When a great soldier, with unrestricted power in his hands to oppress his fellow-men, voluntarily foregoes the chance of gratifying his selfish ambition and devotes himself to the duty of building up the liberties and strengthening the laws of his country, he presents an example of the highest public virtue that human nature is capable of practicing.  The strongest claim of Washington to be “first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen” is founded on the great fact that in all his illustrious career he scrupulously abstained from violating the legal and constitutional rights of his fellow-citizens.  When he surrendered his commission to Congress, the President of that body spoke his highest praise in saying that he had “always regarded the rights of the civil authorities through all dangers and disasters.”  Whenever power above the law courted his acceptance, he calmly put the temptation aside.  By such magnanimous acts of forbearance he won the universal admiration of mankind and left a name which has no rival in the history of the world.

I am far from saying that General Hancock is the only officer of the American Army who is influenced by the example of Washington.  Doubtless thousands of them are faithfully devoted to the principles for which the men of the Revolution laid down their lives.  But the distinguished honor belongs to him of being the first officer in high command south of the Potomac, since the close of the civil war, who has given utterance to these noble sentiments in the form of a military order.

I respectfully suggest to Congress that some public recognition of General Hancock’s patriotic conduct is due, if not to him, to the friends of law and justice throughout the country.  Of such an act as his at such a time it is but fit that the dignity should be vindicated and the virtue proclaimed, so that its value as an example may not be lost to the nation.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, December 19, 1867.

To the Senate of the United States: 

I transmit to the Senate, in answer to a resolution of that body of the 16th instant, a report[33] from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

[Footnote 33:  Relating to the removal of Governor Ballard, of the Territory of Idaho.]

WASHINGTON, December 20, 1867.

To the Senate and House of Representatives: 

I herewith transmit to Congress a report, dated the 20th instant, with the accompanying papers, received from the Secretary of State in compliance with the requirements of the eighteenth section of the act entitled “An act to regulate the diplomatic and consular systems of the United States,” approved August 18, 1856.

ANDREW JOHNSON.

WASHINGTON, December 31, 1867.

To the House of Representatives: 

In answer to a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 18th instant, requesting information concerning alleged interference by Russian naval vessels with whaling vessels of the United States, I transmit a report from the Secretary of State and the papers referred to therein.