strength and breadth to comprehend within their sphere and influence the civilized nations of the world. The attention of the Senate and of Congress is again respectfully invited to the treaty for the establishment of commercial reciprocity with the Hawaiian kingdom, entered into last year, and already ratified by that government. The attitude of the United States towards these islands is not very different from that in which they stand towards the West Indies. It is known and felt by the Hawaiian government and people that their government and institutions are feeble and precarious; that the United States, being so near a neighbor, would be unwilling to see the islands pass under foreign control. Their prosperity is continually disturbed by expectations and alarms of unfriendly political proceedings, as well from the United States as from other foreign powers. A reciprocity treaty, while it could not materially diminish the revenues of the United States, would be a guarantee of the good will and forbearance of all nations until the people of the islands shall of themselves, at no distant day, voluntarily apply for admission into the Union. The Emperor of Russia has acceded to the treaty negotiated here in January last for the security of trade-marks in the interest of manufacturers and commerce. I have invited his attention to the importance of establishing, now while it seems easy and practicable, a fair and equal regulation of the vast fisheries belonging to the two nations in the waters of the North Pacific ocean. The two treaties between the United States and Italy for the regulation of consular powers and the extradition of criminals, negotiated and ratified here during the last session of Congress, have been accepted and confirmed by the Italian government. A liberal consular convention which has been negotiated with Belgium will be submitted to the Senate. The very important treaties which were negotiated between the United States and North Germany and Bavaria, for the regulation of the rights of naturalized citizens, have been duly ratified and exchanged, and similar treaties have been entered into with the kingdoms of Belgium and Wurtemberg, and with the Grand Duchies of Baden and Hesse-Darmstadt. I hope soon to be able to submit equally satisfactory conventions of the same character now in the course of negotiation with the respective governments of Spain, Italy, and the Ottoman Empire. Examination of claims against the United States by the Hudson's Bay Company and the Puget Sound Agricultural Company, on account of certain possessory rights in the State of Oregon and Territory of Washington, alleged by those companies in virtue of provisions of the treaty between the United States and Great Britain of June 15, 1846, has been diligently prosecuted, under the direction of the joint international commission to which they were submitted for adjudication by treaty between the two goverrnments of July 1, 1863, and will, it is expected, be concluded at an early day. No practical regulation concerning colonial trade and the fisheries can be accomplished by treaty between the United States and Great Britain until Congress shall have expressed their judgment concerning the principles involved. Three other questions, however, between the United States and Great Britain remain open for adjustment. These are the mutual rights of naturalized citizens, the boundary question involving the title to the island of San Juan, on the Pacific coast, and mutual claims arising since the year 1853 of the citizens and subjects of the two countries for injuries and depredations committed under the authority of their respective governments. Negotiations upon these subjects are pending, and I am not without hope of being able to lay before the Senate, for its consideration during the present session, protocols calculated to bring to an end these justly-exciting and long-existing controversies. We are not advised of the action of the Chinese government upon the liberal and auspicious treaty which was recently celebrated with its plenipotentiaries at this capital. Japan remains a theatre of civil war, marked by religious incidents and political severities peculiar to that long-isolated empire. The Executive has hitherto maintained strict neutrality among the belligerents, and acknowledges with pleasure that it has been frankly and fully sustained in that course by the enlightened concurrence and co-operation of the other treaty powers, namely, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands, North Germany, and Italy. Spain having recently undergone a revolution marked by extraordinary unanimity and preservation of order, the provisional government established at Madrid has been recognized, and the friendly intercourse which has so long happily existed between the two countries remains unchanged. I renew the recommendation contained in my communication to Congress dated the 18th July last-a copy of which accompanies this message that the judgment of the people should be taken on the propriety of so amending the federal Constitution that it shall provide 1st. For an election of President and Vice-President by a direct vote of the people, instead of through the agency of electors, and making them ineligible for re-election to a second term. 2d. For a distinct designation of the person who shall discharge the duties of President, in the event of a vacancy in that office by the death, resignation, or removal of both the President and Vice-President. 3d. For the election of senators of the United States directly by the people of the several States, instead of by the legislatures; and 4th. For the limitation to a period of years of the terms of federal judges. Profoundly impressed with the propriety of making these important modifications in the Constitution, I respectfully submit them for the early and mature consideration of Congress. We should, as far as possible, remove all pretext for violations of the organic law, by remedying such imperfections as time and experience may develop, ever remembering that "the Constitution which at any time exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all." In the performance of a duty imposed upon me by the Constitution, I have thus communicated to Congress information of the state of the Union, and recommended for their consideration such measures as have seemed to me necessary and expedient. If carried into effect, they will hasten the accomplishment of the great and beneficent purposes for which the Constitution was ordained, and which it comprehensively states were "to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity." In Congress are vested all legislative powers, and upon them devolves the responsibility as well for framing unwise and excessive laws, as for neglecting to devise and adopt measures absolutely demanded by the wants of the country. Let us earnestly hope that before the expiration of our respective terms of service, now rapidly drawing to a close, an all-wise Providence will so guide our counsels as to strengthen and preserve the federal Union, inspire reverence for the Constitution, restore prosperity and happiness to our whole people, and promote "on earth peace, good will toward men." WASHINGTON, December 9, 1868. The message having been read, ANDREW JOHNSON. Ordered, That it lie on the table and be printed. On motion by Mr. Grimes, Ordered, That when the Senate adjourn it be to Monday next. MONDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1868. Mr. William Sprague, from the State of Rhode Island, and Mr. John B. Henderson, from the State of Missouri, attended. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary of War, communicating, in compliance with a resolution of the Senate of June 25, 1868, a statement of government supplies lost in transit by the sinking or injury of steamboats on the Missouri river below Omaha, during the years 1866, 1867, and 1868; which was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Commerce, and be printed. The President pro tempore presented a petition of citizens of Mississippi, praying the removal of political disabilities imposed upon Prosper K. Montgomery, by act of Congress; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a letter from the Secretary of War, transmitting a communication from the Commissioner of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, asking the appointment of a committee to investigate, and report upon the administration of said bureau from its organization to the time of its proposed discontinuance; which was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and be printed. The President pro tempore presented the memorial of Henry Martin, President of the Baltimore Copper Company, remonstrating against an increase of the duty on copper; which was referred to the Committee on Finance. The President pro tempore presented the petition of S. N. Goodale, praying the appointment of a special agent to introduce among Indians who are or may be permanently located on reservations, machinery and materials to manufacture blankets and clothing; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate resolutions of the legislative assembly of Oregon in favor of granting and conferring to said State the southeast quarter section 17, township 9 south, range 40 east, of the Willamette meridian, with full power to said State to convey the same to Royal Augustus Pearce, resident thereon. Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims, and be printed. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a memorial of the legislative assembly of Oregon in favor of the establishment of a mail route from Roseburg to Randolph, in said State. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads and be printed. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate resolutions of the legislative assembly of Oregon, relative to amending the Constitution of the United States, and withdrawing the assent of said State to the fourteenth constitutional amendment. Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and be printed. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a letter of the Secretary of the Interior, communicating a statement of the expenditures made by the Surgeon General for the Columbia Institution for Women and Lying-in Asylum; which was read. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate the revised statutes of Colorado, as passed at the seventh session of the legislative assembly, convened on the second day of December, 1867; also the acts of a public nature passed at the same session, and the prior laws still in force. Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Territories. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate the public and private laws, memorials and resolutions of the Territory of Dakota, passed by the legislative assembly, at the seventh session thereof, begun and held at Yancton on Monday, December 2, 1867, and concluded January 10, 1868. Ordered, That they be referred to the Committee on Territories. Mr. Wilson presented the petition of Daniel Lyon, praying to be relieved from civil disabilities imposed on him by acts of Congress; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Wilson presented the petition of T. McKiern and others, praying the establishment by Congress of free reading rooms, intelligence offices, and labor exchanges; which was referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. Mr. Wilson presented a petition of citizens of Georgia, praying the adoption of measures for their protection in their rights as American citizens; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Wilson presented the petition of George Wright, of Washington city, District of Columbia, praying remuneration for the use of his patented linch-pin, adopted by the government for field artillery carriages; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Pomeroy presented the petition of women of Pennsylvania, and a petition of women of Kansas, praying that, in any amendment to the Constitution to extend or regulate suffrage, no distinction be made between men and women; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. The President pro tempore laid before the Senate a resolution of the legislative assembly of Oregon in favor of the appointment of a commission to investigate and take proof as to losses sustained by citizens of said State by depredations of the Indians. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Claims and be printed. Mr. Sumner presented the petition of William Grosch to be remunerated for expenses incurred in raising the 54th regiment New York State volunteers; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Sumner presented the petition of Robert D. Brown, of Van Buren County, Iowa, praying for an increase and arrears of pension; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Sumner presented the memorial of William C. H. Waddell, pray ing the adoption of a cheaper rate of ocean postage; which was referred to the Committee on Post Offices and Post Roads. Mr. Sumner presented the petition of the Pennsylvania Equal Rights League, praying an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, such as will secure to all the citizens of the several States equal political rights, privileges and immunities, without regard to class, creed, birth, race, or color; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Sumner presented a petition of citizens of North Carolina, praying that the Freedmen's Bureau be continued for another year; which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. Mr. Sumner presented the petition of Edward E. Howard and others, citizens of McIntosh county, Georgia, praying that the reconstruction acts may be enforced, to the end that the legislature be purged of members illegally elected, and that those duly elected be restored to their seats therein; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Willey presented a resolution of the legislature of West Virginia, praying that Congress will aid in the completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. Ordered, That it be referred to the Select Committee on Railroads in the States. Mr. Willey presented the petition of Charles Baldwin, praying the removal of civil disabilities imposed on him by acts of Congress; which which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Patterson, of Tennessee, presented a resolution of the legislature of Tennessee, in favor of an appropriation for the improvement of the Tennessee river. Ordered, That it be referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Patterson, of Tennessee, presented the petition of Mary Mannin, praying compensation for services rendered in piloting Union men to the federal army, through the mountains of East Tennessee, and for feeding and nursing them in sickness; which was referred to the Committee on Claims. Mr. Spencer presented a petition of citizens of Alabama, praying that a pension be granted to William B. Looney; which was referred to the Committee on Pensions. Mr. Spencer presented a petition of citizens of Alabama, praying the removal of the civil disabilities imposed upon certain citizens of that State; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Ferry presented the petition of John Young, praying an extension of his patent for certain new and useful improvements in washing machines; which was referred to the Committee on Patents. Mr. Cameron presented the memorial of the Board of Marine Underwriters of the city of Philadelphia, praying for the erection of a lighthouse on the north end of the Seven-mile, sometimes called Learning's, beach, on the Atlantic coast of Cape May county, New Jersey; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce. Mr. Cameron presented the petition of Mary E. J. Mitchell, widow of Captain J. G. Mitchell, United States navy, deceased, asking a grant of certain land discovered and occupied by him in Alaska; which was referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims. Mr. Sherman presented resolutions adopted by a convention of the Republican party in the State of Mississippi, in relation to the State government of Mississippi, and in favor of the readmission of that State into the Union; which were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Morgan presented the memorial of a committee of the Loyal League Club of the city of New York, praying for the appointment of a |