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

- _
VIE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of
I?epresentatices,
Another yesr of health end sufficiently ab andant
hsrvests has passed. For these, and especially for
the improved condition of our national affairs, our
renewed and profoundest gratitude is dae,
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 Britannic 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. Question s
of great intricacy and importance have arisen out
of the blockade, and other belligerent operations,
between the Government and several of the mari-
time Powers, but they hare 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 lith 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 subenit 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 June, 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 rower. 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 for the liquida-
tion of the Scheidt dues, upon the principles which
have been heretofore adopted 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 Chiiian officers, of a large
amount of treasure belonging to citizens of the
been United States, has be 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
session for carrying into effect the convention with
Peru on the subject of claims has been organised at
Lima, and is eugAged in the business.
Difficulties coocerzing inter-oceanic transit
through Nicaragua aro in course of amicable ad-
justment. _

In conformity with principles set forth in my last
Anonl Message I have received a representative
from the Uaited States of Columbia, and have
accredited a Minister to that Republic.
INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS 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 abroc.d.
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
f. ono the rule which classes him as a belligerent, in
whose behalf the Government of this country can-
not expect any privileges or immunities distinct
from that character. I regret to say, however, that
such claims have been put forward, and in some in-
stances in behalf of foreigners who have resided in
the United States the greater part of their lives.
There is reason to believe that many persons born
in foreign countries, who have declared their inters•
tion 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 guides to the proper source of in-
formation.

These might be supplied by requiring clerks of
courts, where declarations of intention may be
made or naturalisations effected, to send periodi-
Lats of the names of the persons naturalised or
deelarin
s,cretal, their intention to become citizens, to the
of the Interior, in whose department the
names tu•
lext be arranged and printed for general
inforrami".
There is also reason to believe that
foreigners frE
tZt:rlitly become citizens of the United
States for
lam:opurpose of evading duties im-
p7md by the
naturalised here
native country, to which,
en becoming
returning
here, they at once repair,
and though never
to the United States,
they still claim the itl,7ning
as citizens. 'trposition of this Government
Many altercations am
great prejudices have
heretofore arisen out of this
submitted to your consider4e. It is therefore
It might be ad-
visable to fit a limit beyond
ma
no citizen of the
United States residing abroad
7 claim the inter-
position of his Government.
Tll3 right of suffrage has often been
exercised by aliens under the prete,„,:jumediand
tions, which they have disarw,vel
when drafted into
the military service.
I submit the expediency of such an trawra
of the law as will make the fact of voting a4itEut
o
pal against any plea of exemption from military ,4:
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
heredi!ary 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, althoug 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 Efft:eting a continuous line of telegraph through
that empire from the Pacific coast.

I
rnatue COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.
54b,...,7,_°0 _
an international
to your favourable consideration the
lanitite'te:eao,international telegraph across the At-
tiaiend also of a telegraph between the
capital anal
of
ttional forts along tho seaboard
and the calf
established with Mexico. Such communications,
veil? reasonable outlay, would be
economical as
naval service,
aids to the dipo-
rtiatie, military, and
o stehrviee.
The. consular s3-steni
begins to be
the
enactments or the
iirist
congresse United States under
self-sustaining, end there isle
v,ace
increase of trade,
IMIS become entirely s° with the to ;lope that it
beens restored..
which will ensue whenever
faithful in de-
Oar Ministers abroad have
fending Amnion rights.
"
In protecting commercial intenq„ 0.,
..-,r cnu to,„
have necessarily had to encounter increased lab
°
and responsibilities growing out of the war. These
they have, for the most part, met and diseharg,,n
with zeal and efficiency. This acknawiedgfner,r
justly includes thoss consuls who, residing in
Morocco, Egypt, Tutkey, Japan, China, and other

+1•116..."
Oriental countries, are charged with:complex func-
tions and extraordinary powers.
The condition of the several organised territories
is generally satisfactory, s.lthough Indian disturb
ancea in New Mexico ha•we not been entirely sup-
pressed. The mineral resources of Co:or.Ido, Nevada,
Idaho, New Mexico, and Arizona are proving far
richer than has been heretofore understood.

I lay before you a communication on this subject
from the Governor of New Mexico.

I again submit to your consideration the expedi-
ency of establishing a system for the encourage-
ment of emigration. although this source of national
wealth and strength is again flowing with greater
freedom than for several years before the insurrec-
tion occurred.

There is still a great deficiency in every field of
industry, especially in agriculture and in our mines,
as well of iron as the precious metals. While the
demand for labour is thus increased here, tens of
thousands of persons destitute of remunerative occu-
pation are thronging our foreign consulates and
offering to emigrate to the United States, if essen-
tial but very cheap assistance can be afforded them.
THE CIVIL WAR IN ITS RELATIONS WITII FOREIGN

COUNTRIES.
It is easy to sea that under the sharp discipline
of civil war the nation is beginning a new life.
This noble effort demands the aid and ought to re-
ceive the attention and support of the Government.
Injuries unforeseen by the Government, and unin-
tended, may, in some cases have been inflicted on the
subjects or citizens of foreign countries both at sea
and on land by persons in the service of the United
States.

As this Government expects redress from other
Powers when similar injuries ere inflicted by per-
sons in their service upon citizens of the United
States, we must be prepared to do justice to
foreigners.

If the existing judicial tribunals aro inadequate
to this purpose, a special court may be authorised
with power to hear and decide such claims of the
character referred to as may have arisen under
treaties and the public law.
Conventions for adjusting the claims by joint
commission have been proposed to some Govern
ments, but no definite answer to the proposition has
yet been received from any.
In the course of the session I shall probably have
occasion to request you to provide indemnification
to claimants where decrees of restitution have been
rendered (and damages awarded by Admiralty
Courts), and in other cases where this Government
may be acknowledged to be liable in principle, and
where the amount of that liability has been ascer-
tained by an informal arbitration.