Evening Star Newspaper, December 9, 1863, Page 2

‘THE EVENING ST -WASHINGTON CITY: WEDNESDAY.....DECEMBERB 0, 1583, ord INTC ere) PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE, Fellow-citicens of the Senate ; and House of Representatives : Another year of health, and eu st) abundant harvests, has p: lig cues | and especially for the improved condition of our national affairs, our renewed and Ppro- | foundest gratitude to God is due. H ‘We remain in peace and friendship with foreign powers. ! The efforts of disloyal citizens of the United States to involve us in foreign wars, to aid &n ; Amexcusable insurrection, have’ been unavail- | ing. Her Britannic Majesty’s government, as | was j expected, have exercised their au- thority foprevent the departure of new hos- | tile expeditions from British rts. The Em- Peror of France has, by a like proceeding, Promptly vindicated the neutrality which he , igimed at the beginning of the contest. Questions of great intricaey and importanca Dave arisen ont of the blockade, and other bsi- digerent operauons, between the government and sevir:loftke maritime powers, but they have been discussed, aud, as far as was p)ssi- ble, accommodated in a spirit of frankness, justice, and mutual good will. It is especially gratifyiug that our p iz courts, by the impar- tiality of their adjudications, have commanded the respect and confidence of maritime powers. | The supplemental! treaty between the United States and Greet Britsin ior the suppression of the Alricay slave trade, made on the (7th day of February last, has been duly ratified, aud eatried intoexecution. It is believed that, to faras American ports and Amer.can citizens are concerned, that inbuman and odious trafic bas been brought to an end. . ._1ehall submit, for the consideration of the Senate, a convention for the adjustment of poreestory claims in Washington Territory, arising ont of the treaty of the Isthof Ju ‘46, between the United States and Greit Br: ‘ain, and which have been the source of some disquiet among the citizens of that nuw rapidly improv ug part of the country. Ano aud important question, iavolving the exten’ of mariume jurisdiction ot Sp1in in the waters woich surround the island of Cubs. bus been debited without reaching an agre>- | Ment, And iti proposed, in 2r amicable spirit, a. r- fer itiothearbitramentos a triendly power. A corvention for that purpose will be submit- id fo the Senate. i baye thought it proper, subject te the ap- proval of the Senate, to concur With the inter- ested commercial powers in an arrangement for the tiqnidation of the Scheldt dues upon the principles which have been heretofore adopted in regard to the imposts upon nayiga. ' tion in the waters of Denmark. The lonc-pending controversy between this Sovernment and that of Chili, toaching the reiazure at Siiana, in Peru, by Chilian officers, of a large aountin treasure belongin z t> citi- zens of the United States, has been brought to a close by the award of his Majesty the king of the Relgians, to whose arbitration the qui tion wea referred by the parties. The subject ‘was thoroughly ard patiently examined by that justly respected mavistrate, and althouch | the sum awarded to the claimants may not have been as large 85 they expected, (here is no €on to distrust the wisdom of his Majesty's de- cision. That decision was promptly complied with by Chili, when intelligence in regard wo it reached th.t country. The joint commission, under the act of the | last seesion, for carryingincoetteet the conven. | tion with Pera on the subject of claims, has been organized at Lima, and is engaged in the Dusivess mirusted to it, Difficulties concerning tnter-o--anic transit through Nicaranga srein course of amicable adjustment la conformity with principles set forth in my | last annual meseage, | Rave received a repre- sentative from the United Siates of Colombia, and bave accrediteda minister to hat republic. Incidents occurrmg in the progress of our civil wer have forced upon my attention t uncertain state ot international q uestions,to ing the rights of foreigners in this country and of United States citizens abroad. In regard to +ome governments Were rights areat least par- | wally defined by treaties. In no instance, how- } ever, is it expresel; st pulated thar, intheeven: | of civil war, a foreiguer residing in thisconn- wy, within the lines of the insurgents, is to be «rempted from the rule which classes bim as helligerent, in whose behalf the government ot his country cannot expect any privileges or im- } munities distinct from that character. I regret to say, however that sach claims hava been ' put forward, and in some instances, in bthalf of forcigners who bave lived in the United States the greater part of their lives. re is reason to believe that many persons born in fcreign countries, who haye declared their intention to becume citizens, or who have been fully naturahaed, hays evaded the mili- | tary duty required of them by denying tha fact, and theryby throwing upon the Govern- ment the barden of proof. has been found difficult or impracticable to obtain this proof from the want of guides to the proper sources of information. These might be supplied by requiring clerks of courts, where de-larations of intention may be made or naturalizations effected, to send, periodically, lists of the names of the persons naturalivd, or declaring their intention to t ecome citizene, to the Secre- tary of the Interior, in whose department tho-6 names might be arranged and priated for gen eval informatien. There is glso reason to believe that toretener f equently becom» citizens of th» United States for the sole purpose of evading duties imposed | by the laws of their native comatries,to walsh, | om becoming naturalized here, thay a’ on-e | repair, and though never returning to‘he United Stat-r, they still claim the interposition of this Government as citizens. Manv altercations aud great piejudices have heretofore arisen out of | this abuse. It is, therefore, submitted wo your | serious conrideration. It might ba advisable 10 | fix a limit, beyond which no citizen of the Ur ited States residiug abroad may claim the interposition of his Government. H The right of suffrage has often been assumed and exercised by aliens, under pretences of na- | turalization, which they have disavowed when | drattdinto the military service. I summit the expediency of such aa amendment ot tu jaw a3 will make the fact of voting an estop- ‘Lagainst any plea of exemption trom mili- ry ervive, or other civil obligation oa the ground of alienaze. In common with oihyr western powers, cur Telations with Japan have been brangat into serious jeopardy, through the perverse oppo- sition of the hereditary aristocracy of the em- pire tothe enlightened ant Mberal policy of the Tycoon, designed to bring the country Toto the society of nations. It is hoped, although not with entie confidence, that these difilcul- es may be peacefully overcome. 