Year: 1861

Felt0N Cttt2cnS 81 inc ocH0e


and House of Representatives.: /:


In the midst of unprecedented political
troubles, we have cause OF great gratitude to
God for unusual good health and most abun-
dant harvests. You will not be surprised to
learn that in the peculiar eXigences OF the
times our intercourse with foreign nations
has been attended with profound solicitudc,
chiefly turning upon our own domestic affairs.
A disloval portion of the American people
have, during the whole year been engaged in
an attempt TO dissolve and destroy the Union.
A nation which endures factions and domestic
divisions is exposed to disrespect abroad, and
one party or both, is sure, sooner or later,
TO invoke foreign Intervention. Nations thus
tempted to interfere are not always able TO
resist the councils of seeming expediency ant
ungenerous ambition. Although measures
adopted under such influences seldom fail to
be unfortunate and injurious to those adopt
ing them the disloyal citizens of the United
States who have effected the ruin OF our coun-
try in reward for the aid and comfort which
they have invoked abroad, have received less
patronage and encouragement than they prob
ably expected. If were just to suppose, as
the insurgents have SO, ,med to assume that
foreign nations in this case disregarding all
moral, social and treaty obligations, would
act solely and selfshly for the most speedy
restoration of commerce, including, especially
the acquisition of cotton. Those nations ap-
pear not yet to have seen their way to their
object more directly or clearly through the de-
struction than through the preservation Of the
Union.


If we could dare 10 believe that foreign ne
tions are actua'cd by no higher principle
than this, am quite sure second argument
could be made TO show them that they could
reach their aim more readily and easily by
aiding to crush this rebellion, than by giving
encouragement to the principal lever relied
on by the exciting of foreign nations 10 hos
tilty against US, as already intimated is the
EN- Embarrassment of commerce Those natlonS
however, not improbably saw from the first
that it was the Union which made, as well our
foreign as onr domestic commerce, they can
scarcely fail to perceive that the effort for dis
union produces the existing difficulty, and that
one strong nation promises more durable peace
and more extensive, valuable and reliable
commerce than can the same nation, broken
into hostile fragments.


1t is not my purpose to review our discus
sion with foreign States, because, whatever
might be their wishes or dispositions, the in
tegrity of our country and the stability of
our Government mainly depends not upon
them, but upon the loyalty, patriotism, vir-
tue and intelligence of the American people
The correspondence itself with the usual les
ervations is herewith su omitted. venture to
hope it will appear that we have practical
prudence and liberalty towards foreign pow
ers, averting causes of irritation, and with
firmness maintaining our own rights ana
honor. Since, however, it is apparent that
here, as in every other State, foreign dangers
necessarily attend domestic difficulties, re-
commend that adequate and ample mea-
sures be adopted for, maintaining the public
defences on every side While under this gen.
eraI recommendation, provision for defending
our coast line readily occur to the mind. l
also, in the same connection, ask the attention
of Congress to our great lakes and rivers.
1t is believed that some Notifications and de-
pots of arms aud ammnnitions, with haroor
and navigation improvements at well selected
points upon these, would be of Importance to
the national defence and preservation. ! ask
attention to the views of the Secretary of
War, expressed in his report upon the same
general subject. deem it of Importance that
the loyal regions of Fast Tennessee and West
ern North Carolina should be connected with
Kentucky and other faithful parts of the u
nion by railroads.


I therefore recommend, as n military mea-
sure, that Congress provide for the construc-
ton of such road as speedily as possible
Kentuckywil no doubt co-operate,and through
her Legislature make the most judicious selec-
tion of the line. The Northern terminus must
connect with some existing railroad, and
whether the route shall be from Lexington or
Nicholasville to Cumberland Gap, or from
Lebanon to the Tennessee line IN the direction
of Knoxville or some still different line, can
easily be, determined. Kentucky and the
General Government cooperating, the work
can he completed in very short time, and
when done, it will not only be of vast present
usefulness, but also an available permanent
improvement worth its cost in all the future.
Some treaties designed chiefly for the interests
of commerce, and having no grave political
Importance, have been negotiated, and will be