The Sun.
London, England, 1863-12-23 00:00:00

EfE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

FeYow-Citzzens of the Senate and .House of
_Representatives,
Arother yeir of health and sufficiently abundant
hervests has missed. For these, and especially for
the improved condition of our national affairs, our
renewed and profoundest gratitude is due.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
We remain in peace and friendship with foreign
Powers. The efforts of disloyal citizens of the
United States to involve us in foreign wars to aid an
inexcusable insurrection have been unavailing.
Her Britennic Majesty's Government, as was justly
expected, have exercised their authority to prevent
the departure of new hostile expeditions from Bri.
tish ports.
The Emperor of France has, by a like proceeding,
promptly indicated the neutrality which he pro-
claimed at the beginning of the contest. Questions
of great intricacy and importance have arisen out
of the blockade, and other belligerent operations,
botwecn the Government and several of the mari-
time Powers, but they have been discussed. and, as
far as was possible, accommodated in a spirit of
frankness, justice, and mutual goodwill.
It is especially gratifying that our Prize Courts,
by the impartiality of their adjudications, have
commanded the respect and confidence of maritime
Powers.

The supplemental treaty between the United
States and Great Britain for the suppression of the
African slave trade, made on the 17th day of Feb-
ruary last, has been duly ratified and carried into
execution. It is believed that so far as American
ports and American citizens are concerned that in-
human and odious traffic has been brought to an
end.
I shall submit for the consideration of the Senate
a convention for the adjustment of the possessory
claims in Washington Territory arising out of the
treaty of the 15th of Tune, 1846, between the
United States and Great Britain, and which have
been the source of some disquiet among the citizens
of that now rapidly improving part of the country.
A novel and important question, involving the
extent of the maritime jurisdiction of Spain in the
waters which surround the Island of Cuba, has
been debated without reaching an agreement, and
it is proposed in an amicable spirit to refer it to the
arbitrament of a friendly Power. A convention for
that purpose will be submitted to the Senate.
I have thought it proper, subject to the approval
of the Senate, to concur with the interested com-
mercial Powers in an arrangement fo rthe liquida-
tion of the Scheidt dues, upon the principles which
have been laeretefore ado2ted in regard to the im-
posts upon navigation in the waters of Denmark.
The long-pending controversy between this
Government and that of Chili, touching the seizure
at Setana, in Peru, by Cantu officers, of a large
amount of treasure belonging to citizens of the
United States, has been brought to a close by the
award of his Majesty the King of the Belgians, to
whose arbitration the question was referred by the
parties.

The subject was thoroughly and patiently exa-
mined by that justly respected magistrate, and
although the sum awarded to the claimants may
not have been as large as they expected, there is
no reason to distrust the wisdom of his Majesty's
decision. That decision was promptly complied
with by Chili when intelligence in regard to it
reached that country.
The joint commission under the act of the last
sesiion for carrying into effect the convention with
Peru on the subject of claims has been organised at
Lime, and is engaged in the business.
Difficulties concerning inter•oceanic transit
through Nicaragua aro in course of amicable ad-
justment.

In conformity with principles set forth in my last
Annual Message I have received a representative
from the United States of Columbia, and have
accredited a Minister to that Republic.
INTERNATIONAL RIGIITS OF ALIENS.
Incidents occurring in the progress of our civil
war have forced upon my attention the uncertain
state of international questions touching the rights
of foreigners in this country, and of United States
citizens abroad.
In regard to some Governments, these rights are
at least partially defined by treaties, In no instance,
however, is it expressly stipulated that in the event
of civil war a foreigner residing in this country,
within the lines of the insurgents, is to be exempted
from the rule which classes him as a belligerent, in
whose behalf the Government of this country can-
not expect any privileg©s or immunities distinct
from that character. I regret to say, however, that
such claims h.:ve been put forward, and in some in-
stances in behalf of foreigners who have resided in
the Unite/ States the greater part of their lives.
There is reeson to believe that many persons born
iu fozeign countries, who have declared their intcn•
tic:a to become citizens, or who have been fully na-
turalised, have evaded the military duty required of
them by denying the fact, and thereby throwing
upon the Government the burden of proof. It has
been found difficult or impracticable to obtain this
proof for want of guiLs to the proper source of in-
form.ettion.

Th - •
c6e might us suppliel by requiring clerks of
CtAirt9l where declarations of intention may be
\lat or naturalisations Effected, to send periodi-
callyof the names of the persons naturalised or
deelarigg
theirs intention to become citizens, to the
teretzwy
et
the Interior, in whose department the
names might be
arranged and printed for general
information, There is also reason to believe that
foreigners
reloseonitly become citizens of the United
purpose of evading duties itn-
pSotsaetdesbfyorththealaw:o
rftiheir nati-to country, to which,
on becoming naturalised here, they at once repair,
and though never reteili"g
to the United States,
they still claim the tinterposition of this Government
as citizens.
Many altercations am
great prejudices have
heretofore arisen out of this
It is therefore
submitted to your consideration,
It might be ad-
visable to fix a limit beyond villa.blo citizen of the
United States residing abroad may
01831 n the inter-
position of his Government.
The right of suffrage has often been a.,
ildaltnicatnerdalai::
exercised by aliensh auvned
de wader
stahveo pwreedt ewn them()
tions, which they afted into
tha military service.
I submit the expediency of such an anytto
ent
of the law as will make the fact of voting 41to
pal against any plea of exemption from militaty,:;
vice, or even civil obligation, on the ground of
alienage.

JAPAN.
In common with other Western powers, our rela-
tions with Japan have been brought into serious
jeopardy through the perverse opposition of the
hereditary aristocracy of the empire to the en-
lightened and liberal policy of the Tycoon designed
to bring the country in the society of nations. It is
hoped, although not with entire confidence, that
these difficulties may be peaceably overcome. I ask
your attention to the claim of the Minister residing
there for the damages he sustained in the destruc-
tion by fire of the residence of the legation at Yedo.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made with the
Emperor of Russia, which it is believed will result
in erecting a continuous line of telegraph through
thst empire from the Pacific coast.

I__
_omui COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
stibirelCt
or
an international
to your favourable Consideration the
telegraph across the At-
lantic ocean
capital end 'ae" also of a telegraph between the
th
eatftonal forts along the seaboard
aeal the Gulf
established 'with Mexico. Such communications,
y reasonable outlay, would bo
economical as Well
as
ff
°lt stehr vice .
nr,tic,
military,
and naval
aids to the dip ]o-
The consular system
last
Congress
United States under
the enactments of the
eeli.s3stlining-, end there is
ien,lgress begins to be
to hope
riv, f1,377.-re e77iroly sl with.
thee 0 Tl.
teen rtes. torti.
that it
Ny.-.in-, will cubes, whenever p,ac, i's""9.9 of trade,
On" Yriiii:;:z.::s abrold have aithful in de-
fending Am/Tic:al righ!s.
In protecting commercial interests our
Consuls
have necessarily had to encounter increased labours
and responsibilities grosri og out of the war. These
they have, for the most part, met and discharged
with zeal and efficiency. This acknowledgment
justly includes those conE.:uls who, re9iding. in
H", "d othrn.