The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-17 00:00:00

simple justice.
The civil war, which has so radically changed for the
moment the occupation and habits of the American people,
has necessarily disturbed the social conditions, and affected
very deeply the prosperity of the nations with which
we have carried on a commerce that has been steadily
increasing throughout a period of half a century. It has at
the same time excited political ambitions and apprehensions,
which have produced a profound agitation throughout the
civilised world. In this unusual agitation we have forborne
from hiking any part in any controversy between foreign
Stags and between parties or factions iu such States.
We have attempted no propagandism and acknowledged no
revolution. But we have left to every nation the exclusive
conduct and management of its own affairs. Our struggle
has been, of course, contemplated by foreign nations with
reference less to its own merits than to its supposed and
often exaggerated effects, and the consequences resulting to
those nations themselves. Nevertheless, complaint on the
part of this Government, even if it were just, would cer-
tainly be unwise.
The treaty with Great Britain for the suppression of the
African slave trade has been put into operation with a good
prospect of complete success. It is an occasion of special
pleasure to acknowledge that the execution of it, on the part
of her Majesty's Government, has been marked with a
jealous respect for the authority of the United States and
the rights of their moral and loyal citizens.
The convention with Hanover for the abolition of the
State dues has been carried into full effect under the act of
Congress for that purpose.
A blockade of 3,000 miles of sea coast could not be esta-
blished and vigorously enforced in a season of great com-
mercial activity like the present, without committing occa-
sional mistakes and inflicting unintentional injuries up' n
foreign nations and their subjects.
A civil war occurring in a country where foreigners
reside and carry on trade, under treaty stipulations, is
necessarily fruitful of complaints of the violation of neu-
tral rights. All such collisions tend to excite misappre-
hensions, and, possibly, to produce mutual reclamations
between nations which have a common interest in pre-
serving peace and friendship. In clear cases of these kinds,
I have, as far as possible, heard and redressed complaints
which have been presented by friendly Powers. There is,
however, a large and augmenting number of doubtful cases,
upon which the Government is unable to agree with the
Governments whose protection is demanded by the claim-
ants. 'there are, moreover, many cases in which the United
States or their citizens suffer wrongs from the naval or mili-
tary authorities of foreign nations, which the Governments
of these States are not at once prepared to redress. I have
proposed to some of the foreign States thus interested mutual
conventionc to examine and adjust such complaints. This
proposition has been made especially to Great Britain, to
France, to Spain, and to Prussia. In each case it has been
kindly received, but has not yet been formally adopted. I
deem it my duty to recommend an appropriation in behal
of the owners of the Norwegian bark Admiral F. Fordehs
Riola, which vessel was in May, 1861, prevented by the
commander of the blockading force off Charleston from
leaving that port with cargo, notwithstanding a similar
privilege had shortly before been granted to an English
vessel. I have directed the Secretary of State to cause the
papers in the case to be communicated to the proper Com-
mittees. Applications have been made to me by many free
Americans of African descent, to favour their emigration,
with a view to such colonisation as was contemplated in re-
cent acts of Congress; other parties at home and abroad,
some from interested motives, others upon patriotic consi-
derations, and still others influenced by philanthropic sen-
timents, have suggested similar measures, while on.the other
hand several of the Spanish American Republics have pro •
tested against the sending of such colonies to their respective
territories. Under these circumstances I have declined to
move any such colony to any &at eNIT ithout obtaining the eon-
sent of the Government, without an agreement on its part to
receive and protect such emigrants in all their rights of free-
men ; and I have at the same time offered to the several States
situated in the tropics, or having colonies there, to nego-
tiate with them, subject to the advice and consent of the
Senate, to favour the voluntary emigration of persons of
that class to their respective territories upon conditions
which shall be equal, just, and humane. Liberia and
Hayti are as yet the only countries to which colonists of
African descent from here could go with certainty of being
received and adopted as citizens, and I regret to say that
such persons contemplating colonisation do not seem so
willing to emigrate to these countries as to some others, nor
as willing, I think, as their interests demand. I believe,
however, the opinion among them in this respect is im-
proving, and that ere long there will be an augmented and
considerable emigration to both these countries foom the
United States.
