Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1861-12-12


way of their humane reform, except SUCH as
are merely of temporary and accidental occur
renee.
invite your attention to the correspond
ence between her Britanic MaJestys Minister,
accredited to this Government, ana the oecIe-
tnrv of State, relative to the detention OF the
British ship Perhshire, in June last, py the
United States steamer Massachusetts, !or
supposed breach of the blockade. AS TINS de-
tention was occasioned by an OBVIOUS nisap-
preheusiop of the facts, and as justice requires
that we should commit no belligerent act not
founded in strict right as sanctioned by puoilc
law, [ recommend that an appropriation oe
made to satisfy the reasonable demands OF the
owners Of the vessel for detention. repeat
the recommendation OF my predecessor In MS
annual message to Congress IN December ias',
in regard to the disposition ot the surplus
which will probably remain after satisIyihg
the claims of American citizens against emma,
pursuant to the awards of the Commissioners
nnder the act of the Sd OF March, 1859. IT,
however, it should not be deemed adVlsaole
to carry that recommendation into effect,
would suggest that authority be given lor
investing the principal over the surplus re-
ferred to, in good securities, with we" "
the satisfaction of such other just claims OF
our citizens against China as are not unlikely
to arise hereafter in the course OF our eHteh-
sive trade with that Empire. By the Act OF
the 5th of August last, Congress authorized
the President to instruct the commanders OF
suitable vessels to defend themselves against
and to capture pirates. This authority has
been exercised in single instance only
For the more eiectual protection OF our eX-
tcnsivc and valuable commerce in the eastern
SEAS and especially it seems to me that IL
would also be advisable to authorize the COM
,nanders of sailing vessels to re-capture any
prizes which pirates may make OF onited
States vessels and their cargoes, ana the Coa-
| sular Courts established by law in Eastern
countries to adjudicate the cases, IN the event
that this should not be objected to by the local
authorities. If any good reason exists why
| we should persevere longer in withholding
| our recognition of the independence and SOW
ercignty Of Hayti and Liberia, am unable 10
| discern it. Unwilling however to inaugu-
rate novel policy in regard TO them
without the approbatioo of Congress, |
submit for your consideration the eXpedi-
ency of an appropriation for maintaining
| Charge Affairs near each OF those States.-
1t does not admit of doubt that important
commercial advantages might be secured oy
favorable treaties with them.
The operations of the Treasury during the
period which has elapsed since your adjourn
ment have been conducted with signal success.
The patriotism of the people has placed at
the disposal of the Government the large means
demanded by the public exigencies. Much of
the national loan has been taken by citizens
of the industrial classes, whose confidence IN
their country's faith, and zeal Tor their coun-
try's deliverance from its present peril have
induced them TO contribute to the support of
the Government the whole of their limited
acquisitions. This fact imposes peculiar OBJ
| legations to economy in disbursement and en-
crpy in action. The revenue from all sources
including loans for the financial year end
! ing with the 3Oth June 1861, WAS SSG,S35,-
| 900 27, and the expenditures for the same pc
| riod, including payments on account of the
public debt, were $84,57S,034.34, leaving q
| balance in the treasury on the lst OF July OF
S2257 ,S6593. For the first quarter of the iinan-
| cial year ending 30th OF September, 1861
the receipts from all sources, including the
balance from July lst, were Sl02, ,532, ,509.27,
and the expenses $9S,239, 1890, leaving a
! balance on the lst OF October 1861, OF Sd
| 292 ,770.l9. Estimates for the remaining three
qua rters of the year and for the financial year
! of 1863, together with his views OF the ways
and means for meeting the demands contem-
plated by them, will be submitted to Congress
| by the Secretary of the Treasury. 1t is graft
| fying to know that the expenses made neces-
snry by the rebellion, are not beyond the re-
sources of the loyal people, and to believe that
| the same patriotism which has thus far sus-
/ tained the Government will continue TO sustain
it till peace and union shall again bless the
/ land.
respectfully refer TO the report Of the Sec
re.ary of War for information respecting the
numerical strength OF the army, and for rec
concentrations having in view an increase OF
its efficiency and the well being OF the verious
branches of the service entrusted to his care:
1t is gratifying to know that the patriotism Of
. ,I In 10 n1nal n tho occasion and that
the number of troops rendered greatly ex-
cecds the force which Congress authorized me
| to call into the field.
refer with pleasure TO those portions of
his report which make allusion to the credi-
table degree of discipline already attained by
our troops, and to the excellent sanitary con-
dition of the entire army. The recommends
ton by the Secretary for an organization OF
the militia upon an uniform basis, is nm object
of vital Importance to the future safety of the
country, and is commended to the serious at
tention of Congress A large addition to the
regular army, in connection with the deiec-
ton that has SO considerably Unfinished the
number of its officers, gives peculiar impor-
! tance to his recommendation for increasing
the corps of cadets to the greatest capacity of
the Military Academy
BY mere omission, I presume, Congress has
failed to provide Chaplains for the hospitals
occupied by volunteers. This subject was
brought to my notice and was induced to
draw up in the form of letter, one cory of
which has been delivered to each of the per-
sons ard ut the dates respectively named and
/ stated in n schedule containing also the form
| of n letter marked A, and herewith transmit
ted. These gentlemen, unders stand, entered
upon the duties designated at the time respec-
lively stated in the schedule, and have lahored
faithfully therein ever since. | therefore re-
commend that they be compensated ut the
same rate as Chaplains in the army
| further suggest that general provision be
! made for chaplans to serve at hospitals as
we'll as with regiments.
The, report of the Secretary of the Navy
presents, in detail, the operations of that
| branch of the service the activity and energy
which have characterized its administration
and the results of measures to increase its eff
fciency and power. t,.
Such have been the additions by construc-
ton and purchase that it may almost be said
that the navy has been created and brought
into service since our difficulties commenced
Besides blockading our extensive coast squad
! rons larger than ever before assembled under
our flag, have been put afoat, and performed
deeds which have increased our naval renown.
would also call special attention to the re-
commentator of the Secretary for n more
perfect organization of the navy, by intro
| d,,;np additional IN tho carvinn -