deemed by the frames of the Constitution that the equality of the States should be preserved, that; not even by an amendment of the Constitu tion can any State without its consent b& denied a voice i that branch of the national Legislature. U is truo that it hat been assumed thaUhe exis tence of States was terminated by rebellion and the acts ofdheir inhabitants, and that the insur rection having beensuppressed, they were thence forward to be considered merely as conquered ter ritory. The legislative, executive and judicial i.Fiiwcuis ui tue government have, how with jrreat distinctness refn rever. . ? - ' coumvjiu as sumption so incompatible with the natureof our republican system and the professed objects of the war. Throughout the reecnt session of Congress the undeniable fact makes itself apparent that the ten political communities are nothing less than States of this Union. At theory commencement of the rebellion, each house declared with a unanimity as remarkable as it was significant, that the war wai not waged upon our side in a partisan spirit of oppressionjonor for any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor for the purpose o overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established insti tutions of these States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of th constitution and all laws made in pursuance thereof, and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality and rightsf the several States.unimpuired, and tBat as soon as these objects were accomplished the war oVht iu 'cease, in some instance Senators were per- muiea to Continue their while cin other instances legislatiye functions, Representatives were elected and admitted to seats after thr States had formally declared vVncir rights to withdraw from the Union, and were endeavoring to main tain that right by force of arms. All of the States whose people were in insur rection as States, were included in the appor tionment of direct tax" twenty millions of dol lars annually laid unporTthe United States by an act approved on the 5th of August, 1SC1. Con gress by the act of March 4th, 1S62, and by the apportionment of representation thereunder, also recognized their presence as States in th$ Union, and they have for judicial purposes been divided into districts as States alone can be divided. The same recognition appears in the recent legislation iu reference tb Tennessee whifh evidently rests upon the fact that the functions' of the State were not destroyed by the rebellion, but merely suspend ed, and that principle is of course as applicable to these Statas which, like Tennessee, attempted to renounce Their placeJn the Union.vThe action of the Executive Department of the Government upon this subject has been equally definite aud uniform and the purpose of the war was 3tated in the proc lamation issued by my predecessor on the 22d day of September, 1862. It was then solemnly pro claimed and declared that hereafter, as heretofore, the war will be prosecuted for the object of prac tically restoring the constitutional relations be tween the United States a&l such of the States and the people hereof, in which States that rela tion is or may be suspended or disturbed. The recognition of the States by the judicial depart ment of the Government has also been clear and conclusive in all its proceedings affecting them as States aud in the Supreme, Circuit, and District Courts. v In the admi?sion of Senators and Representatives from any and all tho States there can be no just grounds of apprehension that persona who are dis loyal wil&be clothed with the powers of legisla tion, for this could not happen when the Cousti iution and tho laws are enforced by a vigilant and lait&ful Congress. Each House is made the judge of the election,? returns, and qualifications of its own members, and may, with the .concurrence of two-thirds expel a member. When a Senator or Representative presents his certificate of election he may at once be admitted or rejected ; or should there be any question as to his eligibility his cre dentials may be referred for investigation to the appropriate committees, and if admitted to a seat it must be upon evidence satisfactory to the house of which he thus becomes a member, that he posses scathe right Constitutional and legal qualifications. If refused admission as a member for want of due al legiance toihe Government and returned to his con stituents, they are admonished that none but persons loyal to the United States will be allowed a voice in the legislative councils of the nation, and the political power aud the moral influence of Con gress are thus effectively exerted in the interests ojf lliyalty to the Government and fidelity to the Union. Upon this question so vitally effecting tie restoration of the Union and the permanency I of our present form of government, my convic tions neretotore expressed nave undergone no change, but on the contrary their correctness has been confirmed by reflection and time. If tho admission of loyal members to seats in the respec tive Houses of Congress was wise and expedient a year ago, it is no less wise and expedient now. If this anomalous condition is right now, and if in the exact condition of these States at the present time it is lawful to exclude them from representa tion, I do not see that the question will be changed by ttas efflux of time. Ten years hence, if these States remain as they are, the right of representa tion will be no stronger, the right of exclusion will be no weaker. o The Constitution of the United States makes it the duty of the President to recommend to the