The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-12-12
Message of the President,
Delivered to both Houses Of Congress on
A0nday, December l, 1862.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Since your
last annual assembling another year Of
health and bountifut 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, trusting that in His own good
time and wise way all will be well.
The correspondence touching foreign
affairs, which has taken pl lace during the
| last year, is herewith submitted in virtual
| compliance with a request TO that effect,
made ty the House of Representatives
near the close of the last session of Con-
press. 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 nation
SO unhappily distracted as we are might
reasonably have apprebended. In the
month of June last there were some
grounds to expect that the maritime pow
ers, which, at the beginning of our do
mestlc difficulties, SO unwisely and unnec-
essariIy, as we think, recognized the insur.
gents as a be,Ii9erent, would soon recede
from that position, which has proved only
! less injurious TO themselves than to our
own country. But the temporaxs reverses
which afterwards befel the national arms,
and which were exaggerated by our own
disioyal citizens abroad, have hitherto de-
! layed this 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 affected very deeply the prosperity of
the nations with which we have carried on
commerce that has been steadily increas-
inc throughout 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 agi>
ia,ion we have forborne from taking part
in any controversy between foreign states
and between parties and factions in such
states. We have attempted no propa-
! gandism and acknowledged no revolution
but we have left to every nation the ex-
elusive 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 ef-
! tects, and the consequences resulting to
| those nations themselves. Nevertheless,
complaint on the part Of this government,
even if it were just, would certainly be
unwise.
The Treaty with Great Britain for the
suppression Of the African slave trade has
/ been put into operation with good pros,
/ rect Of complete success, It is an occa-
sion of special pleasure to acknowledge
that the execution of it on the part of her
majesty's government has been marked
with 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 stadt dues has been carried
! into full effect under the act of Congress
for that purpose. A blockade of 5000
miles Of sea coast could not be established
and vigosousy enforced in a season OF
great commercial activity like the present
without committing occasional mistakes
and inflcting unintentioual injuries upon
foreign nations and their subjects, A
civil war occurring in a country where
fol olnigners reside aud carry on trade under
treaty slipuIations, is necessarily fruitful
/ Of complaints of the violation of neutral
rights All such collisions tend to excite
misapprehensions, and possibly to produce
mutual reclamations between nations
which have a common interest in preserv
ing peace and friendship. In clear cases
of these kinds | have, so far as possible
/ heard aud redreaseG complaints which
have been presented by friendly powers
There is, however large and augment
ing number Of doubtful cases, upon which
the government is unable to agree with
the governments whose protection is de
manded by the claimants. There are
moreover, many cases in which the Unit
ed States or their citizens suffer wrongs
from the naval or military authorities Of
foreign nations, which the governments O
! these states are not at once prepared tC
redress. | have proposed to some of the
! foreign sta,es thus interested mutual con,
ventions to examine and adjust such com
| 0lalnts. This proposition has been made
especially to Great Britain, to France, tt
Spain, and to Prussia
In each case it has been kindly received
but has not yet been formally adopted.
deem it my duty to recommend an appro.
priation in behalf Of the owners of the Nor
wegian bark, Admiral 7. Tordens Riola
which vessel was, 10 May, 1861 prevented
bv the commander Of the blockading force
off Charleston from leaving hat port will
a cargo. notwithstanding a similar priyi-
lege had shortly before Been granted TO Al
English vessel. have directed the Secre
tarv Of State TO cause the papers in tht
case to be communicated u tie proper
committees.
Applications have been made to me by
MANY free Americans OF African descen
10 favor their emigration, with n view Il
such colonization as was contemplated il
recent acts Of Congress. Other parties a
home and abroad, some from intereste,
motives others upon patriotic considera-
:ions. and sill Others influenced by p'lilan
thropic sentiments, have suggested simila
measures, while, on the Other hand, seve
raj Of the Spanish American Republic
have protested agaius. the sending Of sucl
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