Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-12-14

posed breach Of the blockade. As this
detention was occasioned by an obvl-
Gus misapprehension Of the facts, aud
as justice requires that we commit no
belligerent act not founded in strict
right as sanctioned by public law,
recommend that an appropriation be
made to satisfy the reasonable demand
of the owners Of the vessel for her de-
tention
By the act Of the 5th of August last,
Congress authorized the President to
instruct the commanders Of suitable yes
sells to defend themselves against, and
to capture pirates.
This authority has been exercised in
q single instance only. For the more
effectual protection Of our extensive
and valuable commerce in the Eastern
seas especially, it seems to nc that il
would also be advisable to authorize
the commanders DISABLING vessels to re-
capture any prizes which pirates make
Of L. S. vessels and their cargoes, and
the consular courts now established by
law in the Eastern countries to adjud-
lcate the cases, in the event that this
should not be objected to by the local
authorities.
# any good reason exists why we
should pcrsevere longer in withholding
our recognition of the independence and
sovereignty of Hayti and Of Liberia, I
am unable to discern it. Unwilling how
ever to inaugurate a novel policy in re-
gard to them without the appreciation
Of Congress, submit for your consid-
Grafton the expediencv Of an appropri-
alton for maintaining Charge d Af-
fairs of each of these States. It does
not admit Of doubt that important com
inercial advantages might be secured
by favorable treaties With them. The
operations Of the treasury during the
period which has elapsed since your al
iournmcnt 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 citi-
zens of the industrial class, whose con-
tidence in their country's faith, and
zeal for their countrv's deliverance from
it's present peril, have induced them to
contribute to the support of the Gov
ernment the whole Of their limited &C
QUESTIONS. This fact imposes peculiar
obligations t. economy in disbursement,
and energy in action.
1t is gratifying to know that the ex-
penses made necessary by the rebellion
are not beyond the resources of the 10y
al people, and to believe that the same
patriotism which has thus far sustained
the Government will continue to sus-
tain it till peace and union shall again
bless the land.
I respectfully refer to the report of
the Sec'y of War for information re-
spscting the numerical strength Of the
army, and for recommendations having
in view al increase Of its efficiency,
and the we'll being of the various bran
ches of the service entrusted to his
care.
Itis gratifying to know that the patri-
otlsm OF the people is equal to the occa-
sion, and that the number of troops ten
dered greatly exceeds the force which
Congress authorized me to call into the
field. refer with pleasure to those
portions Of his report which make al
lusion to the crcditable degree of disci-
pEue already attained 10y our troops,
and to the excellent sanitary condition
of the intlre army.
The recommendation by the Secre-
tary for an organization of the militia
upon = uniform basis, is subject Of Vi
tai Importance to the future safety of the
country, and is commended to the seri
Gus attention OF Congress. A lage ad-
ditlon to the regular army, in connec-
ton with the detection that has so CON
siderably diminished the plumber OF
its officers, gives peculiar Importance to
his recommendation for increasing the
corps Of cadets to the greatest capacity
Of the Military Academy.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy presents in detail the operations
Of that branch Of the service, and the
actlFlty ana energy which have char-
acterlzed its administration, and th e
results Of measures to increase It's eff
cheney and power Such have been the
additions by construction and purchase,
that it may almost be said a navy has
been created and brought into service
since our difficulties commenced.
Besides blockading our extensive
coast, squadrons larger than ever be-
fore assembled under our flag, have
been put aioat and performed deeds
which have increased our naval re-
nown. would invite special attsn.
ton to the recommendation of the
Sec'y of the Navy, for a more perfect
organization of the Navy By introduc.
ing additional grades in the service.
rTl,aro fhroo a. b,