In coming before you for the first time as Chief Magistrate of this great nation, it is with gratitude to the Giver of All Good for the many benefits we enjoy. We are blessed with peace at home, and are without entangling alliances abroad to forebode trouble; with a territory unsurpassed in fertility, of an area equal to the abundant support of 500,000,000 people, and abounding in every variety of useful mineral in quantity sufficient to supply the world for generations; with exuberant crops; with a variety of climate adapted to the production of every species of earth's riches and suited to the habits, tastes, and requirements of every living thing; with a population of 40,000,000 free people, all speaking one language; with facilities for every mortal to acquire an education; with institutions closing to none the avenues to fame or any blessing of fortune that may be coveted; with freedom of the pulpit, the press, and the school; with a revenue flowing into the National Treasury beyond the requirements of the Government. Happily, harmony is being rapidly restored within our own borders. Manufactures hitherto unknown in our country are springing up in all sections, producing a degree of national independence unequaled by that of any other power. These blessings and countless others are intrusted to your care and mine for safe-keeping for the brief period of our tenure of office. In a short time we must, each of us, return to the ranks of the people, who have conferred upon us our honors, and account to them for our stewardship. I earnestly desire that neither you nor I may be condemned by a free and enlightened constituency nor by our own consciences. Emerging from a rebellion of gigantic magnitude, aided, as it was, by the sympathies and assistance of nations with which we were at peace, eleven States of the Union were, four years ago, left without legal State governments. A national debt had been contracted; American commerce was almost driven from the seas; the industry of one-half of the country had been taken from the control of the capitalist and placed where all labor rightfully belongs--in the keeping of the laborer. The work of restoring State governments loyal to the Union, of protecting and fostering free labor, and providing means for paying the interest on the public debt has received ample attention from Congress. Although your efforts have not met with the success in all particulars that might have been desired, yet on the whole they have been more successful than could have been reasonably anticipated. Seven States which passed ordinances of secession have been fully restored to their places in the Union. The eighth (Georgia) held an election at which she ratified her constitution, republican in form, elected a governor, Members of Congress, a State legislature, and all other officers required. The governor was duly installed, and the legislature met and performed all the acts then required of them by the reconstruction acts of Congress. Subsequently, however, in violation of the constitution which they had just ratified (as since decided by the supreme court of the State), they unseated the colored members of the legislature and admitted to seats some members who are disqualified by the third clause of the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution--an article which they themselves had contributed to ratify. Under these circumstances I would submit to you whether it would not be wise, without delay, to enact a law authorizing the governor of Georgia to convene the members originally elected to the legislature, requiring each member to take the oath prescribed by the reconstruction acts, and none to be admitted who are ineligible under the third clause of the fourteenth amendment. The freedmen, under the protection which they have received, are making rapid progress in learning, and no complaints are heard of lack of industry on their part where they receive fair remuneration for their labor. The means provided for paying the interest on the public debt, with all other expenses of Government, are more than ample. The loss of our commerce is the only result of the late rebellion which has not received sufficient attention from you. To this subject I call your earnest attention. I will not now suggest plans by which this object may be effected, but will, if necessary, make it the subject of a special message during the session of Congress. At the March term Congress by joint resolution authorized the Executive to order elections in the States of Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, to submit to them the constitutions which each had previously, in convention, framed, and submit the constitutions, either entire or in separate parts, to be voted upon, at the discretion of the Executive. Under this authority elections were called. In Virginia the election took place on the 6th of July, 1869. The governor and lieutenant-governor elected have been installed. The legislature met and did all required by this resolution and by all the reconstruction acts of Congress, and abstained from all doubtful authority. I recommend that her Senators and Representatives be promptly admitted to their seats, and that the State be fully restored to its place in the family of States. Elections were called in Mississippi and Texas, to commence on the 30th of November, 1869, and to last two days in Mississippi and four days in Texas. The elections have taken place, but the result is not known. It is to be hoped that the acts of the legislatures of these States, when they meet, will be such as to receive your approval, and thus close the work of reconstruction. Among the evils growing out of the rebellion, and not yet referred to, is that of an irredeemable currency. It is an evil which I hope will receive your most earnest attention. It is a duty, and one of the highest duties, of Government to secure to the citizen a medium of exchange of fixed, unvarying value. This implies a return to a specie basis, and no substitute for it can be devised. It should be commenced now and reached at the earliest practicable moment consistent with a fair regard to the interests of the debtor class. Immediate resumption, if practicable, would not be desirable. It would compel the debtor class to pay, beyond their contracts, the premium on gold at the date of their purchase and would bring bankruptcy and ruin to thousands. Fluctuation, however, in the paper value of the measure of all values (gold) is detrimental to the interests of trade. It makes the man of business an involuntary gambler, for in all sales where future payment is to be made both parties speculate as to what will be the value of the currency to be paid and received. I earnestly recommend to you, then, such legislation as will insure a gradual return to specie payments and put an immediate stop to fluctuations in the value of currency. The methods to secure the former of these results are as numerous as are the speculators on political economy. To secure the latter I see but one way, and that is to authorize the Treasury to redeem its own paper, at a fixed price, whenever presented, and to withhold from circulation all currency so redeemed until sold again for gold. The vast resources of the nation, both developed and undeveloped, ought to make our credit the best on earth. With a less burden of taxation than the citizen has endured for six years past, the entire public debt could be paid in ten years. But it is not desirable that the people should be taxed to pay it in that time. Year by year the ability to pay increases in a rapid ratio. But the burden of interest ought to be reduced as rapidly as can be done without the violation of contract. The public debt is represented in great part by bonds having from five to twenty and from ten to forty years to run, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. It is optional with the Government to pay these bonds at any period after the expiration of the least time mentioned upon their face. The time has already expired when a great part of them may be taken up, and is rapidly approaching when all may be. It is believed that all which are now due may be replaced by bonds bearing a rate of interest not exceeding 4 1/2 per cent, and as rapidly as the remainder become due that they may be replaced in the same way. To accomplish this it may be necessary to authorize the interest to be paid at either of three or four of the money centers of Europe, or by any assistant treasurer of the United States, at the option of the holder of the bond. I suggest this subject for the consideration of Congress, and also, simultaneously with this, the propriety of redeeming our currency, as before suggested, at its market value at the time the law goes into effect, increasing the rate at which currency shall be bought and sold from day to day or week to week, at the same rate of interest as Government pays upon its bonds. The subjects of tariff and internal taxation will necessarily receive your attention. The revenues of the country are greater than the requirements, and may with safety be reduced. But as the funding of the debt in a 4 or a 4 1/2 per cent loan would reduce annual current expenses largely, thus, after funding, justifying a greater reduction of taxation than would be now expedient, I suggest postponement of this question until the next meeting of Congress. It may be advisable to modify taxation and tariff in instances where unjust or burdensome discriminations are made by the present laws, but a general revision of the laws regulating this subject I recommend the postponement of for the present. I also suggest the renewal of the tax on incomes, but at a reduced rate, say of 3 per cent, and this tax to expire in three years. With the funding of the national debt, as here suggested, I feel safe in saying that taxes and the revenue from imports may be reduced safely from sixty to eighty millions per annum at once, and may be still further reduced from year to year, as the resources of the country are developed. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury shows the receipts of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, to be $370,943,747, and the expenditures, including interest, bounties, etc., to be $321,490,597. The estimates for the ensuing year are more favorable to the Government, and will no doubt show a much larger decrease of the public debt. The receipts in the Treasury beyond expenditures have exceeded the amount necessary to place to the credit of the sinking fund, as provided by law. To lock up the surplus in the Treasury and withhold it from circulation would lead to such a contraction of the currency as to cripple trade and seriously affect the prosperity of the country. Under these circumstances the Secretary of the Treasury and myself heartily concurred in the propriety of using all the surplus currency in the Treasury in the purchase of Government bonds, thus reducing the interest-bearing indebtedness of the country, and of submitting to Congress the question of the disposition to be made of the bonds so purchased. The bonds now held by the Treasury amount to about seventy-five millions, including those belonging to the sinking fund. I recommend that the whole be placed to the credit of the sinking fund. Your attention is respectfully invited to the recommendations of the Secretary of the Treasury for the creation of the office of commissioner of customs revenue; for the increase of salaries to certain classes of officials; the substitution of increased national-bank circulation to replace the outstanding 3 per cent certificates; and most especially to his recommendation for the repeal of laws allowing shares of fines, penalties, forfeitures, etc., to officers of the Government or to informers. The office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue is one of the most arduous and responsible under the Government. It falls but little, if any, short of a Cabinet position in its importance and responsibilities. I would ask for it, therefore, such legislation as in your judgment will place the office upon a footing of dignity commensurate with its importance and with the character and qualifications of the class of men required to fill it properly. As the United States is the freest of all nations, so, too, its people sympathize with all people struggling for liberty and self-government; but while so sympathizing it is due to our honor that we should abstain from enforcing our views upon unwilling nations and from taking an interested part, without invitation, in the quarrels between different nations or between governments and their subjects. Our course should always be in conformity with strict justice and law, international and local. Such has been the policy of the Administration in dealing with these questions. For more than a year a valuable province of Spain, and a near neighbor of ours, in whom all our people can not but feel a deep interest, has been struggling for independence and freedom. The people and Government of the United States entertain the same warm feelings and sympathies for the people of Cuba in their pending struggle that they manifested throughout the previous struggles between Spain and her former colonies in behalf of the latter. But the contest has at no time assumed the conditions which amount to a war in the sense of international law, or which would show the existence of a de facto political organization of the insurgents sufficient to justify a recognition of belligerency. The principle is maintained, however, that this nation is its own judge when to accord the rights of belligerency, either to a people struggling to free themselves from a government they believe to be oppressive or to independent nations at war with each other. The United States have no disposition to interfere with the existing relations of Spain to her colonial possessions on this continent. They believe that in due time Spain and other European powers will find their interest in terminating those relations and establishing their present dependencies as independent powers--members of the family of nations. These dependencies are no longer regarded as subject to transfer from one European power to another. When the present relation of colonies ceases, they are to become independent powers, exercising the right of choice and of self-control in the determination of their future condition and relations with other powers. The United States, in order to put a stop to bloodshed in Cuba, and in the interest of a neighboring people, proposed their good offices to bring the existing contest to a termination. The offer, not being accepted by Spain on a basis which we believed could be received by Cuba, was withdrawn. It is hoped that the good offices of the United States may yet prove advantageous for the settlement of this unhappy strife. Meanwhile a number of illegal expeditions against Cuba have been broken up. It has been the endeavor of the Administration to execute the neutrality laws in good faith, no matter how unpleasant the task, made so by the sufferings we have endured from lack of like good faith toward us by other nations. On the 26th of March last the United States schooner Lizzie Major was arrested on the high seas by a Spanish frigate, and two passengers taken from it and carried as prisoners to Cuba. Representations of these facts were made to the Spanish Government as soon as official information of them reached Washington. The two passengers were set at liberty, and the Spanish Government assured the United States that the captain of the frigate in making the capture had acted without law, that he had been reprimanded for the irregularity of his conduct, and that the Spanish authorities in Cuba would not sanction any act that could violate the rights or treat with disrespect the sovereignty of this nation. The question of the seizure of the brig Mary Lowell at one of the Bahama Islands by Spanish authorities is now the subject of correspondence between this Government and those of Spain and Great Britain. The Captain-General of Cuba about May last issued a proclamation authorizing search to be made of vessels on the high seas. Immediate remonstrance was made against this, whereupon the Captain-General issued a new proclamation limiting the right of search to vessels of the United States so far as authorized under the treaty of 1795. This proclamation, however, was immediately withdrawn. I have always felt that the most intimate relations should be cultivated between the Republic of the United States and all independent nations on this continent. It may be well worth considering whether new treaties between us and them may not be profitably entered into, to secure more intimate relations--friendly, commercial, and otherwise. The subject of an interoceanic canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Isthmus of Darien is one in which commerce is greatly interested. Instructions have been given to our minister to the Republic of the United States of Colombia to endeavor to obtain authority for a survey by this Government, in order to determine the practicability of such an undertaking, and a charter for the right of way to build, by private enterprise, such a work, if the survey proves it to be practicable. In order to comply with the agreement of the United States as to a mixed commission at Lima for the adjustment of claims, it became necessary to send a commissioner and secretary to Lima in August last. No appropriation having been made by Congress for this purpose, it is now asked that one be made covering the past and future expenses of the commission. The good offices of the United States to bring about a peace between Spain and the South American Republics with which she is at war having been accepted by Spain, Peru, and Chile, a congress has been invited to be held in Washington during the present winter. A grant has been given to Europeans of an exclusive right of transit over the territory of Nicaragua, to which Costa Rico has given its assent, which, it is alleged, conflicts with vested rights of citizens of the United States. The Department of State has now this subject under consideration. The minister of Peru having made representations that there was a state of war between Peru and Spain, and that Spain was constructing, in and near New York, thirty gunboats, which might be used by Spain in such a way as to relieve the naval force at Cuba, so as to operate against Peru, orders were given to prevent their departure. No further steps having been taken by the representative of the Peruvian Government to prevent the departure of these vessels, and I not feeling authorized to detain the property of a nation with which we are at peace on a mere Executive order, the matter has been referred to the courts to decide. The conduct of the war between the allies and the Republic of Paraguay has made the intercourse with that country so difficult that it has been deemed advisable to withdraw our representative from there. Toward the close of the last Administration a convention was signed at London for the settlement of all outstanding claims between Great Britain and the United States, which failed to receive the advice and consent of the Senate to its ratification. The time and the circumstances attending the negotiation of that treaty were unfavorable to its acceptance by the people of the United States, and its provisions were wholly inadequate for the settlement of the grave wrongs that bad been sustained by this Government, as well as by its citizens. The injuries resulting to the United States by reason of the course adopted by Great Britain during our late civil war--in the increased rates of insurance; in the diminution of exports and imports, and other obstructions to domestic industry and production; in its effect upon the foreign commerce of the country; in the decrease and transfer to Great Britain of our commercial marine; in the prolongation of the war and the increased cost (both in treasure and in lives) of its suppression could not be adjusted and satisfied as ordinary commercial claims, which continually arise between commercial nations; and yet the convention treated them simply as such ordinary claims, from which they differ more widely in the gravity of their character than in the magnitude of their amount, great even as is that difference. Not a word was found in the treaty, and not an inference could be drawn from it, to remove the sense of the unfriendliness of the course of Great Britain in our struggle for existence, which had so deeply and universally impressed itself upon the people of this country. Believing that a convention thus misconceived in its scope and inadequate in its provisions would not have produced the hearty, cordial settlement of pending questions, which alone is consistent with the relations which I desire to have firmly established between the United States and Great Britain, I regarded the action of the Senate in rejecting the treaty to have been wisely taken in the interest of peace and as a necessary step in the direction of a perfect and cordial friendship between the two countries. A sensitive people, conscious of their power, are more at ease under a great wrong wholly unatoned than under the restraint of a settlement which satisfies neither their ideas of justice nor their grave sense of the grievance they have sustained. The rejection of the treaty was followed by a state of public feeling on both sides which I thought not favorable to an immediate attempt at renewed negotiations. I accordingly so instructed the minister of the United States to Great Britain, and found that my views in this regard were shared by Her Majesty's ministers. I hope that the time may soon arrive when the two Governments can approach the solution of this momentous question with an appreciation of what is due to the rights, dignity, and honor of each, and with the determination not only to remove the causes of complaint in the past, but to lay the foundation of a broad principle of public law which will prevent future differences and tend to firm and continued peace and friendship. 
