The restoration of the States which were engaged in the rebellion to their proper relations to the government and country. APRIL 7, 1869.—Read, referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and ordered to be printed. To the Senate and House of Representatives: While I am aware that the time in which Congress proposes now to remain in session is very brief, and that it is its desire, as far as is consistent with the public interest, to avoid entering upon the general business of legislation, there is one subject which concerns so deeply the welfare of the country that I deem it my duty to bring it before you. I have no doubt that you will concur with me in the opinion that it is desirable to restore the States which were engaged in the rebellion to their proper relations to the government and the country, at as early a period as the people of those States shall be found willing to become peaceful and orderly communities, and to adopt and maintain such constitutions and laws as will effectually secure the civil and political rights of all persons within their borders. The authority of the United States, which has been vindicated and established by its military power, must undoubtedly be asserted for the absolute protection of all its citizens in the full enjoyment of the freedom and security which is the object of a republican government. But, whenever the people of a rebellious State are ready to enter in good faith upon the accomplishment of this object, in entire conformity with the constitutional authority of Congress, it is certainly desirable that all causes of irritation should be removed as promptly as possible, that a more perfect union may be established and the country be restored to peace and prosperity. The convention of the people of Virginia which met in Richmond on Tuesday, December 3, 1867, framed a constitution for that State, which was adopted by the convention on the 17th of April, 1868, and I desire respectfully to call the attention of Congress to the propriety of providing by law for the holding of an election in that State at some time dur ing the months of May and June next, under the direction of the military commander of the district, at which the question of the adoption of that constitution shall be submitted to the citizens of the State. And if this should seem desirable, I would recommend that a separate vote be taken upon such parts as may be thought expedient. And that at the same time, and under the same authority, there shall be an election for the officers provided under such constitution; and that the constitution, or such parts thereof as shall have been adopted by the people, be submitted to Congress on the first Monday of December next, for its once rejected might not be again submitted to the people of that State in like manner and with the probability of the same result. WASHINGTON, D. C., April 7, 1869. U. S. GRANT. In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 5th instant, information in relation to contracts with Norman Wiard for the fabrication and delivery of ordnance. MARCH 31, 1869.-Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 31, 1869. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution passed by the Senate on the 5th instant, directing that the Secretary of the Navy report to the Senate "what contracts, if any, have been entered into between that department and Norman Wiard for the fabri cation and delivery of ordnance or other arms since the 1st day of Jan uary, 1861; the terms and conditions of such contracts; how far such contracts have been fulfilled; how many guns have been delivered, and how much money has been paid him thereon; how much money, if any, is now due him on said contracts, or either of them; and all other information that will show the true nature, character, expense, and result of all transactions between the said Wiard and the Navy Department on the subject of ordnance." The resolution having been referred to the Bureau of Ordnance, I herewith submit a communication of this date from Rear-Admiral John A Dahlgren, the chief of that bureau, and the several papers accompa nying it, which, it is believed, furnish the information called for by the Senate. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. SCHUYLER COLFAX, A. E. BORIE, Secretary of the Navy. Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate. No. 9.] BUREAU OF ORDNANCE, Navy Department, March 30, 1869. SIR: In compliance with the resolution of the Senate, March 5, 1869, transmitted to this bureau, I submit herewith copies of all the corre spondence between this bureau and Mr. Wiard, in relation to various 2 CONTRACTS WITH NORMAN WIARD. transactions between the Navy Department and Mr. Wiard, which have been found on the files of this bureau, on the subject of ordnance; and they will, I think, convey the information called for by the resolution. For convenient reference, they are arranged in separate folios, and marked as follows: No. 1.-Semi-steel howitzers, 1861-1865. No. 2.—74-inch rifles, 1861-1864. No. 3.-Semi-steel 50-pounders, Part I, 1861-1862. Semi-steel 50-pounders, Part II, 1862-1869. No. 4.-15-inch smooth bore, 1863-1867. Six drawings and one photograph. No. 5.-Statement of amounts paid to Mr. Wiard under contracts and accepted orders, 1861-1867. I also return the resolution of the Senate, and have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. A. DAHLGREN, Rear Admiral and Chief of Bureau. INDEX TO No. 1. Semi-steel howitzers. Bureau to Wiard, in reference to contract for semi-steel 12-pounder howitzers Bureau to Wiard, asking him to explain why he has already forged 17 howitzers; re- Wiard presents a bill for five semi-steel howitzers, with remarks Bureau replies to Mr. Wiard; it will accede to Mr. Wiard's request, provided, upon examination, no one of the howitzers has the defect disclosed by the bursting of the 50-pounder made from same material Wiard to bureau. Will submit cheerfully to any further examination of the howitzers the bureau may desire.. Wiard makes another proposition to fabricate 100 or more, but not less than 50, 12pounder rifled semi-steel howitzers, &c.. Bureau directs Commander Nicholson to inspect and prove the five semi-steel howitzers... Bureau asks Wiard to state precisely the price per pound he agreed to deliver the howitzers.... Mr. Wiard replies that the price was 55 cents per pound. Bureau sends Wiard bills for the five semi-steel howitzers. Wiard offers to supply boat and field carriages Relative to deliveries of the above carriages... Wiard offers for sale a lot of howitzer equipments. 8-9 Relative to deliveries, &c., of howitzer carriages and equipments Bureau to Mr. H. L. Stuart, in relation to a pattern rifled howitzer loaned to Mr. 9-10 10 Mr. Beach, president of Farmers and Citizens' Bank of Long Island, in relation to 11 |