1 ask your Attention to the clan of the minister residing there for the damages he sustained in the de- strection by fire of the residen-e of the Jega- ticn at Yedo. tietactory arrangements have bean made « Funperor of Russia, which, it is be- lieved, will result in effecting a continuous line of tl-graph through that empire from our Pacific coast. f recernmend to your favorable considera- on the subject of an iateroational telegraph aercse thy utic ccean ; and also s telegraph | between this pital and ths national fori: Along the Atianth: sea-board and the Gulf ot Mexico. Sueb commnanications, established with avy reasoneble outh uld be @cono- : wicnl (swell a5 cfectiy tothe diploms tm Liary, Aud naval service, The consular system of the United States, r the enactinen’s of the last Congress, be- | ins to be seifeor inz; a '@ iS. reason hope that it may becomes entirely so, with 2 jucrease of trace which will ensae when. | ever peace ig restored. Gur ministers abroad have teen tuthful in defending American rizgb’s. In protectiug commercial laterests, var consu)- have necessarity Rad to enconater im reosed leb re @ad Fr 6 Jorsivilities, growing out of the war. ‘These they have, for the most part, met sud dischar; with geal aud effi eeucy. Thisaskoowleigment justly tne <hove consuls who, res ding in Morocco, Ezy pt Terkey, Japan, Chins, and other Oriental | countr e¢, are charged with comp'ex functions Sod extraordinary powers. The condition of the several organized Ter. Titoriee is generally satiafictory, although In- dian disturvances in New Mexico have not been eatt ely suppressed, Ths mineral resoa ces of ( colorado, Ne daho, &sd Aii-ona are proving far ri beer heretofore understood. I lay before y . a & communication on thir eudjest from the gov- sor ot New Mexico. “I asin submit to your expediency of es‘ablishing a ! the encouragement of iminigration. houch this source of national wealth and | (e again towing with greater freedom than ‘cr several years betore the insurrection | ocePred. there is sth be) deficiency of li- | cters ine: 7 lustry, especially in | mines, as well of iron While ee iP, ASSis‘ance cep'bssMorced them. Lt is eas: er the sharp discipline of Yyie const, is beginning & new life. This noble} ds the sid, and ought to receive | tion and euppor! of.tue governmeat. | igameane by i suctict | and approaching completion, are be! } four thoneand at tho present tine, bas been ac- States, we must be prepared to do justice to foreigners. If the existing judicial tribunals are inadequate to this parpose a special court may be authoriz-4, with powrio hear and de- cide euch claims of tac canractee retecred ‘s AS may have arisca ander treaties an pab- Me law Conventions for ag a the jms by joirt commission have ‘Proposed to come government, bul no detinitaye answer to the proposition has zt been réceived :ro: 4 In tha courseof the cession f Ht probably previde in. decrees reetitulion bava been rendered, and damages awarded by admiralty courte; and in other cases, where this government may be acknowl- edged to te liable in principle, and where tae | amount of thet lisdility has been ascertained by an informal arbitration. The proper officers of the treasury have | decmed themselves required, by the law of the United Sta‘es upon the subject, to demand a j tax upon the incomes of foreign consuls in this | country, While sucha may not, in | strictness, bp. In derogation of public law. or perhaps ef any existing treaty between the Uni- | ted States and ® foreign country, the expe- diency of so tar modifying the act ns toexempt | from tax the income of such consuls as are not citizens of the United States, derived froim the | emoluments of their ofilee, or from property not situated in the United States, is submitted | to your serious consideration. 1 make this | sugeeetion upon the ground that a comity | which ought to be reciprocated exempts our conculs, in all other countries, from taxation to the extent thus indicated. The (nited States, I think, ought not to be exceptionably Iliberal to international trade and commerca. The operations of the treasury during the last year bave been kuccessfully conducted. The enactment by Congress of anatioaal bank- ing law has proved # valuable support of the public credit; and the general legislation in re. Tation to loans has fully answered the expac- tations of its favorers. Some amendinents may be required to perfect existing laws: but uo change in their principles or general scope is believed to be need. Since these measnres have been in operation, atl demande on the treasury, including the ; pay of the army and navy, have b-en prompt- ly met and fully satisfied. No cousiderabl> ‘ body of troops, it is believed, were ever more ly provided, xnd more liberally and punc- am, i tually paid; and itmay be added that by no ' people were the burdens fucident to a great | ‘war ever more cheerfally borne. ‘The receipts during the year from all sources, including loans and the balanes in the treasa- Ty at ils commencement, were $901,125,67' and the aggreg:te disbursements $295,794, 650 ¢ leaving a balance on the let July, 1965, of @5, seo, 2. Of the receipts there were derived from the customs $69,059,612 10; from internal revenue, #3740,787 05; from direct tai, SI,- AM5,13 from lands, £167,617 from mis- ceilantons sources, aad fron loans, $776.'52,361 57; making tue aggregate, $01,125,674 66, OF the disbu were for the civil service, @% pensions and Indians, $1 est on public debt, £21,7 Departmen:, $5: for the Navy De. partment. 24 +105 27; tor payment of fund. ed and temporary debt, S1-1,050,695 (77: making the aggregate, S+05,7' 85, and Iravinz the balance of #5,52:,01121. But the paywent of tunded and temporary debt, haying been made from moneys borrowed during the yeir, must be regarded as merely nominal payments, and the moneys borrowed to make them as merely nominal receipts; and their amount, $i'1,055,. 