The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-12-18
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fsllo,u cstistns of The Senate

Another year of health and of sufficiently
abundant harvests has passed. For these, and
especially for the improved condition of our ma
tional affairs, our renewed and profound graft
tude 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
inexcusable insurrection have been unavaifng.
Her Britannia Majesty's government, as may
be ejustly expected, have exercised their authority
to prevent the departure Of new hostile expedi-
tions from British ports. The Emperor OF
France has by a like proceeding promptly vim
dicated the neutrality which he proclaimed at
the beginning Of the contest.
Questions Of great intricacy and Importance
have arisen ou. Of the blockade and other bel
ligeraut operations, betweens this government
and several OF the maritime powers, but they
have been discassed and as far as was possible,
accommodated in u spirit of frankness, justice
and mutual good will.
1t is especially gratifying that prize courts,
by the impartiality Of their Mljudcatons, have
commanded the respect and confidence ot mar
ihme powers. stasa
- AhO ouppiCihCiitot tiSetJ bCbWCCh thS ShAsSN'
States and Great Britain for the suppression of
the African slave trade, made on the 18th day
of February last, has been duly ratified and car
ried into executions. 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 a convention for the adjustment of pos
session 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 some disqui-
ct among the citizens of that now rapidly i'm
proving part of the country.
A novel and important question, involving
the extent Of the maritime jurisdiction of Spain
an the waters which surround the Island of Gu
ba has been debated without reaching an agree
Inent, and it IS proposed in an amicable spirit to
the arbitranent of.a friendly power. A Con-
vention for that purpose will be submitted to the
Senate.
l have thought it proper, subject to the ap-
proval OF the Senate, TO concur with the inter-
ested commercial powers in an arrangement for
the liquidation of the Stadt dues upon the prin-
ciples which have been heretofore adopted in re-
gard TO the inposts upon navigation in the wa
ters Of Denmark.
The long-pending controversy between this
government and that OF Chill, touching the seiz-
ure at Satanic, in Peru, by Chilian officers, of
large amount in treasure belonging to citizens
OF the United States has been brought to close
by tho award of his Majesty the King of the
Belglans, to whose arbitration the question was
referred by the parties.
The subject was thoroughly and patiently ex-
amined by that justly respected magistrate, and
although the sum awarded 10 tic claimants may
notfiave been as large as they expected, there
is no reason TO distrust the wisdom Of his Ma
jesty's decision That decision was promptly
complied with by Chill when intelligence in re-
gard to it reached that country.
The Joint commission Under the act of the
lastNsessiou for carrying into eflsct tho convcn-
ton with Peru on the subject of claims has been
organized at Lima and is engaged in the busi-
ness entrusted to it,
Difficulties concerning the inter-oceanic tram
sit through Nicaragua are in course of AMIGA
ble adjustment.
In conformity with the principles set forth in
my last annual message, have received rep
rcsentative from the United States of Colom-
bia, and have accredited d Minister to that Re-
public.
Incidents occurring in the progress Of our
civil war have forced upon my attention the I'M
certain state of international questions touching
the rights of foreigners in this country, and of
United States citizens abroad. In regard to
some governments, these rights are at least par
TALLY defined by treaties. In no instance, how
ever, is it expressly stipulated that in the event
of civil war foreigner residing in this country,
within the lines of the insurgents is to be en-
empted from the rule which classes him as bel
ligerant, in whose behalf the government of his
country cannot expect any privileges or immu-
mites distinct from that character. | regret to
say, however, that such claims have been put
forward, and in some instances in bealf of for
oigners who have lived in the United States the
greater part of their lives. There is reason to
believe that many persons born in foreign coun.
tries, who have declared their intentions to be-
como citizens, or who have been fully natural.
ized, have evaded the military duty required of
them by denying the fact, and thereby throwing
upon the government the burden of proof. 1t
has been found difficult or impracticabe to OBJ
\ tain this proof from the want of guides to the
proper sources OF information. These might be
supplied by requiring the clerks of courts where
declarations of intention may be made or nat
uralization effected, to send periodically list of
the names OF the persons naturalized, or decIar-
ing their intention TO become citizens. to the
Secretary of the Interior, in whose department
those names might be arranged and printed for
general Information.
There is also reason to believe that foreigners
frequently become citizens of the United States
for the sole purpose Of evading duties imposed
by the laws OF their native countries, to which,
on becoming naturalized here, they at once re-
pair, and though never returning to the United
States, they still claim the interposition of this
government as citizens. Many alterations and
great prejudices have heretofore arisen out of
this abuse. 1t is therefore submitted to your
serious consideration. 1t might be advisable to