For myself, I have no doubt of the power and duty of the Executive, under the law of nations, to exclude enemies of the human race from an asylum in the United States.

I solicit your authority to furnish to the Republic a gunboat at moderate cost, to be reimbursed to the United States by installments.

If Congress should think that proceedings in such cases lack the authority of law, or ought to be further regulated by it, I recommend that provision be made for effectually preventing foreign slave traders from acquiring domicile and…

We could not exaggerate either the commercial or the political importance of that great improvement.

We all know where he went in at, but I can't tell where he will come out at.

Again the blessings of health and abundant harvests claim our profoundest gratitude to Almighty God.

By virtue of the authority contained in the sixth section of the act of 21st April, 1864, which enacts that any officer in the naval service, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, may be advanced not exceeding thirty numbers in…

In conformity to the law of July 16, 1862, I most cordially recommend that Captain John A. Winslow, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for the skill and gallantry exhibited by him in the brilliant action, while in…

The destruction of so formidable a vessel, which had resisted the continued attacks of a number of our vessels on former occasions, is an important event touching our future naval and military operations, and would reflect honor on any…

This recommendation is specially made in order to comply with the requirements of the ninth section of the aforesaid act.

I most cordially recommend that Lieutenant William B. Cushing, United States Navy, receive a vote of thanks from Congress for his important, gallant, and perilous achievement in destroying the rebel ironclad steamer Albemarle on the night…

The affair was executed in a most creditable manner.

If, however, the Secretary of the Navy should ascertain that the steamer is adapted to our service, he is authorized to purchase her.

The purchase money will be held in trust toward satisfying any valid claims which may be presented by the Japanese on account of the construction of the steamer and the failure to deliver the same, as above set forth.

It is deemed to comport with the public interest, in view of the unsettled condition of the relations of the United States with that Empire, that the steamer should not be allowed to proceed to Japan.

To sin by silence, when they should protest, makes cowards of men.

it is deemed advisable that they should be opened to domestic and foreign commerce:

Whereas by my proclamation of the 19th of April, 1861, it was declared that the ports of certain States, including those of Norfolk, in the State of Virginia, Fernandina and Pensacola, in the State of Florida, were, for reasons therein set…