The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-12-10
be communicated to the proper commit

| Applications have been made to me by
many free Americans of African descent
to favor their emigration, with view to
such colonization as was contemplated in
recent acts of Congress. Other parties,
at home and abroad, some from interested
motives, others upon patriotic considera-
tions, and still others induced by philan-
thropic sentiments, have suggested simi-
lar measures while on the other hand,
several of the Spanish American Repub.
lies ha We protested against sending of such
colonies to their respective territories
Under these circumstances, I have de-
clined to mcve any such colony to any
State without first obtaining the consent
of its Government, with an agreement on
its part to receive ard protect such emi-
grants in all their rights as freemen, and
| l have at the same time offered to the
several States situated in the tropics, or
having colonies there, to negotiate with
them, subject to the advice and consent
Of the Senate, to favor the voluntary emi-
grafton of persons of that class to their
respective territories upon conditions
which shall be equal, just and humane.
Liberia and Hayti are as yet the only
countries to which colonists of African
descent from here could 60 and with GER
tainty of being received and adopted as
citizens, and | regret to say that such
persons contemplating colonization do not
seem SO willing to emigrate to those coun-
tries rs to some others, nor so willing as
| think their interest demands. | be.
live, however the opinion among them in
this respect is improving, and that ere
long there will be an augmented and con-
siderable emigration to both these coun-
tries from the United States.
The new commercial treaty between
the United States and the Sultan of Tur-
key has been carried into execution. A
commercial and consular treaty has been
negotiated, subject to the Senate's cou-
sent, with Liberia, and a similar negotia-
ton is now pending with the Republic of
Hayti A considerable improvement of
the national commerce Is expected to re-
suit from these measures. Our relations
with great Britain, France, Spain, Portu-
gal, Russia, Prussia, Denmark, Sweden,
Austria, the Netherlands, Italy, Rome,
and the other European States, remain
undsturbed. Very favorable relations
also continue to be maintained with Tur-
key, Morocco, China and Japan. During
the last year, there has not only been no
change of our previous relations with the
independent States of our own continent,
but more friendly sentiments than have
heretofore existed are believed to be en-
tertain4d by these neighbors, whose safe
ty and progress are so intimately connect
ed with our own This statement spe-
cially applies to Mexico, Costa Rica, Mic
aragua, Honduras, Peru and Chill. The
Commission under the Convention with
the Republic of New Granada closed its
session without having audited and passed
upon all the claims which were submitted
to it. A proposition is pending to revive
the Convention. that it may be able to
do more complete justice. The Commits
sion between the United States and the
Republic of Costo Rica has completed its
labors and submitted its report. 1 have
favored the project for connecting the
United States with Europe by an Allan
tic Telegraph, and similar project to ex-
tend the telegraph from San Francisco,
to connect by Pacific Telegraph with
the wire which is being extended across
the Russian Empire.
The Territories of the United States,
with unimportant exceptions, have re-
ma ained undisturbed by the civil war, and
they are exhibiting such evidence of pros
perity as justifes an expectation that
some of them will soon be in a condition
to be organized as States, and be consti-
stutionally admitted into the Union.-I
The immense mineral resources of some
of these Territories ought to be develop
ed as rapidly as possible. Every step in
that direction would have tendency to
disprove the revenues of the Government
and diminish the burdens of tho people
1t is worthy of your serious consideration
whether some extraordinary measures to
promote that end cannot be adopted. The
means which suggests itself as most likely
to be effective, is scientific exploration
of the mineral regions in these territories
with a view to the publication of its re-
suits at home and in foreign countries,
results which cannot fail to be auspi-
cious.
The condition of the finances will claim
your most dilligent consideration The
vast expenditures incident to the militia
ry and naval operations required for the
su ppression of the Rebellion have hther-
to been met with promptitude and GER
tainly unusul in similar circumstances,
and the public credit has been fully main-
tanned. The continuance of the war, how
ever, and the increased disbursements