Year: 1864




Congress met to-day pursuant to adjournment,
and the message from the President was received
and read. 1t begins wnh q 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 subjugation.


We have recovered 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 bafhed. 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 a 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 Atlants, IS unable to secure any ulti
mate advantage from this success. Had We been
compelled to eyactuate Richmond as well as Allan
ia, the Confederacy would have remained as defiant
as ever. No military success of the enemy
compliSh the destruction of the Confederacy, nor
the enemy from Constant drain of blood and
treasure which must continue until he shall discov
er no peace attanabie unless based ON the recogni
tiou of our indeeasiolc rights


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


Peace is Impossible without independence and it
is not to be expected that the enemy will anticipate
neutrals in the recognition of that independence


The total amount of the public debt, on the first
of ober, 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 cf 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 OF
professions is unwise and indefensule in theory
Discretion should be vested in the military author
tiles, that sufficient number of those essential
to the public service might be detailed to continue
to exercise their pursuits or professions but ex-
emption from service of entire classes should be
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





allowed TO provide necessary comforts to its citizens
held captive by the other The subject of employ
lng negroes in the army is discussed at some length
| The President dssents from those who advise
general levy and arming of slaves for the duty of
soldiers but recommends the employment Of forty
thousand to te employed as pioneer and engineer
ahorers, in addition to duties heretofore performed
He favors the acquisition for public service of the
right of property i'll the labor of the slave, govern
| ment engaging ta llberate the negro on his dis
charge, after Service faithfully rendered


The President closes by reiterat,ng the willing
ness of this government to negotiate for peace
Peace is manifestly impossible unless desired by
! both parties to this war, aud disposition for it
among our enemies will be best and most certainly
evoked the demonstration part of ability and
mistaken determination 10 defend our rights Let
US then, resolute!y continue to devote our united,
unimpaired energies to the defence of our homes,
our lives and our liberties. This is the true path
to peace. Let US tread it with confidence in the
| assured result,