The unusual number of applications for leave of absence which have been lately made by Territorial officers has induced the President to announce that he expects the gentlemen who hold those offices to stay in their respective Territories and to attend strictly to their official duties.  They have been appointed for service in the Territory and for the benefit and convenience of the Territorial population.  He expects them by their personal presence to identify themselves with the people and acquire local information, without which their duties can not be well performed.  Frequent or long absence makes them in some degree strangers, and therefore less acceptable to the people.  Their absence, no matter with what substitution, must often put the people to inconvenience.  Executive officers may be required for emergencies which could not be foreseen.  Judges should be at hand, not only when the courts are in session, but for matters of bail, habeas corpus, orders in equity, examination of persons charged with crime, and other similar business, which often arises in vacation.

These and similar considerations no doubt induced Congress to pass the law above quoted.

It is therefore directed that in future the heads of Departments shall grant leaves of absence to Territorial officers only for reasons of the most urgent character, and then only for the shortest possible time.

By order of the President: 

HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.

THIRD ANNUAL MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 4, 1871.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In addressing my third annual message to the law-making branch of the Government it is gratifying to be able to state that during the past year success has generally attended the effort to execute all laws found upon the statute books.  The policy has been not to inquire into the wisdom of laws already enacted, but to learn their spirit and intent and to enforce them accordingly.

The past year has, under a wise Providence, been one of general prosperity to the nation.  It has, however, been attended with more than usual chastisements in the loss of life and property by storm and fire.  These disasters have served to call forth the best elements of human nature in our country and to develop a friendship for us on the part of foreign nations which goes far toward alleviating the distresses occasioned by these calamities.  The benevolent, who have so generously shared their means with the victims of these misfortunes, will reap their reward in the consciousness of having performed a noble act and in receiving the grateful thanks of men, women, and children whose sufferings they have relieved.