/t mo 
 
 #33 
 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, May SiL l^l—li.:-. 
 to the Committee on the Judiciary and ordered to be printed. 
 
 [By the Chair/] 
 
 PRESIDENTS MESSAGE 
 
 In relation tb the suspensu 
 
 To the House of R 
 
 of the ( 
 
 following n 
 hi een received : 
 " Resolve^ Tha 
 
 if not incompatible with' the puj given 
 
 in his special message for suspending the writ of s still 
 
 exist, and what additional reasons now exist to such extent fhat the 
 public safety requires the continuance of the suspension thei 
 
 In my opiniui, the reasons given in the special message, transmit; 
 ted to Congress at its last session, recommending the suspension of 
 the writ of habeas corpus still exist in undiminished force, and the 
 present juncture especially requires the continuance of the suspen- 
 sion. The effects of the law for that purpose have been most salutary, 
 and to that law, in no inconsiderable degree, are we indebted for the 
 increased efficiency of the military preparations which have enable^ 
 our gallant armies, under the Providence of God, to beat back the 
 vast invading forces which still threaten us. 
 
 In my judgment it would be perilous, if not calamitous, to discon- 
 tinue the suspension, while the armies of the enemy are pressing on 
 our brave defenders with persistent effort for their destruction and for 
 the subjugation of our country. ♦ 
 
 It is' a source of gratification to be able .to inform you, that the 
 mere passage of the law suspending the writ was, so effectual in restrain- 
 ing those w T ho were engaged in treasonable practices, and in danger- 
 ous complicity with our enemies, that the instances ara extremely few 
 in which arrests were found necessary. 
 
 The effect oi the law in preventing the abuse of the writ, for the 
 purpose of evading military service, by men whose plain duty it ia 
 to .defend their country, can hardly be over estimated. m . 
 
 The sensitiveness exhibited in different parts. of the country to the 
 legislation' on this subject, is indictive of the love of Treedow which 
 
m innate among the people, and which should ever be cherished as the 
 3ole guarantee for the preservation of their constitutional liberties. 
 Ji is not doubted, however, that if those who have expressed dissatis- 
 faction with the law, had been in possession of the information which 
 it was my duty to communicate to you, and which may not yet be 
 revealed without injury to the public interests, they would full} 7 have 
 approved the exercise of the power of suspending the wntt which was 
 Mfttiusted to Congress by the Constitution. All trusts impost duties 
 The power was entrusted expressly with the intent that it should be 
 isetl when necessary to the public gafety in case of invasion. Con- 
 trress, concurring v>ith me that the exigency had arisen which required 
 ihe exercise of the power, performed but a plain duty in passing the 
 ffew, and such will, I doubt not, be the judgment of the people when 
 &e facts can be made known without detriment to their interests. 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS. 
 Richmond, Va\, May 2<>, 1864. 
 
peRnulife* 
 pH8.5