Year: 1864


and the message from the President was received
and read. II begins with review of the military
operations since the adjournment of Congress in
June, and recognizes the protection of Providence
in enabling successfully to withstand the utmost
efforts of the enemy for our subjugaton.


We have r. covered Texas from the enemy, and
Arkansas with the exception of few fortified
posts nearly the whole of Northern and Western
Mississippi Northern Alabama and Western Ten
nessee are again in our possession. All attempts
to penetrate from the coast have been battcd. In
Southwestern Virginia successive armies have been
routed. portion Of Eastern Tennessee has been
re conquered by our troops.


The enemy'S main army, after series Of defeats
and constant repulse of repeated assaults is still
engaged IN an effort to capture Petersburg The
army of Sherman having succeeded in obtaining
possession of Atlanta, unable to secure any uti-
mate advantage from this success. Had we been
compelled to evacluate Richmond as well as Allan
ia, the COnfederacy would have remained as defiant
as ever. No military success of the enemy can ac-
coDpliSh the destruction Of the Confederacy, nor
save the enemy from canstant drain of blood and
treasure which must continue until he shall discov
peace attainable unless based on the recogni-
tou Of our indefeasiblc rights.


No change in the conduct of foreign affairs can
be announced. The recognition of our indepen.
dence is withheld from US on the assumption that
recognition would be Valueless without Intervention.
We wish no intervention We know ourselves full
ly competent to maintain our rights and indepen-
dence.


Peace is impossible without independence. and it
is not to he expected that tie enemy will anticipate
neutrals in the recognition of that independence.


The total amount of the public debt, on the first
OF OctOb Der, was eleven hundred and twenty six
millions of dollars. No additional appropriations
are requ ired for meeting the, needs of the public
service up to the first of July, as the unexpended
appropriations exceed the estimates for that time.


The Secretary of the Treasury recommends that
the faith of the government be pledged that notes
Shall ever remain exempt from taxation; that no
issue be made beyond that already authorized and
that portion Of the receipts from taxation and the
tax in kind be pledged to the gradual redemption
OF the entire circulation.


Referring to the report Of the Secretary of War,
the President says the exemption from military
duty OF persons in certain specified pursuits or
professions is unwise and indefensiOe in theory
Discretion should be vested in the military author
ltleS that sufficient number of those essential
to the public service might be detailed to continue
to exercise their pursuits professions, but ex-
emptlOn from service of entire classes should he
wholly abandoned.


Various recommendations of the Secretary of
War are referred to and approved among which is
the reorganization and consolidation of reduced
regiments. In regard to prisoners of war, the
President says, each government will hereafter be
allowed to provide necessary comforts to its citizens
held captive by the other. The subject of employ.
ing negroes in the army is discussed at some length.
The President diSSentS from those who advise
general levy and armng of slaves for the duty of
soldiers, but recommends the employment Of forty
thousand to be employed as pioneer and engineer
aborers in addition to duties heretofore performed
lie favOrs the acquisition for public service of the
right of property in the labor of the slave govern.
ment engaging to hberate the negro on his dis
charge, after service faithfully rendered


H..
ness of this government to negotiate for peace
Peace is manfestly impossible unless desired by
both parties to this war, and disposition for it
among our enemies will be best and most certainly
evoked the demonstration our part Ufability and
unshaken determination to defend our rights Let
US then, reSOutely continue to devote our united,
unimpaired energies to the defence of homes,
our lives and our liberties. This is the true path
to pence. Let us tread it with confidence in the
assured result