This is now the only grave question which the United States has with any foreign nation. The question of renewing a treaty for reciprocal trade between the United States and the British Provinces on this continent has not been favorably considered by the Administration. The advantages of such a treaty would be wholly in favor of the British producer. Except, possibly, a few engaged in the trade between the two sections, no citizen of the United States would be benefited by reciprocity. Our internal taxation would prove a protection to the British producer almost equal to the protection which our manufacturers now receive from the tariff. Some arrangement, however, for the regulation of commercial intercourse between the United States and the Dominion of Canada may be desirable. The commission for adjusting the claims of the "Hudsons Bay and Puget Sound Agricultural Company" upon the United States has terminated its labors. The award of $650,000 has been made and all rights and titles of the company on the territory of the United States have been extinguished. Deeds for the property of the company have been delivered. An appropriation by Congress to meet this sum is asked. The commissioners for determining the northwestern land boundary between the United States and the British possessions under the treaty of 1856 have completed their labors, and the commission has been dissolved. In conformity with the recommendation of Congress, a proposition was early made to the British Government to abolish the mixed courts created under the treaty of April 7, 1862, for the suppression of the slave trade. The subject is still under negotiation. It having come to my knowledge that a corporate company, organized under British laws, proposed to land upon the shores of the United States and to operate there a submarine cable, under a concession from His Majesty the Emperor of the French of an exclusive right for twenty years of telegraphic communication between the shores of France and the United States, with the very objectionable feature of subjecting all messages conveyed thereby to the scrutiny and control of the French Government, I caused the French and British legations at Washington to be made acquainted with the probable policy of Congress on this subject, as foreshadowed by the bill which passed the Senate in March last. This drew from the representatives of the company an agreement to accept as the basis of their operations the provisions of that bill, or of such other enactment on the subject as might be passed during the approaching session of Congress; also, to use their influence to secure from the French Government a modification of their concession, so as to permit the landing upon French soil of any cable belonging to any company incorporated by the authority of the United States or of any State in the Union, and, on their part, not to oppose the establishment of any such cable. In consideration of this agreement I directed the withdrawal of all opposition by the United States authorities to the landing of the cable and to the working of it until the meeting of Congress. I regret to say that there has been no modification made in the company's concession, nor, so far as I can learn, have they attempted to secure one. Their concession excludes the capital and the citizens of the United States from competition upon the shores of France. I recommend legislation to protect the rights of citizens of the United States, as well as the dignity and sovereignty of the nation, against such an assumption. I shall also endeavor to secure, by negotiation, an abandonment of the principle of monopolies in ocean telegraphic cables. Copies of this correspondence are herewith furnished. The unsettled political condition of other countries, less fortunate than our own, sometimes induces their citizens to come to the United States for the sole purpose of becoming naturalized. Having secured this, they return to their native country and reside there, without disclosing their change of allegiance. They accept official positions of trust or honor, which can only be held by citizens of their native land; they journey under passports describing them as such citizens; and it is only when civil discord, after perhaps years of quiet, threatens their persons or their property, or when their native state drafts them into its military service, that the fact of their change of allegiance is made known. They reside permanently away from the United States, they contribute nothing to its revenues, they avoid the duties of its citizenship, and they only make themselves known by a claim of protection. I have directed the diplomatic and consular officers of the United States to scrutinize carefully all such claims for protection. The citizen of the United States, whether native or adopted, who discharges his duty to his country, is entitled to its complete protection. While I have a voice in the direction of affairs I shall not consent to imperil this sacred right by conferring it upon fictitious or fraudulent claimants. On the accession of the present Administration it was found that the minister for North Germany had made propositions for the negotiation of a convention for the protection of emigrant passengers, to which no response had been given. It was concluded that to be effectual all the maritime powers engaged in the trade should join in such a measure. Invitations have been extended to the cabinets of London, Paris, Florence, Berlin, Brussels, The Hague, Copenhagen, and Stockholm to empower their representatives at Washington to simultaneously enter into negotiations and to conclude with the United States conventions identical in form, making uniform regulations as to the construction of the parts of vessels to be devoted to the use of emigrant passengers, as to the quality and quantity of food, as to the medical treatment of the sick, and as to the rules to be observed during the voyage, in order to secure ventilation, to promote health, to prevent intrusion, and to protect the females; and providing for the establishment of tribunals in the several countries for enforcing such regulations by summary process. Your attention is respectfully called to the law regulating the tariff on Russian hemp, and to the question whether to fix the charges on Russian hemp higher than they are fixed upon manila is not a violation of our treaty with Russia placing her products upon the same footing with those of the most favored nations. Our manufactures are increasing with wonderful rapidity under the encouragement which they now receive. With the improvements in machinery already effected, and still increasing, causing machinery to take the place of skilled labor to a large extent, our imports of many articles must fall off largely within a very few years. Fortunately, too, manufactures are not confined to a few localities, as formerly, and it is to be hoped will become more and more diffused, making the interest in them equal in all sections. They give employment and support to hundreds of thousands of people at home, and retain with us the means which otherwise would be shipped abroad. The extension of railroads in Europe and the East is bringing into competition with our agricultural products like products of other countries. Self-interest, if not self-preservation, therefore dictates caution against disturbing any industrial interest of the country. It teaches us also the necessity of looking to other markets for the sale of our surplus. Our neighbors south of us and China and Japan, should receive our special attention. It will be the endeavor of the Administration to cultivate such relations with all these nations as to entitle us to their confidence and make it their interest, as well as ours, to establish better commercial relations. Through the agency of a more enlightened policy than that heretofore pursued toward China, largely due to the sagacity and efforts of one of our own distinguished citizens, the world is about to commence largely increased relations with that populous and hitherto exclusive nation. As the United States have been the initiators in this new policy, so they should be the most earnest in showing their good faith in making it a success. In this connection I advise such legislation as will forever preclude the enslavement of the Chinese upon our soil under the name of coolies, and also prevent American vessels from engaging in the transportation of coolies to any country tolerating the system. I also recommend that the mission to China be raised to one of the first class. On my assuming the responsible duties of Chief Magistrate of the United States it was with the conviction that three things were essential to its peace, prosperity, and fullest development. First among these is strict integrity in fulfilling all our obligations; second, to secure protection to the person and property of the citizen of the United States in each and every portion of our common country, wherever he may choose to move, without reference to original nationality, religion, color, or politics, demanding of him only obedience to the laws and proper respect for the rights of others; third, union of all the States, with equal rights, indestructible by any constitutional means. To secure the first of these, Congress has taken two essential steps: First, in declaring by joint resolution that the public debt shall be paid, principal and interest, in coin; and, second, by providing the means for paying. Providing the means, however, could not secure the object desired without a proper administration of the laws for the collection of the revenues and an economical disbursement of them. To this subject the Administration has most earnestly addressed itself, with results, I hope, satisfactory to the country. There has been no hesitation in changing officials in order to secure an efficient execution of the laws, sometimes, too, when, in a mere party view, undesirable political results were likely to follow; nor any hesitation in sustaining efficient officials against remonstrances wholly political. It may be well to mention here the embarrassment possible to arise from leaving on the statute books the so-called "tenure-of-office acts," and to earnestly recommend their total repeal. It could not have been the intention of the framers of the Constitution, when providing that appointments made by the President should receive the consent of the Senate, that the latter should have the power to retain in office persons placed there by Federal appointment against the will of the President. The law is inconsistent with a faithful and efficient administration of the Government. What faith can an Executive put in officials forced upon him, and those, too, whom he has suspended for reason? How will such officials be likely to serve an Administration which they know does not trust them? For the second requisite to our growth and prosperity time and a firm but humane administration of existing laws (amended from time to time as they may prove ineffective or prove harsh and unnecessary) are probably all that are required. The third can not be attained by special legislation, but must be regarded as fixed by the Constitution itself and gradually acquiesced in by force of public opinion. From the foundation of the Government to the present the management of the original inhabitants of this continent--the Indians--has been a subject of embarrassment and expense, and has been attended with continuous robberies, murders, and wars. From my own experience upon the frontiers and in Indian countries, I do not hold either legislation or the conduct of the whites who come most in contact with the Indian blameless for these hostilities. The past, however, can not be undone, and the question must be met as we now find it. I have attempted a new policy toward these wards of the nation (they can not be regarded in any other light than as wards), with fair results so far as tried, and which I hope will be attended ultimately with great success. The Society of Friends is well known as having succeeded in living in peace with the Indians in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, while their white neighbors of other sects in other sections were constantly embroiled. They are also known for their opposition to all strife, violence, and war, and are generally noted for their strict integrity and fair dealings. These considerations induced me to give the management of a few reservations of Indians to them and to throw the burden of the selection of agents upon the society itself. The result has proven most satisfactory. It will be found more fully set forth in the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. For superintendents and Indian agents not on the reservations, officers of the Army were selected. The reasons for this are numerous. Where Indian agents are sent, there, or near there, troops must be sent also. The agent and the commander of troops are independent of each other, and are subject to orders from different Departments of the Government. The army officer holds a position for life; the agent, one at the will of the President. The former is personally interested in living in harmony with the Indian and in establishing a permanent peace, to the end that some portion of his life may be spent within the limits of civilized society; the latter has no such personal interest. Another reason is an economic one; and still another, the hold which the Government has upon a life officer to secure a faithful discharge of duties in carrying out a given policy. The building of railroads, and the access thereby given to all the agricultural and mineral regions of the country, is rapidly bringing civilized settlements into contact with all the tribes of Indians. No matter what ought to be the relations between such settlements and the aborigines, the fact is they do not harmonize well, and one or the other has to give way in the end. A system which looks to the extinction of a race is too horrible for a nation to adopt without entailing upon itself the wrath of all Christendom and engendering in the citizen a disregard for human life and the rights of others, dangerous to society. I see no substitute for such a system, except in placing all the Indians on large reservations, as rapidly as it can be done, and giving them absolute protection there. As soon as they are fitted for it they should be induced to take their lands in severalty and to set up Territorial governments for their own protection. For full details on this subject I call your special attention to the reports of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The report of the Secretary of War shows the expenditures of the War Department for the year ending June 30, 1869, to be $80,644,042, of which $23,882,310 was disbursed in the payment of debts contracted during the war, and is not chargeable to current army expenses. His estimate of $34,531,031 for the expenses of the Army for the next fiscal year is as low as it is believed can be relied on. The estimates of bureau officers have been carefully scrutinized, and reduced wherever it has been deemed practicable. If, however, the condition of the country should be such by the beginning of the next fiscal year as to admit of a greater concentration of troops, the appropriation asked for will not be expended. The appropriations estimated for river and harbor improvements and for fortifications are submitted separately. Whatever amount Congress may deem proper to appropriate for these purposes will be expended. The recommendation of the General of the Army that appropriations be made for the forts at Boston. Portland, New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco, if for no other, is concurred in. I also ask your special attention to the recommendation of the general commanding the Military Division of the Pacific for the sale of the seal islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska Territory, and suggest that it either be complied with or that legislation be had for the protection of the seal fisheries from which a revenue should be derived. The report of the Secretary of War contains a synopsis of the reports of the heads of bureaus, of the commanders of military divisions, and of the districts of Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, and the report of the General of the Army in full. The recommendations therein contained have been well considered, and are submitted for your action. I, however, call special attention to the recommendation of the Chief of Ordnance for the sale of arsenals and lands no longer of use to the Government; also, to the recommendation of the Secretary of War that the act of 3d March, 1869, prohibiting promotions and appointments in the staff corps of the Army, be repealed. The extent of country to be garrisoned and the number of military posts to be occupied is the same with a reduced Army as with a large one. The number of staff officers required is more dependent upon the latter than the former condition. The report of the Secretary of the Navy accompanying this shows the condition of the Navy when this Administration came into office and the changes made since. Strenuous efforts have been made to place as many vessels "in commission," or render them fit for service if required, as possible, and to substitute the sail for steam while cruising, thus materially reducing the expenses of the Navy and adding greatly to its efficiency. Looking to our future, I recommend a liberal, though not extravagant, policy toward this branch of the public service. The report of the Postmaster-General furnishes a clear and comprehensive exhibit of the operations of the postal service and of the financial condition of the Post-Office Department. The ordinary postal revenues for the year ending the 30th of June, 1869, amounted to $18,344,510, and the expenditures to $23,698,131, showing an excess of expenditures over receipts of $5,353,620. The excess of expenditures over receipts for the previous year amounted to $6,437,992. The increase of revenues for 1869 over those of 1868 was $2,051,909, and the increase of expenditures was $967,538. The increased revenue in 1869 exceeded the increased revenue in 1868 by $996,336, and the increased expenditure in 1869 was $2,527,570 less than the increased expenditure in 1868, showing by comparison this gratifying feature of improvement, that while the increase of expenditures over the increase of receipts in 1868 was $2,439,535, the increase of receipts over the increase of expenditures in 1869 was $1,084,371. Your attention is respectfully called to the recommendations made by the Postmaster-General for authority to change the rate of compensation to the main trunk railroad lines for their services in carrying the mails; for having post-route maps executed; for reorganizing and increasing the efficiency of the special-agency service; for increase of the mail service on the Pacific, and for establishing mail service, under the flag of the Union, on the Atlantic; and most especially do I call your attention to his recommendation for the total abolition of the franking privilege. This is an abuse from which no one receives a commensurate advantage; it reduces the receipts for postal service from 25 to 30 per cent and largely increases the service to be performed. The method by which postage should be paid upon public matter is set forth fully in the report of the Postmaster-General. The report of the Secretary of the Interior shows that the quantity of public lands disposed of during the year ending the 30th of June, 1869, was 7,666,152 acres, exceeding that of the preceding year by 1,010,409 acres. Of this amount 2,899,544 acres were sold for cash and 2,737,365 acres entered under the homestead laws. The remainder was granted to aid in the construction of works of internal improvement, approved to the States as swamp land, and located with warrants and scrip. The cash receipts from all sources were $4,472,886, exceeding those of the preceding year $2,840,140. During the last fiscal year 23,196 names were added to the pension rolls and 4,876 dropped therefrom, leaving at its close 187,963. The amount paid to pensioners, including the compensation of disbursing agents, was $28,422,884, an increase of $4,411,902 on that of the previous year. The munificence of Congress has been conspicuously manifested in its legislation for the soldiers and sailors who suffered in the recent struggle to maintain "that unity of government which makes us one people." The additions to the pension rolls of each successive year since the conclusion of hostilities result in a great degree from the repeated amendments of the act of the 14th of July, 1862, which extended its provisions to cases not falling within its original scope. The large outlay which is thus occasioned is further increased by the more liberal allowance bestowed since that date upon those who in the line of duty were wholly or permanently disabled. Public opinion has given an emphatic sanction to these measures of Congress, and it will be conceded that no part of our public burden is more cheerfully borne than that which is imposed by this branch of the service. It necessitates for the next fiscal year, in addition to the amount justly chargeable to the naval pension fund, an appropriation of $30,000,000. During the year ending the 30th of September, 1869, the Patent Office issued 13,762 patents, and its receipts were $686,389, being $213,926 more than the expenditures. I would respectfully call your attention to the recommendation of the Secretary of the Interior for uniting the duties of supervising the education of freedmen with the other duties devolving upon the Commissioner of Education. If it is the desire of Congress to make the census which must be taken during the year 1870 more complete and perfect than heretofore, I would suggest early action upon any plan that may be agreed upon. As Congress at the last session appointed a committee to take into consideration such measures as might be deemed proper in reference to the census and report a plan, I desist from saying more. I recommend to your favorable consideration the claims of the Agricultural Bureau for liberal appropriations. In a country so diversified in climate and soil as ours, and with a population so largely dependent upon agriculture, the benefits that can be conferred by properly fostering this Bureau are incalculable. I desire respectfully to call the attention of Congress to the inadequate salaries of a number of the most important offices of the Government. In this message I will not enumerate them, but will specify only the justices of the Supreme Court. No change has been made in their salaries for fifteen years. Within that time the labors of the court have largely increased and the expenses of living have at least doubled. During the same time Congress has twice found it necessary to increase largely the compensation of its own members, and the duty which it owes to another department of the Government deserves, and will undoubtedly receive, its due consideration. There are many subjects not alluded to in this message which might with propriety be introduced, but I abstain, believing that your patriotism and statesmanship will suggest the topics and the legislation most conducive to the interests of the whole people. On my part I promise a rigid adherence to the laws and their strict enforcement.
