1 i
nStatiBmoii
tVND UNIONIST. 1
'SALEM, FRIDAY, s : : DEO. 10
i , i
To Our. "Weekly Subsmbere. jj
Y are bow in the fifth month of tho polli
cation oF th Statksmah, as tho chaageof
proprietors was r made on the lit day of Au
Dating that time we hare nade no re
quest for payment of subscriptions, desirous
that you should hav full opportunity to test,
and to fairly approve tsr dismpproYe 'out eonr
Determined to do ur bert and 4eV4h
people be thi judges, we hare been gratified
, by realizing a success, which, although moder
ate, has been entirely satisfactory. There
are Antt three hundred new subscribers on
our lists, and we constantly receive additions,
as welt as friendly assurances froniall quarters
Of -course it takes Money to run a newspaper-,
and more 'bt it than most people suppose.
' So wo ivoutd Simply say that we shall always
be piepared to send receipts to those who can
j A great campaign is approaching and we
are Anxious to be on hand, and always be
found in (he front of battle. Great battles
are seldom fought on credit, so if yon help
us out with cash, you will supply us with the
real sinews of war. The proprietor is anxious
to enlarge and improve the Statesman, and it
depends entirely on the support he receives
' whether he can be able to do so.
We propose to give the people of Oregon at
good a paper at ihej trill pay for, and to mak
it a success by making it in all respects a
" people's paper." IT you know any good man
who wants the Stateshas, tend us his name,
' with the understanding that he pays for it in
eix months, and sooner, if he can. It is part
of oar faith that every sober working naan
"in the land ought to have & State paper, and
that vry tnan whd wants to read one, is
Rood for the subscription price., "We desire to
xsall the attention of out readers and friends
to the fact that we now publish about as much
tgain of matter as the Amihicas Ujiiosist
contained at the time of dicontinnsnce. We
.hall increase tho Statesmah to the size of
the largest paper now published in this Stte
"when five hundred more subscribers are ad
ded to our list, and anything our friends can
0 to help as to reaoh that namhet will be
fully appreciated.' We repeat again, that1 the
State 8M ah shall he as good and as large a
paper as the people will pay for. Please ex
amine the direction of .your paper and see if
the date on the tag is the date to which you
have paid up. Where their is no date named,
tbo subscription commenced August 1st, 1669.
f "Quito a "number have sent us the subscrip
tion price and paid up in advance, to whom
we tender our best thanks.
Money oaa always be sent us through the
mail at oar riek, if sent with the knowledge
" of postmasters.
We have secured the following gentlemen as
Agents !'','- . v
Albany.......... L. Flinn
Aurora..... .......
Brownsville........
Behei..i...
-Bniteville.v.......
4 Belpass'.... .......
Corvallis.... .......
Cottage Grove...!.
t Dalles.-.. .........
balks ............
Empire City
Fred. Keil
...W. R. Kirk
. J." II. Hawley
. ,.B. Jennings
,....R. II anna
A. Chenoveth
. ... . F
N. Martin
... ....S. Brooks
... .J. EmmanB
...J. W. Parker
....J. F. Brown
...Mr. Litchfield
Eugene City..
Grande Ronde
Ilarriaburg...
Independence.
Lancaster....
Lincoln,
Lebanon ,
Monmouth...,
Newport......
, Oakland......
Portland
w w W
:.H. 8mith
... -Vandriyn & Sommerville
8.M. Farley
i .-. ...... . . . .Abrahams & Co
S. H. Clauson
P. M. Waterlionse
..-'-. J. ......... Samnel Case
B Herman
,Wm. T. B Nicholson
E. E. Wheeler
Scio
Sringfield. A. G. Hovey and Bev. J. H. Adams
Sublimity...... ...... ...Mr. Hobson
Silvcrton.......... .John Davenport
St. Loais. ........... J. D.Tayloi
Zena. ................ D. J. Cooper
Urdetiag Their Nerves.
Something should be done to settle the
stomachs and quiet the nerves of the Demo
cratic journals of our State. If they wonld
only, fret about their own affairs, find fight
I .their own battles on their own ground, tbe
probability is they would life quieter lives
! and last to a good old age ; but the poor
-creatures have a peck of troubles on our
l account and are worrying themselves to
death for fear the Republican party will
i be Imposed upon by some of its own lead
tiog spirits, t-, riy :
' We cordially agree with them In bellev
! that some Republican will be elected to
tbe U. S. Senate, and we don't wonder that
1 they are annoyed at the prospect, but we
i object to naming the successful man in ad-
vance. A certain amount of Democratic
K opposition' is very - wholesome, but our
Democratic neighbors" should remember
' that when they try hardest to tear a man
down, they succeed the best in building
him up, for Democratic inflnence seems to
:be one of the most striking Instances of a
- ml working by contraries. - ' "'
The Oregonian pertinently says with ref
erence to the ' Democrat ic clamor against
f Senator Williams, that while the Republi
Uana of . this State fully appreciate the val-
" e of th services of that" distinguished
gentleman, ' they make his claims to a re-
j election atkely secondary, or rather they
I are pal rg4 at all, for no individual aspl-
I rations are allowed to take part in the com-4-;if
campaign.. ": We are a unlt harmonious
and cordial, riven by no factions, cursed
by po aspiring leaders, and. as such our
first and only aim must be to defeat the
old stubborn enemy of tbe country in the
coming campaign. And if ever defeat was
written ia the faces of a party, it is in
scribed in hopeless misery on the visage of
Oregon Democracy to-day.; It is tbe grand
Buccess ofj'iGcn. Grant's Administration
that knocks them out of time, and will
faki them eventually throw up the sponge.
fVOur aim, then, should be to select good tried
I I ea to every office to see that reliable and
able Republicans sit in tbe the Legislature
r to represent the best interests of tbe coun
try and the true principles of the party,
not to elect some man to some office, but
y choose tbe best men to office in every
instance. , , ' .
What worrle our Deaocracy in the case
of Senator Williams, U the great natural
aptitude he hm (or the art of Reconstruct
tion." He has the credit, awarded him by
I lo.in irtiirnat of tiat oartf East, of
! having taken the lead in framing the Con
gressiona,lj plan of Rt construction, and ihey
fearbe.Ul utabi aention to recon-
i'a3tiBg- them.4 We' consider,? however,
that they are ease-hardened and beyond
rPM fc effort should attempt the
(' t a2 We have great nopea oi w rmmg
gesraUoa,feut tbe. Id .cues m beyond we
reach of improvement ;Tfy soothing c
Z
.,aria : 'if" vou can't be alsy, b.a
ls';a-"you 'caa, cb,:'Democrai3, -;arge
:yoarselve and B elead",lf oa canr
: nd wbateve? befpe-t. reme'r that Ee
ab!kaa priociplet tra trnss-L, ead that
i''fiia'P ' are goyfrctoi'fte count.; fa
Letter Prom Linn County.
BKowxsvnxE, Dec. 1, 1869
En. Statesman : Though times are called
dull, there is considerable a oi her. The
bridge over tho Calapooia tag been covered.
The merchants seem to be doibga good bu
siness and have good stocks of goods, new
goods are constantly arriving. In North
.Brownsville, Morgan and Lewis have seven
or eight thousand dollars worth, of new
goods jand. are evidently doing a good
trade. -A Wheeler seemed to have a good
stook, but he had just been below and
purchased a large stock in addition. There
are three stores in South Brownsville, well
filled and doing a good business. We ha ve
four blacksmith shops that have been
busy all the season. Three parties are
here buying pork and packing it down,
paying 5i to ; 6 cents per pound for it.
