The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

+. rff
q Another year Of health and Of sufficiently
abundant harvest has passed., For this, and
especially for lhe improved condition Of our
national affairs. our renewed and profound
gratitude 10 God is due. s sE ilsH
We remain in peace aud friendship with
foreign powers. Fhe efforts of disloyal cti-
gems OF the Urited States TO in, olve US in for
eien wars to aid an excusabls nsuueclion,
have been unavailng. Her Britanic Majes
TVS Government, as was justly expected, have
exercised their authority to prevent the de-
pariure Of new hostile expeditions from Brit
isb ports. The Emperor Of France has, by
like proceeding, promptly indicated the ueu
traity which lie proclaimed at the beginning
Of the contest
Questions OF great in,ricacy and importance
have arisen out Of the blockade and other bel
ligerent operations between the government
anG several Of The maritime powers, but they
have been discussed, and, go FAR as was posi-
Bile, accommodated in spirit Of frankuess,
justice aud mutual good will. 1t is especially
gratifying that our prize courts by the impair
TALLY of their adjudcatons have commanded
the respect and confidence of maritime pow
ers.
The supplemental treaty between the Unit
ed States and Great Britain for the suppress.
sion Of the African Slave Trade, made on the
18th day of February last, has been duly rati.
fed and carried into execution. 1t is believed
that so far as American ports and American
citizens are concerned, that inhuman and bar
bsrous traffic has been brought to an end. l
shall submit, for the consideration of the Sen
ate and convention for the adjustment OF pos
sessory claims in Washington Territory aris
ing out OF the treaty Of the 18th of June,
lS45, between the United States and Great
Britain, and which Lave been the source OF
some dispute among tho citizens Of that now
rapidly improving part Of the country, 80
A novel and important quests o, involving
the extent oftbe maritime jurisdiction of Spain
in tho waters which surround the island OF
Cuba, has been debated without reaching an
agreement, and t is proposed in an amlcabls
spirit to Selar it TO the arbitramcpt Of friend
ly power. A convention for that purpose
will be submitted to the Senate.
l have thought it proper, subject to the ap-
proyal Of the Senate, TO concur with the in
terssted commercial powers in an arrange
mept Tor the liquidation Of the Scheldt dues,
upon the principles which have been hereto
fore adopted 10 regard TO the impoits upon
navigation in the waters Of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between this
government aud that Of Chill, touching the
seizure at Silaua in Peru by ChiIian officers of
large amount in treasure, belonging to ciu
zens of the United atcs, has been brought to
close by the award of his Majesty, the King
of the Belgians, 10 whose arbitration the ques
ton was referred by the parties. The subject
was thoroughly aud 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 Cistrust the wisdom OF His Maj
esty's decision. That decision was promptly
complied with by Chill, when intelligence in
regard lie it reached that courtiy. The joint
commission under the act OF the last session
for carrying into Ell, CT the convention with
Peru on the subject of claims, has been organ
ized at Lima aud Is engaged in the business
entrusted TO il.
Difficulties concerning inter Oceanic transit
through Nicaragua, are in course Of aplcable
adjustment in conformity with the principles
set forth in my last annual message.
have received a representative from the
United States Of Columbia, and have accrod.
tied a Msnister to the 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 eouu.
try and of United States citizens abroad. In
no instance, however, is it expressly stipulated
in ha Of n,v fnra
residing in this country within the !inss Of
insurgents is to be exempted from the rule
which classes him rs belligerent, in whose
behalf the government Of ha country cannot
express any privileges or immunities distinct
from Il at character. | regret to say, however
that such claims have been put forward, and
in some instances in behalf of foreigners who
have lived in the United 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 or who have been fully naturalizcd
have evaded the military duty required o
them, by denying the fact and thereby throw
ing upon the Government the burden OF proof
1t has been found difficult or impraciicable ic
obtain this proof fom the want of guides tc
the proper sources of Information. These
might be supplied by requiring Clerks o.
Courts where declarations Of intention may bt
made or naturalization effected, 10 send peri
odically lists Of names of persons natu,aiized
or declaring their intention Of becoming cili
gems TO the Secretary Of the Interior, in whose
department these names must be arranged
and printed for general information. There il
also reasons to believe that foreigners fre
quenly become citizens Of the United States
for the sole purpose Of eyading the duties
imposed by tho laws of their native country
TO which on becoming naturalzed here, they
at once repair, and though never returning L
the United States, tIey still claim the inter
position Of the government as citizens. Nam
alterations and great prejudice have hereto
fore arisen out Of this abuse. II is therefor
submitted 10 your serious consi eraiou. /
might bo advisable to fix limit boyou,
which no cizer Of tie United STATES residin,
abroad may claim the iitcrposition Of his gov
eminent. --
The right Of suffrage has often been assum
ed and exercised by aliens under pretense O
natrraiza ion which they have dsavowe,
when drafted into the military service.
submit the txpedioncy Of such an amendmen
OF the laws as will make the fact Of voting a
estoppel against any plea OF exempting ffon
military service or other civil obligation O,
otonnfls af at,an.oo ", ,a....s1. ii II