In coming before you for the first time as Chief Magistrate of this great nation, it is with gratitude to the Giver of All Good for the many benefits we enjoy. We are blessed with peace at home, and are without entangling alliances abroad to forebode trouble; with a territory unsurpassed in fertility, of an area equal to the abundant support of 500,000,000 people, and abounding in every variety of useful mineral in quantity sufficient to supply the world for generations; with exuberant crops; with a variety of climate adapted to the production of every species of earth's riches and suited to the habits, tastes, and requirements of every living thing; with a population of 40,000,000 free people, all speaking one language; with facilities for every mortal to acquire an education; with institutions closing to none the avenues to fame or any blessing of fortune that may be coveted; with freedom of the pulpit, the press, and the school; with a revenue flowing into the National Treasury beyond the requirements of the Government. Happily, harmony is being rapidly restored within our own borders. Manufactures hitherto unknown in our country are springing up in all sections, producing a degree of national independence unequaled by that of any other power. These blessings and countless others are intrusted to your care and mine for safe-keeping for the brief period of our tenure of office. In a short time we must, each of us, return to the ranks of the people, who have conferred upon us our honors, and account to them for our stewardship. I earnestly desire that neither you nor I may be condemned by a free and enlightened constituency nor by our own consciences. Emerging from a rebellion of gigantic magnitude, aided, as it was, by the sympathies and assistance of nations with which we were at peace, eleven States of the Union were, four years ago, left without legal State governments. A national debt had been contracted; American commerce was almost driven from the seas; the industry of one-half of the country had been taken from the control of the capitalist and placed where all labor rightfully belongs--in the keeping of the laborer. The work of restoring State governments loyal to the Union, of protecting and fostering free labor, and providing means for paying the interest on the public debt has received ample attention from Congress. Although your efforts have not met with the success in all particulars that might have been desired, yet on the whole they have been more successful than could have been reasonably anticipated. Seven States which passed ordinances of secession have been fully restored to their places in the Union. The eighth (Georgia) held an election at which she ratified her constitution, republican in form, elected a governor, Members of Congress, a State legislature, and all other officers required. The governor was duly installed, and the legislature met and performed all the acts then required of them by the reconstruction acts of Congress. Subsequently, however, in violation of the constitution which they had just ratified (as since decided by the supreme court of the State), they unseated the colored members of the legislature and admitted to seats some members who are disqualified by the third clause of the fourteenth amendment to the Constitution--an article which they themselves had contributed to ratify. Under these circumstances I would submit to you whether it would not be wise, without delay, to enact a law authorizing the governor of Georgia to convene the members originally elected to the legislature, requiring each member to take the oath prescribed by the reconstruction acts, and none to be admitted who are ineligible under the third clause of the fourteenth amendment. The freedmen, under the protection which they have received, are making rapid progress in learning, and no complaints are heard of lack of industry on their part where they receive fair remuneration for their labor. The means provided for paying the interest on the public debt, with all other expenses of Government, are more than ample. The loss of our commerce is the only result of the late rebellion which has not received sufficient attention from you. To this subject I call your earnest attention. I will not now suggest plans by which this object may be effected, but will, if necessary, make it the subject of a special message during the session of Congress. At the March term Congress by joint resolution authorized the Executive to order elections in the States of Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, to submit to them the constitutions which each had previously, in convention, framed, and submit the constitutions, either entire or in separate parts, to be voted upon, at the discretion of the Executive. Under this authority elections were called. In Virginia the election took place on the 6th of July, 1869. The governor and lieutenant-governor elected have been installed. The legislature met and did all required by this resolution and by all the reconstruction acts of Congress, and abstained from all doubtful authority. I recommend that her Senators and Representatives be promptly admitted to their seats, and that the State be fully restored to its place in the family of States. Elections were called in Mississippi and Texas, to commence on the 30th of November, 1869, and to last two days in Mississippi and four days in Texas. The elections have taken place, but the result is not known. It is to be hoped that the acts of the legislatures of these States, when they meet, will be such as to receive your approval, and thus close the work of reconstruction. Among the evils growing out of the rebellion, and not yet referred to, is that of an irredeemable currency. It is an evil which I hope will receive your most earnest attention. It is a duty, and one of the highest duties, of Government to secure to the citizen a medium of exchange of fixed, unvarying value. This implies a return to a specie basis, and no substitute for it can be devised. It should be commenced now and reached at the earliest practicable moment consistent with a fair regard to the interests of the debtor class. Immediate resumption, if practicable, would not be desirable. It would compel the debtor class to pay, beyond their contracts, the premium on gold at the date of their purchase and would bring bankruptcy and ruin to thousands. Fluctuation, however, in the paper value of the measure of all values (gold) is detrimental to the interests of trade. It makes the man of business an involuntary gambler, for in all sales where future payment is to be made both parties speculate as to what will be the value of the currency to be paid and received. I earnestly recommend to you, then, such legislation as will insure a gradual return to specie payments and put an immediate stop to fluctuations in the value of currency. The methods to secure the former of these results are as numerous as are the speculators on political economy. To secure the latter I see but one way, and that is to authorize the Treasury to redeem its own paper, at a fixed price, whenever presented, and to withhold from circulation all currency so redeemed until sold again for gold. The vast resources of the nation, both developed and undeveloped, ought to make our credit the best on earth. With a less burden of taxation than the citizen has endured for six years past, the entire public debt could be paid in ten years. But it is not desirable that the people should be taxed to pay it in that time. Year by year the ability to pay increases in a rapid ratio. But the burden of interest ought to be reduced as rapidly as can be done without the violation of contract. The public debt is represented in great part by bonds having from five to twenty and from ten to forty years to run, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively. It is optional with the Government to pay these bonds at any period after the expiration of the least time mentioned upon their face. The time has already expired when a great part of them may be taken up, and is rapidly approaching when all may be. It is believed that all which are now due may be replaced by bonds bearing a rate of interest not exceeding 4 1/2 per cent, and as rapidly as the remainder become due that they may be replaced in the same way. To accomplish this it may be necessary to authorize the interest to be paid at either of three or four of the money centers of Europe, or by any assistant treasurer of the United States, at the option of the holder of the bond. I suggest this subject for the consideration of Congress, and also, simultaneously with this, the propriety of redeeming our currency, as before suggested, at its market value at the time the law goes into effect, increasing the rate at which currency shall be bought and sold from day to day or week to week, at the same rate of interest as Government pays upon its bonds. The subjects of tariff and internal taxation will necessarily receive your attention. The revenues of the country are greater than the requirements, and may with safety be reduced. But as the funding of the debt in a 4 or a 4 1/2 per cent loan would reduce annual current expenses largely, thus, after funding, justifying a greater reduction of taxation than would be now expedient, I suggest postponement of this question until the next meeting of Congress. It may be advisable to modify taxation and tariff in instances where unjust or burdensome discriminations are made by the present laws, but a general revision of the laws regulating this subject I recommend the postponement of for the present. I also suggest the renewal of the tax on incomes, but at a reduced rate, say of 3 per cent, and this tax to expire in three years. With the funding of the national debt, as here suggested, I feel safe in saying that taxes and the revenue from imports may be reduced safely from sixty to eighty millions per annum at once, and may be still further reduced from year to year, as the resources of the country are developed. The report of the Secretary of the Treasury shows the receipts of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869, to be $370,943,747, and the expenditures, including interest, bounties, etc., to be $321,490,597. The estimates for the ensuing year are more favorable to the Government, and will no doubt show a much larger decrease of the public debt. The receipts in the Treasury beyond expenditures have exceeded the amount necessary to place to the credit of the sinking fund, as provided by law. To lock up the surplus in the Treasury and withhold it from circulation would lead to such a contraction of the currency as to cripple trade and seriously affect the prosperity of the country. Under these circumstances the Secretary of the Treasury and myself heartily concurred in the propriety of using all the surplus currency in the Treasury in the purchase of Government bonds, thus reducing the interest-bearing indebtedness of the country, and of submitting to Congress the question of the disposition to be made of the bonds so purchased. The bonds now held by the Treasury amount to about seventy-five millions, including those belonging to the sinking fund. I recommend that the whole be placed to the credit of the sinking fund. Your attention is respectfully invited to the recommendations of the Secretary of the Treasury for the creation of the office of commissioner of customs revenue; for the increase of salaries to certain classes of officials; the substitution of increased national-bank circulation to replace the outstanding 3 per cent certificates; and most especially to his recommendation for the repeal of laws allowing shares of fines, penalties, forfeitures, etc., to officers of the Government or to informers. The office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue is one of the most arduous and responsible under the Government. It falls but little, if any, short of a Cabinet position in its importance and responsibilities. I would ask for it, therefore, such legislation as in your judgment will place the office upon a footing of dignity commensurate with its importance and with the character and qualifications of the class of men required to fill it properly. As the United States is the freest of all nations, so, too, its people sympathize with all people struggling for liberty and self-government; but while so sympathizing it is due to our honor that we should abstain from enforcing our views upon unwilling nations and from taking an interested part, without invitation, in the quarrels between different nations or between governments and their subjects. Our course should always be in conformity with strict justice and law, international and local. Such has been the policy of the Administration in dealing with these questions. For more than a year a valuable province of Spain, and a near neighbor of ours, in whom all our people can not but feel a deep interest, has been struggling for independence and freedom. The people and Government of the United States entertain the same warm feelings and sympathies for the people of Cuba in their pending struggle that they manifested throughout the previous struggles between Spain and her former colonies in behalf of the latter. But the contest has at no time assumed the conditions which amount to a war in the sense of international law, or which would show the existence of a de facto political organization of the insurgents sufficient to justify a recognition of belligerency. The principle is maintained, however, that this nation is its own judge when to accord the rights of belligerency, either to a people struggling to free themselves from a government they believe to be oppressive or to independent nations at war with each other. The United States have no disposition to interfere with the existing relations of Spain to her colonial possessions on this continent. They believe that in due time Spain and other European powers will find their interest in terminating those relations and establishing their present dependencies as independent powers--members of the family of nations. These dependencies are no longer regarded as subject to transfer from one European power to another. When the present relation of colonies ceases, they are to become independent powers, exercising the right of choice and of self-control in the determination of their future condition and relations with other powers. The United States, in order to put a stop to bloodshed in Cuba, and in the interest of a neighboring people, proposed their good offices to bring the existing contest to a termination. The offer, not being accepted by Spain on a basis which we believed could be received by Cuba, was withdrawn. It is hoped that the good offices of the United States may yet prove advantageous for the settlement of this unhappy strife. Meanwhile a number of illegal expeditions against Cuba have been broken up. It has been the endeavor of the Administration to execute the neutrality laws in good faith, no matter how unpleasant the task, made so by the sufferings we have endured from lack of like good faith toward us by other nations. On the 26th of March last the United States schooner Lizzie Major was arrested on the high seas by a Spanish frigate, and two passengers taken from it and carried as prisoners to Cuba. Representations of these facts were made to the Spanish Government as soon as official information of them reached Washington. The two passengers were set at liberty, and the Spanish Government assured the United States that the captain of the frigate in making the capture had acted without law, that he had been reprimanded for the irregularity of his conduct, and that the Spanish authorities in Cuba would not sanction any act that could violate the rights or treat with disrespect the sovereignty of this nation. The question of the seizure of the brig Mary Lowell at one of the Bahama Islands by Spanish authorities is now the subject of correspondence between this Government and those of Spain and Great Britain. The Captain-General of Cuba about May last issued a proclamation authorizing search to be made of vessels on the high seas. Immediate remonstrance was made against this, whereupon the Captain-General issued a new proclamation limiting the right of search to vessels of the United States so far as authorized under the treaty of 1795. This proclamation, however, was immediately withdrawn. I have always felt that the most intimate relations should be cultivated between the Republic of the United States and all independent nations on this continent. It may be well worth considering whether new treaties between us and them may not be profitably entered into, to secure more intimate relations--friendly, commercial, and otherwise. The subject of an interoceanic canal to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Isthmus of Darien is one in which commerce is greatly interested. Instructions have been given to our minister to the Republic of the United States of Colombia to endeavor to obtain authority for a survey by this Government, in order to determine the practicability of such an undertaking, and a charter for the right of way to build, by private enterprise, such a work, if the survey proves it to be practicable. In order to comply with the agreement of the United States as to a mixed commission at Lima for the adjustment of claims, it became necessary to send a commissioner and secretary to Lima in August last. No appropriation having been made by Congress for this purpose, it is now asked that one be made covering the past and future expenses of the commission. The good offices of the United States to bring about a peace between Spain and the South American Republics with which she is at war having been accepted by Spain, Peru, and Chile, a congress has been invited to be held in Washington during the present winter. A grant has been given to Europeans of an exclusive right of transit over the territory of Nicaragua, to which Costa Rico has given its assent, which, it is alleged, conflicts with vested rights of citizens of the United States. The Department of State has now this subject under consideration. The minister of Peru having made representations that there was a state of war between Peru and Spain, and that Spain was constructing, in and near New York, thirty gunboats, which might be used by Spain in such a way as to relieve the naval force at Cuba, so as to operate against Peru, orders were given to prevent their departure. No further steps having been taken by the representative of the Peruvian Government to prevent the departure of these vessels, and I not feeling authorized to detain the property of a nation with which we are at peace on a mere Executive order, the matter has been referred to the courts to decide. The conduct of the war between the allies and the Republic of Paraguay has made the intercourse with that country so difficult that it has been deemed advisable to withdraw our representative from there. Toward the close of the last Administration a convention was signed at London for the settlement of all outstanding claims between Great Britain and the United States, which failed to receive the advice and consent of the Senate to its ratification. The time and the circumstances attending the negotiation of that treaty were unfavorable to its acceptance by the people of the United States, and its provisions were wholly inadequate for the settlement of the grave wrongs that bad been sustained by this Government, as well as by its citizens. The injuries resulting to the United States by reason of the course adopted by Great Britain during our late civil war--in the increased rates of insurance; in the diminution of exports and imports, and other obstructions to domestic industry and production; in its effect upon the foreign commerce of the country; in the decrease and transfer to Great Britain of our commercial marine; in the prolongation of the war and the increased cost (both in treasure and in lives) of its suppression could not be adjusted and satisfied as ordinary commercial claims, which continually arise between commercial nations; and yet the convention treated them simply as such ordinary claims, from which they differ more widely in the gravity of their character than in the magnitude of their amount, great even as is that difference. Not a word was found in the treaty, and not an inference could be drawn from it, to remove the sense of the unfriendliness of the course of Great Britain in our struggle for existence, which had so deeply and universally impressed itself upon the people of this country. Believing that a convention thus misconceived in its scope and inadequate in its provisions would not have produced the hearty, cordial settlement of pending questions, which alone is consistent with the relations which I desire to have firmly established between the United States and Great Britain, I regarded the action of the Senate in rejecting the treaty to have been wisely taken in the interest of peace and as a necessary step in the direction of a perfect and cordial friendship between the two countries. A sensitive people, conscious of their power, are more at ease under a great wrong wholly unatoned than under the restraint of a settlement which satisfies neither their ideas of justice nor their grave sense of the grievance they have sustained. The rejection of the treaty was followed by a state of public feeling on both sides which I thought not favorable to an immediate attempt at renewed negotiations. I accordingly so instructed the minister of the United States to Great Britain, and found that my views in this regard were shared by Her Majesty's ministers. I hope that the time may soon arrive when the two Governments can approach the solution of this momentous question with an appreciation of what is due to the rights, dignity, and honor of each, and with the determination not only to remove the causes of complaint in the past, but to lay the foundation of a broad principle of public law which will prevent future differences and tend to firm and continued peace and friendship. This is now the only grave question which the United States has with any foreign nation. The question of renewing a treaty for reciprocal trade between the United States and the British Provinces on this continent has not been favorably considered by the Administration. The advantages of such a treaty would be wholly in favor of the British producer. Except, possibly, a few engaged in the trade between the two sections, no citizen of the United States would be benefited by reciprocity. Our internal taxation would prove a protection to the British producer almost equal to the protection which our manufacturers now receive from the tariff. Some arrangement, however, for the regulation of commercial intercourse between the United States and the Dominion of Canada may be desirable. The commission for adjusting the claims of the "Hudsons Bay and Puget Sound Agricultural Company" upon the United States has terminated its labors. The award of $650,000 has been made and all rights and titles of the company on the territory of the United States have been extinguished. Deeds for the property of the company have been delivered. An appropriation by Congress to meet this sum is asked. The commissioners for determining the northwestern land boundary between the United States and the British possessions under the treaty of 1856 have completed their labors, and the commission has been dissolved. In conformity with the recommendation of Congress, a proposition was early made to the British Government to abolish the mixed courts created under the treaty of April 7, 1862, for the suppression of the slave trade. The subject is still under negotiation. It having come to my knowledge that a corporate company, organized under British laws, proposed to land upon the shores of the United States and to operate there a submarine cable, under a concession from His Majesty the Emperor of the French of an exclusive right for twenty years of telegraphic communication between the shores of France and the United States, with the very objectionable feature of subjecting all messages conveyed thereby to the scrutiny and control of the French Government, I caused the French and British legations at Washington to be made acquainted with the probable policy of Congress on this subject, as foreshadowed by the bill which passed the Senate in March last. This drew from the representatives of the company an agreement to accept as the basis of their operations the provisions of that bill, or of such other enactment on the subject as might be passed during the approaching session of Congress; also, to use their influence to secure from the French Government a modification of their concession, so as to permit the landing upon French soil of any cable belonging to any company incorporated by the authority of the United States or of any State in the Union, and, on their part, not to oppose the establishment of any such cable. In consideration of this agreement I directed the withdrawal of all opposition by the United States authorities to the landing of the cable and to the working of it until the meeting of Congress. I regret to say that there has been no modification made in the company's concession, nor, so far as I can learn, have they attempted to secure one. Their concession excludes the capital and the citizens of the United States from competition upon the shores of France. I recommend legislation to protect the rights of citizens of the United States, as well as the dignity and sovereignty of the nation, against such an assumption. I shall also endeavor to secure, by negotiation, an abandonment of the principle of monopolies in ocean telegraphic cables. Copies of this correspondence are herewith furnished. The unsettled political condition of other countries, less fortunate than our own, sometimes induces their citizens to come to the United States for the sole purpose of becoming naturalized. Having secured this, they return to their native country and reside there, without disclosing their change of allegiance. They accept official positions of trust or honor, which can only be held by citizens of their native land; they journey under