Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-12-11
FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE OF
Alb HAM Ii N = y Il IN
President Of the United States.

D-.,,;,e, I'm the midst of unprecedent-
ID ,,oI;tica al troubles We have cause of great
,,1afitxdo 20 God for unusual good health and
,nost atundan tarvests. You will not be sur
Drjsed TO learn that in the peculiar exigencies
of the times, our intercourse with foreign ma
tions has been attended with profound solicit
tude, chiefly turning upon our own domestic
affairs. A disloyal portion of the American
people have, during the whole year, been en-
gagged in an attempt to divide and destroy the
Union. A nation which endures factious do
nestic division is exposed to disrespect abroad,
and one party, if not both, is sure, sooner or
later, to invoke foreign Intervention. Nations
thus tempted to interfere are not always able
to resist the couDsels of seeming expediency
and ungenerous ambition, although measures
adopted under such influences seldom fail TO
be unfortunate and injurious TO those adopting
them.
The disloyal citizens of the United States
who have offered the ruin OF our country in
turn for the aid and comfort which they have
snyoked abroad have received less patronage
and encouragement than they probably ex-
pected. lit we're just to suppose, as the in
surgents have seemed to assume, that foreign
nations, in this case, discarding all moral, So
cial and treaty obligations would act solely
and selfishly for the most speedy restoration
OF commerce, including especially the acqui-
stion of cotton, those nations appear as yet
not TO have seen their way to their object
more distinctly or clearly through the destruc-
ton than through the preservation of the
Union.
II we could dare to believe that foreign na-
tions are actuated by no higher principle than
this, 1 am quite sure sound argument could
be made to show them that they can reach
their aim more readily and easily by aiding to
crush this rebellion, than by giving encour-
agement to it. The principal lever relied on
by the insurgents for exciting foreign nations
TO hostility against us, as already intimated,
is the embarrassment of commerce. Those
nations, however, not lmprobably saw from
the first that it was the Union which made as
we'll our foreign as our domestic commerce.
They can scarcely have failed to perceive that
the effort for disunion produces the existing
difficulty, and that one strong nation promises
more durable peace and more extensive
and reliable commerce than can the same ma
tiOn broken into hostile fragments. 1t is
not my purpose to review our dissentions with
6regn States, because whatever might be
their wishes or dispositions, the integrity of our
country and the stability of our Government
mainly depends not upon them, but on the
loyalty, virtue, patriotism and intelligence of
the American people.
The correspondence itself, with the usual
reservations, is herewith submitted. / venture
TO hope it will appear that we have practlced
prudence and liberality towards foreign pow
ers, averting causes Ofirrtatiun, and with firm
ness maintaining our own rights and honor.
Since, however, it is apparent that here, as in
every other State, foreign dangers necessarily
attend domestic difficulties. [ recommend
tha, adequate and ample measures be adopted
for maintaining the public defenses on every
side. While under the general recommends
tion provision for defending our seacoast line
occur to the mind, also in the same connec-
ton, ask the attention of Congress to our great
hikes and rivers. 1t is believed that some for
tifcations and depots of arms and munitions,
with harbor and navigation improvements, all
at well selected points upon these, would be
vf great Importance to the national defence
and preservation.
ask attention to the view of the Secretary
of War, expressed in his report upon the same
general subject. Ideem it of Importance that
the 10y al regions of East Tennessee land West
ern North Carolina shall be connected with
kentucky, and other faithful parts of the
Union by railroad. l therefore recommend,
as military measure, that Congress provide
for the construction of such a road as speedily
rs possible. Kentucky, no doubt, will coop
erste and through her legislature, make the
most Judicious selection of a line. The north
efn terminus must connect with some existing
railroad, and whether the route shall be from
Lexington or Nicholasvile to the Cumber-
land Gap, or from Lebanon to the Tennessee
Hne, In the direction of Knoxville, or on some
still different line, can easily be determined.
kentucky and the general government CO op-
Grating, the work can be completed in a very
short time, and when done it will be not only
OF vast present usefulness. bnt also valuable
permanent Improvement, worth its cost in all
the future.
Some treaties, designed chiefly for the in
terests OF commerce, and having no grave po-
htical Importance, have been negotiated and
VIII be submitted to the Senate for their con-
slderation. Although we have failed to in
auce some OF the commercial powers TO adopt
desirable meliorations of the rigor of mari
t'me war, We have removed all distractions
'om the way of this humane reform, except
such as are merely of temporary and acciden-
la occurrence.
invite your attention to the correspon-
aence between Her Britanc Majesty's Minis
eF, accredited to this Government, and the
secretary of State, relative to the detention of
ne British ship Perthshire, in June last, by
TIE United States steamer Massachusetts,, far
supposed breach Of the blockade. AS this
delehiion was occasioned by an obvious mis-
Spprehenson of the facts, and as justice re-
qGlFes that we should commit no belligerant
sc. not founded in strict rights as sanctioned by
puoiic law, recommend that an appropria-
uon DC made to satisfy the reasonable demands
VI tne owners OF the vessel, for her detention.
irepeat the recommendation of my prede-
lessor In his annual message to Congress in
,tohoer ~ ast, In regard to the disposition OF
ue surplus which will probably remain after
oa'lsiying the claims of American citizens
asahst China, pursuant to the awards of the
ITpnmlssioners under the act of the Sd of
%aarch, 1859. If, however, it should not be
,seemed advisable to carry that recommends
hon into effect, would suggest that authority
gwen for investing the principal over the
ssoceeds of the surplus referred to, in good
ss~ourities, ~ with view to the satisfaction of
clain nf nur pifiz St
04'na as are not unlikely to arise hereafter in