Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-12-26
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Fcllosc- Citisenscf tic Senate

'''''"' 0''''~" a and IiOsse Of Representatives:
Another year of health and sufficiently
abundant harvests has passed. For these. and
especially for the improved condition Of our
national affairs. our renewed and profound
gratitude to God is due.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
We remain in peace d friendship with
foreign powers. The effoits Of disloyal citi-
zens of the United States to involve US in for
eign wars, to aid an inexcusabls insuyrection,
have been unavailing. Her Bri:anic Majes-
tvs Government, as was justly expected,
however, exercised their authority to prevent
the departure of new hostile expeditions from
British ports. The Emperor Of France has,
by like proceeding, promptly Indicated the
neutrality which he proclaimed at the besn-
ming Of the contest. Questions Of great intri-
cacy and importance have arisen out of the
blockade, and other bslligerent operations be-
tween this Government and several Of the
maritime powers. but they have been dis
cussed, and so far as was possible, accommo-
Dated in spirit Of frankness, justice and mu.
tual goodwill. 1t is especially gratifying that
our Prize Courts, by the impartiality of their
adjudications, have commanded the respect
and confidence of the 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 for as American ports
and American citizens are concerned, that in
human and barbarous traffic has been brought
to an end.
ENGLISH CLAIMS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
l shall submit for the consideration Of the
Senate the Convention for 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 has been the source of
some disquet among the citizens Of that now
rapidly improving part Of the country.
THE. SPANISH QUESTION
A novel and important question, involving
the extent of the jurisdiction Of Spain in the
waters which surround tho Island of Cuba,
has been debated without reaching an agree
ment, and it is proposed, in an amicabe spirit,
to refer it to the arbitrament of friendly
power. A convention for that purpose will
b. submitted to the Senate.
THE scnELDr DUES.
have thought it proper to subject it to the
approval of the Senate, to concur in an ar
arrangement for the liquidation of the Scleldt
dues, upon the principles which have been
heretofore adopted in regard to the imports
upon navigation in the waters Of Denmark.
SETTLEMENT OF THE CHILEAN QUESTION.
The long pendiug controversy between this
Government and that of Chile. touching the
seizure, at Sibra, in Peru, by Chilean officers,
of n large amount in treasure belonging to
citizens of the United States, has been brought
to 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 exam.
ined by that justly respected magnate, and al.
though the sum awarded to the claimants may
not have been as large as they expected, there
is no reason TO distrust tho wisdom of His
Majesty's decision. That decision was
promptly complied with by Chile, when intel
ligence in regard to it reached there.
| THE PERUVIAN CLAIMS.
The joint convention under the net of last
session for carrying into effect the convention
with Peru, OH the subject Of claims, has been
organized at Lima. and is engaged in the
business entrusted to it.
THE NICARAGUA TRANSIT.
Difficulties concerning interoccanc transit
through Nicaragua are in course Of amicable
adjustment in conformity with the principle
set fourth in my last annual message. have
received a representative from the United
States Of Colombia, and have accredited
minister to that republic.
RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS.
Incidents occurring during the progress of
our civil war, have forced upon my attention
the uncertain state Of the international quee-
tion touching the rights of foreigners in this
country, and Of United States citizens abroad.
In regard to some governments Theses rights
are at least partially defined by treaties, but
in NO instance, however, is it expressly stipu.
lated that on the occurrence Of civil war for.
eigner residing in this country. within the
lines Of the insurgents, 10 to be exempted from
the rule which classes him belligerent in
whose behalf the government Of his country
can expect any privileges or immunities dis.
tiuct from that character. I 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 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 in.
tention to become citizens or who have been
fully naturalized. have evaded the military
duty required Of them, by denying the fact
and thereby throwing upon the Government
the burden Of proof 1t has been found diff
cult or impracticable to abtain this proof from
the want Of gnidss TO the nropsr sources of