passports describing them as such citizens; and it is only when civil discord, after perhaps years of quiet, threatens their persons or their property, or when their native state drafts them into its military service, that the fact of their change of allegiance is made known. They reside permanently away from the United States, they contribute nothing to its revenues, they avoid the duties of its citizenship, and they only make themselves known by a claim of protection. I have directed the diplomatic and consular officers of the United States to scrutinize carefully all such claims for protection. The citizen of the United States, whether native or adopted, who discharges his duty to his country, is entitled to its complete protection. While I have a voice in the direction of affairs I shall not consent to imperil this sacred right by conferring it upon fictitious or fraudulent claimants. On the accession of the present Administration it was found that the minister for North Germany had made propositions for the negotiation of a convention for the protection of emigrant passengers, to which no response had been given. It was concluded that to be effectual all the maritime powers engaged in the trade should join in such a measure. Invitations have been extended to the cabinets of London, Paris, Florence, Berlin, Brussels, The Hague, Copenhagen, and Stockholm to empower their representatives at Washington to simultaneously enter into negotiations and to conclude with the United States conventions identical in form, making uniform regulations as to the construction of the parts of vessels to be devoted to the use of emigrant passengers, as to the quality and quantity of food, as to the medical treatment of the sick, and as to the rules to be observed during the voyage, in order to secure ventilation, to promote health, to prevent intrusion, and to protect the females; and providing for the establishment of tribunals in the several countries for enforcing such regulations by summary process. Your attention is respectfully called to the law regulating the tariff on Russian hemp, and to the question whether to fix the charges on Russian hemp higher than they are fixed upon manila is not a violation of our treaty with Russia placing her products upon the same footing with those of the most favored nations. Our manufactures are increasing with wonderful rapidity under the encouragement which they now receive. With the improvements in machinery already effected, and still increasing, causing machinery to take the place of skilled labor to a large extent, our imports of many articles must fall off largely within a very few years. Fortunately, too, manufactures are not confined to a few localities, as formerly, and it is to be hoped will become more and more diffused, making the interest in them equal in all sections. They give employment and support to hundreds of thousands of people at home, and retain with us the means which otherwise would be shipped abroad. The extension of railroads in Europe and the East is bringing into competition with our agricultural products like products of other countries. Self-interest, if not self-preservation, therefore dictates caution against disturbing any industrial interest of the country. It teaches us also the necessity of looking to other markets for the sale of our surplus. Our neighbors south of us and China and Japan, should receive our special attention. It will be the endeavor of the Administration to cultivate such relations with all these nations as to entitle us to their confidence and make it their interest, as well as ours, to establish better commercial relations. Through the agency of a more enlightened policy than that heretofore pursued toward China, largely due to the sagacity and efforts of one of our own distinguished citizens, the world is about to commence largely increased relations with that populous and hitherto exclusive nation. As the United States have been the initiators in this new policy, so they should be the most earnest in showing their good faith in making it a success. In this connection I advise such legislation as will forever preclude the enslavement of the Chinese upon our soil under the name of coolies, and also prevent American vessels from engaging in the transportation of coolies to any country tolerating the system. I also recommend that the mission to China be raised to one of the first class. On my assuming the responsible duties of Chief Magistrate of the United States it was with the conviction that three things were essential to its peace, prosperity, and fullest development. First among these is strict integrity in fulfilling all our obligations; second, to secure protection to the person and property of the citizen of the United States in each and every portion of our common country, wherever he may choose to move, without reference to original nationality, religion, color, or politics, demanding of him only obedience to the laws and proper respect for the rights of others; third, union of all the States, with equal rights, indestructible by any constitutional means. To secure the first of these, Congress has taken two essential steps: First, in declaring by joint resolution that the public debt shall be paid, principal and interest, in coin; and, second, by providing the means for paying. Providing the means, however, could not secure the object desired without a proper administration of the laws for the collection of the revenues and an economical disbursement of them. To this subject the Administration has most earnestly addressed itself, with results, I hope, satisfactory to the country. There has been no hesitation in changing officials in order to secure an efficient execution of the laws, sometimes, too, when, in a mere party view, undesirable political results were likely to follow; nor any hesitation in sustaining efficient officials against remonstrances wholly political. It may be well to mention here the embarrassment possible to arise from leaving on the statute books the so-called "tenure-of-office acts," and to earnestly recommend their total repeal. It could not have been the intention of the framers of the Constitution, when providing that appointments made by the President should receive the consent of the Senate, that the latter should have the power to retain in office persons placed there by Federal appointment against the will of the President. The law is inconsistent with a faithful and efficient administration of the Government. What faith can an Executive put in officials forced upon him, and those, too, whom he has suspended for reason? How will such officials be likely to serve an Administration which they know does not trust them? For the second requisite to our growth and prosperity time and a firm but humane administration of existing laws (amended from time to time as they may prove ineffective or prove harsh and unnecessary) are probably all that are required. The third can not be attained by special legislation, but must be regarded as fixed by the Constitution itself and gradually acquiesced in by force of public opinion. From the foundation of the Government to the present the management of the original inhabitants of this continent--the Indians--has been a subject of embarrassment and expense, and has been attended with continuous robberies, murders, and wars. From my own experience upon the frontiers and in Indian countries, I do not hold either legislation or the conduct of the whites who come most in contact with the Indian blameless for these hostilities. The past, however, can not be undone, and the question must be met as we now find it. I have attempted a new policy toward these wards of the nation (they can not be regarded in any other light than as wards), with fair results so far as tried, and which I hope will be attended ultimately with great success. The Society of Friends is well known as having succeeded in living in peace with the Indians in the early settlement of Pennsylvania, while their white neighbors of other sects in other sections were constantly embroiled. They are also known for their opposition to all strife, violence, and war, and are generally noted for their strict integrity and fair dealings. These considerations induced me to give the management of a few reservations of Indians to them and to throw the burden of the selection of agents upon the society itself. The result has proven most satisfactory. It will be found more fully set forth in the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. For superintendents and Indian agents not on the reservations, officers of the Army were selected. The reasons for this are numerous. Where Indian agents are sent, there, or near there, troops must be sent also. The agent and the commander of troops are independent of each other, and are subject to orders from different Departments of the Government. The army officer holds a position for life; the agent, one at the will of the President. The former is personally interested in living in harmony with the Indian and in establishing a permanent peace, to the end that some portion of his life may be spent within the limits of civilized society; the latter has no such personal interest. Another reason is an economic one; and still another, the hold which the Government has upon a life officer to secure a faithful discharge of duties in carrying out a given policy. The building of railroads, and the access thereby given to all the agricultural and mineral regions of the country, is rapidly bringing civilized settlements into contact with all the tribes of Indians. No matter what ought to be the relations between such settlements and the aborigines, the fact is they do not harmonize well, and one or the other has to give way in the end. A system which looks to the extinction of a race is too horrible for a nation to adopt without entailing upon itself the wrath of all Christendom and engendering in the citizen a disregard for human life and the rights of others, dangerous to society. I see no substitute for such a system, except in placing all the Indians on large reservations, as rapidly as it can be done, and giving them absolute protection there. As soon as they are fitted for it they should be induced to take their lands in severalty and to set up Territorial governments for their own protection. For full details on this subject I call your special attention to the reports of the Secretary of the Interior and the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The report of the Secretary of War shows the expenditures of the War Department for the year ending June 30, 1869, to be $80,644,042, of which $23,882,310 was disbursed in the payment of debts contracted during the war, and is not chargeable to current army expenses. His estimate of $34,531,031 for the expenses of the Army for the next fiscal year is as low as it is believed can be relied on. The estimates of bureau officers have been carefully scrutinized, and reduced wherever it has been deemed practicable. If, however, the condition of the country should be such by the beginning of the next fiscal year as to admit of a greater concentration of troops, the appropriation asked for will not be expended. The appropriations estimated for river and harbor improvements and for fortifications are submitted separately. Whatever amount Congress may deem proper to appropriate for these purposes will be expended. The recommendation of the General of the Army that appropriations be made for the forts at Boston. Portland, New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and San Francisco, if for no other, is concurred in. I also ask your special attention to the recommendation of the general commanding the Military Division of the Pacific for the sale of the seal islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska Territory, and suggest that it either be complied with or that legislation be had for the protection of the seal fisheries from which a revenue should be derived. The report of the Secretary of War contains a synopsis of the reports of the heads of bureaus, of the commanders of military divisions, and of the districts of Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, and the report of the General of the Army in full. The recommendations therein contained have been well considered, and are submitted for your action. I, however, call special attention to the recommendation of the Chief of Ordnance for the sale of arsenals and lands no longer of use to the Government; also, to the recommendation of the Secretary of War that the act of 3d March, 1869, prohibiting promotions and appointments in the staff corps of the Army, be repealed. The extent of country to be garrisoned and the number of military posts to be occupied is the same with a reduced Army as with a large one. The number of staff officers required is more dependent upon the latter than the former condition. The report of the Secretary of the Navy accompanying this shows the condition of the Navy when this Administration came into office and the changes made since. Strenuous efforts have been made to place as many vessels "in commission," or render them fit for service if required, as possible, and to substitute the sail for steam while cruising, thus materially reducing the expenses of the Navy and adding greatly to its efficiency. Looking to our future, I recommend a liberal, though not extravagant, policy toward this branch of the public service. The report of the Postmaster-General furnishes a clear and comprehensive exhibit of the operations of the postal service and of the financial condition of the Post-Office Department. The ordinary postal revenues for the year ending the 30th of June, 1869, amounted to $18,344,510, and the expenditures to $23,698,131, showing an excess of expenditures over receipts of $5,353,620. The excess of expenditures over receipts for the previous year amounted to $6,437,992. The increase of revenues for 1869 over those of 1868 was $2,051,909, and the increase of expenditures was $967,538. The increased revenue in 1869 exceeded the increased revenue in 1868 by $996,336, and the increased expenditure in 1869 was $2,527,570 less than the increased expenditure in 1868, showing by comparison this gratifying feature of improvement, that while the increase of expenditures over the increase of receipts in 1868 was $2,439,535, the increase of receipts over the increase of expenditures in 1869 was $1,084,371. Your attention is respectfully called to the recommendations made by the Postmaster-General for authority to change the rate of compensation to the main trunk railroad lines for their services in carrying the mails; for having post-route maps executed; for reorganizing and increasing the efficiency of the special-agency service; for increase of the mail service on the Pacific, and for establishing mail service, under the flag of the Union, on the Atlantic; and most especially do I call your attention to his recommendation for the total abolition of the franking privilege. This is an abuse from which no one receives a commensurate advantage; it reduces the receipts for postal service from 25 to 30 per cent and largely increases the service to be performed. The method by which postage should be paid upon public matter is set forth fully in the report of the Postmaster-General. The report of the Secretary of the Interior shows that the quantity of public lands disposed of during the year ending the 30th of June, 1869, was 7,666,152 acres, exceeding that of the preceding year by 1,010,409 acres. Of this amount 2,899,544 acres were sold for cash and 2,737,365 acres entered under the homestead laws. The remainder was granted to aid in the construction of works of internal improvement, approved to the States as swamp land, and located with warrants and scrip. The cash receipts from all sources were $4,472,886, exceeding those of the preceding year $2,840,140. During the last fiscal year 23,196 names were added to the pension rolls and 4,876 dropped therefrom, leaving at its close 187,963. The amount paid to pensioners, including the compensation of disbursing agents, was $28,422,884, an increase of $4,411,902 on that of the previous year. The munificence of Congress has been conspicuously manifested in its legislation for the soldiers and sailors who suffered in the recent struggle to maintain "that unity of government which makes us one people." The additions to the pension rolls of each successive year since the conclusion of hostilities result in a great degree from the repeated amendments of the act of the 14th of July, 1862, which extended its provisions to cases not falling within its original scope. The large outlay which is thus occasioned is further increased by the more liberal allowance bestowed since that date upon those who in the line of duty were wholly or permanently disabled. Public opinion has given an emphatic sanction to these measures of Congress, and it will be conceded that no part of our public burden is more cheerfully borne than that which is imposed by this branch of the service. It necessitates for the next fiscal year, in addition to the amount justly chargeable to the naval pension fund, an appropriation of $30,000,000. During the year ending the 30th of September, 1869, the Patent Office issued 13,762 patents, and its receipts were $686,389, being $213,926 more than the expenditures. I would respectfully call your attention to the recommendation of the Secretary of the Interior for uniting the duties of supervising the education of freedmen with the other duties devolving upon the Commissioner of Education. If it is the desire of Congress to make the census which must be taken during the year 1870 more complete and perfect than heretofore, I would suggest early action upon any plan that may be agreed upon. As Congress at the last session appointed a committee to take into consideration such measures as might be deemed proper in reference to the census and report a plan, I desist from saying more. I recommend to your favorable consideration the claims of the Agricultural Bureau for liberal appropriations. In a country so diversified in climate and soil as ours, and with a population so largely dependent upon agriculture, the benefits that can be conferred by properly fostering this Bureau are incalculable. I desire respectfully to call the attention of Congress to the inadequate salaries of a number of the most important offices of the Government. In this message I will not enumerate them, but will specify only the justices of the Supreme Court. No change has been made in their salaries for fifteen years. Within that time the labors of the court have largely increased and the expenses of living have at least doubled. During the same time Congress has twice found it necessary to increase largely the compensation of its own members, and the duty which it owes to another department of the Government deserves, and will undoubtedly receive, its due consideration. There are many subjects not alluded to in this message which might with propriety be introduced, but I abstain, believing that your patriotism and statesmanship will suggest the topics and the legislation most conducive to the interests of the whole people. On my part I promise a rigid adherence to the laws and their strict enforcement.
in coming before you for the first time as chief magistrate of this great nation it is with gratitude to the giver of all good for the many benefits we enjoy we are blessed with peace at home and are without entangling alliances abroad to forebode trouble with a territory unsurpassed in fertility of an area equal to the abundant support of people and abounding in every variety of useful mineral in quantity sufficient to supply the world for generations with exuberant crops with a variety of climate adapted to the production of every species of earth riches and suited to the habits tastes and requirements of every living thing with a population of free people all speaking one language with facilities for every mortal to acquire an education with institutions closing to none the avenues to fame or any blessing of fortune that may be coveted with freedom of the pulpit the press and the school with a revenue flowing into the national treasury beyond the requirements of the government happily harmony is being rapidly restored within our own borders manufactures hitherto unknown in our country are springing up in all sections producing a degree of national independence unequaled by that of any other power these blessings and countless others are intrusted to your care and mine for for the brief period of our tenure of office in a short time we must each of us return to the ranks of the people who have conferred upon us our honors and account to them for our stewardship i earnestly desire that neither you nor i may be condemned by a free and enlightened constituency nor by our own consciences emerging from a rebellion of gigantic magnitude aided as it was by the sympathies and assistance of nations with which we were at peace eleven states of the union were four years ago left without legal state governments a national debt had been contracted american commerce was almost driven from the seas the industry of of the country had been taken from the control of the capitalist and placed where all labor rightfully belongs in the keeping of the laborer the work of restoring state governments loyal to the union of protecting and fostering free labor and providing means for paying the interest on the public debt has received ample attention from congress although your efforts have not met with the success in all particulars that might have been desired yet on the whole they have been more successful than could have been reasonably anticipated seven states which passed ordinances of secession have been fully restored to their places in the union the eighth georgia held an election at which she ratified her constitution republican in form elected a governor members of congress a state legislature and all other officers required the governor was duly installed and the legislature met and performed all the acts then required of them by the reconstruction acts of congress subsequently however in violation of the constitution which they had just ratified as since decided by the supreme court of the state they unseated the colored members of the legislature and admitted to seats some members who are disqualified by the third clause of the fourteenth amendment to the constitution an article which they themselves had contributed to ratify under these circumstances i would submit to you whether it would not be wise without delay to enact a law authorizing the governor of georgia to convene the members originally elected to the legislature requiring each member to take the oath prescribed by the reconstruction acts and none to be admitted who are ineligible under the third clause of the fourteenth amendment the freedmen under the protection which they have received are making rapid progress in learning and no complaints are heard of lack of industry on their part where they receive fair remuneration for their labor the means provided for paying the interest on the public debt with all other expenses of government are more than ample the loss of our commerce is the only result of the late rebellion which has not received sufficient attention from you to this subject i call your earnest attention i will not now suggest plans by which this object may be effected but will if necessary make it the subject of a special message during the session of congress at the march term congress by joint resolution authorized the executive to order elections in the states of virginia mississippi and texas to submit to them the constitutions which each had previously in convention framed and submit the constitutions either entire or in separate parts to be voted upon at the discretion of the executive under this