Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-12-16
Third Annual Message of
ABRAHA I'M LINCOLN
Delivered, December 9Th, 1863.

| Representatiues Another year of health, ane
OF sufficiently abundant harvest, has passed
For these, and especially for the improved
cond ition of our National affairs our renewed
and profound gratitude TO God is due.
We remain in peace and friendship witt
foreign powers. The efforts of disloyaI cjti
zens of the United States, to involve us in for
eigD wars, to aid In inexcusable insurrectior
have been unavailing. Her Britanic Males
/ ty's Government, as was justly expected, have
! exercised their authority to prevent the de-
/ partnre of new hostile expeditions from Brit
! iSh ports. The Emperor OF France has, by q
! like proceeding, promptly vindicated the neu-
/ traity which he proclaimed at the beginning
/ OF the contest.
t Questions of great intricacy and impor-
! tance have arisen out OF the blockade, and
/ other beigerent operations between the Gov
| ernment and several of the maritime powers /;
/ but they have been discussed, and far as
| now possible. accommodated in a spirit of
! frankness, justice and mutual good will.
| 1t is especially gratifying that our prize
| courts, by the impartiality of their adjudica-
! ton, have commanded the respect and conf
| dence 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 iar as American ports and American
citizens are concerned, that inbumau and obi
Gus traffic has been brought TO an end.
shall submit. for the consideration of the
Senate, convention for the adjustment of
possessory claims in Washington Territory,
arising out of the treaty of the 18th of June
1876, between the United States and Great
Britain. and which have been the source of
disquiet among the citizens of that now rap.
idly improving part OF the country.
novel and important question involving
the extent of the msrtime Jurisdiction of
Spain on the waters which surround the Island
OF CubA, has been debated without reaching
an agreement, and it is proposed in an AMIGA
bic spirit to submit it to the arbitrament of
friendly power. A convention for that pur-
pose will be su omitted to the Senate.
have thought 1t proper, subject to the ap-
prova OF the Senate, to concur with the in
terested commercial powers in an arrange
ment for the liquidation of the Scheldt dues
upon the principles which have been hereto
fore adopted in regard to the imposts upon
navigation in the waters of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between this
Government and that of Chilli, touching the
seizure a Sitania. in Peru, by Chilian officers
OF = large amount in treasure belonging to
citizens of the Z nited States, has been brought
TO close by the award Of mis- Majesty, the
King of the Belgians, to whose arbitration
the question was referred by the parties. The |
subject was thoroughly aud patiently examin-
ed by that justly respected magistrate, and
although the sum awarded 10 the claimants |
may DOT have been large as they expected. |
there is no reason 10 distrust the wisdom of |
his Msjesty's decision. That decision was |
promptly complied with by Chill when intel |
ligence 10 regard 10 it re ached that country. |
The joint commission, under the act of the |
last session, for carrying into effect the con- |
yenten with Peru on the inject of claims, |
has been organized at Lima, and is engaged |
in the business intrusted 10 it.
Difficulties concerning the inter-oceanic |
transit through Nicarauga, are in course of
amicable adjustment.
In conformity with the principles set forth |
in my last annual message, | have received |
from the United States of CO. |
lumbia, and have credited 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, it is expressly stipu- |
lated that in the event of civil war foreign |
er residing in this country within the lines of |
the insurgents is 10 be exempted from the rule |
which classes him as beligerent, in whose be-
half the government of his country cannot ex-
pect any privileges or immunities distinct |
from that character. | regret to say, howev-
er, that such claims have been put forward,
and in some instances in behalf of foreigners
who have lived in the United States greater
part of their lives. There is reason to believe
that many persons born in foreign countries,
who have declared their intentioB to become
citizens or who have been fully naturalized,
have evaded the military duty required of
them by denying the fact, and thereby throw
Ing upon the government the burden of proof.
1t has been found difficult, or impracticable,
20 obtain his proof for want OF guides to the
proper sources of information. These might
De supplied by requiring the clerks OF courts
where declarations of intention may be made,
Dr. ADMINISTRATIONS effected, to send periodical
y list of the names of the persons natural
zed or declaring their intention to become
citizens, TO the Secretary of the Interior, in
whose department these names might be ar
'anged and printed for general information.
There is also reason to believe that foreigners
frequently become citizens of the United
States for the sole purpose of evading duties
imposed by the laws of their native countries
% which, on becoming naturalized here, they
It once repair, and though never returning to
he United States they still claim the interpo-
ition of this government as citizens. Many
Iltercations of great prejudice have hereto
ore arisen out of that abuse. 1t is there
ore submitted to your serious consideration.
/ might be advisable TO fix a limit beyond
which no citizen of the United States resid-
Dg abroad may claim the interposition of his
government.
The right of suffrage has often been assum-
d and exercised by alIens, under pretences
# naturalization, which they have disavowed
shen drafted into the military service. Isub-
nit the expediency of such an amendment of
he law as will make the fact of voting an es-
opel against any plea of exemption from
Military service or other civil obligation on
be ground Of siiensge