The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-12-11
Presidents Message.


Another year Of health and sufficiently
abundant harvest has past. For these. and
especially for the improved condition OF our
National affairs, our renewed and profound
srnliiude TO God is due.
SoRxIoS SxUrRALITY PRESERVED.
We remsin in peace and frie ndsbp with
foreign powers. The efforts Of disloy al c,i-
Gems Of the United States to involve us in
foreign wars, 20 aid in inexcusable insur-
rection. have been unavalipg. Her Britain
mic Asjesiy's Government. as was Justly
expected, have exercised their authority 10
prevent the departure OF new and hostile
expeditions from British ports. The Empe-
ror OF France has, by a like proceeding,
promptly indicated the neutrality which he
proclaimed at the beginning of the contest.
THE BLOCKADE.
Questions OF great intricacy and impor.
tance have arisen out OF the blockade and
other beihgereht operations between the
Government and several Of the maritime
powers, but they have been discussed. and.
20 far 80 vas possible. accommodated in a
spirit Of fraDkness. justice. and mutual
good will. II is especially grstifying that
our prize courts. by the impar,ially of their
adjudication, have commanded The respect
and confidence Of the maritime powers.
aLAvE TRADE TREATY.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Britain, for the
suppression Of the African slave trade, made
on the 18th day of February last. has been
duly ratified and carried into execution l.
10 believed that SO far as American ports
and American citizens are concerned that
inhuman and barbarous traffic has been
brought to an end. shall submit for the
consideration Of the Senate. q convention
tor the adjustment Of possessory claims in
Washington Territory, arising out of the
treaty Of the 18th OF June. 1916, between
the United States and Great Britain, and
which have been the source of some dis.
quiet among the citizens Of that now rapidly
improving part Of the country.
SPANISH CLAIM OF MARITIME JURISDICTION.
A novel and important question, involv-
ing the extent of the maritime jurisdiction
Of Spain in the waters which surround the
Island Of Cubs, has been debated without
reaching IN agreement, and it is proposed
in an amicable spirit. to refer il to the arbi
tTament Of friendly power. A convention
for that purpose will be submitted to the
Seuate.
THE sCHRLDr DUTIES.
Ihave thought it proper subject for the
approval of the Senate, to concur with the
interested commercial powers. in an arrange.
ment|cr the liquidation OF the Scheld. dues
upon the principles which have been here
tofore adopted in regard TO the impos,s upon
navigation in the waters of Denmark.
oUR SOUTH AMERICAN RELATIONS.
The long pending controversy between
this Government and that Of ilitouchinp
the seisuIe ut Slsns, in Peru. by Gillian
officers, OF q large amount in trea sure be-
longing to citizens Of the United States. has
been brought TO . close by the award of
His Majesty, the King Of the Belgians, 10
whose arbitration the question was referred
by the parties. The subject was thorough
ly and patiently examined by that Justly
respected Magistrate, and although The sum
awarded to the claimants may not have
been a. large as they expected. there is no
reason to distrust The wisdom of his Males
tvs decision. Tha decision was promptly
complied with by Chill; when intelligence in
regard to it reached that country. The joint
commission under the act of the last session
for carrying into effect the convention with !
Peru. on the subject of claims. has been or
ganised at Lima, and is engaged in the bust (
ness entrusted TO it. The difficulties concern !
are in course Of amicable adjustment, in !
conformity With the principles set forth in
my last annual message. have received
representative from the u. g. OF Columbia, /,
and have credited a Minister to that Re |
public.
ALIEN RIGHTS.
Incidents occurring in the progress of
our civil war. forced upon my aten ton the
uncertain state Of International questions,
touching the rights Of foreigners in this
country, and, Of United States citizens
abroad In regard to some Governments
these rights are at least partially denied by
treaties. In no instance however. is il ex-
pSessly stipulated that on the instance Of
civil war. . foreigner residing in this country
within the lines OF insurgents, is to be eX-
empted from the rule which classes him as
beligerent. in whose behalf the Govern.
ment Of his country cannot express any
privileges or imuunitics from that character
/ regret to say, however. that such claims
have been put forward, and in some irs,an-
COS in behalf OF foreigners who have lived in
tho United States the greater part of their
lives. There is reason TO believe that many
persons born in foreign countries, who have
declared their intention to become citizens,
or who have been fully naturaiized. have
evaded the military duty required Of them
By denying the fact and thereby throwing
upon tho Government the burden of proof
Il has been found difficult or impracticable
% obtain this proof from the want of guides
70 the proper sources of information. These
might be supplied BY requiring the clerks
Of courts where declarstiops of intentions
may be made, or naturalization effected, to
send periodically LETS or the names of per-
sons nsturalixed, Of declaring their intention
70 become citizens. to the Secretary of the
Interior. in whose department these names
must be arranged and printed Cor general
tnformasion. There is also reason to believe
mat foreigners frequently become citizens of
me United States for the sole purpose of
evsd'ng duties imposed by the laws Of their
I've county, to which in becoming na,u-
saliasd here they At once repair, and though
seves returning to the United States. tbev
00ll olaim tho interpretation of ,ha Co.