authority elections were called in virginia the election took place on the 6th of july 1869 the governor and elected have been installed the legislature met and did all required by this resolution and by all the reconstruction acts of congress and abstained from all doubtful authority i recommend that her senators and representatives be promptly admitted to their seats and that the state be fully restored to its place in the family of states elections were called in mississippi and texas to commence on the 30th of november 1869 and to last two days in mississippi and four days in texas the elections have taken place but the result is not known it is to be hoped that the acts of the legislatures of these states when they meet will be such as to receive your approval and thus close the work of reconstruction among the evils growing out of the rebellion and not yet referred to is that of an irredeemable currency it is an evil which i hope will receive your most earnest attention it is a duty and one of the highest duties of government to secure to the citizen a medium of exchange of fixed unvarying value this implies a return to a specie basis and no substitute for it can be devised it should be commenced now and reached at the earliest practicable moment consistent with a fair regard to the interests of the debtor class immediate resumption if practicable would not be desirable it would compel the debtor class to pay beyond their contracts the premium on gold at the date of their purchase and would bring bankruptcy and ruin to thousands fluctuation however in the paper value of the measure of all values gold is detrimental to the interests of trade it makes the man of business an involuntary gambler for in all sales where future payment is to be made both parties speculate as to what will be the value of the currency to be paid and received i earnestly recommend to you then such legislation as will insure a gradual return to specie payments and put an immediate stop to fluctuations in the value of currency the methods to secure the former of these results are as numerous as are the speculators on political economy to secure the latter i see but one way and that is to authorize the treasury to redeem its own paper at a fixed price whenever presented and to withhold from circulation all currency so redeemed until sold again for gold the vast resources of the nation both developed and undeveloped ought to make our credit the best on earth with a less burden of taxation than the citizen has endured for six years past the entire public debt could be paid in ten years but it is not desirable that the people should be taxed to pay it in that time year by year the ability to pay increases in a rapid ratio but the burden of interest ought to be reduced as rapidly as can be done without the violation of contract the public debt is represented in great part by bonds having from five to twenty and from ten to forty years to run bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent and 5 per cent respectively it is optional with the government to pay these bonds at any period after the expiration of the least time mentioned upon their face the time has already expired when a great part of them may be taken up and is rapidly approaching when all may be it is believed that all which are now due may be replaced by bonds bearing a rate of interest not exceeding 4 per cent and as rapidly as the remainder become due that they may be replaced in the same way to accomplish this it may be necessary to authorize the interest to be paid at either of three or four of the money centers of europe or by any assistant treasurer of the united states at the option of the holder of the bond i suggest this subject for the consideration of congress and also simultaneously with this the propriety of redeeming our currency as before suggested at its market value at the time the law goes into effect increasing the rate at which currency shall be bought and sold from day to day or week to week at the same rate of interest as government pays upon its bonds the subjects of tariff and internal taxation will necessarily receive your attention the revenues of the country are greater than the requirements and may with safety be reduced but as the funding of the debt in a 4 or a 4 per cent loan would reduce annual current expenses largely thus after funding justifying a greater reduction of taxation than would be now expedient i suggest postponement of this question until the next meeting of congress it may be advisable to modify taxation and tariff in instances where unjust or burdensome discriminations are made by the present laws but a general revision of the laws regulating this subject i recommend the postponement of for the present i also suggest the renewal of the tax on incomes but at a reduced rate say of 3 per cent and this tax to expire in three years with the funding of the national debt as here suggested i feel safe in saying that taxes and the revenue from imports may be reduced safely from sixty to eighty millions per annum at once and may be still further reduced from year to year as the resources of the country are developed the report of the secretary of the treasury shows the receipts of the government for the fiscal year ending june 30 1869 to be and the expenditures including interest bounties to be the estimates for the ensuing year are more favorable to the government and will no doubt show a much larger decrease of the public debt the receipts in the treasury beyond expenditures have exceeded the amount necessary to place to the credit of the sinking fund as provided by law to lock up the surplus in the treasury and withhold it from circulation would lead to such a contraction of the currency as to cripple trade and seriously affect the prosperity of the country under these circumstances the secretary of the treasury and myself heartily concurred in the propriety of using all the surplus currency in the treasury in the purchase of government bonds thus reducing the indebtedness of the country and of submitting to congress the question of the disposition to be made of the bonds so purchased the bonds now held by the treasury amount to about millions including those belonging to the sinking fund i recommend that the whole be placed to the credit of the sinking fund your attention is respectfully invited to the recommendations of the secretary of the treasury for the creation of the office of commissioner of customs revenue for the increase of salaries to certain classes of officials the substitution of increased circulation to replace the outstanding 3 per cent certificates and most especially to his recommendation for the repeal of laws allowing shares of fines penalties forfeitures to officers of the government or to informers the office of commissioner of internal revenue is one of the most arduous and responsible under the government it falls but little if any short of a cabinet position in its importance and responsibilities i would ask for it therefore such legislation as in your judgment will place the office upon a footing of dignity commensurate with its importance and with the character and qualifications of the class of men required to fill it properly as the united states is the freest of all nations so too its people sympathize with all people struggling for liberty and but while so sympathizing it is due to our honor that we should abstain from enforcing our views upon unwilling nations and from taking an interested part without invitation in the quarrels between different nations or between governments and their subjects our course should always be in conformity with strict justice and law international and local such has been the policy of the administration in dealing with these questions for more than a year a valuable province of spain and a near neighbor of ours in whom all our people can not but feel a deep interest has been struggling for independence and freedom the people and government of the united states entertain the same warm feelings and sympathies for the people of cuba in their pending struggle that they manifested throughout the previous struggles between spain and her former colonies in behalf of the latter but the contest has at no time assumed the conditions which amount to a war in the sense of international law or which would show the existence of a de facto political organization of the insurgents sufficient to justify a recognition of belligerency the principle is maintained however that this nation is its own judge when to accord the rights of belligerency either to a people struggling to free themselves from a government they believe to be oppressive or to independent nations at war with each other the united states have no disposition to interfere with the existing relations of spain to her colonial possessions on this continent they believe that in due time spain and other european powers will find their interest in terminating those relations and establishing their present dependencies as independent powers members of the family of nations these dependencies are no longer regarded as subject to transfer from one european power to another when the present relation of colonies ceases they are to become independent powers exercising the right of choice and of in the determination of their future condition and relations with other powers the united states in order to put a stop to bloodshed in cuba and in the interest of a neighboring people proposed their good offices to bring the existing contest to a termination the offer not being accepted by spain on a basis which we believed could be received by cuba was withdrawn it is hoped that the good offices of the united states may yet prove advantageous for the settlement of this unhappy strife meanwhile a number of illegal expeditions against cuba have been broken up it has been the endeavor of the administration to execute the neutrality laws in good faith no matter how unpleasant the task made so by the sufferings we have endured from lack of like good faith toward us by other nations on the 26th of march last the united states schooner lizzie major was arrested on the high seas by a spanish frigate and two passengers taken from it and carried as prisoners to cuba representations of these facts were made to the spanish government as soon as official information of them reached washington the two passengers were set at liberty and the spanish government assured the united states that the captain of the frigate in making the capture had acted without law that he had been reprimanded for the irregularity of his conduct and that the spanish authorities in cuba would not sanction any act that could violate the rights or treat with disrespect the sovereignty of this nation the question of the seizure of the brig mary lowell at one of the bahama islands by spanish authorities is now the subject of correspondence between this government and those of spain and great britain the of cuba about may last issued a proclamation authorizing search to be made of vessels on the high seas immediate remonstrance was made against this whereupon the issued a new proclamation limiting the right of search to vessels of the united states so far as authorized under the treaty of 1795 this proclamation however was immediately withdrawn i have always felt that the most intimate relations should be cultivated between the republic of the united states and all independent nations on this continent it may be well worth considering whether new treaties between us and them may not be profitably entered into to secure more intimate relations friendly commercial and otherwise the subject of an interoceanic canal to connect the atlantic and pacific oceans through the isthmus of darien is one in which commerce is greatly interested instructions have been given to our minister to the republic of the united states of colombia to endeavor to obtain authority for a survey by this government in order to determine the practicability of such an undertaking and a charter for the right of way to build by private enterprise such a work if the survey proves it to be practicable in order to comply with the agreement of the united states as to a mixed commission at lima for the adjustment of claims it became necessary to send a commissioner and secretary to lima in august last no appropriation having been made by congress for this purpose it is now asked that one be made covering the past and future expenses of the commission the good offices of the united states to bring about a peace between spain and the south american republics with which she is at war having been accepted by spain peru and chile a congress has been invited to be held in washington during the present winter a grant has been given to europeans of an exclusive right of transit over the territory of nicaragua to which costa rico has given its assent which it is alleged conflicts with vested rights of citizens of the united states the department of state has now this subject under consideration the minister of peru having made representations that there was a state of war between peru and spain and that spain was constructing in and near new york thirty gunboats which might be used by spain in such a way as to relieve the naval force at cuba so as to operate against peru orders were given to prevent their departure no further steps having been taken by the representative of the peruvian government to prevent the departure of these vessels and i not feeling authorized to detain the property of a nation with which we are at peace on a mere executive order the matter has been referred to the courts to decide the conduct of the war between the allies and the republic of paraguay has made the intercourse with that country so difficult that it has been deemed advisable to withdraw our representative from there toward the close of the last administration a convention was signed at london for the settlement of all outstanding claims between great britain and the united states which failed to receive the advice and consent of the senate to its ratification the time and the circumstances attending the negotiation of that treaty were unfavorable to its acceptance by the people of the united states and its provisions were wholly inadequate for the settlement of the grave wrongs that bad been sustained by this government as well as by its citizens the injuries resulting to the united states by reason of the course adopted by great britain during our late civil war in the increased rates of insurance in the diminution of exports and imports and other obstructions to domestic industry and production in its effect upon the foreign commerce of the country in the decrease and transfer to great britain of our commercial marine in the prolongation of the war and the increased cost both in treasure and in lives of its suppression could not be adjusted and satisfied as ordinary commercial claims which continually arise between commercial nations and yet the convention treated them simply as such ordinary claims from which they differ more widely in the gravity of their character than in the magnitude of their amount great even as is that difference not a word was found in the treaty and not an inference could be drawn from it to remove the sense of the unfriendliness of the course of great britain in our struggle for existence which had so deeply and universally impressed itself upon the people of this country believing that a convention thus misconceived in its scope and inadequate in its provisions would not have produced the hearty cordial settlement of pending questions which alone is consistent with the relations which i desire to have firmly established between the united states and great britain i regarded the action of the senate in rejecting the treaty to have been wisely taken in the interest of peace and as a necessary step in the direction of a perfect and cordial friendship between the two countries a sensitive people conscious of their power are more at ease under a great wrong wholly unatoned than under the restraint of a settlement which satisfies neither their ideas of justice nor their grave sense of the grievance they have sustained the rejection of the treaty was followed by a state of public feeling on both sides which i thought not favorable to an immediate attempt at renewed negotiations i accordingly so instructed the minister of the united states to great britain and found that my views in this regard were shared by her majesty ministers i hope that the time may soon arrive when the two governments can approach the solution of this momentous question with an appreciation of what is due to the rights dignity and honor of each and with the determination not only to remove the causes of complaint in the past but to lay the foundation of a broad principle of public law which will prevent future differences and tend to firm and continued peace and friendship this is now the only grave question which the united states has with any foreign nation the question of renewing a treaty for reciprocal trade between the united states and the british provinces on this continent has not been favorably considered by the administration the advantages of such a treaty would be wholly in favor of the british producer except possibly a few engaged in the trade between the two sections no citizen of the united states would be benefited by reciprocity our internal taxation would prove a protection to the british producer almost equal to the protection which our manufacturers now receive from the tariff some arrangement however for the regulation of commercial intercourse between the united states and the dominion of canada may be desirable the commission for adjusting the claims of the hudsons bay and puget sound agricultural company upon the united states has terminated its labors the award of has been made and all rights and titles of the company on the territory of the united states have been extinguished deeds for the property of the company have been delivered an appropriation by congress to meet this sum is asked the commissioners for determining the northwestern land boundary between the united states and the british possessions under the treaty of 1856 have completed their labors and the commission has been dissolved in conformity with the recommendation of congress a proposition was early made to the british government to abolish the mixed courts created under the treaty of april 7 1862 for the suppression of the slave trade the subject is still under negotiation it having come to my knowledge that a corporate company organized under british laws proposed to land upon the shores of the united states and to operate there a submarine cable under a concession from his majesty the emperor of the french of an exclusive right for twenty years of telegraphic communication between the shores of france and the united states with the very objectionable feature of subjecting all messages conveyed thereby to the scrutiny and control of the french government i caused the french and british legations at washington to be made acquainted with the probable policy of congress on this subject as foreshadowed by the bill which passed the senate in march last this drew from the representatives of the company an agreement to accept as the basis of their operations the provisions of that bill or of such other enactment on the subject as might be passed during the approaching session of congress also to use their influence to secure from the french government a modification of their concession so as to permit the landing upon french soil of any cable belonging to any company incorporated by the authority of the united states or of any state in the union and on their part not to oppose the establishment of any such cable in consideration of this agreement i directed the withdrawal of all opposition by the united states authorities to the landing of the cable and to the working of it until the meeting of congress i regret to say that there has been no modification made in the company concession nor so far as i can learn have they attempted to secure one their concession excludes the capital and the citizens of the united states from competition upon the shores of france i recommend legislation to protect the rights of citizens of the united states as well as the dignity and sovereignty of the nation against such an assumption i shall also endeavor to secure by negotiation an abandonment of the principle of monopolies in ocean telegraphic cables copies of this correspondence are herewith furnished the unsettled political condition of other countries less fortunate than our own sometimes induces their citizens to come to the united states for the sole purpose of becoming naturalized having secured this they return to their native country and reside there without disclosing their change of allegiance they accept official positions of trust or honor which can only be held by citizens of their native land they journey under passports describing them as such citizens and it is only when civil discord after perhaps years of quiet threatens their persons or their property or when their native state drafts them into its military service that the fact of their change of allegiance is made known they reside permanently away from the united states they contribute nothing to its revenues they avoid the duties of its citizenship and they only make themselves known by a claim of protection i have directed the diplomatic and consular officers of the united states to scrutinize carefully all such claims for protection the citizen of the united states whether native or adopted who discharges his duty to his country is entitled to its complete protection while i have a voice in the direction of affairs i shall not consent to imperil this sacred right by conferring it upon fictitious or fraudulent claimants on the accession of the present administration it was found that the minister for north germany had made propositions for the negotiation of a convention for the protection of emigrant passengers to which no response had been given it was concluded that to be effectual all the maritime powers engaged in the trade should join in such a measure invitations have been extended to the cabinets of london paris florence berlin brussels the hague copenhagen and stockholm to empower their representatives at washington to simultaneously enter into negotiations and to conclude with the united states conventions identical in form making uniform regulations as to the construction of the parts of vessels to be devoted to the use of emigrant passengers as to the quality and quantity of food as to the medical treatment of the sick and as to the rules to be observed during the voyage in order to secure ventilation to promote health to prevent intrusion and to protect the females and providing for the establishment of tribunals in the several countries for enforcing such regulations by summary process your attention is respectfully called to the law regulating the tariff on russian hemp and to the question whether to fix the charges on russian hemp higher than they are fixed upon manila is not a violation of our treaty with russia placing her products upon the same footing with those of the most favored nations our manufactures are increasing with wonderful rapidity under the encouragement which they now receive with the improvements in machinery already effected and still increasing causing machinery to take the place of skilled labor to a large extent our imports of many articles must fall off largely within a very few years fortunately too manufactures are not confined to a few localities as formerly and it is to be hoped will become more and more diffused making the interest in them equal in all sections they give employment and support to hundreds of thousands of people at home and retain with us the means which otherwise would be shipped abroad the extension