There are two schools on each side of the
' creek. Rev. WV R. Bishop is teaching in
North Brownsville and hps over fifty schol
are in attendance. A new literary society
is now organized tt pass away the time
these lone? winter- evenings, and assist in
improving the minds of the members.
More anon. C.
Inconsistent. The Oregonian baa occa
sinally intimated that we are wasting pow
der, fcbot and ink, in noticing some of the
pestilent sayings of small bored cotenipo
, rnrieg, and yet in the last issue it wades
- into :'an obscure and unscrupulous sheet,"
edited, as it says for purposes of '-black
mail" by one of the discharged employees
of the Indian service. Now, if all this is so,
brother and we are not disposed to doubt
or deny Itwhy don't you stick to your
philospby and pass these "obscure" fellows
by with pity and contempt? You tell ns
not to pitcb into them and then you go to
telling the truth about them at a terrific
rate all by yourself. We agree with your
advice to let this eunuch of the Oregon
Press, rest in his own obscurity. Your
genuine neufer-als are proverbially ill na
tured, and should be let alone as much as
possible.
A heavy inundation has visited ' Yucatan
and caused terrible damage to property
and loss of life. On the 26th of October,
after several days' hard rain, a unorther"
set in, but as it cleared up about dark, peo
ple went to bed as usual. The storm came
on about half past cine, and before many
were aware of the danger, the streets were
flooded so as to prevent escape. In the
houses people climbed on tables and other
furnitnre, and as soon as boats could be
manned the more fortunate set about res
cuing their fellow citizens. But despite all
heir efforts there were many lives lost ;
the suburbs of the city were entirely de
troyed, most of tbe residents losing all
hey bad. The cemeteries were torn up by
he torrents.' and bodies floated through tbe
treets. Eleven persons are known to be
irowned, how many more it is impossible
o ascertain, and the survivors are suffering
rom hunger and exposure.
Returned to His Vomit. Beriah Brown
earned the compliment lately, from some
source or other, that he bud not abused tbe
nemory of President Lincoln in several
3sues. So he has returned to the familiar
hemes, and he avenges himself, and per
verts history, and outrages deeency, and fa
ults tbe American people, by saying his
4ay in the last issue. He don't do all tbis
rery much, because be does so little of it,
,: jut be snarls and sbows tbe places where
tis teeth onght to be, and makes tbe most of
lis fonr quires weekly issue he does indeed,
t wasn't Lincoln who said you came away
rom Portland without paying your pew
ent; it was tbe Herald served you that mean
trick. Why don't you vent your spleen
where it belongs.
Doccmests. We are under obligations
to Mr. J. V. Mossman formerly of this place,
'or sending documents of interest from the
jegislative Assembly of Washington Terri
ory Among them are Veto messages from
be Governor, in which he mentions the re
urn without approval of no less than
wenly-eeven bills which had been passed
y the Assembly. The Governor sends in
ome other bills separately with the reasons
or his vetoing them, but tbis batch seems
o have come too thick and fast to allow of
nch deliberate consideration.
Robert Bonner, of the New York Ledger,
ias been buying up some noted horses, and
aakes the Herald pretend for it is only
; iretense- that it has discovered a mare's
lest. Giant wrote a letter to Bonner;
ionner likes horse flesh and buys fast
,; torsos ; Grant likes horse flesh, but can't
t pend as much money as Bonner, and,
herefore, the Herald thinks its readers are
.11 as green as grass. Well, suppose they
are, what are you going to do about it ?
Uncle Sam's revenue officers have, for
he first time in history, gone after .Brigham
t'ouDg with a prospect of forcing the old
Jormoa to pay to the United States the
taxes he has evaded for years past. Grant's
' officials are not only determined to make
people pay their present dues, but to make
them settle all arrearages.
Railroad Commissioner.
People of course are enquiring as to who
J. H. Fisk is, who is appointed in place of
Jesse Applegate to examine the Railroad, and
act as Railroad Commissioner for this State,
We take pleasure in stating that it is not Jim
Fisk, Jr., of great railroad fame at the East,
' who- is also a great steamboater and ' gold
gambler, but a very clever gentleman who
is one of the proprietors of the. Standard
flouring mills at Milwaukee.
' Captain Fisk has been a resident of Uma-
, tills. He was here during the reoent term of
the Supreme Court, where a suit for a Talaa
. ble estate, eoming to his wife as heir of Lot
Whitoomb, was decided in his favor. The ap
' pointment is said to be a firstrate one.
On the 17th of November St. Josephs
Convent at Toronto was totally destroyed
by fire. 'At the time tbe building was co
cupied partly as an asylum for indigent old
men and partly as a school for young ladies
under Father Conway. . The fire was dis-
covered about midnight and much excite
ment existed owing to tbe danger that some
of the decrepit occupants of whom there
were ten asleep in tbe upper story. How-
: ever these were all carried, or assisted out
' of danger by the heroic efforta of the fire
men and volunteers. As the fire spread rap.
idly all that could be done was to save tbe
" surrounding buildinas.ln which a'tenarpt tbe
! department was successful. The scholars
did nof Jleep ia the building and thus much
of Mnsrer and possible horror was avoided.
i jba jd.ooo, notinaarea. -
Prematura Loof Hair, which is so
common aowatttiaye entirely pre-eiited
! the nsa- of UornaiCs Cocoaine." It has
. beea used in tbousRSds of cases where the
hair was eomior ji ia handsfai,' and bas
never failed toeetta decay, to promote a
bealthv JUtd tigfoua growth. It is at tbe
saiae time smiled as a dressing for the hair.
" A aingle app' caton wiu renatr w. ion
"glossy for Mtrftl days.
MM
GENERAL NEWS.
Portland. Tbe Oregonian of Dec 7th
has these items: The dedication of tne
new Synagogue on Sunday was well attend
ed, Tbe ceremonies are described as very
impressive..... Tbe touch vexed case of
Elfelt, Neil & Co. vs. H. H. Snow & D. M.
Jesee has been stipulated to be tried before
Judge Boise of this District, without inter
vention of a jury.. . . .St. Helen's Hall
has an average attendance of ninety. , ....
Iron columns are to be substituted for
brick in Hartlieb's drug store. , , . , .The
Heaton brought up several tons of clay
tiles, for underdrawing. Tney are cheaper
than iron or lead and as durable .The
election in the Fire Department resulted in
choice of Robert Holman, Chief Engineer,
C. W.Reynard 1st Assistant and B. Meyer
2d Assistant .The Young Men's Chris
tian Association has maintained a Sunday
evening school for the instruction of Chi
nese. Tbe i.verage attendance is lorty,
men and boys. These are divided into
small classes each under the charge of a
teacher for the evening. The progress
made by the pupils is surprising. In one
case a young man learned all the letters of
the alphabet so as to remember them in
twentv minutes; wbilo.it is rare that any
beginner does not learn tnem all in one
evening. Several of them who took their
first lesson n the English language with the
members of the Association, can now road
with ease and some fluency, and can write
as well as American boys usually do ut leu
or twelve years of age. Their aptitude in
imitating gives them great advantage in ac
quiring penmanship. .... .The jury in the
case of toe Oregon cascade uaiiroau Loin
nanv vs. O. fc. N. Co. have been sent to tbe
Cascades, per ; steamer, to make an exum
ination on the spot Eaut Portland 'is
to have a steam saw mill.
