In cases where commissions of the same grade and date interfere a retrospect is to be had to former commissions in actual service at the time of appointment.

I nominate the persons named in the accompanying list for promotion and appointment in the Army to the several grades annexed to their names, as proposed by the Secretary of War.

I transmit herewith a report from the Secretary of War, which exhibits certain transfers of appropriations made in the War Department under the authority conferred upon the President of the United States by the acts of Congress of March 3…

I can not think that a serious objection would anywhere be raised to the receipt and payment of gold and silver in all public transactions were it not from an apprehension that a surplus in the Treasury might withdraw a large portion of it…

I regret that I can not on this occasion congratulate you that the past year has been one of unalloyed prosperity.

It is indispensable that its finances should be untrammeled and its resources as far as practicable unencumbered.

I have heretofore assigned to Congress my reasons for believing that the establishment of an independent National Treasury, as contemplated by the Constitution, is necessary to the safe action of the Federal Government.

Simplicity and economy in the affairs of state have never failed to chasten and invigorate republican principles, while these have been as surely subverted by national prodigality.

Nothing can compensate a people for a dependence upon others for the bread they eat.

The present condition of the defenses of our principal seaports and navy-yards calls for the early and serious attention of Congress

A just regard to the delicate state of this question and a proper respect for the natural impatience of the State of Maine, not less than a conviction that the negotiation has been already protracted longer than is prudent on the part of…

The financial operations of the Government during the present year have, I am happy to say, been very successful.