The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

aHaTs, our Tenc"td abu pEoICuuuehl gratitude
to God is due.
We remain in peace and friendship with for
eign powers.
The efforts OF disloyal citizens OF the United
States to involve US in foreign wars to aid an
inexcusablc instruction have been unayailng.
Her Britanic Majesty's Government, as was
Justly expected, have exercised their authority
to prevent the departure Of new hostile expedi-
tions from British ports
The Emperor Of France has by ike pro-
ceeding, promptly indicated tie neutrality
which ne proclaimed at the beginning OF the
contest
Questions OF great lntricacy and importance
have arisen out Of the blockade and other belHg-
erent operations, between the government and
several of the maritime powers but they have
been discussed, and as far rs was possible, ac-
commodated in spirit OF irankaess justice and
mutual good will.
1t is esq eclally gratifying that our Prize
Courts, by the impartality Of their adudica-
tions, have commanded the respect and c nf
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
February last, has been duly ratified and carried
into execution. Ii is believed that so far as
American ports and American citizens are
concerned that the inhuman and odlOus traffic
has been brought to an End.
shall submit for the consideration of the SEN
ate d convention for the adjustment OF possesso-
ry claims In Washington territory, arising out
of the treaty Of the 10th of June, 1916, between
the United States and Great Britain and which
have been the source of some disQuiet among
the citizens OF that now rapidly increasing part
OF the country.
A novel and important question involving the
extent Of tae maraClme jurisdiction oi Spain in
the waters which surround the Island of Cuba
has been debated without reaching an agree
ment and it is proposed, in an amicable spirit,
10 refer 1T to the arbitration of friendly powers
A convention for that purpose will be submitted
to the Senate.
have thought it proper, subject to the APP
proval of the Senate, to concur with the inter
ested commercial powers III our arrangement for
the liquldating of the dues upon the principles
which have been heretofore adopted in regard to
the imposts upon navigation in the waters of
Denmark.
The long pending controversy between this
Government and that Of Chill touching the sell
Sure at Sitanain, Peru, by Chilsn officers of a
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
Beigians, to whose arbitration the question was
referred by the parties
The subject was thoroughly and patiently ex-
amazed by that justly respected magistrate, and
although the sum awarded to the claimants NAV
not haVe been go large as they expected, there
IS no reason to distrust the wisdom of His Maj
esty's decision. That decision was promptly
complied with by Chill, when intelligence in re-
gard to II reached that country
The Joint commission under the act of the
last session for carrying into effect the conven-
ton with them on the subject of claims, has been
organized at Lima, and is engaged in the bust
ness Entrusted to it. Difficulties concerning
Entef-oceanic transit through Nicaragua are in
"ourae of amicable adjustment.
In conformity with the principles set forth in
my last annual message, | have received Rep
reeentative from the United States of Columbia
ana have accredited Minister to that Repub-
lie.
incidents occuffng in the progress Of our
ciVii war have forced upon my attention the un-
certain state OF International questions, touch.
ing tbs rights Of foreigners in this country and
OF United States citizens abroad. In regard to
some States these rights are, a. least, partially
defined by treaties.
An nc one instance, however, is 1T expressly
stipulated that 10 the event of civil war, a for
elgner residing in this country within the lines
OF the insurgents is to be exempted from the
rule which classes him as belligerent, on whose
behalf the government Of his country cannot ex-
pect any privileges or Immunities distinct from
that character.
regret to say, however, that such clIims
have been put forward and IN some instances in
behalf o. foreigners who have lived in thu Unit
Cd 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, and who
have become fully naturalized, have evaded the
military duties required Of them by denying
the fact, and thereby throwing upon Govern
ment the burden Of proof.
IL has been found difficult or impracticable to
obtain this proof from the want of guides to
the proper sources OF information. These
might De fupplied by requiring clerks of Courts
where declaration OF intention may be made or
naturalzations effected, To send periodically
hsts OF the names of the persons naturalized,
" declaring their intention to become citizens
to the Sec etary OF the Intorio., in whose de-
partment those names might be arranged and
py,nted for general information. There is also
reason TO believe that foreigners frequently be-
come citi1ans Of the United States ioi the sole
purpose OF evadog duties imposed by the laws
OF their native countries to which, 10 Decom-
ing naturalIsed here, they at once, and though
never re. urDng 10 the United States they sill,
claim the interpVsltion OF the Government as
sal md T,FpI