consideration of Congress such measures as he shall judge necessary or expedient. I know or no measure more imperatively demanded by every consideration of national interests, sound policy and equal justice, than the admission of loyal members from the now unrepresented States. This would consummate the work of restoration ard exert a most salutary inlluence in the re establishinent of peace, harmony and fraternal feeling. It would tend greatly to renew the con fidence of the American people in the vigor 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 intelligence. It would increase our strength and enhance our prosperity. It would irrelragably demonstrate the fallacy of the argu ments against free institutions drawn from our recent national disorders by the enemies of Re publican government. The admission of loyal members from these States now excluded from Congress, allajing doubt and apprehensions, wauld turn capital now awaiting an opportunity for investment into the channels of trade and in dustry. It would alleviate the present troubled con dition of these States, and by inducing emigration aid in the settlement of fertile regions now uncul tivated, and lead to an increased productiveness of those staples which have added so greatly to the wealth of the nation and the commerce of the world. New fields of enterprise would be opened to our progressive people, and soon the devasta tions of war would be repaired and all traces of our domestic differences effaced from the minds of our countrymen. labour Efforts to preserve the unity of the gov ernment which constitutes us one people, by re storing the States to the condition which they held prior te the rebellion, we should be cautious lest having rescued our nation from the perils of threatened disintegration, we turn to consolida tion and in the end finally absolute despotism as a reward for the recurrence of similar troubles. (?) rul i i .-. ..... j.w war iiaving rerminatea ana witn it all occa sion for the exercise of power of doubtful constitu tionality, we should hasten to bring legislation within the boundaries prescribed bycthe constit tion and return to the ancient land marks estab lished by our fathers for the guidance of succeed ing generations. Tho Constitution which at any time exists until changed by an explicit and au thentic act of the whole people, is sacredly oblig atory upon all. If in the opinion of the people the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any peculiar, wrong, let it be cor rected by af amendment in the way in which the constitution designates; but let there be change by usurpation, and forms are destroyed. Wash ington spake these words to his countrymen when, followed by their love and gratitude, he volunta rily retired from the care of public life: "Keef all things withfn the pale of our constitutional pow ers, and cherish the general union as the only rock of safety." This was prescribed by Jeffer son as a rule of action to his countrymen. He enjoined them to study the true principles of their constitution, and promote a union of sentiments and action equally auspicious to their happiness and safety. Jackson held that the action of the General Government should always be strictly confmed to the sphere of its appropriate duties, and justly and forcibly urged that our Govern ment is not to be maintained, nor our union pre served, the invasion of the rights and powers of the several States. In thus attempting to make our General Government strong, we make it weak. Its true strength consists in leaving individuals ana states as much as possible to themselves: in making itself felt, not in its protection; not in binding theStates more closely to the centre, but ""'".'s -o move unobstructed in its proper vuiiimuuuuai oroit. Wise are the teachings of men whose deedsand vI "iu; mem illustrious anaiongsince withdrawn from the scenes of life have left to their country the rich legacy of their example, their wisdom and.their patriotism. Receiving inspira- iioui ineiriessons le us emulate them iu love of country and respect for the Constitution and the laws. 0 THE TREASURY. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury (af fords much information respecting the revenue and commerce of the country. His views ' upon the currency and with reference to a properad justment of our revalue system, infernal as well as external, are commended to the careful considera tion of Congress. In my last annual message lex pressed my general views upon these subjects. I need now onlv call attention to tho rrfo..-;tv r,f carrying into every department of the government system of a rigid accountability, retrenshment and wise economy with no exceptional or unusual expenditures. The oppressive burdens of taxa tion can be lessened by such a modification of our revenue tax as will be consistent with the Dunlin faith and the legitimate and necessary wants of the government. Ihe report presents a much more satisfactory condition of our finances than one year ago the most sanguine could have an ticipated. During the fiscal year en'ding the CUth of June 1SC5, the last year of the war, the public debts was increased $911,902,537, and on the 31st of October, 4865, it amounted to 82, 740,854, -750. On the 31st day of October, 1SGG, it had been reduced to $2,551,310,060. The diminu tion during a period of fourteen months, com mencing September 15th, 1S05, and ending Octo ber 31st, 1S0C, having been $200,379,505. In the last annual report on the state of the finances, it was estimated that on the 30th of June last, the debt would be increased $112,191,947. During