Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-28
pp Geiearapb.
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2T.-The Presidents
message was read in the Senate to-day.
The President, after acknowledging the
blessings of the Almighty throughout the
year. refers to the Harper's Ferry affair.
These events. he says, are bad and cruel in
themselves, but derive their chief Importance
from the apprebensions they create. They
are but tht symptoms of an incurable disease
of the public mind, which may break out into
more dangerous outrages, and finally termi-
nate by war Of the North for the abolition
of slavery. While ling no snch apprehen-
sion, he says, they ought to solemnly warn all
to beware of the approach of danger. and inn
piore the North and South to cultivate the
ancient feelings of mutual forbcaraDce and
good will, and strive to allay the demon spirit
OF sectional hatred, which is now alive
throughout the land. He thinks the Harper's
Ferry affair will be the means of allaying the
existing excitements, and preventing further
outbreaks. He congratulates Congress on
the final settlement by the Supreme Court of
the question of slavery in the Territories.
The right has been established for every citi-
zen to take his property of any kind, in
Guiding slaves, into the Territories, and have
il protected there. under the Constitution |;
and neither Congress, the Territorial Legis-
lature, nor any human power, can annul or
impair this right. Thus the status of Terri
tory, during the intermediate period, from its
first settlement until it becomes State, has
been irrevocably fixed.
He says that Territories may be admitted
as States of the Union with or without slavery
as their constitution may prescribe. He de-
scribes the mode Of admission. He promises
to use all the lawful means at his command
against the slave-trade, and proves that the
Fathers of the Republic condemned ii in adj
vance OF all other nations. He says that the
treaty ratifications have been exchanged Chi
nese and that two supplement- al conventions
are pending relating to the rights of the Amer
lean China aud transit duties. He says the
Paraguay difficulties have been SATISFACTORY
ly adjusted, and that our relations with the
European Continental governments, Spain
perhaps excepted. are most friendly. He re-
commends an appropriation to meet the de-
mands of the Armistead claimants. He reit-
crates his opinion favoring fair purchase of
Cuba. and invites the attention of Congress
thereto.
The President thinks that England will
make a satisfactory settlement of the HOE1u-
ras. Nicaragua and San Juan affairs. He
advises Congress to empower him to use
military force in Mexico under the Con>titu-
tonal authorities Tor the protection OF our
citizen, and to secure indemnity.
The Postmaster General asks Congress to
give express sanction to q specific contract
for mails between Portland (Me.) aud New
Orleans or indicate some way to close with
the proposals now under Amusement.
Bids are made for 1913 900 Treasury notes
at 81 per cent. The residue of three millions
at per cent
HoUsE.-22d ballot-Total number of votes
POS. Necessary TO a choice I05. Sherman
l0l; Scott II Houston Is ; Gilmer IA /;
Bocock IA; Maclay II. Scattering 50.
Adjourned.