The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-12-13

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be submitted to the Senate for their considera.
ton. Although we have failed to induce some
OF the commercial Powers to adopt desirable
melioration of the rigor of maritime war. we
have removed all distractions from the way oi
THIS humane reform, except such as are n.eEeIy
OF an accidental occurrence
Invite your attention to the correspondence
between her BrtannIc Maesty's Minister. ac-
credited to this Government, and the Secretary
oi State, relative to the detention of the British
ship Perfhshire, in jane last by the United
States steamer Massachusetts,, for a supposed
oreach OF tsIe blockade. As this detention was
'rcasloned by an obvious misaPprehension OF
The iacts, and as justice requires that we should
commit no belligerant act not founded on 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 detention.
rePea; the recommendation of nv prede-
cessor IN his annual message to Congress IN De-
cenber last, in regard 10 the disposition of the
surplus which will probably remain after salts
fylng the claims o! American citizens against
China, pursuant to the awards of the commits
sionerS, under the act Of the Sd of March, 1859.
II, however, it should not be deemed advisable
to carry that recommendation into effect. I
would suggest that authority be given for in
vestIng 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 unlike
Iy to arise hereafter in the course of our extern
slve trade with that Empire
By the Act OF the 9th Of August last, Con-
gress authorized the President to instruct the
commanders of suitable vessels TO defend them
selves against and to capture pirates This au-
thority has been exercised 10 a single instaace
only. For the more effectuaI protection of our
extensive and valuable commerce, in the East
ern seas especially, it seems to me that it would
also be advisable to authorize the commanders
OF sailing vessels to reca pture anV prizes which
pirates may make of United States vessels and
their cargoes. and the Consular Courts now es-
tablishpd 6y law in Eastern countries to adiu-
dIcate the cases in event that this should not be
objected to by the local authorities.
II any good reason exists why we should per-
severe longer in Withholding our recognition
OF the independence and sovereignty of Havti
and Liberia, am unable to discern it-unwil-
ling, however, to insugurate novel policy in
s-asa
gress.
submit, for your consideration, the exped-
ency of an appropriation for maintaining
eharge-de-afrairs near each of those new States.
II does not admit of doubt that important com
mercial advantages might be secured by favor
able treaties with them.
The operations of the Treasury during the
period which has 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 de-
manded BY the public exigenceS. 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 countrv's de-
liverance from present peril have induced them
to contribute TO the support OF the government
the whole of their limited acquisitions. This
fact imposes peculiar Obligations to economy in
disbursement and energy in action.
The revenue from all sources for the fnan-
cal year ending on the 30th of June, 1861,
was eighty-six millions eight hundred and thir-
ty-fve thousand nine hundred dollars and TWEEN
ty-seven cents, and the expenditures for the
same period, including payments on account Of
the public debt, were eighty-four millions fVe
hundred and seventy-eight thousand eight hun
dred and thirty-four dollars and forty-seven
cents, leaving balance in the treasury on the
lst Of July, of two million two hundred and
ffty-seVen thousand and sixty-fve dollars and
eighty cents. For the first quarter of the f.
nanciai year, ending on the Both of September
1861, the receipts from all sources, including
the balance of lst of July, were one hundred
and two million five hundred and nine dollars,
and twenty seven cents, and the expenses nine
tY-Pight millions two hundred and thirty-nine
thousand seven hundred and thirt. three dol
lars and nine cents leaving a balance on the
1st of October, 1861, of four million two hun
dred and nlnety-two thousand seven hundred
and seventy-six dollars and eighteen cents.
Estimates for the remaining three quarters OF
the year, and for the financial year 1868, TO-
getber With his views of ways and means for
meeting the demands contemplated by them,
will be submitted to Congress by the Secretary
of the Treasury. 1t IS gratifying to know that
the expenditures made necessary by the rebel
lion are not beyond the resources OF the loyal
people. and to believe that the same patriotism
which has thus far sustained the government
will continue to sustain il till peace and union
shall again bless The land.
l respectfully refer TO the report of the Sec
retary OF War Tor information respecting the
numerical strength of the army, and for recon-
mendations having in view an increase Of its
efficiency and the well being of the various
branches of the service entrusted 10 his care.
1t Is gratifying 10 know that the patriotism OF
the people has proved equal to the occasion, and
that the number of troops rendered greatly ex-
ceed the forces which Congress authorized me
to call into the field. [ refer with pleasure to
those portions of his report which make alu-
sion to the credible degree of discipline al
ready attained by our troops, and tothe excel
lent sanitary condition Of the entire army.