Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-07

ready been made. There is reason to believe
that many who are now upon the pension
roll and in receipt OF the bounty OF the
are in the ranks of the insurS-
emit army, or giving them aid aud comfort.
The Secretary ofthe interior has directed
suspension of the payment OF pensions OF
such persons upon proof of their dlsloyaltY
I recommend that Congress authorize that
officer to cause the names OF such persons to
be stricken from the pension roll.
The relations of the Government with the
Indian tribes have been greatly disturbed by
the instruction, especially in the southern
superinteudency and New Mexico. The In
dian country south of Kansas Is in possession
of the insurgents from Texas and Arkansas.
The agents of the United States, appointed
since the 4th of March for this super
intendency. have been unable to reach their |
posts. while the most of those who were in |
Office before that time have espoused the |
insurrectionary cause, and assume to exercise |
the powers of agents by virtue of commits
missions from the insurgents. Ii has been |
stated in the public press that Il portion OF
these Indians have been organized as a mill
tary force, and are attached to the army OF
the insurrectionists.
Although the government has no official
information upon the subject, letters have
been written to the commissioner OF
Indian affairs by several prominent
chiefs. giving assurance of their loyalty to
the United States, and expressing wish
for the presence of the Federal troops to
protect them. 1t is believed upon the re-
possessing of the country by the Federal
forces the Indians will readily cease all
hostile demonstrations, and resume their
former relations to the government.
i Agriculture, contessedly the largest inter
est Of the nation has not a bureau, but
clerkship only assigned to it in the Gov
eminent w hile it is fortunate that this great
interest is 50 Independent in its nature as
not to have demanded and extorted more from
theGovernment, | respectfully ask Congress 70
consider whether something more cannot be
given voluntarily with general advantage
Annual reports exhibiting the condition oil
our agricultural commerce and maautac-
lures would present a fund OF information
of great practical value to the country.
While make no suggestions as to detail.
venture the opinion that an agricultural and
statistical bureau might be probably or
gained.
the African slave trade has been cOnfded to the
department of the Interior. 1t is a subject
Of congratulation that the efforts which have
been made for the suppression Of this inhu-
man traffic have been recently attended with
unusual success. > vessels being fitted out tor
| slave trade have been seized and condemned.
Two mates engaged in the trade, and one
| person IN cquipping a vessel as SLAYER,
| have been convicted and subjected to the
| penalty Of fine aud imprisonment. and one
captain taken with cargo OF Africans on
| board his vessel has been convicted Of the
| highest grade of offense under our laws, the
| punishment of which is death.
| The territories of Colorado, DacJtlh and
| Nevada, created by the last Congress, have
been organized, and civil administration has
been inaugurated therein, under auspices
especially gratifying, when it is considered
that the leayen of treason was found existing
in some of these new countries, when the
federal officers arrived there. The abundant
natural resources of these territories, with
the security and protection afforded by
| orr inized government will doubtless invite
to them large emigration when peace shall
restore the business of the Country to it;
accustomed channels. | submit the reso-
lutions of the legislature of Colorado which
evince the patriotic spirit of the people o.
that territory.
So far the authority Of the United State.
has been upheld in all the territorie:
as it is hoped it will be in the future.
commend their interest aud defense to tn,
enlightened and generous care of Congress.
| recommend to the favorable considera.
ton OF Congress the interests of the district
of Columbia. The instruction has beer
the cause of much suffering and sacrifice tt
its inhabitants, and as they have no repre-
sentative In Congress that body should mo-
overlook their just claims upon the govern
ment.
At our last session a joint resolution was
adopted authorizing the President to take
measures for facilitating proper represent
tation of the industrial interest Of the U. s.
at the exhibition of the industry of al
nations, to be holden at London in tn
year 1862. | regret to say that | hav
been unable to give persona
attention to this subject subject at one
SO interesting in itself and so extensively an,
intimately Connected with the material pros
perity of the world. Through the Secreta
rvs of State aud of the Interior plan o
system has been devised and partly matured
which will be laid before you.
TIE CoNTRABANDs.
Under and by virtue of the act of Con
greSs entitled an act to confscate proper t
used for insurrectionary purposes, approve
Aug. 9th, 1861, the legal claims of certai
persons to the labor and service of certain
other persons, have become forfeited an,
numbers OF the latter thus l!berate,
are already dependent on the United
States and must be provided 70
IN some way. Besides this, j
is not impossible that some Of the State
may pass similar enactments for their owl
benefit, and by the opera ton Of whicl
persons of the same elias
will be thrown upon them for disposal Il
such case | recommend that Congress pro
| vide for accepting such persons from sucl
states according 10 some mode of valuation
in lieu pro tanto of direct taxes, or upol
some other plan to be agreed on with sucl
states separately that such persons on sucl
acceptance by the general government be a
once deemed free, ard in any event steps b.
taken for cOlOnising both classes, or the frs
mentioned if the other shall not be brough
into existence at some place or places in
climate congenial to them.
1t might be well to consider too, whethe
the free colored people already in the United
States could not SO far as individuals ma,
desire, be included in such colonization.
To carry out the plan of colonization MAJ
involve acquisition of territory and also tn
appropriation of money beyond tina
to be expended in the territorial
acquisition. Having practIced the acqui-
sition Of territory for nearly sixty years thu
question of constitutional power to DO so il
no longer an open one with US. The powe
was first questioned by Mr.. Jeder
son, who, however, in the purchase O
louisiana yielded his scruples. on the
plea of great expediency. If it b.
said that the only legitimate object oil
acquiring territory is to furnish homes fol
white men. this measure effects that object
for the emigration OF colored men leave.
additional room for the white men remaining
or coming here. Mr.. Jefferson, however
placed the importance of procuring
Louisiana more on political and commercial
grounds then on providing room for popula
ton. On this whole proposition, Including