Murder at Iliixsnoito. The Commercial
of the 7th has tbe following account of a
tragedy in Washington county : It appears
that Courtney Meeks, tbe son of the old
pioneer. Soe Meeks, a half-breed, got intox
icated and swore that bo would kill some
body before morning. Presently Jacob
Smith, an old citizen of the place and well
known here by the appellation of "Big
Jake Smith," came into tbe saloon. .Be
tween Meeks and Smith there seemed to ex
ist an olJeud. As soon as Smith appear
ed, without Baying a word, Meeks jumped
up, ran to Smith, threw his arms about bis
neck and stabbed him in the region of tbe
heart, producing death almost instantane
ously. Before steps could be taken to pro
cure his arrest, Meeks effected his : escape.
Tbis is a most aggravated and unprovoked
murder. Mr Smith was known to be a
quiet, orderly, peaceable and industrious
citizen, and his sudden death calls down a
just public indignation. A reward of $700
bas been offered for the arrest of tbe tnuv
derer. It is supposed that Meek has taken
to the mountains, thinking to escap either
at Tillamook or Yaquina Buy possibly at
Astoria or into Washington Territory. He
is a skillful woodsman and hunter, and his
capture will no doubt be difficult.
Portland. Tbe Herald of the 8th has
the following : Commodore. Watson will
remove his residence and headquarters
from Astoria to Portland The ladies
of the M. E. Church beiti their unnul fair
last evening, at tbe armory of tbe Washing
ton Guards. Several thousand dollars has
been subscribed towards building a new
Chnre'i. toj be completed next August.. .
She body of a man was .found in the Co
lumbia, near the residence ot J. M. Scott.
Tbe coroner's jury returned a verdict ot
accidental drowning. The body was too
much decomposed to be identified ..
The Catholics observed "the Feast of the
Immaculate Conception." which is the
opening of the Ecumenical Council, by
celebrating three masses, tbe last one High
mass.
Docoi.as Corxnr. The following is from
the Ensign of tbe 4th ': Douglas county
was the first in tLe State to pay this year's
tax. The ainoun! paid over was, lor polls.
$887; property tax. $8.996 W. B.
71arke & Co. have purchased and will
erect the first set of planers and matchers
in the county. The amount of lumber con
sumed dtiritig the past year has been more
tban three times that oi any previous year.
Over two million feet have been used
for building purposes A young man
at work in the Myrtle Creek saw mill, lost
two fingers by the circular saw one day
last week.
Wasco County. The Mountaineer says a
mail ronte is badly needed from the Dalles
to Ochoco. Settlers recently from that point
say that their only winter outlet is by way
of the Dalles, as the mountains are block
aded with snow. .... .Rev. Mr. pondon's
next lecture on geology will be '-How Or
egon was made." His friends made up a
donation of 5200 at a party lor that pur
pose A religious revival going on at
the Dalles, fiftet n persona have joined the
Congregational Church and eighty the M.
E. Church.
Walla Walla. The Statesman of Dec
4 says that snow is deep enough in Grande
Ronde Valley to afford good sleighing. . . .
Parties from tbe East have invested in real
estate quite extensively at Walla Walla
One firm have sent off nineteen wagons and
a pack train loaded with merchandize du
ring the past weeks. Also, over fifty tons
of produce in the sumo time.
Jackson Cocxty; From the Sentinel of
Dec. 4th, we learn that B. F. Dowell has
again gone to Wa hington. His business is
to pretent before Congress the Indian war
claims of 1854.. ... .A young man, by the
name of Wetzel, who bas been working at
the tin trade for some t me past, at that
place, was seized with a strange fit of hal
lucination, last Thursday night. He fan
cied that he was wedded to the handsome
and accomplished daughter of a respected
citizen of this place, and insisted on send
ing the old gentleman out on the ranch
and '-keeping hotel" himself for a while.
The old gentleman could not see it in thut
liget, and as the infatuated young man in
sisted on taking possession ot the premises
by force if ifecessary, theCHy Marshal was
called In and the young man was taken to
the calaboose..;... The citizens of Jack
sonville have organized a. Literary Club.
......Rev. C. Alderson and wife return
thanks for donations to the amount of fifty
dollars H. York' of Applegate, fell
from bis horse in a fit of epilepsy and broke
his leg. . ... .The mail carrier reports 12
inches of snow between th-re and Fort
Klamath...... The Deputy Sheriff is en
gaged in summoning a jury to try himself
on a charge of felony. Of course he will
do tbe fair thiog
The Democrat of the same date, wants to
know if VilUmoutis'' is crazy. Ask tbe
three laboring lawyers. . . . . . . It says that
tbe rains has rendered the county roads al
most impassible. . . . . . Great activity is man
ifeeted among tbe farmers of that section
in preparing for next years' harvest
Scarlet fever is prevalent; one case has
proved fatal.
A young lady's opinion of the bon
net of the season : Oh, the bonnets
of my girlhood the kiud I" wore to
school I I really thought them pretty.
I most have, been a fool. ; And yet I
used to think myself on hats a jaunty
miss. Perhaps I was, : as fashion
nt ; out what was that to this I Oh,
therely little1 pancake the char
minse iifctlemat I It makes my head
so level, anogo very, very fiat V
prudent' 3 man , says a witty
renchman, MB like a pin. , His head
prevents him from going to far.' ; ,
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
To the Senate nnd House of Representatives.
In coming before you lor the first time
a Chief Magistrate of this nation, it Is with
gratuuue to tne uiver or nil good for tbe
many benefits we enjoy We are blessed
with peace at home, and are without en
tangling alliances abroad, or trouble to
forebode. With a territory unsurpassed in
fertility, of an area equal to the abundant
support of five hundred millions of people,
and abounding in every variety of useful
mineral, ia quantity sufficient to support
the world for generations, with exuberant
crops; with variety of climate adapted to
the production of every species of the
earth's produce, rich and suited to tbe hab
its, tastes and requirements of every living
thing ; with a population of forty millions
of free people, all speaking one language,
with facilities for every mortal to acquire
an education ; with institutions closing to
none tbe avenue to fame or any blessing of
fortune that may be coyeted ; with freedom
of tbe pulpit, press and schools ; with a
revenue flowing into the national treasury
beyond tbe jrequirecients of the Govern
ment demand. Harmony is being rapidly
restored within our borders; manufactures,
hitherto unknown in our country, are
springing up in all directions, producing a
degree of national independence unequal
ed by that of any other power. These
blessing?, and countless others, are entrust
ed to your cire and mine, for sate keeping
for the briet period of our tenure of office.
In a short time we miii?t each of us return
to the ranks of tbe people who have con
ferred upou us our powers, anil account to
them for the f-tewardship. I earnestly tie-
sire tnat neitner yon or 1 may be condemn
ed by a tree and enlightened constituency,
nor oy our own consciences.
Emerging trom a rebellion of gigantic
magnitude, aided as it were by :he sympa
thy and assistance of the nation with whi.:b
w were at peace, eleven States of the
Union were four yeots ago left without le
gal Mate Governments. A debt has been
contracted; American commerce was al
most driven from the seas ; tbe industry of
oue-half the country had been taken from
the control r,f the capitalists and placed
where nil labor liehiiully belongs, in the
keeping of laborers.
