Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-10

we should commit no belligerent act not
founded in strict right, as sanctioned by
public law, recommend that an appro-
priation be made to satisfy the reasonable
demand of the owners of the vessel for
her detention. | repeat the recommend
alton of my predecessor, in his annual
message TO Congress in December last, in
regard to the disposition of the surplus
which viii probably remain after satisfy
ing the claims of American citizens against
China, pursuant to the awards of the
Commissioners under the act of the Sd of
March, 1859. If, however, it should not
be deemed advisable TO carry that recon-
mendation into effect, | would suggest
that authority be given for investing the
principal over the surplus referred to, in
good securities, with view to the salts
faction of such other just claims of our
citizens against China, as are not unlike
ly to arise hereafter in the course of our
extensive trade with that Empire
By the Act of the 9Th of August, Con-
gross authorized the President to instruct
commanders of suitable vessels to defend
themselves against and capture pirates.
This authority has been exercised in a
single instance only. For the more eff
tectual protection of our extensive and
valuable commerce In the eastern seas,
especially, it seems TO me, that it would
also be advisable to authorize the COM
manders of sailing vessels to recapture
any prizes which pirates may make of q.
). vessels, and their cargoes, and the con-
sular Courts established by law in East
ern countries TO adjudicate the cases, in
the event that this should not be object
ed to by the loyal authorities.
If any good reason exists why we
should perseyere longer in withholding
our recognition of the independence and
sovereignty of Hayti and Liberia, 1 am
unable to discern it. Unwilling, how
ever, to inaugurate novel policy in re-
gard to them, without the appreciation of
Congress, submit for your consideration
the expediency of an appropriation for
maintaing charge de affairs near each of
those 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 has elapsed during your
adjournment, 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, faith, and zeal for their
country's deliyerance, have induced them
to contribute to the support of the Gov
eminent, the whole of their limited ac-
QUESTIONS.
This fact imposes peculiar obligations
to economy in disbursement and energy
in action. The revenue from all sources,
including loans for the financial year
ending on the 30th of June, 1861, was
$50, 935,90O %. The expenses for the
same period, including expenses on ac-
count of public debt were SS4, SIS, O34 "a.
Leaving a balance in the treasury on the
1st of July of $2,257, 065 so. For the
first quarter of the financial year ending
the Both of September, 1861, the receipts
from all sources, including the balance,
July 1st are S102, $50, 500 %, and the
expenses S98, 1918 O9, leaving a bal
ance on the 1st of October 1861 of ST.
292,776 Is. The estimates for the COM
ing three quarters of the year and for
the financial year of 1868, together with
his views of the ways and means for
meeting demands contemplated by them
will be submitted to Congress by the
Secretary of the Treasury
1t is gratifying to know that the ex-
penses, made necessary by the rebellion,
are not beyond the resources Of the low
al people, and to believe that the same
patriotism which has thus far sustained
the Government will continue to sustain
it, until peace and Union shall again bless
the land.
respectfully refer to the report of the
Secretary of War for information respect
ing the numerical strength of the army
and for recommendations, having in view
the increase of its efficiency and the
well being of the various branches of the
service intfusted to his care It is graf
flying to know that the patriotism of the
people is equal to the occasion and that
the number of troops rendered greatly
exceeds the force which Congress au-
thorized me to call into the field. / re-
fer to those portions of his report which
make illusions to the creditable degree
of discipline already attained by our
troops, and to the excellent sanitary
condition of the entire army.
The recommendation by the Secretary
for an organization of the militia upon
a uniform basis, is an object of vital i'm
portance to the future safety of the coun-
try, and is commended to the serious at
tention of Congress. A large addition
to the regular army, in connection with
the detection that has so considerably di-
minished the number of its officers, gives
peculiar Importance to his recommends