Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-12-28
MESSAGE

MESSAGE
OF the President United both Houses
of the Thlrty-frst Congress, December, 1919.
FeIo,c-citizems of the Senate
and HouSeof Representatives,:
Sixty have elapsed since the establishment of this
embes to legislate empire of eemen The predic-
of evil prophets who formerly pretended forete the
derided and United States of America at this moments
present the world the most stable
the result of the abos of those who have gone
fore us Upon Congress viii emnently depend the future
maintenance of system of free and the trans
mission OF it, unmpaired, to posterity.
We are at with all the world and seek to maintain
cherished relations of amit with the rest OF
During the past year, have been blessed by kind Provi-
dence with abundance of the fruits Of the earth and al
territory with ravages dreadful pesence
yet the Almighty has at length degned stay ms hand and
pie who have his power deprecated his wrath
While enjoying the benefits of amicable intercourse with
foreign nations have not been nsensbe to the dsrac-
which have prevailed in other quarters of the
world 1t is proper of Thanksgiving to Him who rules
the denes of nations that have been able to maintain
amidst all these contests independent and neutral position
towards all the beigerent powers.
Our relations with Great Britain of the friendly
character In consequence of the alteration of the
British navigation acts, British vessels from British and
other foreign pors will under existing law after the
with cargoes of the growth manufacture or production of
any part of the world the terms, to duties
posts and charges of the United States with their
cargoes and vessels will be admitted same avan-
tages in British ports, entering therein the terms
British vessels Should order council disturb leg
atve arrangement the late act of the British Parliament
by which Great Britain is brought within the terms propos-
hoped will be productive of benefit to both countries
eReeH S and h
say has been terminated and Minister there
the circumstances which led to that interruption need
the sincere satisfaction with which
and Minister Penpotentiay from sister republic to which
have 50 long been and still remain bound by the strong
est ties of amity.
Shortly after had entered upon the discharge of the Ex-
ecutve dnties was apprzed that steamer belonging
to the German Empire being fitted out in the harbor
New with the
ed under the permission of the late Secretary Navy
that Empire and the Kingdom of Denmark which had
engaged in the SchleswgHolsten Apprehensive that
violation Of Obligations incurred by the treaty
with 1 and da the Of the act Of Congress
be rendered by any agent officer of the Navy and
ucted the Secretary of State to prze the Minister of the
mination to execute the law of the United States
maintain the faith of treaties with all nations The
and the Minister of the German EMPIRE herewith laid be-
fore you The execution of the law and the observance
the treaty by to be due to the honor of the
country well the sacred obligations of the Consu-
ton shall not fail to pursue the course should
the opinion, taking the oath of Office that in disputes be-
tween conflicting foreign governments interest,"
abandon it, You will perceive from correspondence sub
med you in connection with this subject that the
adopted this has been properly regarded by be
gerent powers interested in the matter.
Although Minister of the United States to the German
Empire was appointed by predecessor in August lSS
and has, for long time, been in attendance at Frankfort
and although Minister appointed to repre-
such Government that of the German Empire has been
Frankfort remained there months in the expectation
that union of the German States under constitution
form of government might at length be organized It is
lions between Prussia and the States of Germany that
such union be permanently established without her Coop
the of the formation Such
the organization of central in Germany, of which
draw Minister at Berlin but while Prussia exists
Independent kingdom and diplomatic relations maintain
ed her. no necessity for the continuance
the mission to Frankfort have therefore, recalled Mr..
DOneon and directed the archives of the legation at Frank
FORT be the American legation at Berlin
Having been apprsed that considerable number ad
venturers engaged in fitting out military expsdon
within the United States against foreign country be
it destined to invade the island of Cuba deemed it due
to the friendly relations existing between the United States
and Span to the treaty between the two naons to the
laws Of the United States and above all to the American
honor to exert the lawful authority Of this Government
suppresng the expedition and preventing the invasion To
this end issued proclamation snjGInng it upon the Off
within their copy of that proclamation is
herewith submitted The expedition has been suppressed
SO long the act of Congress- of the 10th of April 1873
which its existence to the laws of nations and to the
Poey OF washington himself snail remain on our statute
book hold to be the duty of the Executive faithfully to
obey its injuncons
foreigner who claimed protection had been clandes,
timely and as supposed 9rci6y carried of IN vessel
caused such steps be taken thought necessary in
the information had received should prove correct to vim
d the honor of the country and the right of every
seeking asylum soil to the protection of our
laws The person alleged have been abducted prompt
y restored and the circumstances of the about
to undergo investigation before judicial tribunal would
respectfully suggest that although the crime charged have
been committed in this held odous being in
et with opinions the subject of national sovereignty
and personal freedom there prohibition or punish
men for it. provided act of Congress The eXpeden-
g of supplying this defect in our criminal code therefore
have lions
and contentious which have recently distracted Europe
During the late conflict between Austria and Hungary
there seemed prospect that the latter might become
independent nation However faint that prospect at the
time appeared thought it duty, in accordance with the
general sentiment of the American people, who deeply SYM
phzed with the Magyar PATRIOTS to stand prepared upon
the contingency of the by her OF permanent
government to be the first to welcome independent hungary
into the family of nations For this purpose, invested an
agent then in Europe with power to declare willingness
promptly to recognise her independence in the event OF hel
ability to sustain it. The powerful Intervention of Russia
in the contest extnguished the hopes of the struggling
Magyars The United States did not at any time interfere
the contest; but the feelings of the nation strongly
enlisted in the cause and by the sungs of brave people
who had made gallant though unsuccessful effort to be
free.
Our claims upon Portugal have been, during the past
prosecuted with renewed vgor and has been object
adjustment Our late Charged Afaires at Lisbon, the Hon
George w. Hopkins made able and energetic but unsuc
ce efforts settle these unpleasant matters of controver
and to obtain indemnity for the which were the
subjects of complaint Our present Charge d Afaires
that court WILL also, bring to the prosecution of these claim
ability zeal The revolutionary and distracted condi
tion Portugal past times has been represented
leading of her delay il ndemnyng suffer
ing citizens But must say, is matter of profound
regret that these claims have not yet been settled Til
of Portugal to do justice to the American claimant
has assumed character so grave and serious that
shall shortly make it the subject of special message
Congress- with view to such ultimate action as It's wisdom
and patriotism may suggest n,
With Russia Austria Prussia, Sweden, Denmark, Bel
GUM the Netherlands the Italian States, still main
tain our accustomed amicable relations. .