THE CONDITION OF THE COINTUY.
The work of restoring State Govern
ments loyal to the Union, of tho protecting
and fostering of labor and provibing means
lor paying tiie interest on the public debt
nas received ample attention lrm Con
gress. Although your efforts have not met
with tho success in all pariictilars that
might have been desired, yet on the whole
they have been more successlul than could
have been reasonably anticipated. Seven
of tbe States which passed ordinances of
secession have been fully restored to their
placeavin the Union. The eighth (Georgia)
bas held an election at which she ratified a
Constitution. Republican in form, elected a
Governor, members of Congress and a
State Legislature, with all other officer re
quired. The Governor whs duly installed.
and the Legislature met and performed all
tne acts men required of them by the re
construction acts of Ctmyress. Subse
qaently, however, in violation of the Con
stitntion that hud jui-t been ratified, a;
since decided by tbe Supreme Court of the
State, tliey unseated the colired membe
ot ti e Legislature and admitted to seats
members who are disqualified by the third
clause of thcFourteentb Amendment in the
Constitution, an article which they them
selves had contributed to ratify. Under
inese circumstances 1 would submit to von
whethe it would not be wise, without delay,
to pass a law authorizing the Governor ot
Georgia to conv.me the member originall v
elected to the Legislature, and requiring
each member to take the oath prescribed
by Uie recot.sti notion act. This doge, those
to be admitted who are ineligible undei
the third elausc of the Fourteenth Amend
ment.
The freedmen, under the protection which
they have received, are making rapid pro
gress in- learning, and no complaints are
heard of a lack ot industry on their part
wnen tney receive lair remuneration foi
tbeir labor.
Tho means provided for paying the inter
est on the public debt, with all other ex
penses ot government, are more than ample
The l ss ot our commerce is the only re
suit of tbe rebellion wbich bas not received
sufficient attention from you. To this sub
jeel I call your earnest attention. I will
not now suggest the means by which tbis
object may be effected, but will, if neces
ary, make it the subject of a special mes
sage during the sessiou of Congress. At
the March term Congress, by a joint reso
lution, aathorized the Executive to order
an election in the Slates"of Virginia, Miss
issippt and Texas, at which was to be sub
mitted the constitution which each had
previously in convention framed, and these
were to be submitted either entire or in
sepurate parts to be voted on. at the dis
cretion of the Executive. Under this au
thority elections were called in Virginia,
The election took place on the lith of July
lel9. 1 tie Governor elected baa been in
stalled ; tbe Legislature met and did all re
quired by this resolution and by the recon
struction acts of Congress, and refrained
from all doubtful authority. I recommend
to our Senators and Representatives that
tbe State be fully restored to its place in
the family of States. Elections were were
called in Mississippi and Texas, to com
mence on the 30th of November, and to
last two days in Mississippi and four days
in lexas. 1 he elections have taken plac?
but the result is not known. It is to be
hoped that tbo acts of tbe Legislature of
these States, when they meet, will be such
as to receive your approbation, and then
close the work ot reconstruction.
Among Ibe evils growing out of tbe re
bellion, and not yet referred to. is that of
an irredeemable currency. It is an evil
which I hope will receive your most earn
est attention. It is the duty one of the
highest of the duties of tbe Government to
secure to the citizens a medium of exchange
ot unvarying value, j his implies a return
to a specie basis, and no substitute for it
can be devised. It should bi commenced
now and reached at the the earliest practi
cable moment, consistent with a fair regari
to the interests of the debtor class. Imme
diate resumption, if practicable, wonld not
be desirable. It weuld compel the debtor
class to pay beyond tbeir contracts Ibe pre
mium on t old at the date of their pur
chase, and would bring bankruptcy and
ruin to thousands. Fluctuation, however,
in tbe paper value of the measures of all
value (of gold) is detrimental to trade. It
makes the man of business an involuntary
gambler, for in all sales, when future pay
ment is to be made, both parties speculate
as to wLat will be tbe value of tbe cur-en-cy
when paid and received. 1 earner. ly
recommend to you. then such legislation as
will insure a gradual return to sperie pay
ments, and put an immediate stop to fluctu
ations in the value of tbe cuirency. The
methods to secure these results are as nu
merous as are tbe speculations on political
economy. To secure tbe latter I see but
one way. and that is to authorize the Treas
ury to redeem its own paper at fixed prices
whenever presented ; to withhold from cir
culation alt such currency redeemed until
sold again for gold. The vast resources ot
the nation, both developed and undevel
oped, ought to make our credit tbe best n
the earth. With a less burden of taxation
than the citizens has endured for six years
past, ; the entire public debt could be paid
in ten years; but it is desirable that the
people should not be taxed to pay in that
time.' Year by year tbe ability to pay in
creases in rapid ratio, but the burden
of interest ought to be reduced as rapidly
as can be done witbont the violation of the
contracts. The pub ic debt is represented
in greater part by bonds, having from fiVe
to twenty and from twenty to Jorty years
to run,, bearing interest at the rate of six
per cent and five per cent., respectively.
It Is optional with tbe Government to pay
their bonds at aoy period after the expira
tion of tbe last time mentioned upon tbeir
face. ; The time has already expired when
a great part of tbem may be taken up. and
the time is rapidly approaching when all
may be. It is believed that all whicH art
now due may be replaced by bonds bear
ing a rate of interest not exceeding four
and a half per cent., and as rapidly as the
remainder b0jmes due, that they may be
replaced in the same way. To acclompisb
tbis it may be necessary to authorize lnter-
st to be paid at either of three or four
money centers of Europe, or by any Assis
tant Treasurer, at the option of tbe holders
ot r tbe bonds. . I, recommend this subject
for tlie con ueriuou of Congress. Also I
simultaneously with this, the propriety f !
redeeming our currency as before suggested,
at its niaiket value at the time the law goes
into effect ; increasing the rate at wbich
currency will be bought or sold from day
t,) day, or week to week, at the same rate of
interest as the Government pays upon its
bonds.
Tbe subject of tariff and internal taxa
tion will necessarily receive your attention.
The revenues of the country are greater
than the requirements and may with safety
be reduced ; but as the funding of the debt
in four or four and a half per cent, bonds
would reduce the annual current expense
largely, and : then, after funding, justify a
a greater reduction of taxrtion tban would
be now expected. I suggest the postpone
ment of this question nutil the next meet
ing of Congress, when it may be advisable
to modify taxation and tbe tariff in in
stances where unjust or burdensome dis
criminations are made by the present laws.
But a general revision of tho laws regula
ting tbis subject. I recommend the post
ponement for the present. I also suggest
the renewal of the tux on incomes, but at a
reduced rate, ay of three per cent, this
tax to expire in three years. With the
funding of the national debt, I feel safe in
saying that the taxes and revenue from im
ports may be reduced safely from sixty to
seventy millions per annum at once, and
still further reduction from year to year, as
the resources of the country uie developed.
. FINANCES. !
