New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
zor.Citisens Of tie Senate

we have cause Of great gratitude TO God Tor unususi
GOOD health aud most abundant hsrvests.
You viii not be surprised to learn that, in the PEI
onlar exigencies Of the times our intercourse WIN
foreign nations has been attended with profound 30
Eeude chiefly turning upon our own dotles'io a.
fairs disloyal portion of the American peop ps
have daring the whole year, been engaseu a not;on
tempt 10 divide and destroy the onion' "saJ
b;b edrros factions domestic divisions ls exposed
% dsrespect abroad, and one party, ~
snre sooner or later TO invoke foreign hi'eL
Nations TINS tempted to INTERFERE arc ~.
able to resist the counseli ,psasnres adopted
49, sucb Influences seldom fall 10 DC UNI
fortunate and injurious 10 tnose aoop'nS ' iu
m Ssloyal citizens of the United S'ateS VINO nave
ared the ruin of country IN return lor the aio
cor,fort which they have invoked abroad, have
a;,,ed less patronage and encouragement than they
,rohably expected. If it were Just TO suppose rs
the insurgents have seemed to assume, that foreign
nations in this case, carding all moral social ana
treaty. obligations would act solely and selhshly Tor
the most speedy restoration of commerce, In
GLIDING, especially, the acquisition OF cotton,
those nations appear as YET not 10
have seen their way 70 their object more directly OF
clearly through the destruction than through the pre-
serveiion of the Union Ii we could dare to believe
that foreign nations aCtusted by 40 higher prn-
ciple than this, am quite sure second argument
could be made TO show them that they can reach
their aim more readily and easily by siding TO
oouragement to it. The principal lever relied
on by the insurgents for exciting foreign
nations to hostility against us. already intimated
IL the embarrassment of commerce. Those nations,
however, not improbsby saw from the first that IL
was the Union which made "a well our foreign Rs
our domestic commerce. They can scarcely have
failed 10 perceive that tie effort for dlsunon pro-
duces the existing difficulty, and that one strong
nation promises more durable peace, and more eX-
tensive, valuable, and reliable commerce. than can
the same nation broken into hostile fragments.
IL is not nv purpose to review our discussions
with foreign States, because, whatever might
be their wishes dispositions, the integrity
of orr country and the stability Of our Gov
eminent mainly depend, not upon them, but ON
the LOYALTY, virtue, patriotism and intelligence OF
the American people. The correspondence ltsen,
with the usual reservations is herewith submitted.
/ venture to hose il will appear that we have prac-
ticed prudence and iberaiy toward foreign powers,
averting causes of irritation and, with hrmness,
mant aiming cur own rights and honor. Since, how
ever 1t is apparent that here as III every other
State foreign dangers necessarily attend domestic
dific1ltjes. recommend that adequate and ample
measures be adopted for maintaining the public
deferses on every side. While, under this general
recommendation, provision for defending our coast
line readily occurs to the mind, also, IN the same
connection, ask the attention OF Congress
so our great lakes and rivers. IL is
believed that some foriihcations and depots
of arms and munitions, with harOor ana
navigation improvements, at wellselected points
tional defense and preservation.
| ask attention to the views Of the Secretary OF
War expressed in his Report upon tie same general
subjects.
Ideern it of importance that the loyal regions Of
East Tennessee and Western North Carolina should
be connected with Kentucky and other faithful parts
of the Union by railroads l therefore recommend,
as military MEASURE that Congress provide Tor the
construction OF such road as specify as possible
Kentucky viii, no doubt, cooperate, and, through
her Legislature make the most udcious selection O
alne The Northern terminus must connect will
some existing railroad and, whether the route sha
be from Lexington or Nicholasyle to the Cumber'
land Gap or f ON Lebanon 10 the Tennessee line IN
the direction Of Knoxville or on some stlli
different line, can easily lie determined Kentucky
and tie General Government cooperating, 'he WORK
can be completed IN very snort uLe' ana wren
done it will be not only Of vast present usefulness,
but also a valuable permanent Improvement, worth
Its cost in all tine iutuIe.
Some treaties designed chiefly for the interests OF
commerce aud having no grave political Importance,
have been negotiated, and will be submitted 10 The
Senate for their consideration. Although we have
failed to induce some Of the commercial powers &c
adopt desirable moderation OF the Tigor OF mari
time war, we have removed all distractions from the
way Ct this humane reform, except such al
are merely of temporary aud accidental occur
renee. L invite your attention 10 the cor
respondence between her Britanic Majesty,
Minister, accredited to this Government, and The
Secretary of State, relative TO the detention Of the
Briti.h shlp Perhshre, in June last, by the United
States steamer Massachusetts, for supposed breach
of the blockade. AS this detention Occasioned
by an obvious inisspDrehe1sion OF the facts and
justice requires that should commit belligeIent
act not founded in strict Iight sanctioned by pub
lie law, recommend that an appropriation be made
20 satisfy the reasonable demand OF the owners
Of the vessel for her detention.
| repeat the Recommendation of my predecessor, In
bis annual me-sBge % Congress IN December last IN
regard 10 the disposition of the surplus which viii
probably remain after satisfying the claims of Amer
lean citizens against China pursuant TO the awards
of the Commissioners under the act of the Sd Of
March 1859.
If, however il should not be deemed advisable to
carry that Recommendation into effect, would sug-
gest that authority be given for investing the princ-
pal the proceeds Of the surplus referred TO, in
good securities, with view TO the satisfaction of
such other Just claims of citizens against China
are not unlikely to arise hereafter in the course Of
our extensive trade with that Empire.
By the act of the 5th OF August last, Congress
authorized the President to instruct the commanders
of suitable vessels defend themselves against and
10 capture pirates. This authority has been exer
cised in a single instance only. For the more
eflectusl protection of our extensive and valuable
commerce in the Eastern seas especially, it seems
20 me that it would also be advisable to authorize
the commanders Of sailing. to recapture any
prizes which pirates may make Of the United States
vessels and their cargoes, aud the Consular Courts
established by law IN Eastern countries TO adjudeae
the cases, in the event that this should not be OBJ
jected TO by the local authorities.
Hany good reason exists why we should persevere
longer in Withholding our recognition of the indie
pendence and sovereignty of Hsyti and Liberia
inaugurste novel policy in regard 10 them without
the appreciation Of Congress- submit for your con-
sideration the expedIency Of appropriation for
maintaining Charge dAfaires near each OF these
new States. II does not admit of doubt that i'm
poitant commercial advantages might be secured by
favorable frfatcs with them