The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Ftlor-ciii:ens Of The Senate and House Q
Representatives.:

Representatives,:
In the midst of unprecedented. political
troubles, We have great cause of gratitude to
God for unusual good health and most album
dant haryests. You will not be surprised to
learn that, in the peculiar exigencies Of the
times, our intercourse with foreign nations
has been attended with profound solicitude,
chiefly turning upon our own domestic affairs.
A disloyal portion Of the American people
have, during the whole year, been engaged
in an attempt to divide and destroy the I'm
ion. A nation which endures factions and
domestic divisions, is exposed to disrespcct
abroad. and one party, If not both, are sure
soOner OF later, to invoke foreign interyen-
ton. Nations thus tempted to interfere are
not always able to resist the counsels OF SEEM
ing expediency and unscnerous ambition, al
though measures adopted under such intluen-
Gus to those adopting them.
The disloyal citizens OF the United. States
who have offered the ruin Of our country in
return for the aid and comfort which they
have invoked abroad, have received less pat
ronage and encouragement than they prOba-
bly, expected. If il were Just To suppose, as
the insurgents have seemed to assume, that
foreign nations in this case, discarding all
moral. social and treaty obligation, would
act solely and scl6shly for the most speedy
restoration OF commerce, including especially
the acquisition OF cotton. those nations appear
rs yet not to have seen their way tn their OBJ
ject more directly or clearly through the
destruction than through the preservation
Of the Union. IL we could dare to be-
lieye that foreign nations are actuated
by no higher principles than this, | am
quite sure n second argument could be made
to show them that they can reach their aim
more readily and easily by aiding to crush
this rebellion, than by giving encouragement
toit.
The principal lever relied upon by the in
surgenis for exciting foreign nations To hos
tility against Us, rs already intimated, is the
embarrassmento commerce. Those nations,
however, il is not improbable, saw from the
first that il was the Union that made as we'll
our foreign rs our domestic commerce. They
can scarcely have failed to perceive that the
effort for dsunion produces the existing diff
culties. and that one strong nation promises
more durable peace, and more extensive and
ItlllUlt tOlllUltINts llllI lllt hdbiOu
broken into hostile fragments.
II is my purpose TO review our discussions
with foreign states, because whatever might
be their wishes or dispositions, the integrity
Of our country and the stability of our Gov
crnmcnt depend not upon them, but upon the
loyalty. virtue, patriotism and intelligence
Of the American people. The correspond
cnee itself, with the usual reservations, is
herewith transmitted. venture to hope it
will appear that we have practiced prudence
and liberlity towards foreign powers, avert
ing causes OF irritation. and with frmness
maintaining our own rights and honor.
Since, however, it is apparent that here,
rs in every other State, foreign dangers ne
ccsSarily attend domestic difficulties, recon-
mend that adequate and ample measures be
adopted for maintaining thspublic defences
ON every side. while under this general rec
ommendation provision for defending our
coast line readily occurs to the mind. al
80, in the same connection, ask the attention
Of Congress TO our great lakes and rivers
Ii is believed that some notifications, with
harbor and navigation improvements, n, we'll
selected points, would be Of great impor-
lance to the national defence and preserya-
ton. | ask attention 10 the views OF the
Secretaryof War, expressed in his report up
on the same general subject.
deem it Of Importance that the loyal re-
gions Of East Tennessee and Western North
Carolina should he connected with Kentucky
and other faithful parts Of the Union by
railroad. | therefore recommend. us n mill
tary measure, that Congress provide for the
construction Of such road rs speedily as
possible. Kentucky will no doubt cooperate,
and through her Legislature make the most
iudicious selection Of line. The Northern
business must connect with some existing
railroad, and whether the route shall be from
lexington OF Nicholsville TO the Cumberland
Gan, or from Lebanon TO the Tennessee line,
in the direction Of Knoxville, or in some still
different line, can easily be determined
Kentucky and the General Government CO.
operating, the work can be completed in
very short time, and when done. It will be
not only of vast present usefulness, but also
a valuable permanent Improvement worth Its
cost in all the future.
Some treaties designed chiefly for the inter
ests Of commerce. and having no grave polit.
zeal importance. have been negotiated, and
will be submitted to the Senate for their con-
sidention.
Although we have failed tn induce some OF
the commercial powers to adopt desirable
meiioration Of the rigor OF maritime war.we
have removed all distractions from the way Of
,h's humane reform except such rs are mere
" OF temporary character. and repeat the
Recommendation Of my predecessor. in his
annual message to Congress in December
l.st' IN regard TO the disposition Of the sur
ptas which will probably remain. after satis-
lying the claims Of American citizens against