633 U7, should therefore be deducted both from receipts and disbursements. This being done, there remains as actual receipt I 29,059 7 and the actual disbursements, W995 5 ments there 962 OS; for 70; for inter. for the War i leaving the balance as already siatad. Tbe actual receipts and disbursements for the fire! quarter, and the estimated r and dieburrements for ths remaini quarters, of the current fiscal yexr, | beehown in detail by the report of the S retary of the Treasury, to which I mvite your attention It sufficient to say ei is ere that it is not belisved that actuai results Will exhibit a state of the finances less fa- vorable to the country than the estimates | of that cifices heretofore sabmiticd ; while it ls | pfidently expected that at the close of the year both disbursements and debt will be found very considerably fess than bas beeu icipated. ‘The report of the Secretary of nt of greatinterest. It com ‘The military operations of the year, de- tailed in the report of the (Feneral-in-chief. 2. The organization of colored persons into the warservice. | 3. The exchange of prisoners, fully =e: forth in the letter of Geueral Hitchcock. 1. The operation under the act enrolling and calling out the national forces, detailed in tha iepert of the Provost Marshal (teneral. a The orgapization of the Inyslid Corps; BA 6. The operations of the several dapartments of the (Quartermaster General, Commissary General, Paymaster General, Chief of Engi- neers, Ohief of Ordnance, and Surgeon General. It has appeared impossible to make s valua- ble summary of this report except such as would be too extended fer this p!ace, and | hence I content myself by askiog your carefui attention to tbe report itself. The duties devolving on the naval branch of the service during the year, and through- ovt the whole of thie unhappy coutest, haye beon discharged with fidelity and eminent succees, The extensive blockade has bee constantly increasing in efficacy, a3 the navy bss expanded; yet on 20 long’ line it has so far been impcessible to entirely suppress IHcit irade. From returne re elved a. ths Navy | Dejariment it appears that more than one thousand vessels have been captured sines the Diockade was instituted, and that the valine of prizes already sent ia from xdj-tdtcation Amounts to over thirtcen millions of dollurs. The naval force of the United States consists at thiv time of five hundred aad eighty-eight sels, completed a in the course of completion, end of these seveaty-iive are iron- clad er armored steamers. The events of the war gives an increared interest and/import- spcato the navy Vv ch will probably exteud beyond the war itseif. ‘Fhe armored vessels 11 our navy complet andin service, cr which are under coatract | jeved to exceed in number those of any er power, | But while these msy be relied upon for harbor @efence and const service,.others of greater streneth and capac will be necessary for cruising purperes, Anil to maintain our righ!- positicn on the ocean, ‘The change that has taken place in naval vee-els and naval warfire sites the introduc tion of stenm a3 a motive-power for ships-of- war demands cithera corresponding ch:ng: ip some of our existing navy yards,or the establishment of new ones, for the fonéstrac- tion aud nevessary repair of modern naval vessels, No inconsiderable embarrassmout, dco Jay, and pablic injury have heen experiencod from ihe want of such governmental estab- lishments. The necessity of such a navy yard, 80 furnished, at some suitable place npon the Atlantic seaboard, has on repeated occasions been Brongn td the attention of Congress by the Navy ‘partment, and is Azain” presented in the report of the Secretary which accompa- pies this communication. Ethinkitmy duty oinvite your special attention to this subject, and also to that of establishing a yard depot for naval purposes upon one of the wes- teru rivers. A naval force has been created on those interior waters, and under many dis- advantazes, within little more than two years, exceeding in numbers the whol: naval force of ! the couttry at the commencement of the pres- ent admivisiration. Satisfactory and impor- tant as have been Performances ef the heroic men of the navy at this interesting pe- riod, they are scarcely mora wonderful than the success of our mechanics and artisans in the production of war vessels which has cre- uted & new form of naval power. Our conety bas advantages superior to any other nation fn our resources of iron and tim- ber, with imexhanstible quantities of fuel in the immediate vicinity of both, and all ayail- | able and in closeproxumity to navigable waters. j Without the advantage of public worke, the resources of the nation have been developed and ite power displayed in the construction of anavy of such magnitude which has, xt the very period of its creation, rendered signal service tothe Union. The increase of the pumber of seamen in the public service, from seven thousand five hun- dred men, in the spring of 1661, (oabout thirty- 1 complished without special legislation, or ex- traordinary bouaties to promote that increase. It has been found, however, that the operation of the draft, with the high bounties paid for army recruits, is beginning to affect, injurious- ly the naval service, and will, if not corrected, be likely to impair its efficiency, by detaching sesmen from their proper vecation and induc- i army. I therefore res- pectfuily sngges$that Congress might uid both ‘my and naval services by a definite pro- vision on this subject, which would at the same tme be eqaitable to the commanities more 4s. pecia}ly interested. 1 commend to your consideration the sugres- tions of the of the Navy in regard to the policy of and trail eeamen, And also the of officers ee oe naval service. = The Nayal Academy is r ing service in men for ible dnties which. after life w aired Ta order that the ecu! should not be deprived ot acta ‘ef educated officers, for wine cont provision bas been made at the Raval school, the vacancies caused by the ne- Tintes in insurrection have beee: filed vr the Secret of the ‘. More full aoe, = Ting po pe fisoal year cone dition of the oat Oflice Department bas besa one of incréasing prosperity, rad I am grati. ied 10 being able ve state thas the actnal postal da A be of.) that the Fo Sitice self-sustaining tha , War service. ‘revenue'ias nearly equailed the entire expen. ditures;the latter amounting ts $11,311,206.31, and the formef $0 $11,160,753.59, leaving a de- ficiency of but $150,117.25. Ina 1963, the year immediately precedi the rebeilion, the de. ficiepey amoanted 10:835,656,705.19, the postal receipts of that being $2,645,723.19 less ‘The decrease eince 183) im the SanutismouatoF transportation hms been only about 25 per cert, but tne annuatéxpss. cit On ‘account of the same has been re t is manifest, therefore, artment may become few years, even with the restoration ef the whole service. The international conference of postal dele- gates from the principal countries of Europe and America, which was called at the sugges_- tion of the Postmaster General, met at Paris oa the I!th of May Jast, and concluded its delibe- ratiopt on the #thof June; The principles