Year: 1861

of the Legislature. In The exercise
Of my best discretion, | have adhered 10
the blockade of the ports held by the in
surgents, instead of putting in force by
proclamation the law Of Congress enact
ed at the late session for closing these
ports, also obeying the dictates of pru-
dence as well as the obligation Of law
Instead OF transcending, l have adhered
TO the act of Congress TO confiscate prop
erty used for insurrectionary purposes
If new law upon the same snbject shall
be proposed its propriety will be duly con-
sidered. The union must be preserved,
and hence all dispensable means must be
employed. We should not be in haste
to determine what radical and extreme
measures, which may reach the loyal rs
well as the disloyal, are indispensable.


The inaugural address at the beginning
of the administration, and the message
to Congress at the late special session,
were both mainly devoted to tho domes-
tic controversy out of which the insurrec-
ton and consequent war have sprung
Nothing now occurs to add or subtract TO
or from the principles or general purposes
stated and expressed in those documents.


The last ray Of hope for preserving the
Union peaceably expired at the assault
upon Fort Sumter, and general review
of what has occurred since may not be
Improbable. What was painfully un-
certain then, is much better defined and
more distinct now, and the progress of
events is plainly in the right dircction.-
The insurgents confidently claimed a
strong support from north of Mason's and
Dixon's line, and the friends of the Un-
ion were not free from apprehension on
this point. This, however, was soon set
tied definitely and on the right side
South of the line, noble little Delaware
led off right from the first. Maryland
was made to seem against the Union
Our soldiers were assaulted, bridges were
burned, and railroads torn up within her
limits, and we were many days at one
time, without the ability to bring sin
gle regiment over her soil to the Capital.
Now her bridges and railroads are repair
ed and opened to the government. She
already gives seven regiments TO the cause
Of the Union, and none to the enemy,
and her people at a regular election have
sustained the Union by large majority,
and larger aggregate vote than they ev-
er before gave 10 any candidate on any
question. Kentucky, too, for some time
in doubt, is now decidedly, and | think
unchangeably, ranged on the side Of the
Union. Missouri is comparatively quiet,
and | believe cannot again bo overrun by
the insurgents. These three States Of
Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, nci-
ther of which would promise single sol
dier at frst have now an aggregate of
not less than 10000 in the field for the
Union.


After somewhat bloody struggle for
months, winter closes on the Union peo-
pie of Western Virginia leaving them
masters of their own country.


An insurgent force of about $4,000 for
months dominating the narrow peninsular
region constituting the counties Of Acco-
mac and Northampton, and known as the
Eastern Shore Of Virginia, together with
some contiguous parts Of Maryland, have
laid down their arms, and the people there
have renewed their allegiance to and ac-
cepted the protection Of the old flag
This leaves no armed insurrection north
of the Potomac or cast Of the Chesa-
poake bay.


Also we have obtained footing at each
of tho isolated points on the southern
coasts of Hatteras, Port Royal, Tybee
Island, near Savannah, and Ship Island,
and wo likewise have some general nc
counts Of popular movements in behalf OF
tho Union in North Carolina and Tenn
essee. These things demonstrate that tho
cause of the Union is advancing steadily
southwark.


Since your last adjournment Lieuten-
ant General Scott has retired from the
head of the army. During his long life
the nation has not been unmindful of his
merit, yet on calling to mind how faith
fully, ably and brilliantly he has served
the country for time far back in our his
tory, when few of the now living had
been born and thence forward continual
ly, cannot but think that We are still his
debtor / submit, therefore, for your con-
sideration, what further mark of recog-
milton is due to him aud ourselves rs a
grateful people.


With the retirement of General Scott
came the executive duty Of appointing in
his stead a General.in- Chief of the army.
1t is a fortunate circumstance that nei-
thcr in council nor country was there, so
far as / know, any difference of opinion
MS TO the person to be selected. The re-
firing chief repeatedly expressed his judg-
ment in favor of Gen. Mcclellan for the
position, and in this the nation seemed to
give a unanimous concurrence. The des-
ignation Of Mcclellan is, therefore, in
considerable degree the selection of the
country rs well as of the Executive, and
hence there is better reason to hope there
will bo given him the confidence and sup
49,, H. H., e.. ,rornica1