of railroads in europe and the east is bringing into competition with our agricultural products like products of other countries if not therefore dictates caution against disturbing any industrial interest of the country it teaches us also the necessity of looking to other markets for the sale of our surplus our neighbors south of us and china and japan should receive our special attention it will be the endeavor of the administration to cultivate such relations with all these nations as to entitle us to their confidence and make it their interest as well as ours to establish better commercial relations through the agency of a more enlightened policy than that heretofore pursued toward china largely due to the sagacity and efforts of one of our own distinguished citizens the world is about to commence largely increased relations with that populous and hitherto exclusive nation as the united states have been the initiators in this new policy so they should be the most earnest in showing their good faith in making it a success in this connection i advise such legislation as will forever preclude the enslavement of the chinese upon our soil under the name of coolies and also prevent american vessels from engaging in the transportation of coolies to any country tolerating the system i also recommend that the mission to china be raised to one of the first class on my assuming the responsible duties of chief magistrate of the united states it was with the conviction that three things were essential to its peace prosperity and fullest development first among these is strict integrity in fulfilling all our obligations second to secure protection to the person and property of the citizen of the united states in each and every portion of our common country wherever he may choose to move without reference to original nationality religion color or politics demanding of him only obedience to the laws and proper respect for the rights of others third union of all the states with equal rights indestructible by any constitutional means to secure the first of these congress has taken two essential steps first in declaring by joint resolution that the public debt shall be paid principal and interest in coin and second by providing the means for paying providing the means however could not secure the object desired without a proper administration of the laws for the collection of the revenues and an economical disbursement of them to this subject the administration has most earnestly addressed itself with results i hope satisfactory to the country there has been no hesitation in changing officials in order to secure an efficient execution of the laws sometimes too when in a mere party view undesirable political results were likely to follow nor any hesitation in sustaining efficient officials against remonstrances wholly political it may be well to mention here the embarrassment possible to arise from leaving on the statute books the acts and to earnestly recommend their total repeal it could not have been the intention of the framers of the constitution when providing that appointments made by the president should receive the consent of the senate that the latter should have the power to retain in office persons placed there by federal appointment against the will of the president the law is inconsistent with a faithful and efficient administration of the government what faith can an executive put in officials forced upon him and those too whom he has suspended for reason how will such officials be likely to serve an administration which they know does not trust them for the second requisite to our growth and prosperity time and a firm but humane administration of existing laws amended from time to time as they may prove ineffective or prove harsh and unnecessary are probably all that are required the third can not be attained by special legislation but must be regarded as fixed by the constitution itself and gradually acquiesced in by force of public opinion from the foundation of the government to the present the management of the original inhabitants of this continent the indians has been a subject of embarrassment and expense and has been attended with continuous robberies murders and wars from my own experience upon the frontiers and in indian countries i do not hold either legislation or the conduct of the whites who come most in contact with the indian blameless for these hostilities the past however can not be undone and the question must be met as we now find it i have attempted a new policy toward these wards of the nation they can not be regarded in any other light than as wards with fair results so far as tried and which i hope will be attended ultimately with great success the society of friends is well known as having succeeded in living in peace with the indians in the early settlement of pennsylvania while their white neighbors of other sects in other sections were constantly embroiled they are also known for their opposition to all strife violence and war and are generally noted for their strict integrity and fair dealings these considerations induced me to give the management of a few reservations of indians to them and to throw the burden of the selection of agents upon the society itself the result has proven most satisfactory it will be found more fully set forth in the report of the commissioner of indian affairs for superintendents and indian agents not on the reservations officers of the army were selected the reasons for this are numerous where indian agents are sent there or near there troops must be sent also the agent and the commander of troops are independent of each other and are subject to orders from different departments of the government the army officer holds a position for life the agent one at the will of the president the former is personally interested in living in harmony with the indian and in establishing a permanent peace to the end that some portion of his life may be spent within the limits of civilized society the latter has no such personal interest another reason is an economic one and still another the hold which the government has upon a life officer to secure a faithful discharge of duties in carrying out a given policy the building of railroads and the access thereby given to all the agricultural and mineral regions of the country is rapidly bringing civilized settlements into contact with all the tribes of indians no matter what ought to be the relations between such settlements and the aborigines the fact is they do not harmonize well and one or the other has to give way in the end a system which looks to the extinction of a race is too horrible for a nation to adopt without entailing upon itself the wrath of all christendom and engendering in the citizen a disregard for human life and the rights of others dangerous to society i see no substitute for such a system except in placing all the indians on large reservations as rapidly as it can be done and giving them absolute protection there as soon as they are fitted for it they should be induced to take their lands in severalty and to set up territorial governments for their own protection for full details on this subject i call your special attention to the reports of the secretary of the interior and the commissioner of indian affairs the report of the secretary of war shows the expenditures of the war department for the year ending june 30 1869 to be of which was disbursed in the payment of debts contracted during the war and is not chargeable to current army expenses his estimate of for the expenses of the army for the next fiscal year is as low as it is believed can be relied on the estimates of bureau officers have been carefully scrutinized and reduced wherever it has been deemed practicable if however the condition of the country should be such by the beginning of the next fiscal year as to admit of a greater concentration of troops the appropriation asked for will not be expended the appropriations estimated for river and harbor improvements and for fortifications are submitted separately whatever amount congress may deem proper to appropriate for these purposes will be expended the recommendation of the general of the army that appropriations be made for the forts at boston portland new york philadelphia new orleans and san francisco if for no other is concurred in i also ask your special attention to the recommendation of the general commanding the military division of the pacific for the sale of the seal islands of paul and george alaska territory and suggest that it either be complied with or that legislation be had for the protection of the seal fisheries from which a revenue should be derived the report of the secretary of war contains a synopsis of the reports of the heads of bureaus of the commanders of military divisions and of the districts of virginia mississippi and texas and the report of the general of the army in full the recommendations therein contained have been well considered and are submitted for your action i however call special attention to the recommendation of the chief of ordnance for the sale of arsenals and lands no longer of use to the government also to the recommendation of the secretary of war that the act of 3d march 1869 prohibiting promotions and appointments in the staff corps of the army be repealed the extent of country to be garrisoned and the number of military posts to be occupied is the same with a reduced army as with a large one the number of staff officers required is more dependent upon the latter than the former condition the report of the secretary of the navy accompanying this shows the condition of the navy when this administration came into office and the changes made since strenuous efforts have been made to place as many vessels in commission or render them fit for service if required as possible and to substitute the sail for steam while cruising thus materially reducing the expenses of the navy and adding greatly to its efficiency looking to our future i recommend a liberal though not extravagant policy toward this branch of the public service the report of the furnishes a clear and comprehensive exhibit of the operations of the postal service and of the financial condition of the department the ordinary postal revenues for the year ending the 30th of june 1869 amounted to and the expenditures to showing an excess of expenditures over receipts of the excess of expenditures over receipts for the previous year amounted to the increase of revenues for 1869 over those of 1868 was and the increase of expenditures was the increased revenue in 1869 exceeded the increased revenue in 1868 by and the increased expenditure in 1869 was less than the increased expenditure in 1868 showing by comparison this gratifying feature of improvement that while the increase of expenditures over the increase of receipts in 1868 was the increase of receipts over the increase of expenditures in 1869 was your attention is respectfully called to the recommendations made by the for authority to change the rate of compensation to the main trunk railroad lines for their services in carrying the mails for having maps executed for reorganizing and increasing the efficiency of the service for increase of the mail service on the pacific and for establishing mail service under the flag of the union on the atlantic and most especially do i call your attention to his recommendation for the total abolition of the franking privilege this is an abuse from which no one receives a commensurate advantage it reduces the receipts for postal service from 25 to 30 per cent and largely increases the service to be performed the method by which postage should be paid upon public matter is set forth fully in the report of the the report of the secretary of the interior shows that the quantity of public lands disposed of during the year ending the 30th of june 1869 was acres exceeding that of the preceding year by acres of this amount acres were sold for cash and acres entered under the homestead laws the remainder was granted to aid in the construction of works of internal improvement approved to the states as swamp land and located with warrants and scrip the cash receipts from all sources were exceeding those of the preceding year during the last fiscal year names were added to the pension rolls and dropped therefrom leaving at its close the amount paid to pensioners including the compensation of disbursing agents was an increase of on that of the previous year the munificence of congress has been conspicuously manifested in its legislation for the soldiers and sailors who suffered in the recent struggle to maintain that unity of government which makes us one people the additions to the pension rolls of each successive year since the conclusion of hostilities result in a great degree from the repeated amendments of the act of the 14th of july 1862 which extended its provisions to cases not falling within its original scope the large outlay which is thus occasioned is further increased by the more liberal allowance bestowed since that date upon those who in the line of duty were wholly or permanently disabled public opinion has given an emphatic sanction to these measures of congress and it will be conceded that no part of our public burden is more cheerfully borne than that which is imposed by this branch of the service it necessitates for the next fiscal year in addition to the amount justly chargeable to the naval pension fund an appropriation of during the year ending the 30th of september 1869 the patent office issued patents and its receipts were being more than the expenditures i would respectfully call your attention to the recommendation of the secretary of the interior for uniting the duties of supervising the education of freedmen with the other duties devolving upon the commissioner of education if it is the desire of congress to make the census which must be taken during the year 1870 more complete and perfect than heretofore i would suggest early action upon any plan that may be agreed upon as congress at the last session appointed a committee to take into consideration such measures as might be deemed proper in reference to the census and report a plan i desist from saying more i recommend to your favorable consideration the claims of the agricultural bureau for liberal appropriations in a country so diversified in climate and soil as ours and with a population so largely dependent upon agriculture the benefits that can be conferred by properly fostering this bureau are incalculable i desire respectfully to call the attention of congress to the inadequate salaries of a number of the most important offices of the government in this message i will not enumerate them but will specify only the justices of the supreme court no change has been made in their salaries for fifteen years within that time the labors of the court have largely increased and the expenses of living have at least doubled during the same time congress has twice found it necessary to increase largely the compensation of its own members and the duty which it owes to another department of the government deserves and will undoubtedly receive its due consideration there are many subjects not alluded to in this message which might with propriety be introduced but i abstain believing that your patriotism and statesmanship will suggest the topics and the legislation most conducive to the interests of the whole people on my part i promise a rigid adherence to the laws and their strict enforcement
coming first time chief magistrate great nation gratitude giver good many benefits enjoy blessed peace home without entangling alliances abroad forebode trouble territory unsurpassed fertility area equal abundant support people abounding every variety useful mineral quantity sufficient supply world generations exuberant crops variety climate adapted production every species earth riches suited habits tastes requirements every living thing population free people speaking one language facilities every mortal acquire education institutions closing none avenues fame blessing fortune may coveted freedom pulpit press school revenue flowing national treasury beyond requirements government happily harmony rapidly restored within borders manufactures hitherto unknown country springing sections producing degree national independence unequaled power blessings countless others intrusted care mine brief period tenure office short time must us return ranks people conferred upon us honors account stewardship earnestly desire neither may condemned free enlightened constituency consciences emerging rebellion gigantic magnitude aided sympathies assistance nations peace eleven states union four years ago left without legal state governments national debt contracted american commerce almost driven seas industry country taken control capitalist placed labor rightfully belongs keeping laborer work restoring state governments loyal union protecting fostering free labor providing means paying interest public debt received ample attention congress although efforts met success particulars might desired yet whole successful could reasonably anticipated seven states passed ordinances secession fully restored places union eighth georgia held election ratified constitution republican form elected governor members congress state legislature officers required governor duly installed legislature met performed acts required reconstruction acts congress subsequently however violation constitution ratified since decided supreme court state unseated colored members legislature admitted seats members disqualified third clause fourteenth amendment constitution article contributed ratify circumstances would submit whether would wise without delay enact law authorizing governor georgia convene members originally elected legislature requiring member take oath prescribed reconstruction acts none admitted ineligible third clause fourteenth amendment freedmen protection received making rapid progress learning complaints heard lack industry part receive fair remuneration labor means provided paying interest public debt expenses government ample loss commerce result late rebellion received sufficient attention subject call earnest attention suggest plans object may effected necessary make subject special message session congress march term congress joint resolution authorized executive order elections states virginia mississippi texas submit constitutions previously convention framed submit constitutions either entire separate parts voted upon discretion executive authority elections called virginia election took place 6th july 1869 governor elected installed legislature met required resolution reconstruction acts congress abstained doubtful authority recommend senators representatives promptly admitted seats state fully restored place family states elections called mississippi texas commence 30th november 1869 last two days mississippi four days texas elections taken place result known hoped acts legislatures states meet receive approval thus close work reconstruction among evils growing rebellion yet referred irredeemable currency evil hope receive earnest attention duty one highest duties government secure citizen medium exchange fixed unvarying value implies return specie basis substitute devised commenced reached earliest practicable moment consistent fair regard interests debtor class immediate resumption practicable would desirable would compel debtor class pay beyond contracts premium gold date purchase would bring bankruptcy ruin thousands fluctuation however paper value measure values gold detrimental interests trade makes man business involuntary gambler sales future payment made parties speculate value currency paid received earnestly recommend legislation insure gradual return specie payments put immediate stop fluctuations value currency methods secure former results numerous speculators political economy secure latter see one way authorize treasury redeem paper fixed price whenever presented withhold circulation currency redeemed sold gold vast resources nation developed undeveloped ought make credit best earth less burden taxation citizen endured six years past entire public debt could paid ten years desirable people taxed pay time year year ability pay increases rapid ratio burden interest ought reduced rapidly done without violation contract public debt represented great part bonds five twenty ten forty years run bearing interest rate 6 per cent 5 per cent respectively optional government pay bonds period expiration least time mentioned upon face time already expired great part may taken rapidly approaching may believed due may replaced bonds bearing rate interest exceeding 4 per cent rapidly remainder become due may replaced way accomplish may necessary authorize interest paid either three four money centers europe assistant treasurer united states option holder bond suggest subject consideration congress also simultaneously propriety redeeming currency suggested market value time law goes effect increasing rate currency shall bought sold day day week week rate interest government pays upon bonds subjects tariff internal taxation necessarily receive attention revenues country greater requirements may safety reduced funding debt 4 4 per cent loan would reduce annual current expenses largely thus funding justifying greater reduction taxation would expedient suggest postponement question next meeting congress may advisable modify taxation tariff instances unjust burdensome discriminations made present laws general revision laws regulating subject recommend postponement present also suggest renewal tax incomes reduced rate say 3 per cent tax expire three years funding national debt suggested feel safe saying taxes revenue imports may reduced safely sixty eighty millions per annum may still reduced year year resources country developed report secretary treasury shows receipts government fiscal year ending june 30 1869 expenditures including interest bounties estimates ensuing year favorable government doubt show much larger decrease public debt receipts treasury beyond expenditures exceeded amount necessary place credit sinking fund provided law lock surplus treasury withhold circulation would lead contraction currency cripple trade seriously affect prosperity country circumstances secretary treasury heartily concurred propriety using surplus currency treasury purchase government bonds thus reducing indebtedness country submitting congress question disposition made bonds purchased bonds held treasury amount millions including belonging sinking fund recommend whole placed credit sinking fund attention respectfully invited recommendations secretary treasury creation office commissioner customs revenue increase salaries certain classes officials substitution increased circulation replace outstanding 3 per cent certificates especially recommendation repeal laws allowing shares fines penalties forfeitures officers government informers office commissioner internal revenue one arduous responsible government falls little short cabinet position importance responsibilities would ask therefore legislation judgment place office upon footing dignity commensurate importance character qualifications class men required fill properly united states freest nations people sympathize people struggling liberty sympathizing due honor abstain enforcing views upon unwilling nations taking interested part without invitation quarrels different nations governments subjects course always conformity strict justice law international local policy administration dealing questions year valuable province spain near neighbor people feel deep interest struggling independence freedom people government united states entertain warm feelings sympathies people cuba pending struggle manifested throughout previous struggles spain former colonies behalf latter contest time assumed conditions