The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-12-10
Presidents Message.
FeRor- Citizens of the Senate
and House of Represes

'"~ ~~~SeS ~ AsefsS~Sss~~ss~~s
Another year Of health and Of sufi.
ciently abundant harvests has passed
For these, and especially for the improved
condition Of our national affairs, our re-
newed and profound gratitude to God is
due. We remain in peace and friendship
with foreign powers. The efforts of dis
loyal sjtizeps of the United States to in
'volve US in foreign wars and aid an inex-
cusable instruction, have been unavailng
Her British Msjesty's Government. as We
all Justly expected, have exercised their
authority to prevent the departure oil
new hostile expeditions from British
ports The Emperor of France has, by .
like proceeding. promptly indicated the
neutrality which be proclaimed at the be-
ginning Of the contest. Questions OF grea,
interest and Importance have arisen out
of the blockade and other belligerent ope-
ra:ions. between the Government aud
several Of the maritime powers, but have
been SO discussed, and so far AZ was DOS
sible, accommodated in a spirit of frank
ness, justice and mutual good will. 1t is
especially gratifying that our prize courts,
by the impartnlity of their adjudication.
have commandedSbe respect and conf
dence of maratime powers. The supple
ment treaty between the United States
and Great Britain for the suppression OF
the African slave trade, made on the 18th
day of February last, has been duly no.
ticed and carried into effect; and il 10
believed that SO far as American ports
and American citizens are concerned,
that the inhuman and barbarous traffic
has been brought to an end. / shall
submit for the consideration of the Senate
the propriety of convention for the ad-
Justment of possessory claims in Wash.
lngton territory, arising out of the treaty
of the 18th of June, 1886, between the
United States and Great Britain, and
which have been the source of some dis
quiet among the citizens of that now rap
idly improving part of the country. A
novel and important question. involving
the extent OF the maratime jurisdiction OF
Spain in the waters which surround the
Island Of Cuba. has been debated without
reaching an agreement, and it is proposed
in an amicable spirit to refer it to the
arbitTameDt of friendly power. A con-
vention for that purpose will be submitted
to the Senate. have thought it proper
subject for the approval of the Senate to
concur with the interested commercial
powers in an arrangement for the liouida
tion. of the Scheldt dues upon the princi-
Pies which have been heretofore adopted
IN regard to the imports on navigation in
the waters of Denmark. The long pend
ing controversy between this Government
and that of Chill, touching the seizure
at Silana, in Peru, by Chillian officers, of
large amount of treasure belonging to
citizens of the United States, has been
brought to close by order of his Majesty.
the King of Belgium, to whose arbitration
the question was referred. The subject
was thoroughly and patiently examined
by that just and respected magistrate
Although the sum awarded to the claim
ants may not have been as large as they
expected, there is no reason to distrust
the wisdom of his Majesty's decision. Ii
was promptly complied with BY Chilli
when intelligence in regard to it reached
that country. The joint commission IN.
der the act of the last session for carving
into effect the convention with Peru on
the subject Of claims, has been organized
at Lima, and is engaged in the business
entrusted to it. The difficulties concern
ing lnter-oceanic transit through Nicara-
qua are 10 course of amicabe adjustment
IN conformity with the principles set forth
In my last message. l have received
representatives from the United States of
Columbia and have accredited q minister
to that republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress of
our civil war have forced upon my atten-
ton the uncertain state of international
questions touching the rights of for
elgners in this country aud Of United
States citizens abroad. In regard to some
Governments their ri ghts are at least par |
italy defined by treaties. In no instance
however, Is it expressly stipulated that in
the instance of civil war foreigner re-
siding IN the country within the lines of
the Insurgents is TO be exhonera,ed from
the rule which classes him as belliger-
ent IN whose behalf the government Of
his country cannot express any principle,
or immunities distinct from tina, charac. |
ter. regret to say, however, that such |
claims have been put forward, aid in |
some instances in behalf of foreigners VINO
have lived in the United States the great.
er part OF their lives. There is reason TO |
oei'eve that many persons, born in for.
e'gn countries, who have declared their
intention to become citizens, or who have
been fully naturalized, have evaded the
duty required of them, by denv-
ing the TACT and thereby throwing upon
,he Government the burden of proof oft.
1t has been found difficult or improc,;ca.
BILE to obtain this proof from the want If
guides to the proper sources Of informa. !,
ton. These might be supplied BY "a
curing the clerks of courts where aao
larstions of intention may be M, a. ueo.
effected to send ~ .r;ad az
~ list OF the names of per- ons ns,n.a,;
zed and of those declariu,s their ;nss sa
to become citizens, =, the Secrstsrs Of
the interior, IN whose department these
'huss De arranged and printed for
genera, in'oi nation. There is also rea.
son 70 oei:eve that foreigners frequently
become s.,iiRana rs a.. II a.