The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-12-06
Presidents Message.
Fsllop- Citizens ofMe Senate
1nd HOuSe of Represenk,ykiyes

FslloU. Citizens Of the Senate
and HouSe Of Representatires
Since your last annual assembling, an
other year Of health and bouutiful harvest,
has passed; and while it has not pleased
tho Almighty to bless with a return d
peace. we can bu. press on, guided b. IN.
best light He gives Us, trusting that in Iii,
own good time and wise ways, all will b,
we'll
The correspondence touching foreign al
fairs, which has taken place during the la.t
year. is herewith submitted, in virtual com
pliance with request to that effect, made
by the House OF Representatives, near the
close OF the last session OF Congress. IT the
condition OF our relations with other nations
is less gratifying than it has usually been
at former periods, it is certainly more salts.
factory than nation SO unhappily distres. ed
as we are might reasonably have apprehend
ed. In the month Of June last, there were
some grounds TO expect that the maritime
Powers. which, at the beginning Of our de-
nestle difficulties, so unanimously and un.
necessarily, rs we think, recognized the in
surgents as a belligerent, would soon recede
from that position, which has proved only
less injurious TO themselves than TO our own
country; but the temporary reverses which
afterward befell the national arms, and
which were exaggerated by our own dis
loyal children abroad, have hitherto DELAYED
the act OF simple justice.
The civil war, which has so radically
changed, for the moment. the occupation
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
q commerce, that has beon steadily increas.
ing throughout period of half century
IL has. at the same time, excited political
ambitions and apprehepsions, which have
produced profoud agitation throughout the
civilized world. In this unusual agitation,
We have foreborne from taking part in any
controversy between foreign States, and be.
tween parties or factions in such States
We have attempted no propagandism. and
acknowledged no revolution. But We have
left to every nation the exclusive 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 supp sed and often
exaggerated effects, and tie consequences
resulting to those nations themselves. New.
ertheless, complaint On the part of this Gov.
eminent, even if il were just, would certain.
ly be unwise.
Tho treaty with Great Britain for tho
suppression Of the African slave trade has
been put into operation with good pros
pect Of complete success. 1t is an occasi ion
Of special pleasure to acknowledge that the
execution Of it on the part OF Her Maiesty's
Government has been marked by Jealous
respect for the authority of the United States (
and the rights Of their moral and loyal cit
isens.
The Convention with Hanover for the
abolition OF the Siadt dues has been carried
into full effect under the act of Congress for
that purpose.
A blockade of three thousand miles of
sea-coast could not be established and Wig
orousIy enforced in season of great com.
merciai activity like the present without
committing occasional mistakes and inilict.
ing unintentional injuries upon foreign pa
lions and their subjects. A civil war oc
curing In a country where foreigners reside
and carry on trade, under treaty stipula
lions, IS necessarily fruitful OF complaints OF
me violation OF neutral rights. All such
coiiisions tend TO excite misapprehensions,
and possibly, to produce mutual reclama-
hons between nations which have q common
interest in preserving peace and friendship.
In clear cases of these kinds, l have, SO far
v possible, heard and redressed complaints
which have been presented by friendly
powers. There is, however, large ana
augmenting number of doubtful cases, upon
y hich the Government is unable TO agree
With the Governments whose protection is
demanded by the claimants. There are.
many cases in which the United
States or their citizens suffer wrongs from
he naval or military authorities of other
nations, which the Governments of these
States are not at once prepared to redress
have proposed to some OF the foreign
States thus interested, mutual conventions
o examine and adjust such COMPLAINTS
This proposition has been made especially
o Great Britain, to France, to Spain and to
russia. In each case it has been kindly
eceived. but has not yet been formally
Idoptsd. deem il my duty to recommend
10 appropriation in behalf Of the owners OF
be Norwegian bark Admiral p. Fordens
siolo, which vessel was. in May, 1861,
by the commander Of the block
ding force OF Charleston from leaving that
ort with her cargo. notwithstanding . SIM
ar privilege had shortly before been grant
to an English vessel. I have directed
be Secretary Of State to cause the papers
n the case TO be communicated to the proper
ommit,ees.
Appl cations have been made to me by I
aany free Americans of African descent 20
svor their emigration, with view to such
oloni8Ation - was contain plated in vacant