amount war sense international law would show existence de facto political organization insurgents sufficient justify recognition belligerency principle maintained however nation judge accord rights belligerency either people struggling free government believe oppressive independent nations war united states disposition interfere existing relations spain colonial possessions continent believe due time spain european powers find interest terminating relations establishing present dependencies independent powers members family nations dependencies longer regarded subject transfer one european power another present relation colonies ceases become independent powers exercising right choice determination future condition relations powers united states order put stop bloodshed cuba interest neighboring people proposed good offices bring existing contest termination offer accepted spain basis believed could received cuba withdrawn hoped good offices united states may yet prove advantageous settlement unhappy strife meanwhile number illegal expeditions cuba broken endeavor administration execute neutrality laws good faith matter unpleasant task made sufferings endured lack like good faith toward us nations 26th march last united states schooner lizzie major arrested high seas spanish frigate two passengers taken carried prisoners cuba representations facts made spanish government soon official information reached washington two passengers set liberty spanish government assured united states captain frigate making capture acted without law reprimanded irregularity conduct spanish authorities cuba would sanction act could violate rights treat disrespect sovereignty nation question seizure brig mary lowell one bahama islands spanish authorities subject correspondence government spain great britain cuba may last issued proclamation authorizing search made vessels high seas immediate remonstrance made whereupon issued new proclamation limiting right search vessels united states far authorized treaty 1795 proclamation however immediately withdrawn always felt intimate relations cultivated republic united states independent nations continent may well worth considering whether new treaties us may profitably entered secure intimate relations friendly commercial otherwise subject interoceanic canal connect atlantic pacific oceans isthmus darien one commerce greatly interested instructions given minister republic united states colombia endeavor obtain authority survey government order determine practicability undertaking charter right way build private enterprise work survey proves practicable order comply agreement united states mixed commission lima adjustment claims became necessary send commissioner secretary lima august last appropriation made congress purpose asked one made covering past future expenses commission good offices united states bring peace spain south american republics war accepted spain peru chile congress invited held washington present winter grant given europeans exclusive right transit territory nicaragua costa rico given assent alleged conflicts vested rights citizens united states department state subject consideration minister peru made representations state war peru spain spain constructing near new york thirty gunboats might used spain way relieve naval force cuba operate peru orders given prevent departure steps taken representative peruvian government prevent departure vessels feeling authorized detain property nation peace mere executive order matter referred courts decide conduct war allies republic paraguay made intercourse country difficult deemed advisable withdraw representative toward close last administration convention signed london settlement outstanding claims great britain united states failed receive advice consent senate ratification time circumstances attending negotiation treaty unfavorable acceptance people united states provisions wholly inadequate settlement grave wrongs bad sustained government well citizens injuries resulting united states reason course adopted great britain late civil war increased rates insurance diminution exports imports obstructions domestic industry production effect upon foreign commerce country decrease transfer great britain commercial marine prolongation war increased cost treasure lives suppression could adjusted satisfied ordinary commercial claims continually arise commercial nations yet convention treated simply ordinary claims differ widely gravity character magnitude amount great even difference word found treaty inference could drawn remove sense unfriendliness course great britain struggle existence deeply universally impressed upon people country believing convention thus misconceived scope inadequate provisions would produced hearty cordial settlement pending questions alone consistent relations desire firmly established united states great britain regarded action senate rejecting treaty wisely taken interest peace necessary step direction perfect cordial friendship two countries sensitive people conscious power ease great wrong wholly unatoned restraint settlement satisfies neither ideas justice grave sense grievance sustained rejection treaty followed state public feeling sides thought favorable immediate attempt renewed negotiations accordingly instructed minister united states great britain found views regard shared majesty ministers hope time may soon arrive two governments approach solution momentous question appreciation due rights dignity honor determination remove causes complaint past lay foundation broad principle public law prevent future differences tend firm continued peace friendship grave question united states foreign nation question renewing treaty reciprocal trade united states british provinces continent favorably considered administration advantages treaty would wholly favor british producer except possibly engaged trade two sections citizen united states would benefited reciprocity internal taxation would prove protection british producer almost equal protection manufacturers receive tariff arrangement however regulation commercial intercourse united states dominion canada may desirable commission adjusting claims hudsons bay puget sound agricultural company upon united states terminated labors award made rights titles company territory united states extinguished deeds property company delivered appropriation congress meet sum asked commissioners determining northwestern land boundary united states british possessions treaty 1856 completed labors commission dissolved conformity recommendation congress proposition early made british government abolish mixed courts created treaty april 7 1862 suppression slave trade subject still negotiation come knowledge corporate company organized british laws proposed land upon shores united states operate submarine cable concession majesty emperor french exclusive right twenty years telegraphic communication shores france united states objectionable feature subjecting messages conveyed thereby scrutiny control french government caused french british legations washington made acquainted probable policy congress subject foreshadowed bill passed senate march last drew representatives company agreement accept basis operations provisions bill enactment subject might passed approaching session congress also use influence secure french government modification concession permit landing upon french soil cable belonging company incorporated authority united states state union part oppose establishment cable consideration agreement directed withdrawal opposition united states authorities landing cable working meeting congress regret say modification made company concession far learn attempted secure one concession excludes capital citizens united states competition upon shores france recommend legislation protect rights citizens united states well dignity sovereignty nation assumption shall also endeavor secure negotiation abandonment principle monopolies ocean telegraphic cables copies correspondence herewith furnished unsettled political condition countries less fortunate sometimes induces citizens come united states sole purpose becoming naturalized secured return native country reside without disclosing change allegiance accept official positions trust honor held citizens native land journey passports describing citizens civil discord perhaps years quiet threatens persons property native state drafts military service fact change allegiance made known reside permanently away united states contribute nothing revenues avoid duties citizenship make known claim protection directed diplomatic consular officers united states scrutinize carefully claims protection citizen united states whether native adopted discharges duty country entitled complete protection voice direction affairs shall consent imperil sacred right conferring upon fictitious fraudulent claimants accession present administration found minister north germany made propositions negotiation convention protection emigrant passengers response given concluded effectual maritime powers engaged trade join measure invitations extended cabinets london paris florence berlin brussels hague copenhagen stockholm empower representatives washington simultaneously enter negotiations conclude united states conventions identical form making uniform regulations construction parts vessels devoted use emigrant passengers quality quantity food medical treatment sick rules observed voyage order secure ventilation promote health prevent intrusion protect females providing establishment tribunals several countries enforcing regulations summary process attention respectfully called law regulating tariff russian hemp question whether fix charges russian hemp higher fixed upon manila violation treaty russia placing products upon footing favored nations manufactures increasing wonderful rapidity encouragement receive improvements machinery already effected still increasing causing machinery take place skilled labor large extent imports many articles must fall largely within years fortunately manufactures confined localities formerly hoped become diffused making interest equal sections give employment support hundreds thousands people home retain us means otherwise would shipped abroad extension railroads europe east bringing competition agricultural products like products countries therefore dictates caution disturbing industrial interest country teaches us also necessity looking markets sale surplus neighbors south us china japan receive special attention endeavor administration cultivate relations nations entitle us confidence make interest well establish better commercial relations agency enlightened policy heretofore pursued toward china largely due sagacity efforts one distinguished citizens world commence largely increased relations populous hitherto exclusive nation united states initiators new policy earnest showing good faith making success connection advise legislation forever preclude enslavement chinese upon soil name coolies also prevent american vessels engaging transportation coolies country tolerating system also recommend mission china raised one first class assuming responsible duties chief magistrate united states conviction three things essential peace prosperity fullest development first among strict integrity fulfilling obligations second secure protection person property citizen united states every portion common country wherever may choose move without reference original nationality religion color politics demanding obedience laws proper respect rights others third union states equal rights indestructible constitutional means secure first congress taken two essential steps first declaring joint resolution public debt shall paid principal interest coin second providing means paying providing means however could secure object desired without proper administration laws collection revenues economical disbursement subject administration earnestly addressed results hope satisfactory country hesitation changing officials order secure efficient execution laws sometimes mere party view undesirable political results likely follow hesitation sustaining efficient officials remonstrances wholly political may well mention embarrassment possible arise leaving statute books acts earnestly recommend total repeal could intention framers constitution providing appointments made president receive consent senate latter power retain office persons placed federal appointment president law inconsistent faithful efficient administration government faith executive put officials forced upon suspended reason officials likely serve administration know trust second requisite growth prosperity time firm humane administration existing laws amended time time may prove ineffective prove harsh unnecessary probably required third attained special legislation must regarded fixed constitution gradually acquiesced force public opinion foundation government present management original inhabitants continent indians subject embarrassment expense attended continuous robberies murders wars experience upon frontiers indian countries hold either legislation conduct whites come contact indian blameless hostilities past however undone question must met find attempted new policy toward wards nation regarded light wards fair results far tried hope attended ultimately great success society friends well known succeeded living peace indians early settlement pennsylvania white neighbors sects sections constantly embroiled also known opposition strife violence war generally noted strict integrity fair dealings considerations induced give management reservations indians throw burden selection agents upon society result proven satisfactory found fully set forth report commissioner indian affairs superintendents indian agents reservations officers army selected reasons numerous indian agents sent near troops must sent also agent commander troops independent subject orders different departments government army officer holds position life agent one president former personally interested living harmony indian establishing permanent peace end portion life may spent within limits civilized society latter personal interest another reason economic one still another hold government upon life officer secure faithful discharge duties carrying given policy building railroads access thereby given agricultural mineral regions country rapidly bringing civilized settlements contact tribes indians matter ought relations settlements aborigines fact harmonize well one give way end system looks extinction race horrible nation adopt without entailing upon wrath christendom engendering citizen disregard human life rights others dangerous society see substitute system except placing indians large reservations rapidly done giving absolute protection soon fitted induced take lands severalty set territorial governments protection full details subject call special attention reports secretary interior commissioner indian affairs report secretary war shows expenditures war department year ending june 30 1869 disbursed payment debts contracted war chargeable current army expenses estimate expenses army next fiscal year low believed relied estimates bureau officers carefully scrutinized reduced wherever deemed practicable however condition country beginning next fiscal year admit greater concentration troops appropriation asked expended appropriations estimated river harbor improvements fortifications submitted separately whatever amount congress may deem proper appropriate purposes expended recommendation general army appropriations made forts boston portland new york philadelphia new orleans san francisco concurred also ask special attention recommendation general commanding military division pacific sale seal islands paul george alaska territory suggest either complied legislation protection seal fisheries revenue derived report secretary war contains synopsis reports heads bureaus commanders military divisions districts virginia mississippi texas report general army full recommendations therein contained well considered submitted action however call special attention recommendation chief ordnance sale arsenals lands longer use government also recommendation secretary war act 3d march 1869 prohibiting promotions appointments staff corps army repealed extent country garrisoned number military posts occupied reduced army large one number staff officers required dependent upon latter former condition report secretary navy accompanying shows condition navy administration came office changes made since strenuous efforts made place many vessels commission render fit service required possible substitute sail steam cruising thus materially reducing expenses navy adding greatly efficiency looking future recommend liberal though extravagant policy toward branch public service report furnishes clear comprehensive exhibit operations postal service financial condition department ordinary postal revenues year ending 30th june 1869 amounted expenditures showing excess expenditures receipts excess expenditures receipts previous year amounted increase revenues 1869 1868 increase expenditures increased revenue 1869 exceeded increased revenue 1868 increased expenditure 1869 less increased expenditure 1868 showing comparison gratifying feature improvement increase expenditures increase receipts 1868 increase receipts increase expenditures 1869 attention respectfully called recommendations made authority change rate compensation main trunk railroad lines services carrying mails maps executed reorganizing increasing efficiency service increase mail service pacific establishing mail service flag union atlantic especially call attention recommendation total abolition franking privilege abuse one receives commensurate advantage reduces receipts postal service 25 30 per cent largely increases service performed method postage paid upon public matter set forth fully report report secretary interior shows quantity public lands disposed year ending 30th june 1869 acres exceeding preceding year acres amount acres sold cash acres entered homestead laws remainder granted aid construction works internal improvement approved states swamp land located warrants scrip cash receipts sources exceeding preceding year last fiscal year names added pension rolls dropped therefrom leaving close amount paid pensioners including compensation disbursing agents increase previous year munificence congress conspicuously manifested legislation soldiers sailors suffered recent struggle maintain unity government makes us one people additions pension rolls successive year since conclusion hostilities result great degree repeated amendments act 14th july 1862 extended provisions cases falling within original scope large outlay thus occasioned increased liberal allowance bestowed since date upon line duty wholly permanently disabled public opinion given emphatic sanction measures congress conceded part public burden cheerfully borne imposed branch service necessitates next fiscal year addition amount justly chargeable naval pension fund appropriation year ending 30th september 1869 patent office issued patents receipts expenditures would respectfully call attention recommendation secretary interior uniting duties supervising education freedmen duties devolving upon commissioner education desire congress make census must taken year 1870 complete perfect heretofore would suggest early action upon plan may agreed upon congress last session appointed committee take consideration measures might deemed proper reference census report plan desist saying recommend favorable consideration claims agricultural bureau liberal appropriations country diversified climate soil population largely dependent upon agriculture benefits conferred properly fostering bureau incalculable desire respectfully call attention congress inadequate salaries number important offices government message enumerate specify justices supreme court change made salaries fifteen years within time labors court largely increased expenses living least doubled time congress twice found necessary increase largely compensation members duty owes another department government deserves undoubtedly receive due consideration many subjects alluded message might propriety introduced abstain believing patriotism statesmanship suggest topics legislation conducive interests whole people part promise rigid adherence laws strict enforcement
