Ellsworth American., 1863-12-18
Mistella
Presidents Message.

O hePFsStHtdttttS -
Another year of health and sufficiently
abundant harvest has passed. For these.
and especially the improved condition of
our National affairs our renewed and pro-
foundcst gratitude to God is due
We remain in peace and friendship
with forvign powers. The efforts Of dis
soyai citizens Of the United States to
involve US in foreign wars to aid an mex
cusabc insurrection, have been unavail.
ing. Her Britannia Majesty's Govern
ment, as was justly expected, have excr-
cised their authority to prevent the de-
parturc Of new hostile expeditions rom
British ports. The Emperor of France
has, by like proceeding, promptly VIM
dicated the neutrality which he proclaim
ed at the beginning OF the contest.
Questions of g;eat intricacy aud im-
portancc have arisen out Of the blockade
and other belligcrcnt operations, bet, cen
the Government and several of the marit-
imc powers; but they have been discuss
I'd. and, as tar as was possible, accom-
modatcd in spirit Of fraul,uess, Justice
and mutual good will. 1t is especially
gratifying that our Prize Courts, b. the
impartiaiiy Of their adjudicaiiorS, have
commanded the respect and coui leucc
of maritime powers.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States Of Great Britain for the
suppression of the African slave tfale
made on the 18th day OF February last
has been duly ratified anil carried iH,o
execution 1t is teiega1 that - far as
American ports anl American citizen,
arc concerned, that tho inhumon aui oi.
ious traffic has been brought to an end
| shall submit for tbc eon,l ltratiaa o.
the Senate contention for the adjust
men, of posscsscry claims in Washington
territory. arising out of the treaty al The
18th OF .juHe, ] SIC, between tue United
States and Great Britain, and which
have been the urre Of some disGlict
among the citi1cus of that uog ragtiIy
improving part Of the eeuatry.
\ novel aud important question invoiy-
ing the extent Of lie lnattimH jlfi,aat-
ion OF Spain in the waters which surround
the Island Of Cuba has bean debated With
cut reaching an agreement. aHl It Il i,
proposed in an amifab1e spirit 10 refer /
TO the arbitration OF friendly power
A convention Tor that purpose viii be
submitted to the Senate
have thought it proper, subject % the
approval of the Senate. 10 coaeur with
the interested commercial powers "A ar
rangemeut for the legislation Of the dues
upon the principles which have been here
toforc adopted IN regard to the imports
upon navigation in the waters Of Den
mark.
The long pending eontrov rsy b.t~eea
this government aud that of Chii touch
ing the seizure at sataaaiu, Peru, by
Chilian officers, Of large amoaut in
treasure belonging to citizens ot the
United States, has been brought to a
close by the award of His Majesty the
King Of the Belgians, to whose arb.-
tration the question WAS referred BY the
parties. Tae subject vas thoroughly anl
patiently examined By that justly respect
cd magistrate. anl although the sum
awarded to the claimant, may not have
been as large as they expected, there is
no reason to distrust the wisdom ct His
Maicsty's decision. That dccsision Was
promptly complied with by Chm when
intelligence in regard to it reached that
country. The joint commission under
the act Of the last session for carrying
into effect the convention with Pera on
the subject Of claims has been organized
at Peru and is en.,ased in the business
intrusied TO it.
Difficulties concerning lntcr.oeeanlc
transi, through Nicaragua are IN course
of amicable adjustment.
In conformity with the principles set
forth IA my last annual Message, have
received representative from the United
States of Columbia. and have accredited
a minister TO that Republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress OF
our civil war have forced upon my atten-
sion the uncertain state of international
1ucs,ous touching the rights Of iorelsn-
ers in this country aud OF United States
citizens abroad. In regard to some States
these rights are, at least, partially de-
fined by treaties. Ia no instance. how
ever, is it expressly stipulated that IN
THE event of civil war foreigner resiI-
ing in tins country. within the lines OF
the insurgents, is te be exempted from
the rule which classes him as belllecr-
erent on whose behalf the government OF
his country cannot expect amy privileges
or immunities distinct from that ehasac-
ter. regret to say, however, that such
claims have been put forward and IN
some instances on behalf OF foreigners who
have lived in the United States the great
est part of their lives.
There is reason to believe that many
persons borne in foreign counties who
have declared their intentions to become
citizens and who have become fully nat
..uralized, have evaded the military duties
required of them by denying the fact
and thereby throwing upon the govern
,ent the burden of proof. 1t has been
found difficult or impraeticabe to obtain
this proof from the want Of guides to the
proper source of Information. These
might be supplied by requiring clerks oil
courts, where declarations of intention
may be made or naturallzatiors effected
40 send periodically lists of tbs names ot
thc persons naturaliLed. or declaring
th.;r ;,,an,ion 10 become citizens. to tbs