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

THE PRESIDEN7'S MESSAGE.

I'ET'L°W -CITIZENS or Tun SENATE AND SOIIBB OF
REPRESENTATIVES.
Feince your last annual assemblage, another year of health
and bountiful harvests has passed ; and while it has not
pleased the Almighty to bless us with a return of peace, we
can but press on, guided by the best light He gives us, trust-
ing that in His own good time and wise way all will be well.
The corres-eondence touching foreign affairs which has
taken place() during the last year is herewith submitted, in
virtual compliance with a request to that effect, made by the
Howse of Representatives, near the ellasee of the last session
of congress. If the conditions of our relations with other
nations is less gratifying than it 'usually has been at former
periods, it is certainly more Satisfactory thane nation so un-
happily distressed as ve -A
are might reasenatly have appre-
hended. In the month of June last there were some grounds
toof expect that maritime powers, which, at the beginning
d(mie°!..:te difficulties so unanimously and unneces-
sarily, we .
tnink, recognised the insurgents as belligerent,
wo,uld won recede from that position, which has proved
only • .
, ess injurioue to themselves than to our own country ;
un: the temporary reverses which afterwards befell the na-
tcional arms, and which were exaggerated by our own dis-
loyal children abroad, have hitherto delayed that act of
simple justice.
bee civil war, which has so radically changed for the
n'wenent the occupation and habits of the American people,
Yeas necessarily disturbed the social conditions, and affected
'very deeply the prosperity of the nations with which
We have carried on a eionemerce that has been steadily
increasing throughout re period of half a century. It has at
the same time excited political ambitions and apprehensions,
`which have prodeiced a profound agitation throughout the
civilised world. In this unusual agitation we have forborne
from taking 'Any part in any controversy between foreign
States and, between parties or factions in such States.
We haver attempted no propagandism and acknowledged no
revelretion. But we have left to every nation the exclusive
Cont and management of its own affairs. Our struggle
h'es been, of course, contemplated by foreign nations with
reference less to its own merits than to its supposed and
often exaggereeted effects, and the consequences resulting to
those nations themselves. Nevertheless, complaint on the
'int of r:ois Government, even if it were just, would car-
tainli; be unwise.
:.'he treaty with Great Britain for the suppression of the
te.frican slave bade 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 .1a inflicting unintentional injuries upon
foreign nations, and their subjects.
A civil w, ex occurring in a country where foreigners
reside are, carry on trade, under treaty stipulations, is
necesseeelly fruitful of complaints of the violation of neu-
tral rights. All such collisions tend to excite misappre-
hcensions, and, possibly, to produce mutual reclamation
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
fitates or their citizens suffer wrongs from the naval or mili-
tary author ties of foreign nations, which the Governments
of these S'cates are not at once prepared to redress. I have
proposeel to some of the foreign States thus interested mutual
cenwaitionc to examine and adjust such complaints. This
proposition has been made especially to Great Britain, to
F (niece, 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 behalf
of the owners of the Norwegian bark Admiral F. Fordeha
Riola, Welch vessel was in May, 1861, prevented by the
commander of the blockading force off Charleston from
leavireg 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 ease 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 tb:e sending of such colonies to their respective
territories. 'Jnder these circumstances I have declined to
move any such colony to any State without obtaining the con-
sent of 'she Government, without an agreement on its part to
receive and protect such emigrants in all their rights of free- ,
rr-ten ; and Ihave at the same time offered to the several States
situated in the tropics, or having colonies there, to nego-
tiate with them, subject to tlio 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
evillines to emigrate to these countries as to some others, nor
as 'Ailing, I think, as their interests demand. I believe,
teowever, 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 tae 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
Wpected 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 the 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
United States with Europe, by an Atlantic telegraph, and a
similar project to extend the telegraph from San Francisco,
to connect by % Pacific telegraph with the wire which is
being extended across the Rueeian 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
te be organized as States, and be constitutionally admitted
into the Union. The 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 scientificexplora-
tion 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
Irt in,
n ellati' required for the suppression of the rebellion have
"te been met with a promptitude and certainty unusual
l-niter circumstances, and the public credit has been fully
the war, however, and the
main‘liled• The continua' nce of
increased
forces now • i b
necements made necessary by the augmented
best mode fthe field, demand your best reflection! as to the
pra,9141.
jury to business the necessary revenues without in-
, andpesiwith the least possible burdens upon
labour. The sus
soon aft 31* the comma:: specie payments by the banks,
large issues of United Statreem of your last session, made
way could the payment of
ecothue:tot:s unavoidable. In no other
:Plan d the satisfaction of
other just demands, be so
so well provided
for. The judicious legislation ft!
ey s securing the
receivability of these notes for loans"ltmaree!
for
Ontrndaelbdt duties,
and making them a " legal tender"
Made them universal currency, and has
sattilled, has
at least, and for the time, the lung-felt want of a unifonny
circulating medium, saving thereby to the people immense
sums
in discounts and exchanges.
epecie payments
A return to however, at the earliest
period compatible with die regard to all
interested, should.
ever he kept in view.
Fluctuations
the value of currency are always in-
jeriour, and to reduce these fluctuations to the lowest pos-
sible point will always be a leading purpose in wise legisla-

tion.
Convertibiliry, prompt and certain convertibility into coin,
is generally acknowledged to be the best and surest against
them, and it is extremely doubtful whother a circulation of
United States notes, payable in coin, and sufficiently large
for the wants of the people, can be permanently, usefully,
and safely maintained. Is there, then, any other mode in
which the necessary provision for the public wants can be
made, and the great advantages of a safe and uniform cur-
rency secured?
I kivw of none which promises so certain results and at
the same time so unobjectionable, as the organisation of
banking associations under a general act of Congress well