Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-12-11
. Donrnal aIln &tateS"'aH
Friday Morning, December II, 1858.
THIRD ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF
PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
Read in Congress, Dec. ct
Ftilow Citizens Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives. -

VIC Au FNhSO huu WIN lOT-
eign powers.
The efforts of dslOyal citizens of the United
States to involve us in foreign wars to aid in
excusable instruction, have been unavailiug.
Her Britanic Majesty's Government, us was
Justly expected, have exercised their authority
TO prevent the departure of new hostile expe-
ditions from British ports. The Emperor of
France has by a like proceeding promptly vim
Dictated the neutrality which he proclaimed at
the beginning of the contest. Questions Of
great ntrcacy and Importance have arisen
out Of the blockade and other belligerent ope-
ratiOns between the Government and several
OF the maritime powers but they have been
discussed, and, so far as possible, accomodat-
ed in spirit of frankness, Justice and mutual
goodwill. 1t is especially gratifying that our
Prize Courts, by the impartiality Of their ad-
Indication, have commanded the respect and
confidence of maritime powers.
The Supplemental treaty between the United
States and Great Britain for the suppression of
the African Slave Trade, has been Only rati-
fed and carried into execution. II is believed
that so far as American ports and American
citizens are concerned, that inhuman and bar
barous traffic has been brought to an end.
shall submit tor tho consideration of the
Senate convention for the adjustment of Pos
sessOry Claims, in Washington Territory, aris-
ing out of the treaty OF the 10Th OF June, Sol ,
utlWttu NuG hHlltu 0lllth Auu AftuL
and which have been the source of some dis
quiet among the citizens OF that now rapidly
improving part of the country.
novel and important question, involving
the extent of the maritime jurisdiction Of
Spain in the waters which surround the Island
Of Cuba, has been debated without reaching
any agreement, and it is proposed, in an ami
cable spirit, to refer it to the arbitrament of u
friendly power. A convention for that pur-
pose will be submitted to the Senate.
have thought it proper, subject to the APP
prevail of the Senate to concur with the inter
esed Commercial Powers in an arrangement
for the liquidation of the Scheidt dues upon
the principles which have heretofore been
adopted in regard to the imposts upon naviga-
ton in the waters of Denmark. The long
pending controversy between this Government
and that of Chill, touching the seizure at Gil
tana, in Peru by CHILEAN officers, of large
amount in treasure, belonging to citizens OF
the United States, has been brought TO a close
by the award Of His Majesty, the King of the
Belgians, to whose arbitration the question was
referred by the parties. The subject was
thoroughly and patiently examined by that
Justly respected magnate and, although the
sum awarded to the claimants may not have
been rs large as they expected, there is no rea-
son to dstrust the wisdom of his majestys de-
cision. That decision was promptly complied
it reached that country.
The Joint commission under the act of the
last session for carrying into effect the conyen-
ton with Peru on the subject OF claims, has
baen organized at Lima, and is engaged in tho
business entrusted to it.
The difficulties concerning inter oceanic tram
sit through Nicaragua arc in course of AMIGA
bic adjustment.
In conformity with the principles set forth
in ias I hau
representative from the United States Of Co.
lumbia, and have credited n minister to that
Republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress of our
civil war have forced upon my attention the
uncertain state of International questions
touching the rights OF foreigners in this coun-
try, and of United States citizens abroad. In
regard to some Governments these rights are
at least partially defined by treaties. In no
instance, however, is it expressly stipulated,
that in the instance of civil war u foreigner
residing in this country, within the lines of
the insurgents, is to be exempted from the
rule which classes him as beligerent, in
whose behalf the Government OF his country
cannot express any privileges or immunties
distinct from that character. ! regret to say
however, that such claims have been put for
ward, and in some instances in behalf of for
eigners, who have lived in the 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 naturalized, have evaded the mill
tary duty required of them in denying tile fact,
and thereby throwing upon tho Govern
ment the burden of proof, lt has been found
difficult or impracticable TO obtain the proof
from the want of guides to the proper sources
of information. There might be supplied by
requiring the Clerks of Courts where declora-
tons OF intention may be made or naturaliza-
ton effected, to send periodically lists Of the
names of the perrQns naturalized or declaring
their intention to become citizens, to the Sec
rotary of the Interior, in whose Department
these names might be arranged and printed
Tor general information. There is also reason
to believe that foreigners frequently become
citizens of the United States for the sole pur-
pose of evadiug the duties imposed by the
laws OF their native country, to which, on be-
coming natnrali2ed here, they Mt once repair,
and though never returning to the United
States, they still claim the interposition of this
Government as citizens.
Many alterations and great prejudices have
heretofore arisen out OF this abuse. 1t is,
therefore, submitted to your serious considera-
ton. 1t might be advisable to fix n limit be-
yond which no citizen OF the United States,
residing abroad, may claim the interposition
of his Government. The right of suffrage has
often been assumed and exercised by aliens,
under pretence of naturalization, which they
had dsavowed when drafted into the military
service. / submit the expediency Of such an
amendment of the laws as will make the fact
of voting an estoppel against any plea of ex-
emption from military service or other civil
obligations on the ground of alienage.
Ia common with other Western Powers, our
relations with Japan have been brought into
serious jeopardy through the perverse oppo-
sition OF the hereditary aristocracy of the En-
pre to the enlightened and liberal policy of
lhe Tycoon designed TO bring the country into
the society of nations. 1t is to be hoped, al
though not with entire confidence, that these
difficulties may be peacefully overcome.
ask your attention to the claim of the
minister residing there, for the damage he sus-
tained in the destruction, by fire, OF the resi-
idence OF the legation At Yeddo.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made
with the Emperor of Russia, which it is be-
leyed will result in effecting continuous line
of telegraph through that Empire from oui
Pacific Coast. ] recommend to your favorable
consideration the subject OF an international
telegraph across the Atlantic Ocean, and also
of a telegraph between this Capital and thu
National Forts along the Atlantic Seaboart
and the Gulf OF Mexico. Such connections
established with any reasonable outlay woult
be economical as well as effective aids to th
diplomatic military and naval service.
The consular system of the United States
under the enactments of the last Congress, be
gins to be self-sustaining, and there is reason
TO hope that it may become entirely so will
the increase OF trade which will ensue when
ever peace is restored.
Our ministers abroad have been faithful il