Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-04
FIRST ANNUAL MESSAGE
I'ISNSI ENT III n 9 0 L N,
DELIVERED DEC. 8, 1861.

God Tor unusual good health and Most abuIl-
dant lmreSts.
You will not be surprised to learn that in the
peculiar eXigencies of the times, our inter
course with foreign nations has been attended
with profound solicitude, chiefly turning upon
our own domestic atairs a disloyai portion
of the Amercau people have during the
whole year, been engaged in AN attempt 10 de-
strOy the Union. a nation which endures
factions domestic divisions is exposed to.disre-
spect abroad, and one party, il not both, is
sure, sooner or later to invoke foreign inter-
vention.
Nations thus tempted to interfere are not
always able to resist the counsels of seeming
expediency and ungenerous ambition, al
though measures adopted under such influen-
ces seldom fail TO lie unfortunate and Injurious
to those adopting them. The dislOyal citizens
of the United States, who have offered the
ruin of our country in return for the aid and
comfort which they have invoked abroad,
have received less patronage and encourae e.
ment than they probably expected. Ii it were
just to suppose, as the insurgents have seemed
TO assume, that foreign nations in this case,
discarding all moral, social and treaty obliga
tons, would act solely and selfishly for the
most speedy restoration OF commerce, includ-
ing especially the acquisition OF cotton,
those nations appear as yet not to have
seen their wayAo their object more directly or
clearly through the destruction, tlsan through
the preservation Of the Union. If we could
dare TO believe that foreign nations are actua-
ted by no higher principle than this, am guile
sure sound argument could be made to
slow them that they can reach their aim more
readily aud easily, by aidin TO crush this
rebellion, than by giving encouragement to it.
The principe lever relied on by the insurgents
is for exciting foreign hostility against us, as
intinated in the embarrassment of commerce.
These nations, however, not improbabiy saw
from the first that it was the Union which
made our foreign as well as our domestic COM
merce. They can scarcely have failed to per
ceive that the effort for dsunion produces the
existing difficulty, and that one strong nation
promises a more durable, and more extensive,
valuable, and reliable commerce than can the
same nation broken into hostile fragments. 1t
is not my purpose to review our discussions
with foreign states, because, whatever might be
their wishes or disposition, the integrity ot our
country and the stability of eur government
mainly depend not upon them, but upon 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
practiced prudence and llberality towards for-
eign powers, averting causes OF irritation, and
with firmness maintaining our own rights and
honor. Since, however it is apparent that
here, as in every other state, foreign dangers
necessarily attend domestic difficulties, Iec-
ommend that adequate and ample measures be
adopted for maintaining the public detences on
every side, while under this general recon-
mendation provision for defending our coast
liue readily occurs to the mind. l also, in the
oSly u, nt
to our great lakes and rivers. 1t is believed
that sc me tortiications and depots of arms and
munitions with harbor and navigation i'm
proyemens, at well selected points, upon
these, would be of great importance to the ma
tional defence and preservation. | ask atten-
tion to the views OF the secretary OF war, ex-
pressed in his report upon the same general
subjects | deem it of importance that the
loyal regions of east Tennessee and western
Virginia, with North Carolina, should
be connected with Kentucky, and 9th.
er faithful parts of the Union, by rail
roads. | therefore recommend, as y military
r,.-"srrn, chat evngscss prVtidc for The CON
struction of sIrh road as speedily as possible.
Kentucky will no doubt co operate, and,
through her legislature, make the most judi
cious selection of a line. The northern termi-
nus must connect with some existing railroad,
aud whether the route shall be from LeXing-
ton or Nicho!asville to the Cumberland Gap,
or from Lebanon to the Tennessee line, i'll the
direction of Knoxville, or on some still differ.
ent line, can easily be determined. Kentucky
and the general government cooperating the
work can be completed in very short time,
and, when done, it will be not only Of vast
present usefulness, but also Il valuable perma-
nent improvement, worth its cost in all the
future.
Some treaties designed chiefly for the in
terests of commerce, and having no grave
political importance have been negotiated and
will be submitted to the senate tor their con
sderation. Although we have Jailed 10 induce
some of the commercial powers 10 adopt de-
sirable ameoraton OF the Iigors OF maritime
war, we have removed all distractions IRON
the way of this humane reform, except such
as are merely Of a temporary nature.
| repeat the recommendation Of my prede
cessor in his annual message TO congress in
December last in regard to the disposition OF
the surplus which will probably remain after
satisfying the claims Of American citizens
against China pursuant to the awards OF the
commissioners, under the art Of the Sd OF
March, 1859 Ii, however, it should not be
deemed advisable 10 carry that recommends
ton into effect, | would suggest that authority
be given for investing the principal over the
proceeds of the surplus referred to in good
securities, with a 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, congress
authorized the president to instruct the com
manders of suitable vessels to defend them
selves against and TO capture pirates. This
authority has been exercised in single in.
stance only. For the more eflectual protec'
tiOn of our extensive and valuable commerce
in the eastern seas especially, it seems TO the
that il would be advisable to authorize the
commanders OF sailing vessels to recapture any
prizes which pirates may make OF the United
States vessels and taeir cargoes, and the con.
sular courts established by law in eastern cOun-
tries tosadjudica,e the cases, in the event that
this should not be objected to BY the local au'
thOrities.
If any good reason exists why we should
persevere longer in Withholding our reeogni
ton of the independence and sovereignty of
IlSyti ana Liberia, l am unable to discover it
am unwilling, however, TO inaugurate a nov
ell policy in regard 10 them without the appro
baton of congress. | submit tor your consid
Grafton the eXpediency OF an appropriation for
maintaining charge. d'afIaires near each OF
those new states. 1t does not admit of doubt
that important commercial advantages might
be secured by favorable treaties with them.
The operations of the treasury during the
period which mas elapsed since your adjourn
ment 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 citizens
OF the industrial classes, whose confidence in
their country's faith, and zeal for their coun.
try's deliverance from its present peril have
induced them to contribute to the support of