St. Cloud Democrat., 1861-12-12

possessioanofa the ainsurgents from Texas and
Arkansas. The agents Of tho United States
appointed since tho 4th Of March, for this su-
porintendsney, have been unable to reach
their posts, while the most It those who were
in Office before that time have espousedt the in
tho power Of agents by virtue If commission.
ers from insurreotionists. = II -"
1t has been stated in the public press that
q portion ef these Indians have been organized
as a military force, and are attached to the ar
my Of the insurgents although tho Govern
ment has no official inf,rmation upen the sub
jeet.- Letters have been written TO the Com
missioner of Indian Affairs by several promin-
ent chiefs, giving assurances of their Royalty
to the United States, and expressing the wish
for the presence of federal troops to protect
them. It is believed that on the repossession
of the country by the federal forces the Indi-
rms will readily cease all hostile demonstra-
tions, and resume their former relations to the
Government. /"
Agriculture, csnfessedly the largest interest
Of tho nation, has not q department OF . bu-
reau, but q clcrkship only, assigned to it in
the Government. While it is fortunate that
this great interest is so Independent in its ma
ture as not to have demanded and extorted
more from the Government, respectfully ask
Congress to consider whether something more
cannot be given voluntarily with
general advantage Annual reports exhibi-
ting the condition of our aEriculture, COM
merce and manufacture, would present . fund
Of information Of great practical value to the
country. While I make no suggeStion as to
details, venture the opinion that an agrioul-
t1ro of0 Of hppr Snhf rIy ho
organized.
The execution Of the laws for tho suppress
sion Of the African slave trade has been con
fined to the Department of the Interior. tits o
subject of congratulation that the efforts which
have been made for the suppression of this
traffic have recently been attended with unu-
sual success. Five vessels being fitted out for
the slave trade have been seized and condemn
ed. Two masters engaged in the trade. and
one person equipping the vessel as SLAYER,
atty Of fine and imprisonment; and one cap
tain, taking up cargo of Africans on board
his vessel, has been convicted Of the hig CHEST
grade Of offence under our law, the punish
ment Of which is DEATH
The Territories of Colorado, Dakotah and
Nevada, created by the last Congress, have
been organized, and civil administration has
been inaugurated there under auspices espec.
ialry gratifying, when il is considered that
the leaven of treason was found existing in
some Of these new countries when the federal
officers arrived there. The abundant natural
resources Of those territories, with the seeuri-
ty and protection afforded by organized gov.
ernments. will doubtless invite to them large
immigration when peace shall restore the bu-
siness of the country to its accustomed chan.
nels.
submit tie resolutions of the legislature Of
Colorado, which evince the patriotic spirit Of
the people of the Territory. So far, the au-
thority Of the United States has been upheld
in all the Territories as it is hoped it will be
in the future. commend their interests Of
defence to the enlightened and generous care
of Congress.
reco mmend to the favorable consideration
OF Congress, the interests Of the District of
Columbia. The insurrection has been the
cause of much suffering and sacrifice to the in
habitants, and as they have no representative
in Congress, that body should not overlook
their just claims upon tho Government.
At your last session joint resolution was
adopted, authorizing the President to take
tion of the industrial interests Of the U. s. at
the exhibition of industry of all nations, to be
holden at London, in the year 1862. regret
to have been unable to give personal atter tion
to this subject at once so interesting in itself,
and so extensively and intricately connected
with the material prosperity of the world -
Through the Secretaries of the State and Inte-
rior, plan or system has been devised, and
partly matured, which will be laid before you.
Under and by virtue of the act Of Congress,
entitled can act to confscate property used
for insurrectionary purposes" approved Au-
gnst 9th, 1861, legal claims Of certain persons
to the labor and service of certain other per-
sons, have become forfeited, and numbers of
the latter thus liberated are become dependent
on the United States, and must be provided
for III some way. Besides this, it is not i'm
possible that some of the States will pass SINH
lar enactments, for their own benefit respect
lively, and by their operation of which persons
Of the same class will be thrown upon them for
disposal.
In such cases I recommend that Congress
provide for accepting such persons from such
State, according to some mode Of valuation,
in lieu pro tanto of direct taxes, or some other
plan, to be agreed on with such Stats respec
lively; that such persons on such acceptance
by the General Government he at once deemed
free, and that in any event steps be taken for
colonizing both classes, or the one first men
toned, if the other shall not be brought into
existence, at some place or places in q climate
congenial to them.
1t might be well to consider, too, whether
the free colored people alreal ly in the United
States could not, so for as individuals may de.
sire, be included in such.: h.:colonization. To car.
ry out the plan OF colonization may involve
the acquiring Of territory, and also the appro-
priation Of money beyond that to be expended
in the territorial acquisition. Having preolu:
ded the acquisition Of territory for nearly fifty
do 30 is no longer al o2en one with us. The
power was first questioned by Mr.. Jefferson,
who, however, in the purchase Ct Louisiana
yielded his scruples, on the plea Of great expe'
diency. lit be said that the only Legitimate
object Of acquiring territory il to furnish
homes for white men, this measure effects that
object, for the emigration Of colored men
Sexe - -