Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-13
rue PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
n.,:-osed Mt the third Session Of the 7Air-
De ~, 0eoa,SnM Congress, December lst, 1862.

ty-Stto'
citizens of the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatiTes:
Since YOUR last assembling another year
Health aud bountiful harvests has pas
VI. VI, and while it has not pleased the Al
s;abtv to bless Us with return of peace,
1e cannot but press on, guarded by the
hest light be gives us, trusting that in his
avn good time and wise way, all will be
well.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The correspondence touching foreign af-
airs which has taken place during the
last wear. is herewith submitted, ia vir-
tpal compliance with request to that ef-
feet. made by the House of Representa-
tiyes near the close of the past session Of
Congress. If the condition of our relations
with other nations is less gratifying than
it has usually been at other periods, it has
certainly been more satisfactory than a
nation so unhappily distracted as we are,
might have reasonably apprehended.
In the month of June last, there were
some grounds to expect that the maritime
powers which at the beginning of our do
nestle difficulties SO unwisely aud unsuc-
cessfully [upjustly p as we think, recog.
nized the insurgents as a belligerent pow
er, would soon recede from that position
which has proved only less injurious to
themselves than to our own country, but
the temporary reverses which afterwards
befel the national arms and which were
exaggerated by our own dlsloyal 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 condition
and affected very deeply the prosperity of
the nations with which we have carried
on q commerce that has been steadily in
creasiDg throughout period of half d
century. 1t has at the same time excited
political ambitions and apprehensions
which have produced a profound agitation
throughout the civilized world.
In this unusual agitation we have for.
borne taking part in any controversy be-
tween parties and factions In any 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 Ell,
tect5 and the consequences resulting to
those nations themselves. Nevertheless,
complaint on the part of this government
even ii it were just, would certainly be
unwise.
SUPPRESSION OF THE SLAVE TRADE.
The treaty with Great Britain for the sup
preston of the slave trade has been put in
to operation with good prospect of com
plete success. 1t is an occasion of es.
pecial pleasure to acknowledge that the
execution of it on the part OF Her Males
ty's government has been marked with 8
jealous respect for the authorities of the
United States. and the rights OF their NOR
al and loyal citizens.
The convention with Hanover for the
abolition of the State dues has been car.
ried into full effect under the act of Con
gress for that purpose.
VIOLATIONS OF NEUTRAL RIGHTS.
a blockade of 5000 miles of sea coast
could not be established and vigorously
enforced, in season of great CONNER
cial activity like the present, without
committing occasional mistakes and in
ficting unintentional Injuries upon foreign
nations and their subjects. a civil war
occurring in country where foreigner:
reside and carry on trade under treaty
stipulations, is necessarily fruitful of com
plants of the violations of NATURAL rights
All such collisions tend to excite misap
prehensions and possibly to produce mu
tual recrminatioDs between nations which
have a common interest in preserving
peace and friendship.
In clear cases of these kinds, | have
so far as possible, heard and redresse(
complaints which have been preferred by
friendly powers. There are, however
large and augmenting number O
doubtful cases upon which the Govern
ment is unable to agree with the Gov
ernments whose protection is demanded
by the claimants. There are, more
over, many cases in which the I. S
or their citizens suffer wrongs from the
naval or military authorities of foreign
nations, which the Governments Of these
states are not at once prepared to redress
AN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION.
| have proposed to some of the foreign
states interested, mutual conventions &c
examine and adjust such COMPLAINTS
This proposition has been made especially
to Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prus
STA. In each case it has been kindly re-
ceived, but not yet formally adopted.
THE CASE OF NORWEGIAN BARK.
| deem it my duty to recommend ar
appropriation in behalf of the owners O.
the Norwegian bark Admiral P. Forciens
Riola, which vessel was, in May, 1861
prevented by the commander of the block
aiding force off Charleston, from leaving
that port with a cargo, notwithstanding {
similar privilege had shortly before beer
granted 10 an English vessel. | have di,
rected the Secretary of State to cause the
papers in the case to be communicated te
the proper committee.
AFRICAN EMIGRATION.
Applications have been made to me BY
many tree Americans of African descent
to favor their emigration with view tG
such colonization as was contemplated IL
recent acts of Congress-. Other parties a
home and abroad, some from interested
motives, others upon patriotic principles
and still others Influenced by phllan
thropic sentiments have suggested simllal
measures; while on the other hand seve
raj of the Spanish American Republic;
have protested sgainst the sending OF sucL
colonies to their respective territories.
Under these circumstances | have de-
clined to move any such colony to any
State without first obtaining the consent o
IS Government, with all agreement on its
part to receive and protect such emigrant:
-, Aba; ~; Nh nd |