Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


Of Representatives.:
Since your last annual assembling, an
other year Of health and bountiful harvests
has passed; and while il has not pleased
the Almighty TO bless us with return Of
peace, we can but press on, guided 10y tho
best light He gives us; trusting that in
His own good time and wise way, all will
yet be WE'LL
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The correspondence touching foreign
affairs, which has taken place during the
past year, is herewith submitted, in virtual
compliance with request to that effect
made by the House OF Representatives
near the close of the past session of Con-
crcss. If the condition of our relations
with other nations is less gratifying than
it has usually been at former periods, it is
certainly more satisfactory than n nation so
unhappiy distracted as we are, might reas-
onably have apprehended. In the month
of June last there were some grounds to
expect that the mnratime powers, which at
the beginning of our domestic difficulties
so unwisely and unnecessarily, as we think,
recognized the insurgents as bcllgerents,
would soon recede from that position,
which has proved only less injurious to
themselves than to our own country. But
the temporary reverses which alterward
befel the national arms, and which were
exaggerated by our own disloyal citizens
abroad, have hitherto delayed that act Of
simple justice.
The civil war which has so radically
changed for the moment the occupations
and habits Of the American people, has
necessarily disturbed the social conditions
and effected very deeply the prosperity of
the nations with which we have carried on
commerce that has been steadily ncreas.
ing throughout a period of half century.
1t has at the same time excited political
ambitions and apprehensions which have
produced profound agitation throughout
the civilized world. In this unusual agita-
ton we have forborne from taking part in
any controversy between foreign States,
and between parties and factions or any
such States. We have attempted no
propagandism and acknowledged no revo-
luton, 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 consequences resulting to those
nations themselves. Nevertheless, com
plant on the part of this Government,
even if it were just, would certainly be un-
wise.
AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.
The treaty with Great Britain f>r the
suppression Of the slave trade has been
put into operation, with a good prospect
of complete success. 1t is an occasion
of special pleasure TO acknowledge that
the execution of it on the part of He,
Mnjesty's Government has been marked
with jealous respect for the authority of
the United States and the rights of theil
moral and loyal citizens.
The Convention with Hanover for the
abolition of the stade dues has been car
,ied into full effect under the act of Con
gress for that purpose.
THE BLOCKADE.
A blockade of 5000 miles of sea coast
could not be established and vigorously y
inforced in a season of great commercial
activity like the present, without commit
ting occasional mistakes and intlictiug un-
intentional injuries upon foreign nations
and their subjects. A civil war occurring
in country where foreigners reside and
carry on trade under treaty stpalatons,
is necessarily fruitful OF complaints of the
violation of neutral rights. A II such col
lisions tend to excite misapprehensions and
possibly to produce mutual reclamations
between nations which have common
interest in preserving peace and friendship.
In clear cases of these kinds | have, so far
as possible, heard and redressed complaints
which have been presented by friendly pow
er,. There is still, however, a large and an
auomenting number of doubtful cases upon
which The Government is unable to agree
with the Governments whose protection is
demanded by the claimants. There are
moreover, many cases in which the United
States or their citizens suffer wrongs from
the naval or military authorities of foreign
nations which the Governments of those
States are not at once prepared to redress
have proposed to some Of the foreign
States thus interested mutual conventions
to examine and adjust such complaints
This proposition has been made especially
to Great Britain, to France, to Spain anc
Prussia. In each case il has been kindly
received but has not yet been formal,
adopted.
l deem it my duty to recommend an ap
preparation in behalf of the owners OF thu
Norwegian bark Admiral Tordenskiold
which vessel was, in May, 1861, prevent, d
by the Commander of the blockading fore
off Charleston, from leaving .hal port will
cargo, notwithstanding similar privilege
had shortly before been granted to al
English vessel. ] have directed Il Q Sec
retary of State to cause the papers in th
case to be communicated TO the prope
committees.
NEGRO COLONIZATION.
Applications have been made to mo by
many free Americans of African descert, t,
favor their emigration with Ni,w to sucl
colonization as was contemplated in rec.n
acts of Congress. Other parties at hom
and abroad, some from interested motives
Others upon patriotic considerations, an
sill Others influenced by philanthropic sen