Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-12-10
LINCOLNS MESSAGE
To the Federal Congress!
FslVOlo. Citizens of The Senate and

House # Representatives:
In the midst OF unprecedented political trouble
we have Of great gratitude to God for univa1
| sal good health and rnoss abundant harvests Yol
will not be surprised to learn that in the peeuis
exigsncies Of the times our intercourse with for
egu nations has been attended with profound sole
itude, chisfy turning upon our domestic affairs
disloyal portion of the American people have du
ring the whole Of the year, been engaged in an at
Tempt to divide and destroy the Union, A nation
which endures faetious domestic divisions ia es
pesed to disrespsct abroad, and one party srI5sth
sare sooner later to invoke foreign Intervention
Nations thus tempted TO interfere, are not always
able to reIist the eoansels Of seeming expediency
and uDgenerouE ambition, although Measures
adopted under such influences seldom fail to BE-
unfortunate and injurious to those adopting them
The disloy ciGESns of the United States who have
offered the ruin four country in reward for tie aid
and comfort which they have invoked abroad have
received less patronage and encouragement than
they probably expected. If Il were just to suppose
az the insurgents have seemed to assume that for
Sgn nations in this case diEFeG Arding all moral So
eia sad treaty obligations would act solely and self
i4hly for the moIt speedy restoration of commerce.
including specially the acquisition Of cotton haas ma
tons appear yet to have their way TO their oh
jest more directly clearly than through the pre-
seTVstion Of the Union If we could dare to be-
ieTe that foreign nations actuated by no higher
principle than this, am quite cure G sound srgu-
Ulent could be made to show them that they could
reaCn bnelf aim more ana e2kily Dy giving
encouragement to the principal lever relied on BY
the exciting Of foreign nations to hotiies against
u.s. already animated, in the embarrassment of COM
merce. Those nation, however. not improbably saw
from the first that il was the Union which made as
well our foreign a. our domestic commerce. They
scarcely fail to perceive that the effort for dis
union produces the existing diff ;uties, and that
one strong nation promises more durable peace
and more extensive, valuable and reliable com
merce than can the same nation broken into hostile
fragments. 1t is not my purpose to review our dis
CUSHIONS with foreign states, because Whatever
might be their wishes or dispositions the integrity
Of our country and the stability Of our government
mainly depend, not upon them, but upon the loyal,
~, patriotism virtue and intelligence Of the Amer
aean people. The correspondence ITSELF with the
Gsnal reservations, is herewith submitted ven
tE-e TO hope that it will appear that we have prae-
GSRsd prudence and Gberality toward foreign DOW
err, aVerting causes Of irritation, and with firm
I1esE maintaining cur own rights ard power Since
however, il is apparent that here, as in every
other State, foreign dangers necessarily attend do
mesdc difficulties, recommend that adequate and
ample measures be adopted for maintaining the
public defenses on every side --
While under this general Recommendation pro. |
visions for defending coast line readily occur
to the mind, also, IN the same connection ask the
attention Of Congress to great lakes and rivers
IL is believed that some Notifications and depots of
arms and munitions, with harbor and navigation
improvements, atTGll select ed points upon these
would be of great importance TO the national de |
Tense and preservation. ask attention tC the views
of the Secretary Of War, expressed in his reDort
upon the same general question.
l deem it Of Importance that the loyal regions of
Est Tennessee and Western North Carolina should /
be connected with Kentucky and other faithful
parts of the Union by railroad. l therefore recon
mend, as 3 military measure that Congress provide
for the construction Of such road as speedily a.
possible. Kentucky will no doubt cooperate, and
through her Legislature, make the most judicious
selection of the line. The northern terminus must
connect with some existing railroad, but whether
the route shall be from Lexington or Nicholasvile
10 Cumberland Gap, or from Lebanon to the Ten
lessse line in the direction of Knoxville or some
'till different line, can easily be determined Ken
lucky and the general government cooperating the
work can be completed in a very short time and
when DONE it will not only be of vast present use>
Illness, but also an Svailable permanent improves
nent worth its cost in all the future.
Some treaties, designed chiefly for the interests
# commerce, and having no grave political impor-
ance, have been negotiated, and will be submitted
o the Senate for their consideration. Although we
AVE failed to induce some of the commercial now
to adopt desirable meliorstion for the rigor of
nariuime war, we have far removed all the obsta>
les froa the way Of their humane reform, EXCEPT I
UGH as are merely of temporary and accidental l
/ invite your attention to the cores
ondence between Her Britannia Msjcsty's Minister Z
ccredlted to this government and the Secretary
State, relative TO the detention of the British |
hip Perthshire, in June last by the United State.
tesmer Massachusetts,, for = supposed breach of q
be blockade. As this detension was occssioned BY
n obvious misapprehension Of the facts, and as P
lstice requires that should commit no belliger j
ut act founded in strict right as sanctioned by
ublic law, | recommend that an appropriation be 6
lade to satisfy the reasonable demand of the own
r of the vessel for her detention. ----- --.- t
Irepeat the Recommendation of my predecessor Il
/ his annual message to Congress- IN December c
Ist, in regard to the disposition of the surplus
Ihieh will probably remain after satisfying the c
lams Of American citizens against China, puFsu- y
Mt to the awards Of the commissioners under the e.
ct of the 81 Of March, 1850. IT, however it should
OF be deemed advisable to carry that recommen- p
alton into effect, would suggest that authority
given for investing the principal over the sur
us referred to in good securities, with view to ii
lie satisfaction Of such other just claims Of our p
tizsns against China are not unlikely to arise v
GREATER in the course Of extensive trade with
let Empire. d
By the act of the 5t Of August last Congress au c.
oriz>d the President instruct the commanders tc
suitable vessels to defend themselves against and
capture pirates. This authority has been exer> RI
sed in q single instance only. ct
For the more efectual protection Of our extensive
Id valuable commerce, in the eastern seas espe-
ally it seems that it would be advisable to author Il