Non-fiction: Annual Message to Congress, 1859

Overview
James Buchanan's 1859 Annual Message to Congress presents a presidential appraisal of the nation's condition at a moment of intensifying sectional crisis. The address combines routine reports on finance, public works, and foreign commerce with pointed commentary on the political and constitutional questions that had come to dominate national life. Buchanan frames the central challenge as preserving the Union through adherence to law and the Constitution amid growing discord between North and South.

Domestic Economy and Public Policy
The message surveys the federal government's fiscal position, noting receipts, expenditures, and the state of the Treasury. Attention is given to tariffs, the public debt, and the need for prudent management of revenues to match public obligations. Buchanan emphasizes support for national infrastructure projects, including roads, rivers, and mail service, viewing improvements as essential to commerce and national cohesion. Public lands and the administration of Indian affairs receive practical discussion as parts of an ongoing effort to settle and develop western territories.

Territories and the Question of Slavery
A central theme is the status of the territories and the legal and political limits of federal power over slavery. Buchanan reiterates his belief that the federal government cannot constitutionally abolish slavery within a state and that questions about slavery in territories must be settled in accordance with existing constitutional principles and judicial decisions. The message defends the administration's prior positions on territorial governance and insists that admitted and prospective governments be treated in conformity with law, while urging Congress to legislate with restraint to avoid exacerbating disputes.

John Brown, Sectional Tensions, and the Rule of Law
Buchanan addresses the violent episode of John Brown's raid and the broader context of abolitionist agitation, condemning violent insurrection and calling for vigorous enforcement of the law. The president portrays such acts as dangerous provocations that threaten public order and the security of citizens, while also lamenting the intensity of sectional animosities. He urges Congress and the public to rely on constitutional remedies and legal processes rather than passion or extralegal measures as the only viable means to maintain peace.

Foreign Relations and Commercial Interests
The message offers a measured review of international affairs, noting relations with European powers and developments affecting American commerce and navigation. Buchanan stresses the importance of observing treaties, protecting American citizens and shipping, and pursuing reciprocal trade agreements that favor national prosperity. He cautions against foreign entanglements while advocating a resolute defense of national interests abroad, seeking stability that will facilitate commerce and the expansion of American influence on peaceful terms.

Recommendations and Legacy
Buchanan presents concrete recommendations to Congress centered on enforcing existing laws, improving public infrastructure, and managing territorial affairs within constitutional constraints. He calls for prudence and moderation from political leaders as the nation confronts divisive issues. Historically, the message reflects the final years of antebellum compromise: an administration determined to uphold legal institutions but increasingly out of step with the forces pushing the nation toward conflict. The address captures the tensions of 1859, legal argumentation, appeals to order, and the uneasy hope that adherence to law could avert the growing sectional schism.