, 1861-12-26

I u
is subject Of vital importance to the future
safety Of the country, and is com mnended to the
serious attention Of Congress.
A large addition to the regular army, in con-
nection with the detection that has so considera-
bly, diminished the number Of its officers, gives
peculiar importance to his recommendation for
increasing the corps of cadets to the greatest
capacity of the Military Academy, by more ad.
missions.
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy pre-.
scnts, 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 efficiency and power.
such have been the additions, by construction
and purchase, that it may be almost said a navy
has been created and brought into service since
our difficulties commenced; besides blockading,
our extensive coast squadron, larger than ever
before assembled under our flag, have performed
duties which have increased our naval renown.
would invite special attention to the recon-
mendatiOn of the Secretary Of the Navy for a
more perfect organization, now so defective and
unsatisfactory; and suggestions submitted by
the Department will, it is believed, If adopted,
obviate any difficulties, and tend to promote har.
mOny, and increase the efficiency Of the navy.
respectfully recommend to the consideration
Of Congress the present condition Of the statute
| to find all early remedy for many inconveniences
and evils which constantly embarrass those en-
gagged in their practical administration. Since
the organization Of the Government, Congress
has enacted some FIVE thousand acts and joint
resolutions, which I'll more than two thousand
closely printed pages, and which are scattered
through many volumes Many Of these acts
have been drawn in haste, and without sufficient
caution, so that their provisions are often OBJ
scure in themselves, or in conflict with each
other-at least, so doubtful as to render it diifi
cult for even the best Informed persons to as
certain what statute law is really in force. Il
seems to me very important that statute law
should be made as plain and ineligible as pos
sible, and be reduced TO as small a compass as
may be consistent with the fullness and precis-
ion Of the will Of the Legislature and the per-
spicuity Of its language This, well done, would,
| think. greatly facilitate the labors Of those
whose duty it Is to assist In the administration
Of the laws, and would be q lasting benefit to
people-by placing before them, in a more ac-
cessble and ineligible form, the laws which SO
deeply concern their interests and their duties.
am informed by some, whose opinion | re-
spect that all acts Of Congress now in force and
| Of permanent character will have to be revised
and rewritten, so as TO embrace in one volume,
or at least two volumes of ordinary and couven.
1
to consider the subject, and If my suggestions
be appropriate, to devise such plan as to their
minds shall seem most proper for tue settlement
Of the end proposed.
There are three vacancies on the Bench Of
the Supreme Court two by the dccease Of Jus
tees Daniel and McLane, and one by the resig-
nation Of Judge Campbell | have so far for
borne making nominations to fill these vacancies
for reasons which will now state. Two Of the
out going Judges reside within the States now
overtbrown by revolt, so that II successors were
appointed in the same locality, they would not
serve upon their circuits, and many Of the most
competent men there probably would not take
| the personal hazard Of accepting to serve even
here upon the Supreme Bench.
Ihave been unwilling to throw al the appoint
ments Northward, thus disabling myself from
doing Justice to the South, on return of peace !;
although may remark, that to transfer to the
North, one who has heretofore been in the South,
would not with reference to the territory and
population, be unjust.
The uniavorable consequence Of the present
insurrection is the entire suppression in many
places Of all ordinary means Of administering
civil Justice by the officers, and in the forms Of
executing the law. This is the case, in whole or
in part, in all the insurgent States: and as our
armies advance upon and take possession Of parts
Of these States, the practical evil becomes more
apparent, and there are no courts or officers to
whom citizens Of other States may appeal for
the enforcement Of their lawful claims against
the citizens Of the insurgent States. There is
vast amount Of debt constituting such claims /;
some have estimated it as high as 5000, 100000,
due in large part to citizens even now making
large sacrifices in the discharge Of their patriotic
duty to support the Government
Under the circumstances, l have been ur-
gently entreated to establish, by military power,
Courts, and administer summary justice in such
cases. have thus far declined to do il, not
because had any doubt che eud proposcd-the
collection Of debts-was just and right in ITSELF
but because have been unwilling TO go beyond
the presence Of necessity in the casual exercise
Of power; but the powers Of Congress, it is
supposed, are equal to the anomalous occasion,
and therefore refer the whole matter to Con-
| gress, with the hope that plan may be devised
for the administration Of justice in all such parts
Of the insurgent States and Territories. Il Is,
however, not to he permanent institution, but
n temporary substitute, and to cease as soon as
the ordinary Courts can be established in peace.
The present inSurre ton shows, think, that
the extension Of this District across the Potomac
river, at the time Of establishing the Capital
here, was eminently wise; consequently the re.
linqushment Of the portion which lies in the
State Of Virginia was unwise and dangerous
[ submit for your consideration the expediency
Of establishing the original boundaries, through
negotiation with the State Of Virginia.
The execution Of laws for the suppression Of
| the African slave trade has been confined TO
the Department Of the Interior. II is a subject
Of congratulation that the efforts that have been
made for the suppression Of this inhuman traE
fc have recently been attended with much sue
cess Vessels being fitted out for the slave
trade have been seized aud condemned. Two
masters engaged in the trade, and one person
who equipped vessel as SLAYER, have been
convicted aud subjected to the penalties Of tine
and imprisonment; and one captain, taking ~
a cargo Of Africans on beard his vessel, has