Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-12-04
President S Message
.Rsllo,0- cIifsenI Of de Senate

ASGfss@~S a
aud House Of Representatives:
In the midst Of unprecedented political
troubles, we have cause of great gratitude
n God for unusual good health and most
abundant harvests.
Yon will not be surprised to learn that
In the peculiar exigencies of the times, our
intercourse with foreign nations has been
attended With profound solicitude, chiefly
tpruioR upon our own domestic affairs. A
disloyal portion OF the American people
have, during the whole year, been engaged
in an attempt to divide and destroy the
Union. Anation which endures factions
and domestic divisions,is exposed TO DIS
respect abroad, and one party, or both, 10
sure. sooner or later, 10 invoke foreign in-
terrnption.
Nations thus tempted to interfere are not,
always able to resist the counsels Of SEEM
ing expedieucy and ungenerous ambitious,
although measures adopted under such in.
Iuences seldom fail to be unfortunate and
uninjurious to those adopting them. The
disloyal citizens Of the United States who
have offered the ruin of our country in re-
ward for the aid and comfort which they
have invoked abroad, have received less
patronage and encouragement than they
expected.
Ifit were just to suppose rs the iusur-
nations in this case disregarded all moral,
social and treaty obligations, would act
solely and selfishly for the most speedy res
toration of commerce. including specially
the acquisition. of cotton, those nations
appear vet not to have seen their way to
this.obiect more directly or clearly through
the destruction than througblth prsserya-
tion,of the Union. If we could dare to
believe that foreign nations are act9atea
by no higher principles than this, am
d quite sure second argument could De
made to show them that they could reach
= their aim more readily and easily, by aid
ing to crush this rebellion, than by giving
encouragement to the principal lever re-
lied on BY the exciting Of foreign nations
TO hostility against us as already intimated
IL the embarrassment of commerce.
Those nations, however, not imProbably
aav from the frst that it was the Union
which made as well our foreign as our do
mestic commerce. They can scarcely fail
to perceive thatthe effort for disunion pro-
duoes the existing difficulty, and that one
strong nation promises more durable peace
and a more extensive, valuable and relia-
BILE commerce than can the same nation
broken into hostile fragments.
1t is not my purpose 10 review our discus
.sions with foreign States, because what
ever might be their wishes or dispositions,
the integrity of our country and the STABLE
fty;of our government depend malnly not up
on them, but upon the loyalty, patriotism,
virtue aud intelligence of the American
neople. The, correspondence itself, with
The usual reservations, is herewith subm :
ted. venture to hope twill appear that
we have practieed prudence and liberality
towards foreign powers, aTerting causes OF
irritation, and with frmness maintaining
our. own rights add honor.
Since, however, 1t is apparent that here,
as in every other State, foreign dangers
necessarily attend domestic difficulties,
recommend that adequate and ample meas
Aures be adopted for maintatuiug tue public
sdefences on every side.. While under this
general Recommendation, provision for de-
Tending our coast line readily occurs to
the mind. also, in the same connection,
ask the attention Of Congress to our great
lakes and rivers.
Il Il believed that some Notifications
and depots of arms and munitions, with
harbor and Navigation improvements at
we'll selected points upon these, would be
Of great importance to the national defense
and preserVation. ask attention to the
views Of the Secretary OF War, expressed
In his report upon the same general SUBJ
ject
:, deem il Of Importance that the loyal
regions of East Tennessee and Western
Nort6 Eatolina should be connected with
Kentucky aud other faithful parts of the
Onion by railroad. Therefore recommend.
as military measure, that Congress pro-
vide for the construction of such road an
speedily Is possible. kentucky will no
doubt cooperate, and through her Legis.
lature make the most tudicious selection of
the line. 49,
Tho Northern terminus must cornuct
With some existing railroad, ard whether
the route shall be from Lexington or
Ninhoip sviils % Cumberland Gap, or from
LebRnoa 70 The Tennessee llne Ia The d..
rSellou on Knoxville, OF sotnt other ahll
di6erent ilns can easily be determined.
Kentucky and the General Government
eo.oprrstlng ths work can be completed
IN Tesy at,erG tins and when done Il gln
~ ~ Il "a east fFasRat BROfiiHesN- buti