The new commercial treaty between the United States
and the Sultan of Turkey has been carried into execution,
A commercial and consular treaty has been negotiated,
subject to the Senate's consent, with Liberia, and a similar
negotiation is now pending with the Republic of Hayti.
A considerable improvement of the national commerce is
expected to result from these measures. Our relations with
Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Russia, Prussia,
Denmark, Sweden, and Austria, the Netherlands, Italy,
Rome, and the other European States, remain undisturbed.
'Very favourable relations also continue to be maintained
with Turkey, Morocco, China, and Japan. During the
last year there has not only been no change of our pre-
vious relations with the independent States of our own
continent, but more friendly sentiments than have
heretofore existed, are believed to be entertained by
these neighbours, whose safety and progress are so
intimately connected with our own. This statement spe-
cially applies to Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras,
Peru, and Chili. The Commission under the Convention
with tbe Republic of New Grenada closed its session with-
out. having audited and passed upon all the claims which
were suomitted to it. A proposition is pending to revive the
Convention, that it may be able to do more complete justice.
The commission between the United States and the Repub-
lic of Costa Rica has completed its labours, and submitted
its report. I have favoured the project for connecting the I
United States with Europe, by an Atlantic telegraph, and a
similar project Cu Mend the telegraph from San Francisco,
to connect by a Pacifie tel‘graph with the wire which is
being extended across the Russian Empire.
The territories of the United States, with unimportant
exceptions, have remained undisturbed by the civil war, and
they are exhibiting such evidence of prosperity as justifies
an expectation that some of them will soon be in a condition
t be organized as States, and be constitutionally admitted
into the Union. Tho immense mineral resources of some of
those territories ought to be developed as rapidly as possible.
Every step in that direction would have a tendency to im-
prove the revenues of the Government and diminish the
burdens of the people. It is worthy of your serious consi-
deration whether some extraordinary measures to promote
that end cannot be adopted. The means which suggest them-
selves as most likely to be effective, are a scientific explora-
tkm of the mineral regions in these territories with a view to
the publication of its results at home and in foreign countries
results which cannot fail to be auspicious. The condition of
the finances will claim your most diligent consideration,
The vast expenditure incident to the mlitary and naval
operations required for the suppression of the rebellion have
hitherto been met with a promptitude and certainty unusual
in similar •
maintaiu,deirrstances' and the public credit has been fully
increased lus continuance of the war, however, and the
forces now in disbursementsotl made necessary by the augmented
best mode of providing demand your best reflections as to the
with
necessary revenues without in-
spetßiZothe least possible burdens upon
jlauryoutro.buTsihn:sssu, ,
soon after the commeneeral ?eels payments by the banks,
large issues of United States eat
your last session, made
unavoidable.
unavoidable. In no other I
way could the payment of the troeipe
au
s and the satisfaction of
other just demands, be so acmem
so well provided
foe* The judicious legislation of Congress securing the
recciyability of these notes fur loans and
oebts, has
and .attiking them a "legal tender'
far ninther ternal
duties
Dpicio them universal currency, and has ,
satiall
:Ind for the time, the long-felt want Of d , partially
a enitorre
circulating medium, saving thereby to the people immense
is and exchanges.
urns in diecoue
A return to specie payments, however, at the earliest
period comp.ible with due regard to all interested, should
ever be kept in view•
the value of currency are always in-
Fluctuatie.ns in
It OW dons to the loss est pee-
• - and to reduce these u „
juriou , in wise leeisl
always be a leading purpose b
a-
sible point will
tion.
and certain convertibility into coin,
Convertibility, prompt
the best and surest against
is generally acknowledged to be
h ther a circulation of
them, and it is extremely doubtful w e
d sufficiently large
United States notes, pay able in coin, an
ently' usefully,
for the wants of the people, can be penman
h r mode in
and safely maintained. Is there, then, any of e
which the necessary provision for the public wants can be
made, and the great advantages of a safe and uniform cur-
rency secured ?
I know of none which promises so certain results and at ,
the same time so unobjectionable, as the organisation of
L 'stinking associations under a general act of Congress well

at least-,