Year: 1861

dred mIlllOnS-uue, IN large part, 10 citlfeHs


who are even now making great sacrifices in


the discharge of their patriotic duty in sup


porting the Government. Under these cir


cumstances, have been urgently entreated


to establish, by military power, Courts, and


administer summary justice in such cases.


have thus far declined to do it, not because


had any doubt but the end proposed-the


collection of debts-was just and right in it.


self, but because have been unwilling to GO


beyond the presence ofnecessity in the casual


exercise of power. But the powers of Con-


gress, it is supposed, are equal to the anoma-


lous occasion, and therefore refer the whole


matter to Congress, with a hope that plan


may be devised for the administration ofjus-


tice in all such parts of the insurgent States


and Territories as may be under the control
of this Government. whether by voluntary
return to allegiance and order, or by the
power Of our arms. 1t should not, however,


be permanent institution, but temporary
substitute, to leave as soon as the ordinary
Courts can be re-established in peace.


1t is important that some more convenient
means should be provided if possible, for the
adjustment of claims against the Govern
ment, in view of their increased number by
reason of the war. 1t is as much the duty of
the Government to render prompt justice
against itself, in favor of citizens, as it is to
administer the same between private indi-
viduals The investigation and adjudication
of all claims, in their nature, belong to the
judicial Department; besides, it is apparent
that the attention of Congress will be more
than usually engaged for some time to come
with great national questions. 1t was in
tended, by the organization of the Court of
e., +b,c hrop Of b,,
sness from the halls of Congress, but while
the Court has proved to be an efficient and
valuable means of investigation, it in gen
eral degree fails to effect the object of its ere
alton, for want of power to make make its
judgments final Fully aware of the deliea
CIV. not to say the danger Of the subject, |
commend to your careful consideration whe
ther this power of making judgments
final may not be properly given to the Court,
reserving the right of appeal, on questions of
law. to the Supreme Court, with such other
provisions as experience may have shown to
be necessary.


Concerning the contraband'' question,
his views are as follows:


At your late session joint resolution was
adopted authorizing the President to take
measures for facilitating proper represent
alton at the Exhibition of Industry of all
Nations, to be held in London in the year
1862. regret to have been unable to give
personal attention to this subject, so intri-
cately connected with the material prosperi-
ty of the world Through the Secretary of
State and of the Interior, a plan or system
has been devised and partly matured which
will be laid before you.


BY virtue of an act Of Congress, entitled
can Act to confscate property used for in
surrectionary purposes, approved August 6,
1861 the claims Of certain persons to labor
and service have become forfeited, and num-
bers of the latter thus liberated are already
dependent on the United States, and must be
provided for in some way. Besides this, it
is now possible that some of the slave States
will pass similar enactments for their own
benefit, by the operation Of which persons of
the same class will be thrown upon them for
their disposal In that case, | recommend
that Congress provide for accepting such per-
sons from such States, according to some
mode of valuation, in lieu of pro rata of di-
rect taxes, or upon some other plan to be
agreed on with such States respectively; that
such persons, on such acceptance by the
General Government, be at once deemed free.
and that, in any event, steps be taken for
colonizing both classes, or the one first men,
toned, if the other should not be brought in
to existence, at some place or places in a eli
mate co... genial to them. 1t might be well to
consider, too, whether the free colored people
already in the United States could not. so far
as individuals may desire, be included IN
such colonization. To carry out the plan OF
colonization may involve the acquisition OF
territory, and, also, an appropriation of mo


IL lxa la1 in ha for
torial acquisition Having practised the ac-
ouisition of territory for nearly fifty years.
the question of constitutional power to do so
is no longer an optional one with us. The
power was Justly inangurated by Mr.. JEFF
ferson. who. however, in the purchase of
Louisiana. yielded his scruples on the plea of
the great expediency. If 1t be said that the
legitimate object of the acquisition of terz1to-
nv is to furnish homes for the white man,
this measure effects that object, for the emf
grafton of the colored men leaves additional
room for white men remaining or coming
here. Mr.. jefferson, however, placed the
Importance of procuring Louisiana more on
political and commercial grounds than on
providing room for population. On the whole
including the appropriation of
money with the acquisition of territory, does
not the expediency amount to absolute me-
cessity, without which Government cannot
be perpetual?


In considering the policy to be adopted for
the insurrection. have been
anxious and careful that the inevitable con-
flict for this purpose shall not degenerate in
to violent, remorseless, revolutionary strug-
gle. | have, therefore, thought proper to
keep the integrity of the Union prominent as
the primary object of the contest on onr part.
leaving all questions which are not of vital
importance to the more deliberate action of
the Legislature. In the exercise of my best
discretion have adhered to blockade of the
ports held by the insurgents. instead of put
ting in force by proclamation the law of Con
gress. enacted at the late session, for closing
the ports. also oheying the dictates of prece-
dent as well as the obligation of law. In
stead of transcending. | have adhered to the
Act of Congress to confscate property used
for insurrectionary purposes. If a new law
upon the same subject shall be proposed. it
will be duly considered. The Union must be
preserved- and hence all deiensible means be
emploved. We should not be in haste to
determine what radical and extreme meas
ures, which may reach the loyal as well as
the disloval, are Indispensable. The inaug
uraI address at the beginning of my admin
istration. and the message to Congress at the
80 enac;aI session were both mainly devoted