The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
fello~ Cyt.zens Of the Senate and House Of Re.
pressaf0fires

f'eiiow Citizens Of the Senate and House Of Re.
pressafdfires
Since your la I assembling. another year Of
health and bountiful harycsts has passed, and
while 1t has not pleased the Almighty to bless
us with a return Of peace, We cannot but press
on, guided by the best light He gives Us, 'ust-
ing that In His own good time and wise way,
all will be well.
The correspondence touching foreign affairs
which has taken place during the last year Is
herewith submitted in virtual compliance with
q request to that effect, made by the House OF
Representatives near e close OF the last ses-
sion Of Congress. II the condition OF our re-
litlons with other nations Is less gratifying
than II has usually been at former periods, IL is
cert inly more satisfactory than nation so I'M
happily distracted as we might reasonably have
apprehended. In the month OF June last there
we're some grounds To expect the maritime
powers, which at The beg ming OF our domes-
II difficulties so unwisely and unsuccesslully,
We think, recognized the In 'urgcnts As bel
II! gerents, would soon recede from that POSI-
ton, which has proved only less injurious TO
themselves than 10 our own country. But tue
temporary rcverses which afterwards bciel the
national arms and which we're exaggerated by
oar own disloyal citizens abroad, have hitherto
delayed that act of simple Justice The civil
war which has so radically changed for the mo-
nent the occupations and habits of the Ameri
can people, has necessarily disturbed the social
conditions and affected VERY deeply the prospe-
ritm Of the nations with which we have carried
on q commerce that has been steadily inereas-
ing throughout period Of half century. 1t
has VI the same time excited political ambitions
and apprehensions which have produced n pro-
found agitation throughout the civilized world.
In this unusual agitation We have iorborne from
taking part In any controversy between foreign
States, and between parties and factions in any
such States We have attempted no propagan-
dism and acknowledged no revolution but we
have left to every nation the exclusive conduct
and management OF its own affairs. Our strug.
gle sas been Of course contemplated by foreign
nations with reference less To its own merits
than to its supposed and often exaggerated ef.
iects. and the consequences resulting 10 those
relations themselves. Nevertheless, complaint
on the part OF this government, even II IL were
just would certainly be unwse.
The treaty with Great Brit.n for the sup
preston Of the African slave tr AIDE has been put
into operation, with good prospect OF COM
plete success. II Is an occasion of special
pleasure to acknowledge that the execution of
Is on the part Of her Majestys government has
thority OF the United States, and the rights Of
their moral and loyal citizens.
The convention with Hanover for the aboli-
ton OF the State dues has been carried into
full effect under the act of Congress for that
purpose.
n DlOckoOc Oh . UbU miles oil sea cOlst could
not be established and vigoro usly enforced in a
season Of grSa. commercial activity like the
present without committing occasional mis-
takes and lnilicting uninten,ional injuries upon
foreign nations and their subjects. A civil war
occurring in q country where foreig ners reside
ana carry on trade under treaty stipulations
is necessarily fruitful of complaints OF the vio-
lation of neutral rights. All such collisions
tend to excite misapprehensions and possibly
to produce material reclamations between ma
tons which have common interest in preser-
wing peace and friendship. In clear cases of
these kinds hav as far ~ possible heard and
redressed complaints which have been pre-
fcrred by friendly powers. There is however,
large aud augmenting number of doubtful
cases upon which the Government Is unable 20
agree with the Governments whose protection
Is demanded by the claimants. There are,
States or their citizens suffer wrong from the
which the Government OF these States Is not
at once prepared to redress.
l have proposed to some of the foreign
examine and adjust such complaints. This
proposition has been made especially to Great
Britain, " France, to Spain and Prussia. In
each case it has been kindly received, but has
not yet been formally adopted.
l deem II my duty to recommend an offer in
behalf Of the owners of the Norwegian bark
Torciens Riola, which vessel was in
May, 1861, prevented ty the Commander OF
The blockading forces of Charleston from leav-
pg -kbat pQrt with cargo. Notwithstanding