The life and public services of Abraham Lincoln ... together with his state papers, including his speeches, addresses, messages, letters, and proclamations, and the closing scenes connected with his life and death. By Henry J. Raymond. To which are added anecdotes and personal reminiscences of President Lincoln, by Frank B. Carpenter.

STATE PAPERS OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 351
has been sustained by the destruction of property. The people of that
State manifest much anxiety for the removal of the tribes beyond the
limits of the State as a guarantee against future hostilities. The Commissioner of Indian Affairs will furnish full details. I submit for your
especial consideration whether our Indian system shall not be remodelled.
Many wise and good men have impressed me with the belief that this can
be profitably done.
I submit a statement of the proceedings of commissioners, which shows
the progress that has been made in the enterprise of constructing the
Pacific Railroad. And this suggests the earliest completion of this road,
and also the favorable action of Congress upon the projects now pending
before them for enlarging the capacities of the great canals in New York
and Illinois, as being of vital and rapidly increasing importance to the
whole nation, and especially to the vast interior region hereinafter to be
noticed at some greater length. I purpose having prepared and laid before you at an early day some interesting and valuable statistical information upon this subject. The military and commercial importance of
enlarging the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and improving the Illinois
River, is presented in the report of Colonel Webster to the Secretary of
War, and now transmitted to Congress. I respectfully ask attention to it.
To carry out the provisions of the act of Congress of the 15th of May
last, I have caused the Department of Agriculture of the United States
to be organized.
The Commissioner informs me that within the period of a few months
this department has established an extensive system of correspondence
and exchanges, both at home and abroad, which promises to effect highly
beneficial results in the development of a correct knowledge of recent
improvements in agriculture, in the introduction of new products, and in
the collection of the agricultural statistics of the different States. Also,
that it will soon be prepared to distribute largely seeds, cereals, plants,
and cuttings, and has already published and liberally diffused much valuable information in anticipation of a more elaborate report, which will in
due time be furnished, embracing some valuable tests in chemical science
now in progress in the laboratory.
The creation of this department was for the more immediate benefit
of a large class of our most valuable fellow-citizens; and I trust that the
liberal basis upon which it has been organized will not only meet your
approbation, but that it will realize, at no distant day, all the fondest
anticipations of its most sanguine friends, and become the fruitful source
of advantage to all our people.
On the 22d day of September last, a proclamation was issued by the
Executive, a copy of which is herewith submitted.
In accordance with the purpose expressed in the second paragraph of
that paper, I now respectfully call your attention to what may be called
"compensated emancipation."
A nation may be said to consist of its territory, its people, and its laws