Jan 7, 1861
I certainly had no right to make aggressive war upon any State, and I am perfectly satisfied that the Constitution has wisely withheld that power even from Congress.
James Buchanan
The Public Record
James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. A member of the Democratic Party, he was born in Pennsylvania and held several significant positions in government prior to his presidency, including Secretary of State and minister to the United Kingdom. His presidency is often marked by his attempts to maintain peace in a nation increasingly divided over the issue of slavery, but he is frequently criticized for his failure to prevent the Civil War. Buchanan's administration faced numerous challenges, including economic turmoil and rising tensions between the North and South.
presidency.ucsb.edu
Jan 7, 1861
In all its various bearings, therefore, I commend the question to Congress as the only human tribunal under Providence possessing the power to meet the existing emergency.
Jan 7, 1861
Entertaining this conviction, I refrained even from sending reenforcements to Major Anderson, who commanded the forts in Charleston Harbor, until an absolute necessity for doing so should make itself apparent.
Jan 1, 1861
In view of this fact it was deemed preferable to instruct our new minister to negotiate a new treaty which should omit the objectionable second article and also the few words of the twenty-eighth article which had been stricken out by the…
Dec 4, 1860
In answer to the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th of April last, requesting information concerning the African slave trade, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State and the documents by which it was accompanied.
Dec 4, 1860
I transmit, for the consideration of the Senate with a view to ratification, a convention for the adjustment of claims of citizens of the United States against the Government of the Republic of Costa Rica, signed by the plenipotentiaries…
Dec 2, 1860
My prayer to God is that He would preserve the Constitution and the Union throughout all generations.
Dec 2, 1860
In the meantime, who can foretell what would be the sufferings and privations of the people during its existence?
Dec 2, 1860
The day of evil may never come unless we shall rashly bring it upon ourselves.
Dec 2, 1860
I have long foreseen and often forewarned my countrymen of the now impending danger.
Dec 2, 1860
no nation in the tide of time has ever presented a spectacle of greater material prosperity than we have done until within a very recent period.
Dec 2, 1860
the country has been eminently prosperous in all its material interests.
Dec 2, 1860
The immediate peril arises not so much from these causes as from the fact that the incessant and violent agitation of the slavery question throughout the North for the last quarter of a century has at length produced its malign influence…
Jun 24, 1860
an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate of the United States to convene for the transaction of business at the Capitol, in the city of Washington, on the 26th day of June instant, at 12 o'clock at noon of that day, of which all who…
Jun 24, 1860
It was impossible that Congress could have had such an intention, and therefore, according to my construction of the clause in question, it merely designated Captain Meigs as its preference for the work, without intending to deprive the…
Jun 24, 1860
To this appropriation, for a wise and beneficial object, I have not the least objection.
Jun 24, 1860
If they could withdraw an officer from the command of the President and select him for the performance of an executive duty, they might upon the same principle annex to an appropriation to carry on a war a condition requiring it not to be…
Jun 24, 1860
It is evident that Congress intended nothing more by this clause than to express a decided opinion that Captain Meigs should be continued in the employment to which he had been previously assigned by competent authority.
Jun 24, 1860
Officers might then be found, instead of performing their appropriate duties, besieging the halls of Congress for the purpose of obtaining special favors and choice places by legislative enactment.
Jun 24, 1860
It is now discovered, however, that it will require half a million more for the completion of the Washington Aqueduct.
Jun 22, 1860
I therefore earnestly recommend that the act referred to be so modified as to empower the Postmaster-General to provide for carrying the California mails at a rate of compensation which may be deemed reasonable and just.
Jun 22, 1860
The weight of these mails, averaging from 12 to 15 tons semi-monthly, renders it, in view of the climate and character of the road, manifestly impossible to forward them overland without involving an expenditure which no wise…
Jun 22, 1860
They demand a higher rate of compensation, and unless power is given to the Postmaster-General to accede to this demand I am well satisfied that these mails can not be forwarded.
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