come first time chief magistrate great nation gratitude giver good many benefit enjoy bless peace home without entangle alliance abroad forebode trouble territory unsurpassed fertility area equal abundant support people abound every variety useful mineral quantity sufficient supply world generation exuberant crop variety climate adapt production every specie earth rich suit habit taste requirement every live thing population free people speak one language facility every mortal acquire education institution close none avenue fame bless fortune may covet freedom pulpit press school revenue flow national treasury beyond requirement government happily harmony rapidly restore within border manufacture hitherto unknown country spring section produce degree national independence unequaled power blessing countless others intrust care mine brief period tenure office short time must u return rank people confer upon u honor account stewardship earnestly desire neither may condemn free enlighten constituency conscience emerge rebellion gigantic magnitude aid sympathy assistance nation peace eleven state union four year ago leave without legal state government national debt contract american commerce almost driven sea industry country take control capitalist place labor rightfully belong keep laborer work restore state government loyal union protect foster free labor provide mean pay interest public debt receive ample attention congress although effort meet success particular might desire yet whole successful could reasonably anticipate seven state pass ordinance secession fully restore place union eighth georgia hold election ratify constitution republican form elect governor member congress state legislature officer require governor duly installed legislature meet performed act require reconstruction act congress subsequently however violation constitution ratify since decide supreme court state unseat colored member legislature admitted seat member disqualify third clause fourteenth amendment constitution article contribute ratify circumstance would submit whether would wise without delay enact law authorize governor georgia convene member originally elect legislature require member take oath prescribe reconstruction act none admit ineligible third clause fourteenth amendment freedman protection receive make rapid progress learn complaint heard lack industry part receive fair remuneration labor mean provide pay interest public debt expense government ample loss commerce result late rebellion receive sufficient attention subject call earnest attention suggest plan object may effect necessary make subject special message session congress march term congress joint resolution authorize executive order election state virginia mississippi texas submit constitution previously convention frame submit constitution either entire separate part vote upon discretion executive authority election call virginia election take place 6th july 1869 governor elect installed legislature meet require resolution reconstruction act congress abstain doubtful authority recommend senator representative promptly admit seat state fully restore place family state election call mississippi texas commence 30th november 1869 last two day mississippi four day texas election take place result know hop act legislatures state meet receive approval thus close work reconstruction among evils grow rebellion yet refer irredeemable currency evil hope receive earnest attention duty one high duty government secure citizen medium exchange fix unvarying value implies return specie basis substitute devise commence reach early practicable moment consistent fair regard interest debtor class immediate resumption practicable would desirable would compel debtor class pay beyond contract premium gold date purchase would bring bankruptcy ruin thousand fluctuation however paper value measure value gold detrimental interest trade make man business involuntary gambler sale future payment make party speculate value currency pay receive earnestly recommend legislation insure gradual return specie payment put immediate stop fluctuation value currency method secure former result numerous speculator political economy secure latter see one way authorize treasury redeem paper fix price whenever present withhold circulation currency redeem sell gold vast resource nation develop undeveloped ought make credit best earth less burden taxation citizen endure six year past entire public debt could pay ten year desirable people taxed pay time year year ability pay increase rapid ratio burden interest ought reduce rapidly do without violation contract public debt represent great part bond five twenty ten forty year run bear interest rate 6 per cent 5 per cent respectively optional government pay bond period expiration least time mention upon face time already expire great part may take rapidly approach may believe due may replace bond bear rate interest exceed 4 per cent rapidly remainder become due may replace way accomplish may necessary authorize interest pay either three four money center europe assistant treasurer united state option holder bond suggest subject consideration congress also simultaneously propriety redeem currency suggest market value time law go effect increase rate currency shall buy sell day day week week rate interest government pay upon bond subject tariff internal taxation necessarily receive attention revenue country great requirement may safety reduce funding debt 4 4 per cent loan would reduce annual current expense largely thus fund justify great reduction taxation would expedient suggest postponement question next meeting congress may advisable modify taxation tariff instance unjust burdensome discrimination make present law general revision law regulate subject recommend postponement present also suggest renewal tax income reduce rate say 3 per cent tax expire three year fund national debt suggest feel safe say tax revenue import may reduce safely sixty eighty million per annum may still reduce year year resource country develop report secretary treasury show receipt government fiscal year end june 30 1869 expenditure include interest bounty estimate ensue year favorable government doubt show much large decrease public debt receipt treasury beyond expenditure exceed amount necessary place credit sinking fund provide law lock surplus treasury withhold circulation would lead contraction currency cripple trade seriously affect prosperity country circumstance secretary treasury heartily concur propriety use surplus currency treasury purchase government bond thus reduce indebtedness country submit congress question disposition make bond purchased bond hold treasury amount million include belong sink fund recommend whole place credit sinking fund attention respectfully invited recommendation secretary treasury creation office commissioner custom revenue increase salary certain class official substitution increase circulation replace outstanding 3 per cent certificate especially recommendation repeal law allow share fine penalty forfeitures officer government informer office commissioner internal revenue one arduous responsible government fall little short cabinet position importance responsibility would ask therefore legislation judgment place office upon foot dignity commensurate importance character qualification class men require fill properly united state free nation people sympathize people struggle liberty sympathize due honor abstain enforce view upon unwilling nation take interested part without invitation quarrel different nation government subject course always conformity strict justice law international local policy administration deal question year valuable province spain near neighbor people feel deep interest struggle independence freedom people government united state entertain warm feeling sympathy people cuba pending struggle manifest throughout previous struggle spain former colony behalf latter contest time assume condition amount war sense international law would show existence de facto political organization insurgent sufficient justify recognition belligerency principle maintain however nation judge accord right belligerency either people struggle free government believe oppressive independent nation war united state disposition interfere exist relation spain colonial possession continent believe due time spain european power find interest terminating relation establish present dependency independent power member family nation dependency longer regard subject transfer one european power another present relation colony cease become independent power exercise right choice determination future condition relation power united state order put stop bloodshed cuba interest neighbor people propose good office bring exist contest termination offer accept spain basis believe could receive cuba withdrawn hop good office united state may yet prove advantageous settlement unhappy strife meanwhile number illegal expedition cuba break endeavor administration execute neutrality law good faith matter unpleasant task make suffering endure lack like good faith toward u nation 26th march last united state schooner lizzie major arrest high sea spanish frigate two passenger take carried prisoner cuba representation fact make spanish government soon official information reach washington two passenger set liberty spanish government assure united state captain frigate making capture act without law reprimand irregularity conduct spanish authority cuba would sanction act could violate right treat disrespect sovereignty nation question seizure brig mary lowell one bahama islands spanish authority subject correspondence government spain great britain cuba may last issued proclamation authorize search make vessel high sea immediate remonstrance make whereupon issued new proclamation limit right search vessel unite state far authorize treaty 1795 proclamation however immediately withdraw always felt intimate relation cultivate republic united state independent nation continent may well worth consider whether new treaty u may profitably enter secure intimate relation friendly commercial otherwise subject interoceanic canal connect atlantic pacific ocean isthmus darien one commerce greatly interested instruction give minister republic united state colombia endeavor obtain authority survey government order determine practicability undertake charter right way build private enterprise work survey prove practicable order comply agreement united state mixed commission lima adjustment claim become necessary send commissioner secretary lima august last appropriation make congress purpose ask one make cover past future expense commission good office united state bring peace spain south american republic war accept spain peru chile congress invite hold washington present winter grant give european exclusive right transit territory nicaragua costa rico give assent allege conflict vest right citizen united state department state subject consideration minister peru make representation state war peru spain spain construct near new york thirty gunboat might use spain way relieve naval force cuba operate peru order give prevent departure step take representative peruvian government prevent departure vessel feel authorized detain property nation peace mere executive order matter refer court decide conduct war ally republic paraguay make intercourse country difficult deem advisable withdraw representative toward close last administration convention sign london settlement outstanding claim great britain united state fail receive advice consent senate ratification time circumstance attend negotiation treaty unfavorable acceptance people united state provision wholly inadequate settlement grave wrong bad sustained government well citizens injury result united state reason course adopt great britain late civil war increase rate insurance diminution export import obstruction domestic industry production effect upon foreign commerce country decrease transfer great britain commercial marine prolongation war increase cost treasure live suppression could adjust satisfied ordinary commercial claim continually arise commercial nation yet convention treat simply ordinary claim differ widely gravity character magnitude amount great even difference word find treaty inference could draw remove sense unfriendliness course great britain struggle existence deeply universally impressed upon people country believe convention thus misconceive scope inadequate provision would produce hearty cordial settlement pending question alone consistent relation desire firmly establish united state great britain regard action senate rejecting treaty wisely take interest peace necessary step direction perfect cordial friendship two country sensitive people conscious power ease great wrong wholly unatoned restraint settlement satisfy neither ideas justice grave sense grievance sustain rejection treaty follow state public feel side think favorable immediate attempt renew negotiation accordingly instructed minister united state great britain found view regard share majesty minister hope time may soon arrive two government approach solution momentous question appreciation due right dignity honor determination remove cause complaint past lay foundation broad principle public law prevent future difference tend firm continue peace friendship grave question united state foreign nation question renew treaty reciprocal trade unite state british province continent favorably consider administration advantage treaty would wholly favor british producer except possibly engage trade two section citizen united state would benefit reciprocity internal taxation would prove protection british producer almost equal protection manufacturer receive tariff arrangement however regulation commercial intercourse united state dominion canada may desirable commission adjust claim hudson bay puget sound agricultural company upon united state terminate labor award make right title company territory united state extinguish deed property company deliver appropriation congress meet sum ask commissioner determine northwestern land boundary unite state british possession treaty 1856 complete labor commission dissolve conformity recommendation congress proposition early make british government abolish mix court create treaty april 7 1862 suppression slave trade subject still negotiation come knowledge corporate company organize british law propose land upon shore united state operate submarine cable concession majesty emperor french exclusive right twenty year telegraphic communication shore france united state objectionable feature subject message convey thereby scrutiny control french government cause french british legation washington make acquaint probable policy congress subject foreshadow bill pass senate march last draw representative company agreement accept basis operation provision bill enactment subject might pass approach session congress also use influence secure french government modification concession permit land upon french soil cable belong company incorporated authority united state state union part oppose establishment cable consideration agreement direct withdrawal opposition united state authority land cable work meeting congress regret say modification make company concession far learn attempted secure one concession exclude capital citizen united state competition upon shore france recommend legislation protect right citizen united state well dignity sovereignty nation assumption shall also endeavor secure negotiation abandonment principle monopoly ocean telegraphic cable copy correspondence herewith furnish unsettled political condition country less fortunate sometimes induce citizens come united state sole purpose become naturalized secure return native country reside without disclose change allegiance accept official position trust honor hold citizen native land journey passport describe citizen civil discord perhaps year quiet threatens person property native state draft military service fact change allegiance make know reside permanently away united state contribute nothing revenue avoid duty citizenship make known claim protection direct diplomatic consular officer united state scrutinize carefully claim protection citizen united state whether native adopt discharge duty country entitle complete protection voice direction affair shall consent imperil sacred right confer upon fictitious fraudulent claimant accession present administration find minister north germany make proposition negotiation convention protection emigrant passenger response give conclude effectual maritime power engage trade join measure invitation extend cabinet london paris florence berlin brussels hague copenhagen stockholm empower representative washington simultaneously enter negotiation conclude united state convention identical form make uniform regulation construction part vessel devote use emigrant passenger quality quantity food medical treatment sick rule observe voyage order secure ventilation promote health prevent intrusion protect female provide establishment tribunal several country enforce regulation summary process attention respectfully call law regulating tariff russian hemp question whether fix charge russian hemp high fix upon manila violation treaty russia placing product upon foot favored nation manufacture increase wonderful rapidity encouragement receive improvement machinery already effect still increase cause machinery take place skilled labor large extent import many article must fall largely within year fortunately manufacture confine locality formerly hop become diffused make interest equal section give employment support hundred thousand people home retain u mean otherwise would ship abroad extension railroad europe east bring competition agricultural product like product country therefore dictate caution disturb industrial interest country teach u also necessity look market sale surplus neighbor south u china japan receive special attention endeavor administration cultivate relation nation entitle u confidence make interest well establish good commercial relation agency enlighten policy heretofore pursue toward china largely due sagacity effort one distinguish citizen world commence largely increased relation populous hitherto exclusive nation united state initiator new policy earnest show good faith making success connection advise legislation forever preclude enslavement chinese upon soil name cooly also prevent american vessel engage transportation cooly country tolerate system also recommend mission china raise one first class assume responsible duty chief magistrate united state conviction three thing essential peace prosperity full development first among strict integrity fulfil obligation second secure protection person property citizen united state every portion common country wherever may choose move without reference original nationality religion color politics demand obedience law proper respect right others third union state equal right indestructible constitutional mean secure first congress take two essential step first declare joint resolution public debt shall pay principal interest coin second providing mean pay provide mean however could secure object desire without proper administration law collection revenue economical disbursement subject administration earnestly address result hope satisfactory country hesitation change official order secure efficient execution law sometimes mere party view undesirable political result likely follow hesitation sustain efficient official remonstrance wholly political may well mention embarrassment possible arise leave statute book act earnestly recommend total repeal could intention framer constitution provide appointment make president receive consent senate latter power retain office person place federal appointment president law inconsistent faithful efficient administration government faith executive put official force upon suspended reason official likely serve administration know trust second requisite growth prosperity time firm humane administration exist law amend time time may prove ineffective prove harsh unnecessary probably required third attain special legislation must regard fixed constitution gradually acquiesce force public opinion foundation government present management original inhabitant continent indian subject embarrassment expense attend continuous robbery murder war experience upon frontier indian country hold either legislation conduct white come contact indian blameless hostility past however undone question must meet find attempted new policy toward ward nation regard light ward fair result far tried hope attend ultimately great success society friend well know succeed live peace indian early settlement pennsylvania white neighbor sect section constantly embroil also know opposition strife violence war generally note strict integrity fair dealing consideration induce give management reservation indians throw burden selection agent upon society result proven satisfactory find fully set forth report commissioner indian affair superintendent indian agent reservation officer army select reason numerous indian agent send near troop must send also agent commander troop independent subject order different department government army officer hold position life agent one president former personally interested living harmony indian establish permanent peace end portion life may spend within limit civilize society latter personal interest another reason economic one still another hold government upon life officer secure faithful discharge duty carry give policy build railroad access thereby give agricultural mineral region country rapidly bring civilized settlement contact tribe indian matter ought relation settlement aborigine fact harmonize well one give way end system look extinction race horrible nation adopt without entail upon wrath christendom engender citizen disregard human life right others dangerous society see substitute system except place indian large reservation rapidly do give absolute protection soon fit induced take land severalty set territorial government protection full detail subject call special attention report secretary interior commissioner indian affair report secretary war show expenditure war department year end june 30 1869 disbursed payment debt contract war chargeable current army expense estimate expense army next fiscal year low believe relied estimate bureau officer carefully scrutinize reduce wherever deem practicable however condition country begin next fiscal year admit great concentration troop appropriation ask expended appropriation estimate river harbor improvement fortification submit separately whatever amount congress may deem proper appropriate purpose expend recommendation general army appropriation make fort boston portland new york philadelphia new orleans san francisco concur also ask special attention recommendation general command military division pacific sale seal islands paul george alaska territory suggest either complied legislation protection seal fishery revenue derive report secretary war contain synopsis report head bureaus commander military division district virginia mississippi texas report general army full recommendation therein contain well consider submit action however call special attention recommendation chief ordnance sale arsenal land longer use government also recommendation secretary war act 3d march 1869 prohibiting promotion appointment staff corps army repeal extent country garrison number military post occupy reduced army large one number staff officer require dependent upon latter former condition report secretary navy accompany show condition navy administration come office change make since strenuous effort make place many vessel commission render fit service require possible substitute sail steam cruise thus materially reduce expense navy add greatly efficiency look future recommend liberal though extravagant policy toward branch public service report furnishes clear comprehensive exhibit operation postal service financial condition department ordinary postal revenue year end 30th june 1869 amount expenditure show excess expenditure receipt excess expenditure receipt previous year amount increase revenue 1869 1868 increase expenditure increase revenue 1869 exceed increase revenue 1868 increase expenditure 1869 less increase expenditure 1868 show comparison gratify feature improvement increase expenditures increase receipt 1868 increase receipt increase expenditures 1869 attention respectfully call recommendation make authority change rate compensation main trunk railroad line service carry mail map execute reorganize increase efficiency service increase mail service pacific establish mail service flag union atlantic especially call attention recommendation total abolition frank privilege abuse one receive commensurate advantage reduce receipt postal service 25 30 per cent largely increase service perform method postage pay upon public matter set forth fully report report secretary interior show quantity public land disposed year end 30th june 1869 acre exceed precede year acre amount acre sell cash acre enter homestead law remainder grant aid construction work internal improvement approve state swamp land locate warrant scrip cash receipt source exceed precede year last fiscal year names add pension roll drop therefrom leave close amount pay pensioner include compensation disburse agent increase previous year munificence congress conspicuously manifest legislation soldier sailor suffer recent struggle maintain unity government make u one people additions pension roll successive year since conclusion hostility result great degree repeat amendment act 14th july 1862 extend provision case fall within original scope large outlay thus occasion increased liberal allowance bestow since date upon line duty wholly permanently disabled public opinion give emphatic sanction measure congress concede part public burden cheerfully borne impose branch service necessitates next fiscal year addition amount justly chargeable naval pension fund appropriation year end 30th september 1869 patent office issue patent receipts expenditure would respectfully call attention recommendation secretary interior uniting duty supervise education freedman duty devolve upon commissioner education desire congress make census must take year 1870 complete perfect heretofore would suggest early action upon plan may agree upon congress last session appoint committee take consideration measure might deem proper reference census report plan desist say recommend favorable consideration claim agricultural bureau liberal appropriation country diversify climate soil population largely dependent upon agriculture benefit confer properly foster bureau incalculable desire respectfully call attention congress inadequate salary number important office government message enumerate specify justice supreme court change make salary fifteen year within time labor court largely increase expense live least doubled time congress twice find necessary increase largely compensation member duty owe another department government deserve undoubtedly receive due consideration many subject allude message might propriety introduce abstain believing patriotism statesmanship suggest topic legislation conducive interest whole people part promise rigid adherence law strict enforcement