es- tablished bythe conference as best adapted to facilitate postal intercourse between nations, and as the basis of future postal conventions, inaugnrate a general system_of uniform inter- national charges, at reduced rates of Postage, and cannot fail to produce Pre peer results, Tefer you to the repcrtof the Secretary of tha interior, Wenich is herewith Iaid before you, for usefufand varied ii ation in relxtion to | the public lands, Indian affairs, patents, pen- sions, and o:ber matters of public coacern per. taining to his department. The quantity of land disposed of during the last and the first quarter of the present fiscal year was three million eight hundred and for- ty-one thousand five hundred and forty-nine aeres, of which one hundred ant sixty-one thousand nine hundred and eleven acres were cold for cash, one million. four hundred and fifty-cix thousand five hundred and fourteen acres were taken up under the homestead la w and the residue cieposed ef under laws grant ing lands for military bounties, for railroad and other purposes. Italso appears that the sale of the public lands is largely on the in- crease,” It bas long been a cherished optaion of soma of onr wisest statesmen that the people of tha United States had a higher and more enduring interest in the early settlememt and substantial cultivation of the public lands than in the amount of direct revenue’ to be derived from the sale of them. This opinion bas had a con- trolling influence in shaping legislafton upon the subject of our national domain. I may cite, 48 evidence of this, the liberal mensures a topt- ed in reference to actual settlers; the grant to the States of the overflowed lands within the r limit-in order to their being reclaimed and rendered fit for cultivation; the grants to rail- way companies of alternate sections of land upon the contemplated lines of thar roads which, when completed, will 80 largely multi- ply the tacilities tor reaching our distant pos- seccions. This policy has received its raoné vigcal and beneficent illustration in the recent ebactment granting Bomesteads to Actual sei- tlers. the tlrat day of Janna ast Loe before. antity of one million tour hon. dred and fifty-six thunsaud jive hundred aad fourteen acree of Jand have been taken up under its provisions. Thi- fact and theamount of sales furnish gratifying evidence otineres ing settlement apon the public iaads, notwi standing the g struggle in which the ener- gies of the nation have been engaged which bas required so large a withdra’ our cuzens from their accustomed pursuits. I cordiaily concur in the recommendation of the Secretary of the Tuterior, suggesting a moditi- ention of the actin favor of tnose the military aod naval service of Lt Stat I doubt not t Congres? fully udopt such measures as will v sentially chan he genera! features of the steps, secure, to the greatest practible e ts benefits to those who have left their umes } inthe defence of the country in thi. arduous crisis Tu rattenugn to the yiews of thy Secretary ag to the propriety of ralsiug, by appropriate legislation, & revenue from the mineral hinds of the United States, The messares provided at yonr last session Ter the remoyil of certain Indian tribes have been carried inta effect. Sundry treaties haye been negotiated which will, in due time, be submitted for the constitutional action of the | gether, or grant upon the terms which h+shall | deem wisest for tne public interest. It should | be observed, also, thai this part of the oath is and | of } aged in | Unied iM cheer. | BOUL @s- | Senate. They contain stipulations for extin- | gushing the possessory rights of the Indians | to large abd valuable tracts of land. Itis hoped } that the effect of theso treaties will result in the establichment of perinanent friendly relatioas ! with such of these trihes as haye been brought into frequent and picody collision wiih our outlying settlements and emigrants. Sound policy and our imperative duty to these wards of the Government demand our anxious and | constant attention to their material well-being, to their progress in the arts of civilization, and, above all, to that moral training which, under the blessing of Divine Providence, will conter upon them the elevated and sanctfying infiu- encer, the hopes and consolations of ihe Christian faith. I suggested im my Jast ananal message the Propriety of remodelling our Indian system. Subsequent events have satisfied mo of its ne- cesity. The details set forth in the raport of the Seeretary evince the urgentneed for imme- diate legislative action, I commend the benevolent institutions, ee- tablished or patronized by the government in this District, to your generous and fostering j care. The attention of Congress, during the last ererion, Was en; to some extent with # proposition for enlarging. the water commu. nicAUlon between the Mississippl river and the northeastern seaboard, which proposition, however, failed for the time. Since then, Upon a call of the greatest respectability, %& convention bas been held at Chicago upon the same subject, asummary of whose views is contained in & memuria) addressed to the President and Cougrees, and which 3 now have the ho: or to lay before you. That this interest is one which, ere long, will force its own way, I do not entertain 4 doubt, while it is anbmitied entirely to your wisdom as to what can be done now. Augmented in- terest is given to this subject by the actual egommencement of work upon the Pacific rau- road, under auspices so favorable te rapid pro- greea and completion. The enlarged naviga- tion becomes a palpable need to the groat road. I transmit the second annual report of the Commiseioner of the Department of Agricul- ture, askimg your atientionto the develope- " ments in that vital interest of the nation. When Congre-s assembled a year ago the warhad already lasted nearly twenty months, and there had been inauy conflicts on both Jaad and sea, with varying. results. The re- bellion had been pressed back imto reduced limite: a9 the tone of public feeling and opin- ion, ut home aud abroad, was not satisfactory. With other signs, the popular Sections, then just past. indicated uneasiness among our- selves, Whiis amid much that was cold and menacing tie kindest words coming from | Europe were uttered in accents ef pity, that we vere too blmd to surrender a bopeless cans:, Our commerce was suffering greatly by a few armed vessels built upon and tur- a trom foreign shores, aud we were threat- ened with such additions from the same quar- tera: would sweep our trade trom the sea and raise our blockade... We had failed to elicit trom Eoropean governments anything hopeful upon this sabject, | oath; and it is believed the Executive may with reference toa res of UX? Bational authority within the States wherein th. ¢*4thor- ity has beem suspended, I have thoaga' at to issue a prociamatiog, a copy of which ta. ‘ere- with transmitted. Ow examination of this pr *- lamation it will appear, as is believed, tha.’ | attempted what is amply j cy the Trae sap t jase & maton is Soe a ok of SP erte man is sald so-called confederate government abort the rank of colonel in the army, of of Heuten- ant in the mavy; all who left seats in the Uni. ten States Congress to aid the rebellion; all who resigned commissions in the army or navy of the United S:ates, and atterwards sided the rebellion ; and all who have engaged nt way th treatiag colored persons or whe persons In charge of euch, otherwise a om | thea ewially @ prisoners of war, and which m case be volentarily: athe o: Tae may have nm found in the United Constitution sulfiorises tie Executive togrant tates service as ers, ceamen, or in any or'withhoid the athisOwn avsojute dis- | other «apacity. efetion, wad this includes the power to grint on terms, as is fully established by judicial anc other authorities. It is also proffered that if, in any of the States named, a State governme! all be, in the mode prescribed, set up, Sach government shall be recognised and guargotied by the United States, aud that under itthe Stateshall, on theeonsutational conditions, bo protected againet invasion and domestic violence. Tae constitutional obligation of the United Sta! togusranty toevery State in the Union are- publi form of government, and to protect the Stute,in the cases stated. is explicit and full. But why tender the bene fits of this pro- vision only toa State governmentset upin this particular way 7 _ This section of the Constitution contemplates a case wherein the element within a State, favorable to republican government, in tne Union, may be too feeble for an opposite and hostile element external to, or even within the State; and such are precisely the cases with which we are now dealing. An attempt to guaranty and protect a re- vived State government, constructed in whole, er in preponderatin : part, trom the very ele- ment against whoee hostility and violence it is to be protected: is simply absurd. There mast be & test by which toseparate the opposing elements, so as to bnild only from the sound; j and that test is a sufficiently liberal one,which accepts as sound whoever will make a sworn Tecantation of hie former unsoandness But if it be proper to require, as a test of ad- mission to the political body, an oath of alle- | giance to the Constitntion of the United States. | and to the Union under it, why also to the laws and proclamations in regard to slavery? Tho-e laws and proclamations were enacted and put forth for the Parnes of afding in the suppres- sion of the rebellion. To give them their fallest effect. there had to bea pledge for their miin- tenunce. In my judgement they have aided,and will further aid, the cause for which they were intended. To now abandon them would be not only to relinquish 4 lever of power, but woud also be a cruel and &n astoundiog breach of faith. I may add at this point, that while I remain in my present positon I shall not attempt to retract or modi Mi the emancipation proclama- tion: nor sball I return to slavery any person who isjfree by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the acts of Gongress. For these and otber reasons itis thought best that sup- port of these measures shall be included in the lawtully claim it in retarn for pardon and Tertoration ef forfeited rights, which he has clear constitutional power to witkhold alto- Sucject to the modifying and abrogiting power of legislation and supreme judicial decision. The proposed acquiescence of the national Excentive in any reasonghle temporary S-1te arrangement for the freed people is made with the view of postibly modifying the confusion and destitution which mus!, at best atiend all claseee by a total revolution of labor thronghe out whol tates. Itis hoped that the already deeply aftlicted people in those States may be somewhat more.ready to give up the cause of their affliction, if, to this extent, thie vital mat- ter be left to themse ves; while no power of the ngtional Executive to prevent an souse ig abridgéd by the proposition. The suggestion in the proclamation us to maintaining the political framework of the States on what is called reconstraction, is made in the hope that itimay do good without danger of harm. It will save labor, and ayoid great confusion. But why any proclamation now upon this subject! This question is beset with the con- flicting views that the step might be delayed too long or be taken too soon. In some Sta‘es the elements for resumption seem ready for resumption seem ready for action. but remain inrctive, apparently for want of a rallying point—a plan of action. Why shall A adopt the plan of B, rather than Bthatof Al And if A and B should agree, how can they know but that the general Government here wiil re- ject their plan! By the proclamationa planis presented which may be accepted by tarm asa rallying point,and which they are assured in advance will mot be rejected here. This may bring them to act sooner than they otherwise | would. The objections to s premature presentation of @ plan by the national Executive consistsin the danger of committals on points which could be more safely lett to fu: r developments. Care has been taken toshape the documentas to avoid embarrassments from this source. Say- ing that, on certain terms, certain classes will be pardoned, with rights restored, it is not said that other classes, or other terms, will never be included. Saying that reconstruction will be accepted if presented in a specified way, it ie vot said it will never be accepted in any o:her way. The movements, by State action, for eman- cipation in several of the States, not included in the emancipation proclamation, are matters of profound gratulation. And while 1 donot repeat in detail what I have heretofore su ear- neatly urged upon this subject, my general views and feelings remain unchanged; aud I trust that Congress will omit no fair opportu- nity of siding theee important steps to a great consummation. ~ Jn the midst of other cares, however import- ant, we must not lose sight of the fact that the war power is stillour main reliance. To that power aicne can we Jook, yet for « time, to give confidence to the people in the. conteste i regions, that the insurgent power will not again overrun them Until that confidence shall be established, little can be done any- where for what is called reconstruction — Hence our chiefest cure