East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MEssaGE.

God for unusual good health aud most abundant
harvcsts. You Will not be surprised to learn
that, in the peculiar cxigcncics Of the times, our
intercourse with foreign nations have been at
tended with profound solicitudc, chiefly turning
upon our own domestic affairs. 4 disloyal por-
ton Of the American people have, during the
whole year, been engaged in an attempt to di-
vide and destroy the Union. 4 nation which
endure factions aud domestic divisions, is ex-
posed to disrespcct abroad and one party or
both is sure sooner or later ~ invoke foreign
Intervention. Nations thus tempted to inter
fere are not always able to resist the counsols
OF seeming cxpedency and ungencrous ambi.
ton, although measures adopted under such in
Au,nccs seldom fail to be unfortunate aud
injurious to those adopting them The disloyal
citizens of the United States who have offered
the ruin of our country in reward for the aid
and comfort which they have invoked abroad,
have received less patronage and encourage
ment than they probably expected. If it were
just to suppose, as the insurgents have seemed
TO assume, that foreign nations in this case, dis
regarding all moral, social and treaty obliga-
tons, would act solely and selfshly for the most
speedy restoration of commerce - including
specially the acquisition of cotton-those ma
tons appear as yet not to have seen their way
to their object more directly or clearly through
the destruction than through the preservation
of the Union If we could dare to believe that
foreign nations are actuated by no higher prin-
ciples than this am quite sure a second argu-
ment could be made to show them that they
could reach their aim more readily and easily
by aiding to crush this rebellion than by giving
encouragement to it. The principal lever relied
on by the exciting of foreign nations to hos
tility against us, as already minated is the
embarrassment of commerce. Those nations
however, not improbably, saw from the first that
it was the Union which made as well our for
cgn as our domestic commerce. They can
scarcely fail to perceive that the effort for dis
union produces the existing difficulty, and that
one strong nation promises more durable peace
and more extensive, valuable and reliable
commerce than can the same nation broken into
hostile fragments. 1t is not my purpose to re-
view our discussions with foreign States, be.
cause, whatever might be their wishes or dspo-
sltions the integrity of our country and the
stability of our government mainly depends not
upon them but upon the loyalty, patriotism,
virtue and intelligence of the American people
The correspondence itself, with the usual rescrv-
ations, is herewith submitted and | venture TO
hope it will appear that we have practiced pru-
dcnco and libcrality towards foreign powers,
averting causes Of irritation, and with firmness
maintaining our own rights and honor
Since, however, it is apparent that here, as in
every other State, foreign dangers necessarily
attend domestic difficulties | recommend that
adequate and ample measures be adopted for
maintaining the public dcfenses on every side.
While under this general recommendation pro-
vision for defending our coast line readily occurs
to the mind. | also, IN the same connection,
ask the attention of Congress to our great lakes
and rivers. Ii is believed that some fortfca-
tions and depots of arms aud munitions, with
harbor and navigation improvements, at well
selected points upon the, wodi,,, 11e g grea:
Importance to ,;o o,,@ "a defGgso o"@ ':~'-
ot;a. "aA attention TO the views OF the Sec.
rotary of War, expressed IN his report upon the
same general sGoject.
deem 1t 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 railroad 1
therefore recommend as military measure, that
Congress provide for the construction of such n
road as speedily as possible. Kentucky will no
doubt cooperate and through her Legislature
make the most judicous selection of the line.
The northern terminus must connect with some
existing railroad, and whether the route shall be
from Lexington or Nieholasvile to Cumberland
Gap, or from Lebanon to the Tennessee line in
the direction of Knoxville, or some still differ
ent line, can easily be determined Kentucky
and the General Government cooperating. the
work can be completed in very short time
and when done, It will be not only of vast pres.
cnt usefulness, but also an available permanent
Improvement, worth its cost in all the future
Some treaties, designed chiefly for the inte-
rests Of commerce, and having no grave polit
teal Importance have been negotiated, and will
be submitted to the Senate for their considera.
ton. Although we have failed to induce some
of the commercial powers TO adopt desirable |
moderation for the rigor of maratime war, we
have far removed all the obstacles from the way
OF their humane reform, except such as are
merely OF temporary aud accidental occurrence
invite your attention to the correspondence
between her Britannia Majesty's Minister ac.
credited to this Government, and the Secretary
OF State, relative to the detention of the British
ship Perthshire, in june last, by the IT, S.
steamer Massachusetts,, for a supposed breach
of the blockade. As this detention was oc-
casioned by an obvious msapprehension of the
facts, and as justice requires that we should
commit no belligerent act, not founded in strict
right, as sanctioned by public law, recommend
that an appropriation be made to satisfy the
reasonable demand of the owners of the vessel
for her detention .
| repeat the recommendation of my prcde.
cessor, in his annual message to Congress in
December last, in regard to the disposition of {
the surplus which will probably remain after i
satisfying the claims of American citizens I
against China, pursuant TO the awards of the
Commissioners under the act of the 3D. of =
March, 1859 If however, it should not be :
deemed advisable to carry that recommendation !
into effect, | would suggest that authority be s
given for investing the principal. over the sur.
plus referred TO In GOOD se,-,r;,;o I'll -: