Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1863-12-16
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
M,sn1NnrnN. Dec. Q. 1869

WASHINGTON, Dec. Q, 1863.
F8lo,c-cibzsHS Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives.;
Another year Of health, and Of sufii-
GENTLY abundant haIvests, has passed 49,
For 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 friendship
with foreign powers,
| The efforts OF disloyal citizens of the
United States, TO involve us in foreign
wars, to aid in inexcusaole insurrection,
have been unavqiing Her Britauic Ma
jesty's Government, as was Justly expect
ed, have exercised their authority to pre-
vent the departure OF new hostile expe-
diI;ons from British ports. The Emperor
OF Franco has, by Il like proceeding,
promptly vindicated the neutrality which
he proclaimed at the beginning of the
contest.
/ Questions Of great intricacy and impor-
tance have arisen out Of the blockade, and
other belligerent operations between the
| Government and several Of the maratime
powers but they have been discussed,
and as far as now possible, accommodated
IN spirit Of lrankness, justice and nu-
tual good win.
1t is especially gstirying that our prize
courts, 10y the impartiality Of their adiu-
| dicatiOn, have commanded the respect
and confidence of maratime powers.
! The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Brition for the
suppression Of the African Slave Trade,
made on the 18th day OF February las
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 odious
traffic has been brought to an end
shall submit, for the consideration Of
the Senate, convention for the adjust
ment Of possession 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 disquiet among the
citizens of that now rapidly improving
part of the country.
novel and important question invol
wing the extent OF the maratme jurisdc
tin OF Spain on the waters which surround
the Island of Cuba, has been debated
without reaching an agreement, "a and t. i
it to the arbitrament of a friendly power
= A convention for that purpose will bt
submitted to the Senate.
have thought it proper, subject to thu
pproval of the Senate, to concur with The
interested commercial powers in an ar
raugcment for the liquidation Of the
J Scheldt dues upon the principles which
y have been heretofore adopted IN rcgarC
TO the imposts upon navigation III The
waters Of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this Government aud that of Chill, touch
! ing the seizure at SitaEia, in Peru by
J Gillian officers of large amount in treas
ure belonging to citizens Of the Uniter
% States, has been brought to a close by tn,
} award Of his Majesty, the King Of tht
Belgiaus, to whose arbitration the question
] was referred by the parties. The suhjec
, was thoroughly and patiently examined
by that justly respected magistrate, ant
although the sum awarded to the claim
ants may not have be en- as large as the,
expected, there is no reason 10 distrus
the wisdom o! his Maesty's decision. -
- That decision was promptly compiled
with by Chill when Intelligence in regarC
to it reached that country.
The Joint commission, under the act o
the last session, for carrying into effect the
convention with Peru OF the subject o
claims, has beet organized OF Lima, and i
engaged in the bushes entrusted to IL.
Difficulties concerning the inter-oceanit
. transit through Nicarauga, are in course 0
amicable adjustment.
In conformity with tho principles sc
= forth in my last annual message, hay,
received n representative from the United
. States Of Columbia, and have accredited
minister to that Republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress o
;, our civil war have forced upon my atten
] iion the uncertain state OF internaliona
questions touching the rights Of foreigner
! IN this country, and Of United States Cit
: ilens abroad, in regard to some govern
t ments These rights are at least PARTIAL
r defined by treaties. In some instances
n however, it is expressly stipulated that il
the event Of civil wor foreigner resldin
in this country within the lines OF tho in
surgeuts is to be exempted from the rui
u which classes him as q beIligerent, il
u whose behalf the government OF his cOun
= try cannot expect any privileges or immr
" mites distinct from that character. ! r.
" gret to say, however, that such claims hav
been put forward and iG some instance
!, in behalf of foreigners who have lived i
= the United States the greater part Of thei
lives. There is reason to helieye that ms
my persons horn in foreign countries. VIII
- have declared their intention to becom
! citizens, or who have been fully naturali,
NJ ed have evaded the military duty requil
y ed them by denying the fact, and ther,
y by throwing upon the government tn
= 'rGurdeD ofproof,
1t has been found difficult, or impract
If cable, to obtain this proof for the want
D, guides to the proper sources of informt
II lion. These might be supplied by requ
" ing the clerks Of courts where declaration
n of intention may DO made, or naturaliz,
o tions effected, to send periodically list
the names OF the persons naturalized c
declaring their intention TO become CIT
n zens, to the Secretary ofthe Interior !
10 whose department these names might b
y orranged and printed for general inlormi
j, tion. There is also reason to believe tina