The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-12-11

desirable melloratlon of the rigor of
maritime war, We have removed all OBJ
structions from the way of this humane
reform, except such as are merely Of tem.
porary and accidental occurrance.
invite your attention to the correspon-
deuce between Her Britannia Majesty's
Munster, accredited to this Government
and the Secretary of State relative to the
destination of the British ship Perthshire
in June last, by the United States steam
er Massachusetts,, for supposed breach
of the blockade As this detention was
oecasioned by an obvious 1nisapprehension
of the facts, and as justice requires that
we should commit no beligerent act not
founded in strict right as sanctioned by
public law, recommend that an appro
priation be made to satisfy the. reasonable
demand of the owners of the vessel for her
detention.
| repeat the recommendation of my pre-
decessor, in his Annual Message to Con-
gress, in December last, in regard to the
disposition of the surplus which will prob
ably remain after satisfying the claims of
American citizens against China, pursuant
to the awards of the Commissioners under
the act of the Sd of March, 1859.
Il, however, it should not be deemed
advisable to carry that Recommendation
into effect, l would suggest that authority
be given investigating the principal of the
surplus referred to in good securities, with
a view to the satisfaction Of such other
just claims of our citizens against China
as are not unlikely to arise hereafter in
the course of our extensive trade with
that empire.
BY the act of the 5th of August last,
Congress authorized the President to in
struct the Commanders of suitable vessels
TO defend themselves against and capture
pirates. This authority has been exer-
cised in single instance only. For the
more effectual protection of our extensive
aud valuable commerce in the Eastern
seas especially, it seems to me that it
would also be advisable 10 authorize the
commanders Of sailing vessels to recapture
any prizes which pirates may make Of
United States vessels and their cargoes,
aud the Consular Courts now establi he'd
by law in Eastern countries to adjudicate
the cases, In the event that this should not
be objected to by the local authorities.
Ii any good reason exists why we
should persevere longer in Withholding
our recognition of the independence and
sovere ignty of Hayti, | am unable to dis
cover it. Unwilling, however, TO iuaugu-
rate novel policy in regard to them with
out the appreciation of Congress, submit
for your consideration the eApedieBcy of
an appropriation for maintaining Charge
Affaires near each of those new States !;
it does not admit of a, doubt that important
commercial advantages might be secured
by favorable treaties with them.
The operations of the Treasury during
the period which has elapsed since your
adjournment, 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 faith and zeal, for their
country's deliverance from the present
peril have induced them to contribute to
the support of the Government the whole
of their limited acquisitions. This fact
imposes peculiar obligations upon US to
economy in disbursement and energy III
action.
The revenues from all sources Including
loans for the financial year, ending on the
Both of June 1861, was $50, ,S35, goo 27 ,
and the expenditures for the same period, =,
including payments on account OF the pub
lie debt, were Ss4 ,57s ,634 81, leaving a
balance in the Tr ,asury, on the Ist- of Ju-
ly, of 81, ,257 ,O65 80. For the first quar-
ter of the financial year, ending on the
30th of September, 1861 the receipts from
all sources, including the balance of the
Ist of July, were SIO2 ,532 500 27, and
the expenses s96, ,239 1888 80, leaving a
balance on the Ist of October, 1861, oi
S4,I92, ,776 1s.
Estimates for the remaining three quar-
ters of the year, and for the financial year
of 1863, together with his views of ways
and means for meeting the demands con-
templated by them will be submitted to
Congress by the Secretary of the Treas
ury.
1t is gratifying to know that the expen-
ditures made necessary by the rebellion,
are not beyond the resources of the loyal
people, and to believe that the same patri
otism which has thus far sustained the
Government will continue to sustain it till
peace and union shall again bless the land
l respectfully refer to the report of the
Secretary of War for Information respect
ing the numerical strength of the army
and for recommendations, having in view
an Increase of its efficiency and the well
being of the various branches of the ser
vice entrusted to his care 1t is crafty
ing to know that the patriotism Of the peo-
pie has proved equal to the occasion, and
that the number of troops rendered great
+ ly exceeds the force which Congress au-
thorized mo RI call into the field