The report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury shows the receipts of Government for
the fiscal year ending June lit). 1809, to be
.$370.9 13 and the expenditures, includ
ing interest, etc., to be s:'21.410.51l7. The
estimutesrfbr the ensuing yeur are more fa
vorable to the Government and will, no
doubt, show a large decrease of the public
debt. The receipts in the treasury beyond
expenditures have exceeded th; turn unit
necessnrv to place to the credit of the sink
ing fund, as provided by law. To lock Uj
the surplus in the treasury and withhold it
from circulation would lead to such a con
traction of the currency ns to cripple trade
and serioilsly affect the prospects oi the
country. Under the.-e circums'anc s. the
Secretary of the Treasury and myself heart
ily concurred in properly using all t! is sur
plus currency in the treasury for tbe pur
chase ot Government bonds, fins reducing
the interest bearing debt of the country,
and of submitting to Congress tbe question
of the disposition to bo made of the bonds
as purchased. .The bunds now held by the
treasury amount to about $75. 000.000. in
cluding those belonging to the sinking fund.
1 recommend that the whole be placed to
the credit ol the sinking fund.
Your attentio" is respectfully invited to
the recommendations of the Secretary of
the Treasuty for the creating of the office
of Commissioner of the Custom lievenue.
for the increase of salary to a certain clas
of officials, and thesubstitution of increased
national funds and circulation to replace
tie outstanding 3 per cent, certificates, and
most especially to bis recommendation for
the repeal of the laws allowing shares of
fines, penalties, forfeitures, etc., to the offi
cers -f the Goer. merit or to informers
The office of Commissioner of Internal liev
eniie is one of the most onerous and import
ant under the Government. It falls but lit
tle if any short of u Cabinet position in its
importance and lesponsibilities It is there
fore recommended to such legislation as in
your judgment will place this office on a
footing of dignity commensurate with its
importance and character, and ability and
qnalifien'ion with tbe clai-s of men required
to tiill it properly.
As the L'niieil Stales is the freest of all
nations, so its people sy mpaihize with ail
people struggling for liberty and sell-government,
lint while so sympathizing, it is
d
to our honor that we should abstain
lroin enforcing our views upon unwilling
nations, from taking uu interested part in
initiatory qnurles between different nations
or between government t tutd their subjects.
Our course should always be in conformity
with sii ict justice and iifternationul law
to all. Such has been the policy of the
Administration dealing with these questions.
For more than a year a valuable province
of Spain, a near neighbor "f ours, in whom
all our people cannot but feel a deep inter
est, has been struggling for iis independence
and treedom. The people and Government
of the Uniied Stales entertains the same
warm feeling and sympathies for tbe people
of Cuba in their pending struggle that they
manifested throughout the previous strug
gle? between Spain and her colonies in be
half of the latter. Dot the countries, at no
time, have asi-umed the conditions which
amount fo, the war in the sense ot interna
tional law or which would show the exist
ence of a political organization of iiisur
gents sufficient to justify a recogni ion of
their belligerency. The principle is main
tained, howeter, that this natiou will be its
own judge as 16 the rights of belligerency,
either to a people struggling to force them
selves from a go eminent they believe to be
oppressive, or to independent nations at war
with each other. The United St .tes have
no di.-posi ion to interfere with existing re
lations of Spain to her colonial possessions
on this continent. They believe in due time
Spaiu and other European powers will find
their interest terminating these relations
and establishing their present dependencies
as independent powers, tis members of tbe
families of nations. These dependencies
aie no loncer regarded as subject to transfer
from one European power to another.
When the present relations of the colonies
cease they ere to become independent pow
ers; exercising the right of ehoice and of
self-control in the determination of their
future condition and relations wiih other
powers. The United States, in order to put
a ftrp to bloodshed in Cuba, and sn the in
ter st of neigl.boting people, proffered their
good offices to bring tbe existing contest to
a termination. The offer not being accepted
by Spain on a basis whic! was believed could
be received by Cuba, it was withdrawn. It
is hoped that the good offices of the United
State may yet prove advantageous for the
settlement of tlris unhappy struggle. Mean
while . a number of illegal expeditions
against Cuba bave been broken up. It has
been the endeavor of the Administration to
execute the neutrality laws in good faith,
no matter bow unpleasant the task may be.
so that they may avoid the suffering w
have endured from a lacl of good taitb
towards the United States by other nations
in regard to us.
Tbe schooner Lizzie Major was arrested
on the high seas by a Spanish frigate 8Dd
two passengers taken from it and carried
as prisoners to Cuba. Representations of
( these facts were made to the Spanish Gov
ernment as stHin as official information of
them reached Washington. The two pass
eugers were set at liberty ami the Spanish
Government assured the Uuiied States that
the captain of the frigate, in making the
capture, hal acted without law, and that he
bad been reprimanded for tbe irregularity
of bis coi.duct.and that the Spanish antbor
ities in Cuba would not sanction any act
that could violate the rights or treat with
'd srespect ibe sovereignty of the nation
The question of the seizure of the brig Mat y
Lowell at one of the Bahama Islands by
the Sp-misb authorities is now the subject of
a correspondence between this Government
and that ol Spain ami Great Britain. The
Captain General of Cuba, about May last,
issued a proclamation authorizing' n search
to be made of vesels on ihe high sens. Im
mediate remonstrance against this was made
whereupeu the Captain General issued a
new proclamation, limiting the right of
search of ves-elsof the United Slates so far
asautorized under tbe tieaty of 1793.
This proclamation, however, was immedi
ately withdrawn. I have always felt that
tbe most intimate relations sbou d be cn I ti
valed between the Republic ot the United
States and all independent nations on tbis
continent. It may be well worth cons der.
ing whether treaties between the United
States and them may not be profitably en
tered into to secure mere intimate relations,
friendly and otherwise.
THE PABIEM CANAL.
The subject of an iuteroctauij canal to con
nect tbe Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through
tbo Uthmua nf Darien, ia en in which tbe
United States is greatly interested. Instruc
tions have been given our minister at the Be
pnblio of the United States of Colombia t
endeavor to obtain authority for a surrey b
. this Government, in order to determine the
practicability of such an undertaking, and
ebarter for the right of way, to be built by
r rivet enterprise, if tbe rerrey proves it to
be practicable.
. ,-y,.,.y Mac- v
Io order to comply with the agreement of
the United States as to mixed oommisdions at
Lima for the adjustment of claims, it became
necessary to scud a Commissioner and Secre
tary to Lima in August last. u appropria
ttuus eaviag been made for this purpose, it is
now asKed that one be made, covering the
past and future expenses of the Commission.
r-ARAGtrAT.
IIs made the intercourse with that country
so difficujt that it has been deemed advisable
to withdraw our representatives from there.
OTHER FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The good offices of the United States to
bring about peace between Spain and the
South American Republics with which she is
at war having been accepted by Spain, Peru
and Chile, a Congress has been invited to be
held at Washington during the present winter.
A grant bas boea given to .Europeans of an
exclusive right of transit over the territory of
Nicaragua, to which Costa Rica has given its
assent, but which, it is alleged, conflicts with
vested rights of citizens of the United States.
The Department of State has now this subject
under consideration.
The Minister of Peru having made repre
sentations that there was a state (?) between
Peru and Spain, and that Spain was construct
ing in and near New York, Government gun
boats which might be used by Spain ia such a
way as to relieve the naval force at Cuba so as
to operate against Peru, orders were given to
prevent their departure. Whether steps bave
been taken by representatives of the Peruvian
Government to prevent the departure of these
vessels, I do not feel authorized t detain the
property of the nation with whom we are at
peace, on a uiero executive order. The mat
ter has b3U referred to the Courts to decide.