that period, however, it was reduced $31,190,380 the receipts of the year having been $89,905,905 more, and the expenditures 2l)0, 529, 235 less than the estimate. Nothing could more clearly indicate than these statements the extent and availability of the national resources and the rapidity and safety with which under our form of government great military and naval establishments can be disbursed and expenses reduced from a war to a peace footing. During the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1SG0, the receipts were $55S,032,020 and expenditure $220,750,940 leaving an availa ble surplus of $327,281,080. It is estimated that receipts for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1807, will be $475,001,380 and that expenditures will reach the sum of $516,428,07S, leaving in the Treasury a surplus of $158,033,308. For the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1808, it is estimated that the receipts will amount to $430,000,000 and the expenditures will be $350, 207,641, showing excess of $85,752,359 in favor of government. These estimated receipts may be diminished by a reduction of excess on import duties, but after all necessary reductions have' been made the revenue of tho present and of fol lowing years will doubtless be sufficient to cover legitimate charges on the treasury and leave a large annual surplus to be applied to the payment of the principal of tho debt. Thero seems now to be no good reason why taxes may not be reduced aud the country advanced in population and wealth, and its debts be extinguished within the next quarter of a century. THE AVAR DEPARTMENT. The report of the Secretary of "War furnishes valuable and important information in reference to the operations of his department during the past year. Few volunteers now remain in the service, and they are being discharged as rapidly as they can be replaced by regular troops. The army has been promptly paid, carefully provided with medical treatment, well sheltered and sub sisted, and is to be furnished with breech-loading small arms. The military strength of the nation has been unimpaired by the discharge of volun teers, the disposition of unserviceable or perish able stores, and retrenchment of expenditures. Sufficient war material to meet any emergency has been retained. The disbanded volunteers stand ready to respond to the Presidential call. Large armie3 can be rapidly organized, equipped and concentrated. The fortifications on the coasts and frontiers have received, or is being prepared, for more powerful armaments. Lake surveys and harbor and river improvements arc iu course of energetic prosecution. Preparations have been made for the payment of the additional business authorized during the recent session of Congress, under such regulations as will protect the Government from fraud and and secure to the honorably discharged soldiers the well earned reward of his faithfulness and gallantry. More than six hundred maimed sol diers have received artificial limbs or their surgi cal operations, and forty-one national cemeteries containing the remains of 1 03,520 union soldiers have already been established. The total esti mate of military appropriation is $25,205,099. NAVY DEPARTMENT. It is stated in the report of the Secretary of the Navy that the naval force at this time consists of 27S vessels, armed with 2,351 guns. Of these, 115 vessels are divided among seven squadrons. The number of men in the service is 13,f00. Great activity and energy have been displayed by all squadrons, and their movements have been judi cious and efficiently arranged, in such manner as would best promote American commerce abroad. The vessels unemployed are undergoing repairs, or are laid up until their service may be required. Most of the ironclad fleet is at League Island, in the vicinity of Philadelphia a place which, until decisive action shall be taken by Congress, was selected by the Secretary of the Savy as the most eligible location for that class of vessels. It is important that a suitable public station be pro vided for the ironclad fleet. It is intended that these vessels shall be in proper condition for any emergency, and it is desirable that the bill accepting League Island for naval purposes, which passed the House at its last session, should receive its final action at an early period, in order that there may be a suitable public station for this class of vessels, as well as a navy yard of an area sufficient for the wants of the service in the Dela ware river. The naval position fund amounts to $11,750,000, having been increased $2,750,000 during the present year. The expenditures of the Department for the fiscal year ending 30th of June last, were $43,321,520, and the estimates for the coming year amount to $23,508,430. Atten tion is directed to the condition of our seamen and the importance of legislative measures for their relief and improvement. The suggestions in be half of this deserving class of our fellow citizens are Earnestly recommended to the favorable action of Congress. POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. The report of the Postmaster General presents a most satisfactory condition of the postal service, and Submits recommendations which deserve tne consideration of Congress. The receipts of the year ending June 30th, 1800, were $14,380,980, and the expenditure $15,353,079, showing an ex f the latter of $905,093. In anticipation of this deficiency, however, a special appropriation was made by Congress in the Act approved July 2Sth, 1S00, including the standing appropriation of $700,000 for free mail