Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-12-17

amined by that justly respected mag
istrate. Although the sum awarded
to the claimants may not have beer
as large as they expected. there is nc
reason to distrust the wisdom of Hi.
Majesty's decision That decision
was promptly complied with by Chill
when intelligence in regard to it reach
ed that country.
The joint commission, under tn,
last session, for carrying into effec
the convention with Peru, on the sub
iect of claims, has been organized a
Lima, and is engaged in the busines
entrusted to it. -..-.... ..... ..... ..
Difficulties concerning inter.oceani,
transit through Nicaragua are il
course of amicable adjustment.
In conformity with principles Sc
forth in my last Annual Message,
have received a representative frou
the United States of Columbia, ant
have credited a Minister to that Re-
public.
Incidents occurring in the progress
OF our civil war have forced upon my
attention the uncertain state of the
international question touching the
rights of foreigners in this country
aud of United States citizens abroad
In regard to some Governments these
rights are at least partially defined
by treaties. In no instance, however
is it expressly stipulated that on tho
instance of civil war. foreigner, re-
siding in this country within the
lines Of the insurgents, is to be ex
empted from the rule which classes
him as belligerent, in whose behalf
the Government of his country canno,
express any privileges or immunities
distinct from that character. l regre,
to say, however, that such claim.
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 cit.
liens, or who have been fully natu.
rallied, have evadcd the military duty
required of them by denying the fact
and thereby throwing upon the Gov
ernment the burden of proof II has
been found difficult. or unpracticable
to obtain this proof, from the want ol
guides to the proper sources Of infor.
nation. These might be supplied by
requiring the clerks of courts where
declarations Of Intention may be made
or naturalization effected, to send
periodically, lists Of the names Of per
sons naturalizcd or declaring their in
tention to become citizens, to the Sec
retary of the Interior, in whose de
partment these names must be arrang
ed and printed for general informa
ton. There is also reason to believe
that foreigners frequently become cit.
liens of the United States for the sole
purpose of evading the duties imposed
by the laws of their native country,
to which, in becoming naturalized
here, they at once repair, and though
never returning to the United States
they still claim the interposition Of
the Government as citizens. MANY
alterations and great prejudices have
heretofore grown out of this abuse
1t is therefore submitted to your seri
Gus consideration. 1t might he advi
sable to fix limit beyond which N,
citizen of the United States, residing
abroad. may claim the interpositioI
of this Government. The right O
suffrage has often been assumed ant
exercised by aliens, under pretense o.
naturalization, which they have disa
vowed when drafted into the military
service. submit the expediency o.
such an amendment of the laws a.
will make the fact of voting an estop
pei against any plea of exemption
from military service or other civil ob
legation, on the ground of alienage.
In common with other Western
Powers, our relations with Japan hav,
been brought into serious leopard,
through the perversc opposition 0
the hereditary aristocracy of the EN-
pire to the enlightened and liberal pol
icy Of the Tycoon, designed to bring
the country into the society of ma
tions. 1t is to be hoped, although
not with entire confidence, that thes,
difficulties may be peacefully over
come. ask your attention to tn,
Minister residing there. for the dam
ages he sustained in the destruction b,
fire of the residence of the Legation
at Yeddo. .
Satisfactory arrangements hav,
been made with the Emperor of Rus
sia, which, it is believed, will resul
in etrecting a continuous line of tele
graph through that empire, from ou
Pacific coast.
recommend TO your favorable con
sideration the subject of an interna
tional telegraph across the Atlanti
Ocean, and also of a telegraph be
tween this Capital and the nationa
forts along the Atlantic seaboard an
the Gulf of Mexico. Such come,
tions, established with any reasonabl
outlay, would be economical as we
as effective aids to the diplomati,
military, and naval service.
The consular system Of the Unite
States, under the cnactments of tn
last Congress. begins to be selfsus
tanning, and there is reason to hop
that it may become entirely SO wit
the increase of trade witch will ensu
whenever peace is restored. .s. ,...
Our ministers abroad have bee
faithful in defending American rights
and in protecting our commercial in
terests. Our consuls have necessar
ly had to encounter increased labo
aud responsibilities growing out {
the war. These they have, for til
most part, met and discharged wi,
zeal and efficiency. This acknow
edgement justly includes those col
suls who, residing in Morocco, Egyp
China. and other central countries, al
charged with the complications an
extraordinary powers.
The condition Of the several organi
cd territories is generally satisfact
~. although the Indian disturbanc.