must still bedirectedjw the army and navy, who havethus fur borae their harder part so nobly and well Andit may fbe esteemed fortunate that in giving the greatest efficiency to these indispen- sable arme, we do also honorably recognize the the gallant men, from commander to centin« I, who compose them, and to whom, more than toothere, the world must stand indebted for the home of freedom disenthralled, regenerated, enlarged, and perpetuated. . “ TTA BRAMAM LINCOLN. lecember 5, 1563. . ‘ PROCLAMATION. Whereas, in and by the Constitution ot the , United States, it is provided that the Presi- The preliminary emancipation proclama- j tion, issued in September, was runn its as- signed period to the beginning of the now year. A mouth later the tinal proclamation cama, in- cluding the announcement that colored men of suitable condition would be received into the The peeves emancipation, and of employing black soldiers, gave to thé fa- ture a new aspeel, about which hope, and fear, and doubt contended in’ uncertain conflict. According vo our political system, ‘as matter of civil administration,ihe general government had no lawful power to effect emancipation in any State, and for & long time it had been hoped j that the rebellion conld be suppreseed without resorting W it as & military measure. It was afl the while deemed possible ttigt the necesaity for it might come,and tkat if it shonld, the crieis of the contest. would then be pre- sented. It came, and, 45 was Suticipated, it “1s followed by dark and doubtful days, Elev- en months having new passed, we are permit- ted to take another review. The rebel borders are preceed still further back, and by the com- plete opening of the Mississippi conntry dominated by the rebellion is divided into dis- | tinct parte, with no practical communication between them. Teunestee nod Arkansas have been substan- tially cleared of insurgent control, and intiu- vutial citizenaim each, owners. of slaves and adnocates of slavery at the berinning of the re- bellion, now deelare openly for emuncipation in the reepectiye States. Of those States not included in Emancipation Proclamation, Maryland and Miscouri, neither of which three years ago would tolerate any restraint upon the extension of slavery into new territories, dent “shall haye power to grant reprieves sud pardons for offences against the nited States, except in cases of impeachment;” and Whereas 8 rebelion noW exists whereby the loyal State governments of several States have for a long time been subverted,and many | that.in conateucting, a | euch CHARACTERIZTIC And I do further proclaim, deciare, and make known, that whenever, in any of the States of Arkansas, Tox-s, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ten- ame, Georgia, Florida, South Caro- lina, and North Carolina,» number of persons. rot less than ene-tenth in number of the votes cat in such State at the Presidential -lection of the year of ont Lord one thousand eight handred and each having taken the oath aforesaid, nud not having since violated it. and aualifed voter by the lection tn af the ex g immediately befure the secession, and excludin: it ot extablian a State government which shall be repub lican. and in nowise contravening said cath, such ehall bo Eeooepised, as the true government of the State and the State shall receive thereunder the bevofits of the constitutional clares that “The United States shall guaranty to every State in thia Union « republican forts of government, ond shall protect each of them pgaidst invasion; and, omapplication of the legis- lature, or the executive, (when the legisiatare cannot be convened.) aasinat domestic violence." Andidofurtker proclaim, declare, ant make known that any provision which maybe adopted vernment iv relation to the freed ple of such State, which shall recognize and leclare their permanont freedom, provide for their education, andwhich may yet be consiatent, provision which de- | 88a temporary arrangement, with their present and homeless condition axa laboring, Inndl-ra. ea to by the national Bx- seated ag not improper, clase, will not he object ecutive. Art it is aug oyal State government in be name of the State, the + oandery, ona, the coustitution, ad the gene as before the rebellion, be maintain- ed, anbject only to the modifications made neces- by the conditions hereind fore stated, and others, if any, not contravening said condi- tions, and which may be deemed expedient by those framing the new State government, Ta avoid misunderstanding, it nay be proper fo fey that thir proclamation, so faras it relates to State governments, has no reference to States wherein loyal State governments have all the while been maintained. And for tn me reason, it toay be preper to further say, that whether mem bers sent to Congress from any State shall be ad- mitted to seats constitutionally, rests exclu- Fivele with the respective Houses, and not to any extent with the Rxecutive. And still farther, that. tii proclamation is intended to present the poo le «f the States wherein the national authority Ean bron suapended, sud loyal State government~ have been rubverted-a mote in and by which ‘the national] authority and ieyal State governments may be re established within said. States, or in any Gf them; and, while the mode presented is the best the Executive can suggest, with bis present impressions, it must pot be understood that no other possible mode would be acceptable Given under my land at the city achington, aay cf December, A. D, one thousnnd eight huncred and sixty-three, and of the in- dependence of the United States of Ame ica the cighty-eighth. eee ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AKRA Ry the President: Witriam H. Sewsnp, Secretary of State. <ssce- - ORDER SY GEN. BCTLER Gen. Butler, who seems to be moving with characteristic vim in his new department, has justigened an important order in relation to negroes and negro troops, dated Fortress Mon- roe, Dec. Sih. mentof colored troops has become the settled In this he says that the recruit- purpore of the Government, and it is therefore the duiy of every cfticer and soldier to aid in carrying out that purpore, irrespective of per- fonul predilection. He therefore offers a bounty 9 shail enlist, to sapply his immediate wants: f S19 for every able-bodied colered man who with a certificate of subsistence tor his family as coon as he is mustered. The pry usnal for colored troops is offered with the prospect held out that Congress will increase their pay uniform with that of white troops. In order that such enlistments shall not be discouraged, it is ordered that extra in- ducements of pay higher than for the.soldier shall not be held out by