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including especially the acquisition of cotton； those nations appear
as yet not to have seen their way to their object more directly or
clearly through the destruction than through the preservation of the
Union。 If we could dare to believe that foreign nations are actuated
by no higher principle than this； I am quite sure a sound argument
could be made to show them that they can reach their aim more readily
and easily by aiding to crush this rebellion than by giving
encouragement to it。
The principal lever relied on by the insurgents for exciting foreign
nations to hostility against us； as already intimated； is the
embarrassment of commerce。 Those nations； however； not improbably
saw from the first that it was the Union which made as well our
foreign as our domestic commerce。 They can scarcely have failed to
perceive that the effort for disunion produces the existing
difficulty； and that one strong nation promises more durable peace
and a more extensive； valuable； and reliable commerce than can the
same nation broken into hostile fragments。
It is not my purpose to review our discussions with foreign states；
because； whatever might be their wishes or dispositions； the
integrity of our country and the stability of our government mainly
depend not upon them； but on the loyalty； virtue； patriotism； and
intelligence of the American people。 The correspondence itself； with
the usual reservations； is herewith submitted。
I venture to hope it will appear that we have practiced prudence and
liberality toward foreign powers； averting causes of irritation and
with firmness maintaining our own rights and honor。
Since； however； it is apparent that here； as in every other state；
foreign dangers necessarily attend domestic difficulties； I recommend
that adequate and ample measures be adopted for maintaining the
public defenses on every side。 While under this general
recommendation provision for defending our seacoast line readily
occurs to the mind； I also in the same connection ask the attention
of Congress to our great lakes and rivers。 It is believed that some
fortifications and depots of arms and munitions； with harbor and
navigation improvements； all at well…selected points upon these；
would be of great importance to the national defense and preservation
I ask attention to the views of the Secretary of War； expressed in
his report； upon the same general subject。
I deem it of importance that the loyal regions of east Tennessee and
western North Carolina should be connected with Kentucky and other
faithful parts of the Union by rail…road。 I therefore recommend； as
a military measure； that Congress provide for the construction of
such rail…road as speedily as possible。 Kentucky will no doubt
co…operate； and through her Legislature make the most judicious
selection of a line。 The northern terminus must connect with some
existing railroad； and whether the route shall be from Lexington or
Nicholasville to the Cumberland Gap； or from Lebanon to the Tennessee
line； in the direction of Knoxville； or on some still different line；
can easily be determined。 Kentucky and the General Government
co…operating； the work can be completed in a very short time； and
when done it will be not only of vast present usefulness but also a
valuable permanent improvement； worth its cost in all the future。
Some treaties； designed chiefly for the interests of commerce； and
having no grave political importance； have been negotiated； and will
be submitted to the Senate for their consideration。
Although we have failed to induce some of the commercial powers to
adopt a desirable melioration of the rigor of maritime war； we have
removed all obstructions from the way of this humane reform except
such as are merely of temporary and accidental occurrence。
I invite your attention to the correspondence between her Britannic
Majesty's minister accredited to this government and the Secretary of
State relative to the detention of the British ship Perthshire in
June last by the United States steamer Massachusetts for a supposed
breach of the blockade。 As this detention was occasioned by an
obvious misapprehension of the facts； and as justice requires that we
should commit no belligerent act not founded in strict right as
sanctioned by public law； I recommend that an appropriation be made
to satisfy the reasonable demand of the owners of the vessel for her
detention。
I repeat the recommendation of my predecessor in his annual message
to Congress in December last in regard to the disposition of the
surplus which will probably remain after satisfying the claims of
American citizens against China； pursuant to the awards of the
commissioners under the act of the 3d of March； 1859。 If； however；
it should not be deemed advisable to carry that recommendation into
effect； I would suggest that authority be given for investing the
principal； or the proceeds of the surplus referred to； in good
securities； with a view to the satisfaction of such other just claims
of our citizens against China as are not unlikely to arise hereafter
in the course of our extensive trade with that empire。
By the act of the 5th of August last Congress authorized the
President to instruct the commanders of suitable vessels to defend
themselves against and to capture pirates。 His authority has been
exercised in a single instance only。 For the more effectual
protection of our extensive and valuable commerce in the Eastern seas
especially； it seems to me that it would also be advisable to
authorize the commanders of sailing vessels to recapture any prizes
which pirates may make of United States vessels and their cargoes；
and the consular courts now established by law in Eastern countries
to adjudicate the cases in the event that this should not be objected
to by the local authorities。
If any good reason exists why we should persevere longer in
withholding our recognition of the independence and sovereignty of
Haiti and Liberia； I am unable to discern it。 Unwilling； however； to
inaugurate a novel policy in regard to them without the approbation
of Congress； I submit for your consideration the expediency of an
appropriation for maintaining a charge d'affaires near each of those
new States。 It does not admit of doubt that important commercial
advantages might be secured by favorable treaties with them。
The operations of the treasury during the period which has elapsed
since your adjournment have been conducted with signal success。 The
patriotism of the people has placed at the disposal of the government
the large means demanded by the public exigencies。 Much of the
national loan has been taken by citizens of the industrial classes；
whose confidence in their country's faith and zeal for their
country's deliverance from present peril have induced them to
contribute to the support of the government the whole of their
limited acquisitions。 This fac