matters, which, as a le gitimate portion of revenue, yet remains unex pended. The actual deficiency for the past year is $205,093, a sum within $51,141 of the amount esti mated in the annual report of 1800. The decrease of revenue compared with the previous year, was one and one-fifth per cent., and the increase ol expen ditnres. owincr principally to the enlargement of the mail service in the'South, was twelve percent On the 30th of June last there was in operation 0.930 mail routes, with an aggregate length of 1nO?1 mi Ifis. with an acsreerate annual trans portation of 7,183,794 miles, and an aggregate annual cost, including all expenditures, of $S,401,1S4. The length of railroad routes is 32, 092 miles, and the annual transportation 3,000,907 miles. The length of steamboat routes is 143,400 miles and the annual transportation 3,411,902 miles. The mail service is rapidly increasing throughout the whole country, and its steady ex tension in the Southern State's indicates their con stantly improving condition. The great impor tance of the foreign service also merits attention. The I ost 0cc Department of Great Britain and our own have agreed upon a preliminary basi lor a Postal Convention which, it i? believed, will prove eminently beneficial to the commercial in terests of the United States, inasmuch as it c,v templates a reduction of the international letter postage one-half the existing rates, a reduction of postage with all other countries, to and from which correspondence is transmitted in tb, Brit ish mails, or in mails through the United King dom, the establishment of a uniform and reasona ble charge for tEese, a territorial transit of cor respondence, inclosed mails and an allowance to each post-office department of the right to use all mail communication established under authority of the other for the dispatch of correspondence either in open or closed mail, on the same terms as those applicable to the inhabitants of Ihe coun try providing inear of transportation. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. The report of the Secretary of the Interior ex hibits the condition of thosbranches of the pub lic service which are committed to his supervision. During the last fiscal year 4,029,312 acres of pub lic land were disposed of, 1,892,510 acres of which were entered undethe homestead act. The pol icy originally adopted relative to the publu? lands, has undergone esstxi-lkl modifications. Immedi ate revenue, and not the rapid settlement was the cardinal feature of our land system. Long expe rience and earnest discussions have resulted in the conviction that the development of our agricultural resources and the diffusion of an energetic population ovgr our vast terri tory, are objects of far greater impeg-tance to tho national growth and prosperity than the proceeds of the sale of the land to the highest bidder in open market. The preemption laws confer upon the pioneer who complies with the terms they impose, the privilege of purchasing a limited portion of offered lands at the minimum price. The homestead enactment releases the set tler from payment of purchase money and secures him a permanent home upon condition of resi dence for a term of years. This liberal policy in vites from the older, and from the more crowded portions of the new world. Its propitious results are undoubted and will be more signally mani fested when time shall have given to it a wider development. Congress has granted liberal grants of public lands to corporations in aid of the construction of railroads and other internal improvements. Should this policy hereafter pre vail, more stringent provisions will be required to secure a faithful application of the bonds. The title to the lands should not pass by patent or other wise, but remain in the government and subject to its control until some portion of the road aas been actually built. Portions of them might then from time to time be conveyed to the corporator, but never in a greater ratio to the whole quantity em braced by the grants than the completed parts bear to the entire length of the projected improve ment. -This restriction would not operate to the prejudice ef any undertaking conceived in good faith and executed with reasonable energy. It is It is the sett'el practice to withdraw from the market the lands falling within the operations of such grants and thus. to exclude the inception of subsequent subversive rights, or abroach of the conditions for which Congress may deem it prop er to impose upon such works a forfeiture of claim to the land so withdrawn but uncouveyed, and of title to the lands conveyed which remain unsold. This part is, unintelligible. En. Operations on the several lines of the Pacific Railroad have been prosecuted with unexampled vigor and success. Should no unforeseen cause of delay occur, it is con fidently anticipated that this great thoroughfare will bo completed before the expiration of the pe riod designated by Congress. PENSIONS. During the last fiscal year the amount paid to pensioners, including the expenses of disburse ment, was $13,459,970, and 50,177 names were added to the pension rolls. The entire number of pensioners in June 30, 180G, was 126,722. These ! acts furnish a melancholy and striking proof of the sacrifices made to vindicate the constitutional authority of the Federal Government, aud main tain inviolate the integrity of the Union. They impose upon us corresponding obligations. It is estimated that thirty-three million will be required i to meet the exigencies of this branch of the ser vice during the next fiscal year. INDIANS. o Treaties have been