Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-12-17
Presidents Message.
FeHow Citizens of the Senate
andHouse of Represenfafipes. |

these, and especially for the improved
condition Of our national affairs, our re-
newed and profound gratitude to God is
due. We remain in peace and friend.
ship with foreign powers The efforts
OF disloyal citizens of the United States
to involve US in foreign wars to aid in
their inexcusable insurrection have been
unavsiling. Her Brittanic Majesty's
Government as was justly expected, have
exercised their authority to prevent the
departure of the new hostile cxpedi-
tion from British ports. The EN-
peror of France has by like proceeding
promptly indicated the neutrality which
he proclaimed at the beginning of the
contest.
Questions of great intricacy and i'm.
portance have arisen out of the blockade.
and other belligerent operations between
the Government and several of the mar
thine powers, but they have been discus
sed. and. SO far as was possible, accom-.
modated in spirit of frankness, justice
and mutual good will. 1t is especially
gratifying that our prize courts, by the
impartiality of their adjudication. 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
made on the 18th day of February last,
has been duly ratified and carried into
execution. 1t is believed that SO far as
American ports and American citizens
are concerned, that inhuman and barba
rous traffic has been brought to an end
shall submit fer the consideration OF
the Senate convention for the adjust
ment of possessive claims in Washing
ton Territory, arising out OF the treaty
of the 18th of June, 1886, 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.
A novel and important question involv-
ing the extent of the maritime jurisdic-
tion of Spain in the waters which sur
round the Island of Cuba has been
debated without reaching an agreement,
and it is proposed in an amicable spirit,
to refer it to the arbitrament of friend
ly power. A communication for that
purpose will be submitted to the Senate.
l have thought it proper, to concur
with the interested commercial powers in
an arrangement for the liquidation of the
Scheldt dues upon the principles which
have been heretofore adopted in regard to
the imposts upon navigation in the wa
ters of Denmark
The long pending controversy between
this Government and that of Chill. touch
ing the seizure, at Silana, in Peru, by
the Chilian 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 arbitra
tion the question was referred by the
parties. The question was thoroughly
and patiently examined by that justly
respected magistrate, and although the
sum awarded to the claimants may not
have been as large as they expected there
is no reason to distlust the wisdom o.
His Majes.y's decision. That decision
was promptly complied with by Chill
when the intelligence in regard to il
reached that country.
The joint commissioner under the last
session. for carrying into effect the con
vention with Peru, on the subject O
claims, has been organized at Lima, snd
is engaged in the business with which il
is entrusted.
Difficulties concerning oceanic transit
through Nicaragua are in course of ad
mirable adjustment, in conformity witt
the principles set forth in my last Annu
al Message. / have recent representations
from the U. S. of Columbia, and have
credited minister to that Republic.
MILITARY EXEMPTIONS.
Incidents occurring in the progress o
our civil war, have forced upon my at
tention the uncertain state of information
al questions touching the rights of for
eigners in this country and Of citizens o
the United States abroad. In regard tt
some Governments these rights are a
least partially defined by treaties. In nj
instance, however. is it expressly stipu
lated that in the instance of civil wa
foreigner residing in this country, with
in the lines of the insurgents, is to b.
exempted from the rule which classes
him as belligerent. in whose behalf tht
dONoiumcub VI Ato Souhtiy Sohhoe va
press any privileges or immunities dis
tinct from that character. regret t.
say however. that such claims have beer
put forward, aud in some instances, il
behalf of foreigners who have lived il
the United States the greater part o
their lives. There is reason to believe
that many persons born in foreign coun
tries, who have declared their intentions
to become citizens, or who have been full
ly naturalized, have evaded the miitar,
duty required of them by denying tn
fact, and thereby throwing upon tn
Government the burden of proof.
has been found difficult or impraeticabl bl
to obtain this proof from want of guide
to the proper sources of information.-
These might be supplied by requiring tn
Clerks of Courts, where declarations Q
intention may be made or naturalizatio
effected. to send. periodically, lists OF tn
names of persons naturalzed. or declal
ing their intention 10 become citizens,
the Secretary OF the Interior. in who's
department these names must be srrane
ed and printed for general information
There is reason to believe that foreigner
frequently become citizens of the Unite