officers for pay of colored employees in the several Staff De. partmente. No colored man competent for military service will be employed by any person in behalf of Government, mechanics and ekiiled laborers excepted. Gen. Batler says that + political freedom rightly defined 1s liberty to work and to be pro- tecied in the full enjoyment of the fruits of labor, and noone should enjoy the fruits of another's Inbor,” therefore he orders that no subsistence shall be permitted to any negro or his family who iz able to work and does not work. Officere and soldiers are prohibited from im- Preseing negro labor for private purposes. As every negro who leaves the rebel lines and en- ters ours diminizhes by so much the food and Isbor-supplying power of the rebellion, itis ordered that officers and soldiers aid by every means in their power the coming of all colored people within our lines; and any officer or sol- dier hindering colored men from enlisting are to be punished under the law “for obstructing recruiting.” PROMOTIONS DY THE THIRD AUDITOR’® Ov- 1cz.—W. P. Sherman, of New York. has been promoted from a third cluss (81,600) toa fourth clase ($1,500) clerkship; and L. D. Ingersoll, of Iowa, James Fishback, of Illinois, Charles Roeser, of Wisconsin, and Judge Branderbury> ot Pennsylvanian, have been promoted from Ss cond class (#1,400) to third class (31,500) clerksbiys, —--+ eee TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. THB STEAMER CHESAPEAKE CAP- TURED BY REBELS ure CAPE CoD. {By Independent Telegraph Line.} Boston, Dec. 9.—The following telegraph has been received from U.S. Consaltate St. John, N. B. The steamer Chesepcake was captured 20 miles N.N. E. of Cape Cod at 1.30 a. m., on Mocday by rebels who left New York as pas- sengers. he 2d Engineer was killed and thrown overboard. ‘She Chief Enginecr and Mate were badly wounded. Captain Willetts and crew were landed here this morning,” SOULETY wi! Hatl (HE HOUSE PALUEEhs hoid a Special Mecting at Ton 3 persons haye committed and are now guilty | & street, bet. 9th avd luth,on FRIDAY BVENING of treason against the United States; and Dee. lith, at 7’0’cloca, to raseive thereportol. Ba! Whereas, with reference to eaid revellion | Committee. JNO. J. GBAY, and treason, laws have been enacted by Con- grees, declaring forfeitures and confiscation of property and liberation of slaves, all upon terms and conditions therein stated, and also declaring that the Presideut was therab: thorized at any time thereafter, by proc’ tion, to extend to persons who may have par- ticipated in the éxisting rebellicn, ia any State cr part thereof, ‘pordon and amuesty,’ with such exceptions &fid at such times and on such conditions a8 he may deem expedient for the pubiic welfare; and Whereas the congreseional declaration Yor limited and conditional pardog accords with It-extablished judicial exposition of the par- Brive power; and ¥ Whereas, with reference to said rebellion, the President of the United States has issued several proclamations, with provisions in re- gard-to the liberation of slaves; and Whereas itis now desired by some persors heretofore en; in said rebellion ‘to resame ‘th, 1863, i gisd to receive contribation» of empty bottles and Jelly are from the hospitals ynd be revolent citize aa o! a Ravids enok to gives mesenger will be seat for de 9 st* _ __ _Seeretary. U. 8. SANITARY COMMISSION, Carirul Office, 244 F street, Washinvton DC. Des, |.— The U. 8. Sanitery Commission will be gton., @n reovipt of addross of parties em. dee-lwo ____P. FOWLER, Ohtef Clecx. | COACH MAKERS OF THE ERVSIAL beta, o 2 Mb Toe o’elock. By order of mit e7 at" ESfiVAL AC WESLEY OB APH. ean - Corner af Fand Fifth § iverts. ‘she Ladies of Wesley Onapel w sid a Festival in aid of ‘the Rersonaye sund,” commencing on MONDAY next. Deoember ?th A choice selection of Fancy Goods, Books, Toys, &o.,eu'table for Ubriatmae Presents. will be offered atremonebie roses and an sbasdaat supyly o: Belreabinente proci led. lo Baff tab their ancEnb ie ce United States, ava to re- rate Bastin Bags, or annoyances of 2 sim- Inaugurate loy: governments within and || Jer w vt for their reapective ie : Therefore, ‘The lasties invite all w! Gonite to agent, a phee 1, Abraham Lincoln, Prosident of tie United | antevening to give tbemacalt, “er States, do proclaim, declare, and made known . to all persons who have, directly or by impil. | QrzaMeR FRINGRT ON may ere FROM cation, participated in the existing. rebellion, Kom fork "3 ie wairest ‘Geor extent ay Rerelbater oxoqntade that a fall ss cazee $e ogslar oon ipioase attend jon ereby granted. m and eac' econ ‘the! is at onee. t them, with restoration o! all rights of property, | *8,teSt?!*EGhGaw & BHINBH ART, Agents, except as to slaves, and in property cases where rights of third parties shall have inter. vened, and open the condition that every such person shall take and subscribe an o#th, and thenceforward keep and maintain sald oaih fee. D HOUSE WITH ALL ments, can be rented on cL rosegn Amaia KédreseBox'935 City Past Or only dispute now ax to the best mode | folate ; hich oath shali be regisiored Os AND. WELL-PUBNISHED BOOM ing it Wh'hia.sheir own Umits. er for potnesuent ‘prerervation, and shall be of Asie metgreinont ate c iy iamacdiately? Of those who were slaves St the beginning of | the tenor and effect following, to wit: in pest. do 9-38" the rebellion, fall one handred thousand are “1, do solem: rn ben oeto oth Notion: Bow ini the United States military service, abeut | ence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth $ 5e 2 eorree: Sor tale, oveshalf of which number actually bear arms | faithfully su ‘States, and the | arpther choice tot of BBW 0° in the ranks; thus giving the dou! advantage |. Curstitation ibe ‘audthat I will, | eether with» lot of £0: e of taking o much labor from the nt | Union of the Statée (Rarennder; and ss 4. H. £00. gouse, Rud supplying the places which oriers | like “manner, eneed Tey} dog-st* _ « Mew Htore, 469 Ninth at wise mret be 1a ‘with so many white 1 all : = THE MEssaGg. Elsewhere wiil be tound the President's Mee- Sage, & succinct, clear, well-balanced etate paper, indeed, distinguished in every line oy the etrong, good sense and honesty of purposes of President Lincoln. We have not time or space to Fay more to-day in regard to tt than te commend it to the carefal perusal of our read- ors. Our compositors, of course, had a busy thme of it in setting up the Message after tt was placed in their hands, and through their active exertions, seccnded by thote of the press-room employees, we had thea satisfaction of being the first to place the President’s Message into the hands of the eagerly expectant public. The Chronicle was on the street a tew min- utes before us with @ mutilated copy of the Mescage—that is to say, with the important Proclamation of the Prestdent (forming, as it will be seen, an integral pari of the Message) omitted; consequently, the Stor was the first to isene it as a whole. THK STEAMER CH*SAPRAKK BEKIZKD BY DISGUISED RKBSL3. In our first edition we gave @ dispatch for- warded by the Independent Telegraph Line, giving an account of the bold capiuace of the steamer Chesapeake by disguised? rebels who left new York as passengers. Toe collowing from the New York Kzpre:s of Monday, doudt- lees refers to the same aitair, though the vesset is in the Express deeignated as the Patapsco: Monpay, December 1, 1233. To 8 Editors of the New Fork Fapress > Yesterday, about dark, I picked up a bottle In the Sound, with a white rag tied about the neck, ard found this per. Isend it to you, ' think.:.