concluded with the Indians who entered into armed opposition to our Govern ment at the outbreak of the rebellion, and have unconditionally submitted to our authority, and manifested a desire for a renewal of friendly re lations. PATENTS. During the year ending Sept. 30th, 1S6G, 8,756 patents for useful inventions and designs were is sued. At that date the balance in the Treasury to the credit of the patent fund was $228,297. THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. A3 a subject upon which depends an immense am mint, of the nrodnctionarv commerce of the country, I recommend to Congress such legisla tion as may Ul3 liei-tssa; y I'Ji iuc jjicccnauuu ui the levee of the Mississippi river. It is a mat ter of national importance that every step should be taken, not only to add to the efficiency of these barriers against destructive inundations, but for the removal ot all oostructions to mo iree ana safe navigation of that great channel of trade and commerce. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA under existing laws, is not entitled to that repre sentation in the National Councils which from our earliest history has been uniformly accorded to every other territory, established from time to time within eur limits. It maintains peculiar re lations to Congress, to whom the Constitution has granted the power of exercising exclu sive legislation over the Seat of Gorerncnt. Our fellow citizens residing in the District, whose interests arc thus confided to the real guardianship of Congress exceed in number The population of several of our Territories, and no just reason is conceived why a Delegate of their choice should not be admitted to a seat in the House. No mode seems so appropriate and effectual of enabling them to make known their peculiar condition and wants and of securing the local legislation adapted to them. I therefore recommend the passage of a law authorizing the electors of the District of Columbia to choose a Delegate to be allowed the same rights and priv ileges as a Delegate representing a Territory. The increasing enterprise and rapid progress of improvements in the District are highly gratifying and I trust that the efforts of the municipal au thorities to promote the prosperity of the national metropolis will secure the encouragement and gen erous co-operation of Congress. AGRICULTURAL BUREAU. The report of the Commissioner of the Agricul hnwi the operations of this depart- t i. . tu. raf vpr. and asks tne am ol menu uuriug mo 5 Congress in its efforts to encourage those states which were scourged by war and are now earnest ly engaged in the reorganization of domestic in dustry. f-.atJon that no fur- it 13 a Elf-ojcct ui ""o' . . ther combinations against our domestic peaee and safety or our legitimate innuence uufe tions have been formed or attempted while senti ments of reconciliation, loyalty and patriotism , - ,i .,( t,nm(i A more lust consuier- ation of our national character and rights ft as been manifested by foreign nations. The entire success of the Atlantic telegraphic cable between the coast of Ireland and the Province of New foundland, is an achievement which has been just ly greeted in both hemispheres as the opening of an era in the progress of civilization. There is reason to expect that, equal success wiil .ttend, and even greater results follow, the enterprise for Connecting the continents through the Pacific Ocean, by the projected line of telegraph between Kamschatka and the Kussian Possessions, in America. The resolution of Congress, protesting agaiast pardons by iV.reign Governments, of per sons convicted of infamous offenses on condition of emigration to our country, has been communi cated to the States with which we maintain inter- course, and the practice, so justl- the subject of complaint on oua part, has not been renewed. The congratulations of Congress to the F.mper ror of Russia upon his escape from an attempted assassination, have been presented to that hu mane and enlightened ruler and received by him with expressions of grateful appreciation. The Executive is warned of an attempt by Span ish American adventurers to' induce the emigra tion of the freedmcn of the United States to a for eign country. He protested against this project as one whichif consummated, would reduce them to bondage more oppressive than that from which they had just been released. Assurances have been re ceived from the government of tire State in which the plan was matured, that the proceedings will not meet with its encouragement or approval. It is a question worthy of your consideration wheth er our laws upon this subject are adequate to the prevention or punishment of the crime thus medi tated. PRANCE AND THE MEXICAN QUESTION. In the month of April, as Congress is aware, a friendly arrangement was made between the Em peror of France and the President of the United States, for the withdrawal from Mexico of the French expeditionary military force. The with drawal was to be effected in three detachments, the first of which it was understood would leave Mexico in November, the seeoud in March, and the third and last in No-ember, 1807. Immedi ately upon the completion of the evacuation, the French government was to autue the same attitude of non-interference in regard to Mexico a is held by the Government ot the United States. Re peated assurances have been given by the Emperor since that agreement that he would complete the promised evacuation within tho period mentioned or sooner. It was reas onably expected that the proceedings thus contemplated would produce a crisis'of great po litical