Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-12-12
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Representatives
In the midst of unprecedented political troub-
les, we have cause OF great gratitude to God for
unusual good health and most abundant har-
vests.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
You will not be surprised to learn that in the
peculiar exigencies Of the times. our intercourse
with foreign nations has been attended with
profound solcitude, chiefly turning upon our
own domestic affairs. disloyal portion of the
American people have, during the whole year,
been Engaged in an attempt to divide and de-
stroy the Union. A nation which endures fac
lions and domestic divisions is exposed to dis
respect abroad, and one party, if rot both, is
sure sooner or later to invoke foreign interven-
ton. Nations thus tempted to interfere are
not always able to resist the counsels of SEEM
ing expediency and unge, erous ambition, al
though measures adopted under such influences
seldom fail to be unfortunate and injurious TO
those adopting them. The dsloyal citizens of
the United States, who have offered tie ruin of
our country in return for the aid and comfort
which they have invoked abroad, have received
| les' patronage and encouragement than they
probably expected, if it were just to suppose
as the insurgents have seemed to assume, that
foreign nations, in this case discardng all NOR
al social and treaty obligations, would act sole
ly and selfishly for the most speedy restoration
of commerce. including especially the acquis-
ton Of cotton. Those nations appear yet
not to have seen their way to their object more
directly or clearly through the destruction than
through the preservation of the Union. If we
could dare to believe that foreign nations are
actuated by no higher principle than this, | 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 rebel
! lion, than by giving encouragement to it.
| The principal lever relied on by the insur-
gents for exciting foreign nations to hostility
against us, as already intmated, is the embar-
rassment of commerce. Those nations. how
ever, not improbabIy saw from the first, that it
was the Union which made, as well our foreign
as our domestic commerce. They can scarcely
have failed to perceive that the effort for Gsun-
ion produces the existing difficulty, and that
one strong nation promises more durable peace
and more extensive, valuable and reliable
commerce, than can the same nation broken in
to hostile fragments.
1t is not my purpose to review our discussion
with foreign states, because, whatever might be
their wishes and dispositions, the integrity of
our country and the ability of our government
mainly depend, not upon them, but on the 10y
atty, virtue, patriotism and intelligence of the
American people. The correspondence itself
with the usual reservations is herewith submit
ted. | venture TO hope it will appear that we
have practised prudence and liberality towards
foreign powers, averting causes of irritation,
and with frmness maintaining our own rights
and honor. Since, howe; er, it is apparent that
here, as in every other state, foreign dangers
necessarily attend domestic, recommend that
adequate and ample measures be adopted for
maintaining the public defenses on every side,
while under this recommendation provision for
defending our coast line readily occurs to the
mind. / also in the same connection ask the
attention of Congress to our great lakes and
rivers. 1t is believed that some Notifications,
depots of arms and munitions, with harbor and
navigation improvements, at well selected points
upon these, would be of great importance to the
national defence and preservation. ask atten-
ton to the views of the secretary of war, ex-
pressed in his report upon the same general
subject.
Some treaties, designed chiefly for the in
terest of commerce and having no grave polit-
cal importance, have been negotiated and will
be submitted to the Senate for their consider
alton. Although we have failed to induce some
of the commercial powers to adopt desirable
melioration ofthe rigor OF maritime war, we have
removed all Instructions from the way of this
humane reform, except such as are merely ten-
porary.
l repeat the recommendation of my predeces-
sor in his annual message to Congress, in De-
cember last, in regard to the disposition of the
surplus which will probably remain after satisfy
ing the claims OF American citizens against China
pursuant to the awards of the commissioners
under the act of the third of March 1859. If,
| however, it should not be deemed advisable to
carry that recommendation into effect would
suggest that authority be given for investing
the principal over the proceeds of the surplus
referred to, in good securities, with 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 9TH of August last, Cong
ress authorized the pres dent to instruct the
commanders of suitable vessels TO defend them
selves against, and capture pirates. This au-
thority has been exercised in a single insta
only. For the more eilectua protection of our
extensive and valuable commerce in the east
ern seas especially, it seems to me that it would
be also advisable to authorize the commanders
of sailing vessels to recapture any prizes which
pirates may make of the United States vessels
and their cargoes, and the consular courts es-
tablished by law in eastern countries, to adiudi-
cate the cases, in the event that this should not
be objected to by the local authorities.
If any 9 ,od reason exists why we should per-
severe longer in Withholding our recognition of
the independence and sovereignty of llayti and
Liberia, am unable to discern it. Unwilling,
however, to naugurate a novel policy in regard
10 them without the appreciation Of ngress |
submit for your consideration the eXpediency of
an appropriation for maintaining charge d'af-
faires near each Of these new states. 1t does
-, not admit OF doubt. that important commercial
advantages might be secured by favorable trea-
n ties with them.
NEW WESTERN RAILROAD RECOMMENDED.