The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Fsiloe Ci,irsas Of tia Senate and House q Rep
rsseHtaiirss.
Since YOUR last annual assembling another
year OF health aud bountiful harvess has pass
ed, and while il has not pleased the Almighty
20 bless US with return OF peace. we can out
pres. On, guided by the best light he gives US,
trusting that in His own good time and wise
way all will be well.
YoREIoS AFyAiRs.
The correspondence touching foreign affairs
which has taken place during last year is
herewith submitted, in virtual compliance
with q request to that effect made by the
Houssof Representatives near the close Of the
last session Of Congress. II the conditions
Of our relations with other nations IL less graf.
tying than IL has usually been at former Pc
RODS, 1t is certainly more satisfactory than q
nation so unhsppily distracted as we sre.might
reasonably have apprehended.
In the month OF June last there were some
grounds to expect that the msratime powers,
which. at the beginning Of our domestic diff
fculties 81 unwisely and unnecessarily, as we
think. recognized the insurgents as bellger-
ent. would soon recede from that position.
which has proved only less injurious TO them
selves than TO our own country; butth tenn
porsry reyeIses which afterwards befel the
national arms and which were exaggerated by
our own disloyal citizens abroad have hither-
10 delayed that act OF simple justice.
The civil war which has so radically changed
for the moment the occupation and habits OF
tie American people, has necessarily disturbed
the social condition and affected very deeply
the prosperity Of the nations with which we
have carried on a commerce that has been
steadily increasing throughout period OF
half a century. Ithas at the same time excit-
cd political ambitions and apprehensions,
which have produced a profound agitation
throughout the civilized world. In this
unusual agitation. we have forborne taking
part in any controversy between foreign
States, aud between parties or factions in
susl States, We have attempted no propa-
gandism and acknowledge no revolution,
but have LEFT to every nation the exclusive
conduct and management TO its own az
fairs. Our struggle has been. OF course. con-
templated by foreign nations with reference
less to its own merits than Of its supposed
and often exaggerated effects, and the conse-
auences resulting to those nations themselves.
Nevertheless, complaint on the part of this
Government. even 1t il were just, would GER
tsinly be unwise.
The treaty with Great Britain for the sup
preston OF the .,',,ean Slave trade has been
put into operation with a good prospect OF
complete success. II is an occasion OF especial
pleasure to acknowledge that the execution
OF it on the part OF Her Msjesty's Govern
ment 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 abo-
liton OF Stsadt Dues has been carried into full
effect. under the act OF Congress for that pur.
poe.
DIFFICULTIES ARISING FROM THE BLOCKADE.
A blockade of 5000 miles of sea- coast could
not be established and vigorously enforced in
a season Of great commercial activity like the
present, without committing occasional mis-
takes and inhicting unintentional injuries up
on foreign nations and 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.
AL such collisions tend to excite misappre.
hsnsons, and, possibly. to produce mutual
determinations between nations which have a
common interest in preserving peace and
friendship. In clear cases OF these kinds, l
have so far as possible, heard and redressed
complaints which have been presented by
friendly powers. There is, however, q large
and sugmenting number Of doubtful case,
upon which the Government is unable to agree
with the Governments whose protection is de-
msnded by the claimants.
There are. moreover. many cases in which
the United States or their citizens suffer
wrongs from the naval and military authors
ties OF foreign nations. which the Govern
ments of those States are not at once prepar-
ed to redress. i have proposed TO some OF
the foreign States thus interested. mutual con-
ventions to examine and adjust such COM
plants. This proposition has been made es-
recial.y ~ Great Britain. TO France, to Spain.
and ~ Prussia. In each csse IL has been
kindly received, but has not yet been formal
ly adopted.
deem il my duty TO recommend an appro-
priation in behalf OF the owners Of the Nor
wegian bark Admiral p. yordenwiola, which
vessel was,in May 1861, prevented by the com.
msnder OF the blockading force off Charles.
ton. from leaving that port with a cargo, not.
withstanding a similar privilege had shortly
before been granted to an English vessel. !
have directed the Secretary OF State to cause
the papers in the case to he communicated to
the proper committees.
AFRICAN COLONIZATION.
Application has been made to me by many
free Americans Of African descent TO favor
their emigration with view to such coloniza-
ton as was contemplated IN recent acts Of
Congress. Other parties at home and abroad.
some from interested motives, others upon
patriotic considerations. and still others inhu-
enced by philsnthropic sentiments, have sug-
gtsted similar measures; while, on the other
hand, several Of the Spanish American Re-
publies have protested against the sending of
such colonies TO their respective territories.
Under these circumstances l have declined to
move any such colony to any such State with
out first obtaining the consent of its govern
meni, with an agreement on its part to receive
and protect such emigrants in all their rights
OF fteemen.
And / have at the same time offered to the
several States situated in the tropics. or hsv-
ing colonies there. TO negotiate with them.
subject TO the advice snd consent Of the Senate,
TO favor the voluntary emigration Of persons
of that class to their respective territories, up
on conditions which shall be equal, just and
humane.
Liberia and Hsyti are as yet the only coun.
tries to which colonists Of African descent
from here could 90. with the certainty Of be-
ing received and adopted as citizens; and i
regret to say that such persons contemplate
ing colonization do no, sem willing to emf
CRATE to those countries as TO some others,
not as willing as, think, their interest de-