interest in the republic of Mexico. The newly appointed Minister of the United States, Mr. Campbell, was therefore sent forward on the 9th day of March last to assume his proper func tions as Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to that Republic. It was also thought ex pedient that he should be attended in the vicinity of Mexico by the Lieutenant General of the army of the United States, with a view of obtaining such information as might be important to determine tho course to be pursued by the United States iu "re-establishing and maintaining tho necessary and proper intercourse with the Re public of Mexico. Deeply interested in the cause of liberty aud humanity, it seemed an obvious duty on our part to exercise whatever influence wo possessed for thcercsforation and permanent establishment in that country of a democratic and republican form of government. Such was the condition of affairs in regard to Mexico, when, on th22d of November, official information was re ceived from Paris that the Emperor of Franco had sometime before decided not to withdraw his forces in the month of November last,. according to his agreement but that this decision was mado with th purpose of withdrawing the whole of the force in the ensuing spring. Of this determina tion, however, the United States had not received any notice or intimation, and as soon as the in formation was received by the Government, caro was taken to make known its dissent to the Em peror of France. I cannot forego tho hope that France will reconsider the subject and adopt sonio resolution in regard to the evacuation of Mexico, which will conform as nearly as possible with the existing engagement and thus meet the general expectation of the United States. The papers relating to the subject will be laid before you. It is believed that with the evacuation of Mexico by the expeditionary forces, no subject for serious differences between France aud ihe United States would remain. Theexpressious of the Emperor and people of France warrant a hope that the tradi tionary friendship between the two countries might in that case be renewed and permanently restored. A claim of a citi;en of the United States for indemnity for spoliations coinmittedgon tho high seas by the French authorities in the exer cise of a belligerent power against Mexico has been met by the government of France, with a proposition to defer settlement until a mutual con vention for the adjustment of all claims arising out of the recent wars on thif continent, shall bo agreed upon by the two countries. The suggestion is not deemed unreasonable, but it belongs to Congress to decide the manner in which claims for indemnity for foreigners as well as by citizens of the United States, arising out of the late civile war, shall be adjusted and determined. There isH no doubt but the subject of all suchs) claims will engage your attention. OUR D I P V E R E N C E S WITH GREAT ERETA!. Tt is a matter of regret that no considerable ad vances have been made towards an adjustment of the differences between the United States and Great Britain arising out of the depredationsupon out national commerce and other trespasses com mitted during ourcivil war by British subjectsin vi olation of international law and treaty obligations. The delay, however, may be believed to have re sulted in no small degree from the domestic situa tion of Great Britain. A naw change of ministry occurred in that country during the last session of Parliament. The attention of tho new Ministry was called to the subject at an early day, and there is some reason to expect that it will now be considered in a becoming and friendly spirit. The importance of an early disposition of the question cannot be exaggerated. Whatever might be the wishes of the two governments, it is manifest that good will and friendship be tween the two countries cannot be established un til a reciprocity in the practice of good faith and neutrality shall be restored between the respective nations. On the 0th of June la?:t, in violation of our neutrality laws, a military expedition and en terprise against the British North American Col -nies, was projected and attempted to be carried on within the territory and jurisdiction of the United States. In obedience to the obligations imposed on the Executive by the Constitution, to see that tho laws are faithfully exeeuted, all citizens were warned by proclamation against taking part in or aiding such unlawful proceedings, and tho proper military and naval cfiicers were dirreetcd to take all necessary means for the enforcement of the laws. The expedition failed but is not without its painful consequences? Some of our citizens who it was alleged were engaged in tho expedition were captured and have been brought to trial for a capital offense in the province of Canada. Judgment and eentence of death have peen pronounced against some, while others have been acquitted. Fully believing in the maxim of Government, that severity of civil punishfhent for misguided persons who have engaged in revolu tionary attempts which have disastrously failed, is unsound and nnwise, such representations have been made to the British Government in be half of the convicted persons as being sustained by an enlightened and humane judgment, it f 3 hoped, will induee in their cases an exercise of clemency and a judicious amnesty to all who we?re engaged in the movement. Counsel has been employed by the Government to defend citizens of the United States on trial ffr capital of fense8 in Canada and a discontinuance of the. s2 (g) 0 i ... O I P.OTTRT3SY OF BANCROFT LIBRARY.