¢ 1t might be of importance. 1 put one Of my boys ashore at Harlem and send it to you. IT will bein the city to-rorrow, and will cation yoa. J. WiLttams, Master Scb onus; Betsy On Boarp Patarsco, Sunuay Morning, Daylight—Last night, about 2 o'clock, the cipiin and officers of the Patapsco were seized by © band of ruffians, between twenty and thirty in umber, who oad taken psesage on board at New York. They were thoroughly artmc(d, and among theif namber were engineers and raliing masters, who immodiateiy took charge ot the vessel. The paveengers had near- ly all r tired, and all hands were so completely surpris:d that resistance was out of the ques- tion, The captain and officers were handcuffed und confined below. as also were all the pas- rengers. I shall throw tais overboard in a botile, TWO HOURS LATER. There has been a great bustle on deck. A vereel is alongsid: 4 cannon is being trans ferred to one vessel. The craft alongside ts” steamer, and, from whet 1 wan seve of her through my stateroom window, she ts pierced for cannon. From a conversation | overheard, I gathered that there were two other vessels near by to co-operate with them. Lookout for & formidable raid scomewhere, TRAVEL SUSPEN DED OVER THE LONG RLDGE BRL By comu.ind ot Gen. Augur, all travel over the Long Bridge will be torther discontinued during Thursday, Friday and Saturday ot thie werk for the purpose of repairs. tations. Forniehad by Lewis Johason & Uo, Bana- ors: Bayig Selling. a ty American Silver. er NEW YORE RATBS—SECON: 98\; Gold, 147¥; Oni- cago and Rock Island, 100; Michigan south ern, 77; Chicago and Northwestern 44. Market irregalar. + eee CONGRESSIONAL. ao XXXVILItH CONGRESS.—FIRST SESSION. —————- Wapnnapay, December 2. Suxars.—Mr Foster presented resolutions of the General Assembly of Connecticut, in favor of 8 modification of the enroliment act. Mr. Lane, of Kansas, gave notice of bills for the adjustment of the claims of the 5th and 6:2 Kansas regimente, and auditing the claims and iudemnifving citizens of Lawrence, Kansas, for the destruction of their property by Quaa- trill, in his late raid. Mr: Powell gave notice of a bill to prevent officers and soldiers ef the army from interfer- ing in elections in States. Mr. Hale introduced a bill to grant a pension to the widow of the late Major General Whip- te. At half-past twelve o’clock, Mr. Nicolay, the private secretary of the President appeared and auDOEnCced A message from the ident of the United States. The message was at once read by Hon. J. W. Forney, Secretary of the Senate. The reading having been concluded, the usual number of copies of the message and accompanying documents were ordered to be minted. % ¥ On motion of Mr. Foot, the Senate proceeded to the election of chaplain. On the first ballot Rev. Dr. Sanderland received 2i out of 4@ votes cast; Rey. EK. B, McLene, 17; and Bishop Hopkins, Rev. J. P. Durbin, Rev. E. B. Gur- Ivy, and Rev. R.A. Arthur one each, with four blapke. There being no election, a second ballot was taken, and Dr, Sunderland obtained 21 out of 9 yolee cast, against 15 for Rey. E. B. McLane. The Vice President declared Dr. Sunderland re-elected Chaplain of the Senate. A mersage was reeeived trom the House, sa- nouncing the passage of the joint resolution of thanks to Gen. Grant; and for the bestowal of a medal, &c. Laid on the table, Mr. Wade submitied a recolutior to allow the Judges of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia the same privileges of the Corgres- sional Library as are allow: to the Judges of the Court of Claims. Adjouried Hovsx.—A resolution’ was offered by Mr. Oox, which was adopted, looking to the ex- cnange of prisoners, with an amendment, sus- taining the Administration in ils eiforts to ac- complish this purpose. ‘ACbalf-past twelve oclock the President's message was received and read; when— Mr. Stevens moved that the message and accompanying documents be printed; and on his motien the su bject of printing Ofty thous- ' and extra copies was referred to tne Commit- tee on Printing. The House, A two o'clock, adjourned. TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. areas ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE CAP- TURE OF THE CHESAPEAKE. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 9.—A dispatch from St. John, N. B., statec that the steamer Chesa- peake, hence for Portland, was captured on Monday off Cape Cod by secesh passengers. The second engineer was killed and the chief engineer ard mate wounded. The crew were Ypaded at St. John, “LOCAL NEWS. ALMOosT A Fine.—This morning, about t! o'clock, the northweet corner of the foor of the tookstore of Blanchard & Mohun, coraer of Pennsylvania ayenue and 11th street, was diecovered to be on fire, and the alarm beiug raiced, the fire companies were quickly on the spot; but a little water and effective blows from an axe quickly cansed it to be extin- guished. But for the timely discovery it might have been & most digastrous fire. ‘The fire cangbt from the range in the rectau- rant below, the flue of which was built so close to.the wood work of the ceiling tha! the boaras (after the floor bad been cut away) were found to be much charred, and in a very combustible place at night the whole building would no doubt have been destroyed, and the fire this morning ly proved moo’ thoughtlessness and carelessness either so builger of the Ape, whe. placed iteo near woodwork without protection, or in the owner | of the property, who allowed it tobe thus Tn the case ot Wan Boston, indicted for grand larceny, & nolle pros. was entered. The tial ‘of Lbomas and Rob't Ostt, jngicted for the murder of ae Larkin, 1 tant, near in conjunction with Wm. Sample, been. rehended, Was commansen the owing jurors betog os nelled - iA B. Ki '. for the ol, clined ‘wiat,