Towards tbe close of the last administration
a convention was signed at London for the
settlement of all outetonding claims between
(Jreat Britain and the United States, which
failed to receive the advice and consent of the
Senators to its ratification. Time and circuui
stauyes attendiug the negotiation of the treaty
were favorable to its acceptance by the people
of the United States ; but its provisions were
wholly inadequate for the settlement of the
jcrave wrongs that had been sustained by this
Government as well as its citizens. The in
juries resulting to the United States by reason
of tho course adopted by Great Britain during
our late civil war in me increases rates of in
surance, in the diminution of exports and im
ports, and other respects to domestic, industry
and production ; its effects upon the foreign
commerce of tbe countryf in the decrease and
transfer to Great Britain of our commercial
marine ; in prolongation of war and the in
creased cost, both in treasure and lives, of its
suppression, could not be adjusted and satis
fied ns ordina.y commercial claims, which
continually arise between commercial nations,
and yet the convention treated them as such
ordinary cUim. from which they differ more
widely in tbo gravity of their character thun
in the magnitude of their amount, great even
as that is. There was found a wide difference
of opinion as to the reciprocity treaty between
tho United Slates and the British Provinces
on this continent, which has not been favora
bly considered by tho Administration. Tbe
adi-ontages of such a treaty would be totally
in favor of tho British producer, except, pos
sibly, as t few engaged in tho trade be
tween the two sections. No citizen ot the
Unite 1 States would be benefitted such reci
procity. Our internal taxation would prove a
protection to the British producer almost
equal to the protection which our manufac
turers now receive from that tax. Some ar
rangement, however, for the regulation of
commercial intercourse between tbe United
Slates and the Dominion, for adjusting the
claims of tho Hudson Bay and Paget Sound
Agricultural Companies, on the part of the
United States, has terminated its labors ; the
allowance of $650,000 has been made, and all
the rights and titles of the Company on the
territory of the United States have been made
over, and all rigldjj and titles of that Com
pany on the territory of the United States
have been extinguished, and deeds fur the
property of the Company havo been received.
An appropriation by Congress to meet, this
sum is a'ked. The Commission fr determin
ing the Northwestern land boundary between
the United States and the British Possessions,
under the treaty of 156, have completed its
labors and the Commission Las been dis
charged. In conformity with the recommendation of
Congress, proposition was early made to the
British Government to abolish the mixed
courts created under the treaty of April 18th,
1S62, fr the suppression of the slave trade.
TBE FRENCH CABLK.
It having come to my knowledge that a
corporate eompany, organized under British
laws, proposed to land upon the shores of the
United States, and to operate their submarine
cable under concession from His Majesty the
Emperor of the French, with an exclusive
right for twenty years, f telegraphic com
munication between the shores of France nnd
the United States, with the very objectionable
feature of f ubjecting all messages confided to
them to his sovereignty, and to the control of
the French Government, I caused tho French
unit British legations at Washington to be
made acvuaititcd wiih the probable policy of
Congress of the subject, as foreshadowed by
the bill which passed the Senate in March
Inst. This drew from the representatives of
the company an agreement to accept as n basis
of their operations the provisions of the bill,
or of such other enactments on the subjects as
might be passed by the approaching session of
Congress ; also, to use their influence with tho
French Government to secure a modification
of their concession, so as to permit the land
ing upon French soil of a cable belonging to
any company incorporated by authority of the
United States or any State in the United
States, and on their part not to oppose the es
tablishment of any such cable. In considera
tion of this agreement, I directed the with
drawal of all opposition by the United States
authorities to the landing of the cable and the
working of it untill tho meeting id Congress.
I regret to say there has been no modification
tnndo in the Company's concession, nor, so far
as I cisn learn, have they attempted to secure
one. Their concession cxeludes the capital
aud the citizens of the United States from
competition upon the shores of France. I re
commend legislation to protect the rights of
citizens of tho United States as well as the
dignity and sovereignty of the nation against
such an assumption. I shall also endeavor to
secure by negotiations an abandonment of
the principle of monopolies on ocean telegraph
ing cables. Copies of this correspondence are
herewith furnished.
FICTITIorS CITIZEXSHIP.
The unsettled political condition of these
countries less tortunale than our own
sometimes induces their citizens to come
to the United States for the sole purpose of
becoming naturalized. Having secured
this they return to their native country and
reside there, and without disclosing their
change of allegiance they accept official
positions of trust and Potior which can
only be held by citisens of their native land.
They journey under passports describing
tbem us such citizens, and it is only when
civil discord, after perhaps years of quiet.
threatens ihem or threatens their person or
properly, or when tbeir native State draws
them into its military service, that tact of
this chanire of allegiance is made known.
They reside permanently from the United
Sra'e., they contribute nothing to their
revenues ; ihey avoid tbe claims Of its citi
zenship, and they only make themselves
known by asking tor our protection. I
hare directed the diplomatic and consular
officerr of the United States, to scrutinize
carefully all such claims of protection.
Tbe citizen of the United States, whether
h;iiive or adopted, who diseharges his duty
to his country, is entitled to complete pro
tec'ioii and should have a voice in the di
rection ot its afftirs. But I shall not p- n
sei t to impair a sacred right by confering
it upon fictitious or fraudulent claimants.
EMIORANT PROTKCTIOX.
On the accession of the present Adminis
tration, it was found that the Minister for
North Germany had made a proposition for
negotiations of a convention for tbe pro
tection of emigrant passengers, to which
no re ponse had been given. It was con
cluded that to be effectual, all the maritime
powers engaged in trade, shcnld join in
such a n'easnre. Invitations have been
extended lo the Cabinets ot London. Paris.
Berlin, Brussels, the Hague, Copenhagen
Florence and Stockholm, to empower iheir
representatives at Washington to simulta
neously enter into negotiations or conclude
wiih the United States, conventions identi
cal in form, us to the construction of the
parts of vessels to be devoted to the use
of emigrant passengers ; as to tbe quality
and quantity of food ; as to medical treat
ment of the sick during tbe voyage ; in or
der to secure ventilation ; to promote
health; lo prevent interruption and to
protect families and providing for the es
tablishment of tribunals in the several
countries for enforcing such regulations by
summary process.
MANrFACTCKKS.
Yonr attention is respectfully called to
the law regarding tariff on Prussian bemp.
and to the question whether to fix the
charges on Prussian hemp higher than ihey
are fixed upon Manilla, is not a violation
of our treaty with Prussia, placing her pro
ducts upon the same footing with those
of the most favored nations. Our manu
factures are increasing with wonderful ra
pidity under the encouragement which it
now receives, and with tbe improvements
in machinery already effected, and they are
still increasing, thus causing machinery to
take the place of skilled labor to a large
extent. Our imports of many articles
must fall off largely within a few years.
Fortunately too many manufactures are
not confided to a few localities, as formerly,
and it is to be hoped that they will become
more and more diffused, making the inter
est in them equal in allysectious. They
give employment to hundreds and thou
sands of people at home, and retaiu with
ns nieacs which otherwise would be shipped
abroad. The extension of railroads in
Europe and tbe East is bringing into com
petition with our agricultural produce those
of other countries. Self interest, if not
self preservation, therefore, declares in fa
vor of caution against disturbing any in
dustrial interests of the country. It
teaches us ulso the necessity of looking to
other mnrkets for the sale of our Suplus.
