Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1862-12-11
polititaI.
Presidents Message.
E.,yo,r C,l;.ens of The Senate.

HAS DaSSGu, anu "uliC ~ udo
pleased the Almighty to bless us with
a return of peace, VIC 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 for
eign affairs which has taken place du-
ring the last year is herewith submit
ted, in virtual compliance with re-
quest to that effect, made by the
House of Representatives near the
the close of the last session of Con-
grcss. If the condition of our rela-
tons with other nations is less graft
flying than it has usually been at 9th
er periods, it has certainly been more
satisfactory than nation so unhap-
PLY distracted as we are, might have
reasonably apprehendcd.
In the month of June last there |
were some grounds to expect that the |
maratimc powers which at the begin
ming Of our domestic difficulties SO un-
wisely and so unnecessarily, as we
think, recognized the insurgents as
q belligerent power, would soon re-
cede from that position which has
proved only less injurious to them
selves than to our own country, but
the temporary rcverscs which after
wards 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 occupa-
tions and habits of the American peo-
pie has necessarily disturbed the So
cial condition and affected very deep
~ the prosperity of the nations with
which we have carried on commerce
that has steadily been increasing
throughout period of half century.
1t has at the same time excited polit-
ical ambitions and approximations
which have produced a profound agi.
tation throughout the civilized world
In this unusual agitation we have
forborne taking any part in any con-
troversy between parties and factions
in any such States. We have attempt
ed no propagandism and acknowl-
edged no revolution, but we have
left to every nation the exclusive con-
duct and management Of its own af-
fairs. Our struggle has Of course
been contemplated by foreign nations
with reference less to it's own merits
than to it's supposed, and often exag-
gcratcted effects, and the consequent
ces resulting to those nations them
selves. Nevertheless, complaint on
Al r Al.
it were just, would certainly be I'M
wise.
The treaty with Great Britain for
the suppression of the slave trade
has been put into operation with q
good prospect Of complete success.
1t is an occasion of especial pleas
ure 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 Stade 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
vigorously enforced in season of
great commercial activity like the
present without committing occasion
al mistakes, and inflicting unintention-
al injuries upon foreign nations aud
their subjects. A civil war occurring
in country where foreigners reside
and carry on trade under treaty
stipulations, is necessarily fruitful of
complaints of the violation Of neutral
rights. All such collisions tend To
excite misapprehensions and possibly
to u 70 luce mutual reclamations be-
tween nations which have common
interest in preserving peace and
friendship.
In clear cases of these kinds | have
so far as possible, heard and redress
cd complaints which have been pre-
ferred by friendly powers. There is,
still however. q large and augmenting
number OF doubtful cases upon which
the Government is unable to agree
with the Governments whose protec-
ton is demanded by the claimants.
There are, moreover, many Cases in
which the United States or their citi.
zens suffer wrongs from naval or mill
tary authorities of foreign nations,
which the Governments Of those States
are not at once prepared to redress.
have proposed to some of the for
eign States thus interested mutual
conventions to examine and adjust
such complaints. This proposition
has been made especially to Grca,
Britain, to France, to 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 appropriation in behalf Of the
owners Of the Norwegian barque Ad-
miral p. Fordenskiold, which vessel
was in May, 1861, prevented by the
commander of the blockading force
of Charleston, from leaving that port
with cargo, notwithstanding a SINH
lar privilege had shortly before been
granted to an English vessel. have
directed the Secretary of State to
cause the papers in the case to be
communicated to the proper commit
tees.
Applications have been made to me
Ivy many free Americans of African
descent to favor their emigration, with
q view to such colonization as was
contemplated in recent acts of Con-
gross. Other parties at home and
abroad. some from interested motives
and still others upon patriotic princi-
pies, aud influenced by philaDihropic
sentiments, have suggested similar
measures while on the other hand |
several Of the Spanish American Re-
publics have protested against the
sending Of such colonies to their re.
spectiye territories. Under these Cir
cumstances ! have declined to move
any such colony TO any State without
first obtaining the consent Of its Gov
erpment, with an agreement on it's
part to receive and protect snch emf.