East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-12-13
IpRRsuDENT,s MESSAGE.

sttact vi sho remaining Poruohs VI VIZ
message:
When I entered upon the duties of tn,
Presidential office, the aspect neither o
our foreign nor domestic affairs was a
all satisfactory. We were involved il
daagero complications with several ma
tions, and two Of our Territories were II
state of revolution against the govern
ment. A restoration of the African slave
trade had numerous and powerful advo
Gates. Unlawful military expedition,
were countenanced by many Of our cit
zens, and were suffered, in defiance o.
the efforts of the government, to escape
from our shores, for the purpose of max
ing war upon the unoffending people o.
neighboring republics, with whom we
were at peace. In addition to these and
other difficulties, we experienced revul
sion in monetary affairs, soon after my
advent to power, of unexampled severity
and of ruinous consequences to all the
great interests Of the country. When
we take retrospect of what was then
our condition, and contrast this with its
material prosperity at the time of the late
Presidential election, we have abundant
reason to return our grateful thanks to
the merciful Providence which has never
forsaken US as nation in all our past
trials.
Our relations with Great Britain are
of the most friendly character. Since the
commencement of my administration the
two dangerous questions arising from
the Clayton and Bulwer treaty, and from
the right of search claimed by the British
government, have been amicably and
honorably adjusted. The claim, on the
part of Great Britain, forcibly to visit
and search American merchant vessels on
the high seas in time of peace, has been
abandoned.
The only question Of any Importance
which still remains open is the disputed
title between the two governments to
the island of San Juan, in the vicinity OF
Washington Territory. AS this question
is still under negotiation, it is not deem
ed advisable at the present moment to
make any other allusion to the subject.
The recent visit of the Prince of Wales,
in a private character, to the people of
this country, has proved to be most
auspicious event. In its consequences it
cannot fail to increase the kindred and
kindly feelings which trust may ever
actuate the governments and people of
both countries in their political and So
cial intercourse with each other.
With France, our ancient and power
full ally, our relations continue to be of
the most friendly character. A decision
has recently been made by q French ju-
dicial tribunal, with the appreciation of
the Imperial government, which cannot
fail to foster the sentiments of mutual re
gard that have long existed between the
the two countries. Under the French
law no person can serve in the armies of
France unless he be French Citizen
The law of France recognizing the natu-
raj right of expatriation, it follows as a
necessary consequence that Frenchman,
by the fact Of having become a citizen of
the United States, has changed his alle-
glance and has lost his native character.
He cannot, therefore, be compelled to
serve in the French armies in case he
should return to his native country
These principles were announced in 1852
by the French Minister of War, and in
two late cases have been confirmed by
the French judiciary. In these, two na-
tives of France have been discharged
from the French army because they had
become American citizens. To employ
the language of our present Minister to
France, who has rendered good service
on this occasion, "I do not think our
French naturalized fellow citizens will
hereafter experience much annoyance on
this subject" venture to predict that
the time is not far distant when the 9th
er Contin entail Powers will adopt the
same wise and just policy which mas done
so much honor to the enlightened gov
ernment of the Emperor. In any event,
our government is bound to protect the
rights of our naturalized citizens every
where to the same extent as though they
had drawn their first breath in this coun-
try. We can recognize no distinction
between our native and naturalized citi-
zens.
Between the great empire Of Russia
and the United States the mutual friend
ship and regard which has 50 long exist
ed still continues to prevail, and, if posi-,
bic, to increase. Indeed, our relations
with that empire are all that we could
desire.
The President then discusses our for
eign relations. Our relations with Spain
have been complicated by the refusal Of
the Senate to ratify tho convention for
the adjustment Of the Cuban claims, so
called.
The President reitcrates his recon-
mcndation for the acquisition of Cuba by
fair purchase.
With the exception Of Mexico our re-
lations are generally Of a satisfactory
character. With that country they re.
main in most unsatisfactory condition.
In my last two annual messages dis.
cussed extensively the subject Of these
relations, and do not now propose to re-
peat, at length the facts and arguments
then presented. They proved conclusive
ly that our citizens residing in Mexico
and our merchants trading thereto had
suffered series of wrongs and outrages
such as we have never patiently borne