Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Ftiioio Citizeas qf the Senate
amt House Of Representatives.:
Sc In the midst Of unprecedented political troubles
II we have great cause of gratitude To God for un-
,e usual good health aud most abundant harycsts.
fou will not be surprised to learn that, in the
peculiar eNigencies of the times, our intercourse
with foreign nations has been attended with pro-
found soicltudc, chiefly turning upon our own do
nestle affairs.
disloyal portion of the American people have,
l. during the whole year, been engaged in an at
tempt TO divide and DESTROY the Union nation
n which cndurcs factions or domestic divisions is
n exposed 20 disrespect abroad, and one party, il
u not both, o. sure, sooner later TO invoke Tor
eIgn Intervention. Nations thus tempted 10 inter
iere are not always able TO resist connscls of
ing eNpediency and ungenerous ambition. al
z though such influences seldom fail to be unior-
tunate and injurious to those adopting them.
o The disloyal citizens of the United States who
have offered the ruin of our country in return for
q the good and comfort which they have invoked
abroad, have received less patronage and oncour-
> agcmcnt than they probably expected II it were
just TO suppose the insurgents have seemed TO
sumo, that foreign nations, in this dscarding
all moral. social aud treaty obligations, would act
solely and selishly for the most speedy restoration
OF commerce, including especially, the acqusi-
ton of cotton, those nations appear as vet not
to have seen their way to their object more direct
~ or clearly through the destruction than through
the preservation of the Union. If we could dare
to believe that foreign nations 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 cas-
lily by aiding TO crush this rebellion than low
giving encouragement to it. The principal lever
relied upon 10y the insurgent, for exciting foreign
nations to hostility against us as already intima-
ted, rs the embarrassment of commerce
These nations however, it is not improbable,
saw from the first that it was the Union which
made as well our foreign as our domestic COM
merce. They can scarcely have failed to perceive
that the effort for disunion produces the existing
difficulty, and that one strong nation promises
more durable peace and a more extensive and
reliable commerce than can the same nation broken
into hostile fragments.
1t is not my purpose to review discussions
with foreign states because whatever might hc their
wishes or disposition, the integr,sl 90 ''. e','',r
upon them, but upon the loyalty virtue patriotism
{ and intelligence OF the American people. The cor
respondence itself, with the usual reservations,
e Is herewith transmitted. | venture 10 hope II
: viii appear that we have practiccd prudence and
IS lihcrallty towards foreign powers ayertug causes
r. OF irritation, and with irmncss maintained our
" own rights and honor Since, however, 1t Is appa-
rent that here, as in every other state, foreign
o dangers necessarily attend domestic difficulties
recommend that adequate and ample measures hC
q; adopted for maintaining the public dceuses from
i'd every side; while, under this general recommends
so alton, provisions for dvleuding our coast line
A., readily occur 10 the mind. ! also, in the same
,ai connection, ask the attention Of Congress to
ne our great lakes and rivers. II is believed that
re- some Qualifications, with harbor and navigation
improvements, at well selected points, would b,
res of great importance TO the national defense and
!" preservation ask attention to the views of III,
NJ, Secretary Of War, expressed In his report upor
ain the same general subject.
us deem it of importance that the loyal rcrioni
ng of East Tennessee and Western North Caro-
10. lima should be connected with Kentucky ant
sl other faithful parts of the Union 10y railroad.
ao- therefore recommend military measure, tina
US Congress provide for the construction of such
road rs speedily possible Kentucky will n,
re- doubt cooperate, and, through her Legislature
nv make the most ludicious selection of a line Tn,
lid Northern business must connect with some exist
ing railroad, ana whether the route shall be from
Lexington or Nichodsye to the Cumberland
Gap, or from Lebanon TO the Tennessee line il
the direction Of Knoxville, or in some still differ
Ter ent line, can easily be determined. Kentucky
'y and the general Government cooperating, tn,
M work can be completed in a very short time, ant
when done At will be, not only of vast present use
Inv tulness, but also a valuable permanent improve
gh ment, worth its cost in all the future.
ed Some treaties designed chiefly for the interests
~ OF commerce and having no grave political impor
-" lance have been negotiated and will be submitted
ed TO the Senate for consideration Although we have
failed To induce OF the commercial powers to
mt adopt desirable Moderation OF the rlgOr of mara
A., time war, we have removed all distractions from
the way of this human reform except such as are
on merely of temporary and accidental occurrence
lr- invite your attention to the correspondence be-
Yes tween her British Maiestys Minister and the See
~ rotary OF State, relative the detention of the
in British ship Peythsiire in June last by the IT, s.
u Steamer Massachusetts, for supposed breach OF
tie the blockade AS this detention was occasioned
by an obvious misapprehension of the facts and
? as justice requires that we should commit no bel
gcrcnt act not founded in strict right or sanction
- pullip | 4 lint
ton be made TO satisfy the reasonable demand Of
he the owners of the vessel for the detention
~ repeat the recommendation OF my predecessor
ed m his annual message to Congress in December
rs last, IA regard to the disposition of the surplus
which will probably remain after satisfying the
on claims of American citizens against China pursu-
. ant TO the awards of the commissioners under the
act Of the Sd of March, 1859. II, however. il
as should not be deemed advisable to carry that re-
u communication into effect, would suggest that
as authority be given for investing the principal over
the proceeds OF the surplus referred to in good
Sc ourities, 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
Us our extensive trade with that empire.
" by the act of the 9th of August last CONGRESS
authorized the President TO instruct the command
se ers OF suitable vessels to defend themselves against
and TO capture pirates. This authority has been
h. exercised in single instance only.
In FOR the more ehectual protection Of our extern
n si'N "'.N Nhuahle commerce IN the Eastern seas
OF especially II seems TO me that il would be advsa-
bic TO authorize the commanders of sailing vessels
~ TO recapture any prizes, which pirates may make
or OF the United States vessels and their cargoes and
the Consular Courts established by law ia Eastern
= countries TO adudicate the cases. in the event that
this should not be objected to by the local author
n tiles.
/. II any good reason exists why should perse-
I'd we're longer in withholding our recognition of the
- independence and sovereignty Of llayti and Libe
NJ ria ] am unable TO discern it. l avn unwilling
be however 70 inaugurate a novel policy in regard
m TO- them without the appropriations of Congress
a, submit to your consideration the expedency of an
appropriation for maintaining Charge dAhaires