Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-01-23
Pay of the Soldiers Message of the
President.

The following message was seut to Congress
hy the President. uu Monday -
~ The Senate and House Of Rpreseatit,pess
have signed the joint resolution to provide
Tor the immediate payment OF the army and navy
IT the United S.Ates, passed by the House OF
Representatives gu the l4th aud by the Senate
on the 10th instant.
The joint resolution is a simple suthorty,
amounting, however. under existing circumsian
c,s. to direction to the Secretary of the Trea,
sury t. make an additional i-sue of one hundred
millions OF dollars in United States notes, II 81
much money is needed for the payment Of the
army aud navy. My approval is gwen in order
that every possible facility may be afforded for
,ue prompt discharge Of all arrears II pay due to
our soldiers aud nur sailors.
While giving this approval, however, think
IT my duty 10 express my sincere regret tatt il
has been found necessary to authorize 50 large
All additional issue OF United States notes, When
tue circulation, aud that Of the suspended banks
/ together, have become already so redundant Hs
to increase prices beyond real value. thereby
augmentipg the cost Of living TO the injury ct
lauor aud the cost Of supplies 10 the injury Of the
whole c .unty.
II seems very plain that continued issues Of
United States noiss, Nitbu-t Hhy check t1 the
issues Of suspended banks, and without adequate
provision for funding The issues, 80 as to Ike, ~
ihem within due limits, must soon produce dir,
Hstr0us consequences Aud this matter appears
to me so important that feel bound u avail
myself OF this occasion to ask the special atten
ton Of Congress to Il. That Congress has p iwer
to regulate the currency Of the country can hard
/ ~ admit Of doubt, and that a judicious measure
/ to prevent the deterioration OF the currency by
reasonable taxation Of bank crcu atinu or other
( wise, s needed deems equally clear. lniepen
dent Of this general c nsidtraion, it would be
uuju't to the people at large to except banks
enjoying the special privilege of circulation from
tlrlr jus, proportion Of the public burdens.
ln order to raise money by way Of loans most
ei=y ami cheaply, it is clenrly necessary 10 give
every possible support to the public credit To
hat end Uniform currency in which taxes,
subscriptions u loans and all other ordinary
/ puhhc dues may be paid. ia almost il not quite,
indispensable Saea a currency cln be furnish
ed hy banking associations. authorized under q
general act Of Congress, NJ suggested in my mes
-age at the beginning Of the prcseLt session 49,
( The securing cf this cir .ulalon by the pledge Of
United States bonda. AZ therein suggested would
still :urther facilitate loans, by Increasing the
present ani causing future demand for such
/ b,nds
/ lr view Of the actual financial embarrassmeuts
ol the Government, aud OF the greater embar-
easements sure to come if the necessary means
N relief he not Afforded, feel that should not
perform my duty by a simple announcement Of
NY approval Of the joint resolution, without ex-
pressing my earnest desire that measures, such
IN suhst .uce as those have just referred to may
receive the early sanction of Congress-
By such measures, in my opinion, will pay q.
ment he most certainly secured, not only to the
army aud navy hut to all honest creditors of the
Government, and satisfactory provisions made
for future demands on the Treasury.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
JANUARY IL 1868.