ASIAN' AND SOUTU AMKKICAX ft EI.ATIOX.S.
Our neighbors south of the United States
and China and Japan, should receive spe
cial attention. It will be the endeavor of
the Administration to cultivate such rela
tions with all the nations as to be entitled
to their confidence and them interested ; as
will establish better commercial relations
through the agency of a more enlightened
policy than that heVetotore pursued.
Toward China it due to the capacity"
and etforis of one of our own disiingulshed
citizens that the world is about to com
mence largely increased relations with the
populous and bilherto exclusive nation.
As the United States have been the initiators
of the policy, they sbeuld be the most earnest
in showing their good faith and making it a
success. In this connection, I advise such
legislation as will foiaver preclude theenslave
inent of the Chinese upon our soil under tho
name of coolies, and to prevent American ves
sels from engagirg in the transportation of
coolies to any country, or tolerating the sys
tern. I also recommend that the Mission to
China be raised to one of the first-class.
THE OBJECTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
On my assuming the responsibilities of
Chief Magistrate of the United States, it was
with tbe conviction that three things were es
sential to its peace and prosperity and to tbe
fullest development. Fir.-t among these is
strict integrity in fulfilling our obligations ;
second, to secure piotoction to the person and
property of the citizen of our common coun
try, wherever he may chance to move, without
reference to original nationality, religion,
color or politics, demanding of him obedience
to the laws nnd the proper respect for the
rijihtii of others ; third, the union of all the
States, with rights iudisputubie by any but
constitutional means. To secure the first of
these Congress has taken two essential steps
in declaring by joint resolution that the public
dt-bt should be paid, principal and interest, in
coin. Second, by providing the means for
paying the principal. However, we could not
secure tho object desired without the proper
administration of laws for tho collection of
revenues, and the economical disbursement of
them. To this subject tbe Administration has
most earnestly addressed itself, with results, I
believe, satisfactoro to the country. 'I here
has been no hesitation in changing officials in
order to secure tho efficient execution of tbo
laws: sometimes, too, where in a mere party
view tbe political results that were to-day,
follow from any hesitation in sustaining effi
cient officers against remonstrances wholly
political.
It may be well to mention here that em
barrussnient may possibly arise ti om leav
ing on the statute book the so-called Ten
tire of office acts, ami to earnestly recom
mend their toiul repeal. It could not have
been the intention of the "framers of tfie
Constitution, when providing that appoint
ments made by the President should re
ceive the consent of the Senate, that the
latter .should have the power to retain in
offices persons disp'aced by federal appoint
ments agninst the will of the President.
The law is inconsistent with a faithful nnd
effective administration of tbe Government.
What faith can tbe Executive put in officials
forced upon him ? those, too, whom he bas
suspended for reason? How would such offi
cials be likely to serve tho Administration
wnich they know does not trust them. For
the second requisite to our growth and pros
perity, time and a firm but humane adminis
tration of existing laws, amended from time
to time as they may prove ineffectual or harsh
or uneeeessary, are probably all that is re
quired. The third cannot be obtained by spe
cial legislation, but must be regarded ns fixed
by the Constitution itself, and gradually ac
quiesced in by the force of public opinion.
1SP1AS AFFAIRS,
foundation of the Government to
the management of th'i original
From th
the present
inhabitantsof this continent (the Indians) has
been attended with continuous robberies, mur
ders and wars. From my ownexperience when
on the frontiers and in Indian countries, I do
not bold either the legislation or tho conduct of
the whites who come nearest in contact with
the Indians blameless. The deeds of the past,
however, cannot be undone, and the question
must be met as we now find it. I have adopted
a new policy towards these wards of tho na
tion. They cannot be regarded in Rny other
light than as wards. It has been attended
with lair results so far as tried, nnd which, I
hope, will be attended ultimately with great
success. The Society of Friends is well known
as having succeeded in peace with the Indians
in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, when
their while neighbors of other sections wero
constantly embroiled. They are also known
for their opposition to all strife, violence and
war, and aro generally noted for tbeir strict in
tegrity and fair dealing. These considerations
iuduced me to give the management of a few
reservations of Indians to them, and to throw
Uhe burden of the selection of agents upon the
society itsell. Ihe result bas proved most
satisfactory. It will bo found more fully set
forth in the report of the Commissioner of In
dian Affairs and of the Superintendents. For
Indian Agents not on reservations, officers of
the army were selected. The reasons for this
are numero'ue. The Indian Agents are sent
here or there ; troops must be sent also. The
agent and commander of the troops aro inde
pendent of each other, and aro subject to or
ders from different departments of the Govern
ment. The army officer holds a 'position for
life the agent one nt the will of the Presi
dent. The former is personally interested in
living in harmony with the Indians and the
establishment of permanent peace, to the end
that some portion of his life may be spent
within the limits of the civilized section. The
latter has no such peisonnl interest. Another
reason is an economic one ; and still another
is the hold which the Government bas upon
tbe life of the officer, to secure a faithful dis
cbarge of bis duties in carrying out a given
policy. The building of the railroad, and the
access thereby given to all the agricultural and
mineral region of this country, is rapidly
bringing civilized settlements in contact with
all tbe tribes of Ibdians, nnd no matter what
ought to be the relations between such settle
ments nod the aborigines, the fact is they do
not harmonize well, and one or the other has
to give way in the end. A system which looks
to the extermination of a race is too horrible
for any nation to adopt without entailing noon
itsul f the wrath of all Christendom, and en
gendering in the citizen a disregard for human
lite and the rights of others, daugerous to so
ciety. I see no substitute for such a system
except in placing all the Indians on large
reservations as rapidly as it can be done, and
giving them absolute protection there as soon
as they are fitted for it. They should be in
duced to take their lands In severalty, and to
set up territorial government for their own pro
tection. For the full details on this subject, I
eall your special attention to tbe reports of the
Secretary of tbe Interior and tbe Commission
ers of Indian Affairs.
WAR DEPARTMENT. !
The report of tbe Secretary of War
sbows tbe expenditures of the War Depart
ment for tbe year ending 30th of June. 18(iD.
to be $80,614,012. of which 23 882.310
was disbursed in the puyinent of debts con
ducted during the war, and is not cbargo
able to curreut army expenses. Tbe esti
mate of the army for tbe next fiscal year is
as low as it is believed it can be. Tbe es
timates of the bureau of officers have been
carefully scrutinized, and reduced when
ever it bus been deemed practicable. If,
however the condition of the country
should be such by the beginning of the.
next fiscal year as to admit of a greater
contraction of Hroops. the appropriation
asked for will not be expended. .The ap
propriation estimotes for river and harbor
improvements, and fortifications are sub
mitted separately. Whatever amount Con
gress may deem proper to appropriate for
these purposes will be expended.
Tbe recommendation of the General of
the army that appropriations be mado for
the torts tjt Boston. Portland. ew York,
Philadelphia, New Orleans and San Fran
cisco, it for no others, is eoucurretl in. I
also ask your special attention to the re
commendation of IDe General commanding
tbe military Division of tbs Pacific for tlm
sale of the seal of islands of St. Paul and
St. George, Alaska Teiritory. nnd suggest
that either it be complied with or that leg
islation be bad for the protection of the
seal fisheries, from which a revenue should
be derived.
The report of the Secretary of War con
tains a synopsis of the heads ol bureau
of tbe commanders of. tbe military divisions
of the Districts! of Virginia. Mississippi and
Texas, and the report of the General of the
army in full. The reconuiK-iHlatioirs there
in contained eave been considered, and
are snhraitted for your action. I, however,
call special attention to the recommenda
tion ot the Chief of Ordnance for the salcr
of arsenals and lands no longer of use to
the Government. I also recommend the
suggestion of tho Secretary of War that
the act of the 3d of March. 18G9. prohibit
ing promotions aud appointments in the
staff corps of tbe army be repealed. The
exteut cf country to be garrisoned, and tbe
number of military posts to be occupied,
i n the rule, is the name with a reduced a
with a large one. The number of stuff of
ficers required is more dependant upou tbo
latter than the foimer coddition.
TUB N.VYV.
The report of lhe Secretary of the Navy
accompanying thss shows the condition ot
the navy when this Administration came
iuto office, and the changes that bave been
made since. Strenuous efforts have, been
made to place us many vessels in commis
sion, or rende;- them fit for service if re
quiied. as soon us possible, tind substitute
the sail lor steam while cruising, thus ma
terially reducing the expense- of the navy,
end Mddiiijr materially fo i:s efficiency.
Looking to our future, a liberal though e t
extravagant policy toward this branch of
the public service is commended.
THE POSTAL. SERVICE.
The report of the Postmaster General
furnishes a clear and comprehensive exhibit
of the operation ot the Postal service and
ot the financial condition. Of this. part of
the Fostoffic Department the ordinary post
al revenues lor ihe year ending June 30th.
18( 9. amount to $18,344,001, and tbe expen
ditures to $23,CS!,lt)l, showing an excess ot
expenditures over the receipts' $o,333.C2U,
the excess of expenditures over receipts for
the previous year amounted to $7,437,992,
tt'e increase of this department's revenues
for 18(11 over those of 18G8. was $2,051,909,
and the increase ot expenditures was $9.
075.938. The increased revenue of 1MJ9
exceeded the increased revenue of 1808 iy
S599G.33(i. TLe increased expenditures in
1809 were $2,527,570 less than the increased
expenditures in 1807. showing by compari
son this gratifying feature of improvement,
that while the increase of expenditures
over the increase of receipts in 1S08 was
$2,439,535. the increase of receiplsover lhe
increase ot expenditures of 1809 was Sl,
0S4.371. Your attention is respectfully
called to the iecommendation made by the
Postmaster General for authority to change
rates ol compensation to-' lhe Ma-in Trunk
llailtoad lines tor .services in coin for car
rying tbe mails; for having post routes
now executed; for re organizing and incres
ing the efficiency of special agents; lor in
crease, ot mail service on the Pacific, and
forestabiishiug mail serivices under the flag
of the L'uioti on tbe Atlantic. And especi
ally do I call your attention lo his recom
mendation for the total abolition ot the
lranking privilege. This ih mo abuse from
which no one receives a commensurate ad
vantage. It reduces tbe receipts for the
postal service from 25 to 39 per cent, aui'
largely increases tne services to be perlorm
ed. The method bv which postage should
be paid upon publfe matter, is set torih ful
ly in the repot t of lhe Postmaster General.
THK PLB1.1C I.ASDS.
Tbe report ot the Secretary of the I iter
ior shows that the quantity of public finds
disposed of during the year ending June 30,
1809, was 7.00U.152 acres, exceeding that of
the proceeding year by 1,010.152 acres, ex
ceeding that ol the preceeding year by 1.
010,400 acres. Of' tbis aniotin't 2.737.105
acres were sold for cash, and 2.737.105 acres
secured by the homestead laws; the remain
der was granted to aid Ihe construction of
works of internal improvements, approved
to the States as swamps, and land warrants
and scrip. The cash receipts from all sour
ces were S4.472.9N7, exceeding those of the
preceeediug year $2,840,140.
PENSIONS.
During the last fiscal year 23.196 names
were added to the pension rolls, and 4.80(1
dropped therefrom, leaving' at the close
lS7.tti3. The amount paid to pensioners,
including tho compensation of disbursing
agents, was $28,428, an iucreaseof $4 11.152
on that of the previous year. The munifi
cence of Congress has been conspicuously
manifested in its legislation for the soldiers
and orphans w ho suffered in tbe struggle to
maintain that unity of Government which
makes us one people. The additions to the
pension rolls of each successive year since
the conclusion of hostilities result'in a gre it
degree from the reu pealed amendments ot
the act of the act of the 14th of July, 1S07,
wbich extended its provisions to cases not
falling within tbe original scope. Tbe large
oallay which is thus occasioned is further
increased by tee more liberal allowance
bestowed since that date upou those who in
the line of duty were permanently or whol
ly disabled. Public opinion has given an
emphatic sanction to utbese measures of
Congress, and it will be conceded that no
part ot our public buiden is more cheerful
ly borne than that which is imposed by this
branch ot the service. It necessitates for
lhe nextliscal yearan addition to theumount
justly chargeable to the Naval Pension Fund
of an fippropriut on of SSO.OOO.OtlO during
the pear ending Sep. 3'), 1809. .
TIIE PATENT OFFICE.
The patent Office i-sned 13.8(52 patents,
and the receipts were $o;it 3S'J. being $213.
035 more tban lhe expenditures. 1 would
respectfully call your attention . to tbe re
ciramendation or the Secretary ot the Inte
rior for uniting the duties of supervise n of
the education ot freedmen with the other
duties devolving upon the Commissioner of
Education, if it is the desire of Congress to
make tbe tnnsits. which must be tuk,-n du
ring the year 1879, nu re complete and per
feci than heretofore. I would suggest early
uctiou upon any plan that mayne agreed
upon, as Congress at the lustsession up
pointed a committee to take into considera
tion suoh tneastites as might be deemed
proper in reference lo tbo cetisus, and to
report a plan. I desist from saying more.
1 recommend to your favorable consider
ation the claims or ihe Agricultural "fitireau
for liberal appropriation. In a country so
diversified in climate and soil as ours, and
with a population so largely dependant
upon agriculture, the benefits' to be con
ferred bp properly fostering its Bureau are
incalculable.
I desire respectfully to c.itl tbo attention
of Congress to the inadequate salaries of a
number sf lhe most important officers of tho
Government. In this message I will not
enumerate, but 1 will specify only tbe Jus
tices of tbe SupremeXIourt. No change bas
been made in their salaries in 15 years.
Within that lime the labors of the Curt
have largely increased, an I the expenses of
living bave at least doubled. During the
same time Con ress has twice found it nec
essary to increase largely the compensation
ol its own vpt'iubers. nnd tqe duty it owes
to another department of the Goveromt nt
deserves to, aud undoubtedly will, receivo
its due consideration.
There are mcny subjects not alluded to
in this message, wbicU- might wiih propri
ety be introduced, but i adstnin. believing
your patriotism and statesmanship will sug
gest tbe topics for legislation most conduc
ive to the interests of tho whole people.
On my' part I promise rigid advocacy of
the laws and tbeir strict enforcement.
U.S. GRANT.
Washington, D. C, Dec. C. 1869.
J A North western pacer tells this
mournful yet romantic story : 'An
Iowa soldier, supposed to have been
killed long ago, returned to hia family,
and found to his Borrow, that his wife,
supposing him to be dead, had re
mained siugle. He had gothiaeye
on another woman, and " hoped eho
had plicod.'
"V