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

, There are no courts nor officers to whom the CT
tzons of other States may apply Tor the enforce
ment Of their lawful claims against citizens OF the
nsurpent States, and there is o vast amount OF
/ debt constituting such claims Some have estm-
ated it as high as two hundred millions of dollars
due in large part from insurgents in open rebel |
lion to LOYAL citizens, who are even now making .
great sacrifices in discharge Of their patriotic du-
ty to support the Government
Under these circumstances have been urgent
" solicited to establish 10y military power courts
to administer summary Justice in such eases. !
have thus far declined to do it, not because had
any doubt that the end proposed-thc collection OF
the debts-was Just and right in itself but because
have been unwilling to 90 beyond the pressure Of
necessity in the unusual exercise OF power.
But the power of Congress, suppose, are equal
to the anomalous occasion, and therefore refer
the whole matter On Congress, with the hope that
plan may be- devised for the administration OF
justice IN all such parts OF the insurgcnt States
and territories as may be under the control of the
government, whether by q voluntary return to al
legiance and order, or by the power Of our arms.
This, however, is not 70 be a permanent institu-
ton, but temporary substitute, and to cease as
soon as the courts can be rc-esablished in peace.
IL is important that some more convenient
means should be provided, If possible, for the adj
iustment of claims against the Government, cspc-
cally in view OF their increased number, by rcas-
ON ct the war.
b 10 is as much the duty of the Government to
render prompt justice against itself in favor of
It's citizens as il is 10 administer the same between
private individuals The investigation aud adiu-
dicatou of claims in their nature belong TO the
judicial department, besides it is apparent that the
attention Of Congress will be more than usually
engaged for some time 10 come with the great ma
toual questions.
It was intended by the organization of the court
{ Of claims mainly 10 remove this branch of BUSH
mes, from che halls of Congress, but while the
L.. B. II 3D. d..
means of investigation it in great degree fails
TO effect the object of It's creation for want of pow
or 20 make IFS judgment. final.
o. Fully aware of the dclicacy not 10 say the dan
ger of the subject, | commend to your careful con-
sidcraton whether this power of making udg-
mcut final may NOT properly he given TO the court,
re,cryng the right Of appeal in questions Of law
Co the supreme court with such other provisions
as experience may have shown to be necessary.
ask attention 20 the report of the Postmaster
General The following being q summary state
mcnt OF the condition OF the department The
revenue from all sources during the fiscal year,
ending june 30, 1861, including the annual per-
mancnt appropriation of 100000 for the trans
pouation of free mail matter, 50. Oi9, 296 40,
leaving about two per cent less than the revenue
In 1850 the expenditures were Sl3,6Ol, 100 II,
showing decrease of more than eight per cent
as compared with those of the previous wear, and
the revenue of the last fiscal wear of over S557.-
i62 r. The gross revenue for the year ending
june 80, 1862, is estimated at an increase of
b per cent. ON that of 1861 making g.. js3. 900 -
= The total expenditures for 1862 are estimated at
So, 52SoOO, leaving an estimated deficiency of
81 l;fi,n a tb. ,or,,.,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,;,,;o,
The present iusurrection shows, think. that
the extension of the district across the Potomac
River at the time of establishing the Capitol here
was cmlnrntly wise, and consequently that the re-
lippuishmrut of tbat portiou of h WHICH ,,s Win
lin tb, St,t. of Virripi, ,,,. ,p,si.,. ami J,n,,.
ro,t. s,b,,it f,, ,,t,. .,,,,. ~; i,,,,;r d. 80,
dieucv of r.clonino that mart of tbc 1i.trct snl
- ill., .,.....,,;,.' c &C. ...; f A.
,Gr,n ,.,,t;,t;,r' Nh, t W..
Tbe rcnort inf the Secrct,,.,. nf tb. I1,.rio,
with the accompan,in, dorYinonts oxbih;t tbc
condition of tl. seyrrJ br,,rI.s ~ tL.. ,,,rI;
bu.iness port,ipipe, IN tb,t D,.r,r,,,,.,,,
mo drnr.ssin,, ;,1r.,,,. ~ ill.,, ;.,rr.,,;
has bnen ,,,oc;9l f.lt d, ,i, ,,,,,r,,i,,s IS H..
Patent and General Land otB.,s ,Tbo .,.b r,
cents from, tho sslr. nj rlii.. l,rds ,;no- ,t,
mast wear have .xcea,.d tb, ,.,,,coses f o,, l,,,i
sy.tc,n orl, about t,, L,lr.J ,t,,.a,,l ILL
1lr .olcs bov, hoo, c,,;rol,, s,,.,,,,i,d T., a..
-.s.,,,,l..,, ST.. ,Iti IT, .'l ~" ''' .i'0
b,,.;r,.s ~ tho ca,,,+ AL h. i;t..:.. -
l,r,,, ,pr,b.rs of mo-, f,n l,t, -. 80, H..
vire b,vo obstr,,r,,5 ...,tl.,,,..a, =; ,i,a! -
So. a,.I ,I,:,' ~. '"o "e"
Tlo r.c,.i,ts af H.. p,t..,., oiE, ~ H.: 4
IL, ,,;r.,. ,,,,,ii+ls -, .iin oon -
,i,,c,;,,, - 60, ,i i''''''I. ~ '~'
IL s.If-s,,s+,;,,;
,Tho J.nanJs ,,,e,, ,t.o p...;.. ON, f,
lor,cl, Increased Ia, th, ;,s,i' ",'. ~,
apnlcatons for pefsio,,. ba.rd upon do se,,-,l
ties OF the existing war, have already been made
There is reason to believe that many who are nov
. upon the pension roll and I'm RECENT of tbc boun
d ty of the Government, are ia the ranks Of the in
g surgent army or giving Thorn ala aud comfort
1T The Secretary Of the Interior has directed .
% suspension of the paymcut of the pensions of sucl
persons upon proof OF their diso,alty. / recon
mend that Congress authorize that officer 90 caus,
the names of such persons 90 Doe striker from th,
u pension roll
IL The relations of the government with the Indi
IL an Tribes have been greatly disturbed by the in
e surrccton, especially in the southern supcrinten
dency and in that OF New MeNico The India
'' country south of Kansas is in possession OF th,
70 nsurgent, from Texas and Arkansas. The agent
re of the United States appointed since the Ali %
p March for the Superintcndcncy have been unahl,
a. TO reach their posts, while the most of those win,
y, were in office before that time have espoused The
!" insuTecuonary cause, and assume 90 exercise tn,
IL powers OF agents 10y virtue Of the commission
u irom the insnuecuonists,
vi 1t has been stated in the public press that por
= ton OF these Indians have been organized as
military force and are attached TO the army of thu
4, insurgents Although the Government has ni