Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-07-16
Message of the President.

In reply 10 a resolution eff the Senate, the
President Yesterday sent in to that body the
orders, correspondence, 6c., with military
com mdnders, &c, &c, and the War Depart
ment estimates regarding The amount necessary
10 carry ont the recoDstr uction measures.
n ansWe 10 that portion OF the resolution
which inquiries whether the sums of money
heretofore appropriated for carrying these acts
INTO erect is probably sufficient, the President
refers TO an accompanying report OF the Sec
rotary OF War, and says IL will be seen
from that report that the appropriation of
S3t0OO0, made in the act approved March 80
lew, LOT the purpose OF carrying into effect
the act 10 provide for the more eff Gent gov
eminent OF the rebel States passed March 3
1867, and the act suppeme n tary tn hereto pas Led
March %, 1867. has alread y been expended by
the commanders of the several military
districts, and that, in addition, the sum OF
Si64S,277 is required for present purposes
tisexceedingly difficult at the present time TO
into full effect The two acts of March last and
the bill which passed the two houses of Con.
gress on the 18th. II the existing governments
OF Ten States OF this Union are to be deposed,
ana the entire machinery is to be placed under
the exclusive control and authority OF the re.
spectyS distinct commanders. all the expendi.
lures incident 10 the administration Of such
governments must necessarily be Incurred by
the Federal Government Ii Is believed that
IN addition 10 the two millions one hundred
thousand dollars already expended or esti-
mated Tor, the sums which would be required
Tor the purpose would not be less than ga.
GU, the amount expended prior 10 the re.
belilon IN the ADMIN lstratIon Of their respect
I've governments by the zen Staies embraced
IN the provisions OF these acts. This sum would
40 doubt be considerably augmented il the
machinery OF these States Is 10 be operated by
the Federal Cover nment, and would be large
~ increased II the United States, by abolish
ing the existing State governments, should be.
come responsible for liabilities incurred
oy them before the rebellion in laudabIe
enorts TO develop their resources, and IN no
Wise created for lnsurreetionary or reyoiu.
uonary purposes. The debts OF these States
thus legttimately incurred when accurately
ascertatned. will, il is believe approximate
SlV ,0t0 eoO, and they are held not only by our
own Citizens, among whom are residents OF
he portion OF the country which has ever re-
NAMED loyal 10, the Union, but by persons
who are the subjects Of foreign governments.
III is worthy the consideration OF Copgreas
and the country whether, II the Federal Gov
ernmenf BY its action. were 10 assume sueh
obligation, SC large an addition to our puhiIc
expenditures would not seriously impair me
credit OF the nation: or. on the other hand
whether the refusal Of Congress to enaran sea
the payment Of the debts Of these States. ,,tsr
having displaced or abolished these Stare
governments It would not be viewed as
violation OF gosd faith and q repudiation nv
toe national legislature OF liabilities which
these States had justly and legally incurred. y