The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-12
BY TELEGRAPH
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,
FELLOW Citizens of the Senate

Another year of health and of sufficient
ly abundant haryests has passed. For
these, and especially for the unimpared
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 disloyal citizens of the
United States to involve usin foreign wars
& aid in inexcusablei nsurrection, have been
unavailing. Her Britanic Majesty's Gov
eminent, as was Justly expected, have ex-
ercised their authority to prevent the de-
parture Of new hostile expeditions from
British ports. The Emperor of France
has, by q like proceeding, promptly in
Dictated the neutrality which he proclaim
ed at the beginning Of the contest Ques-
tons of great interest and importance have
arisen out of the blockade and other bell
ligerent operations between the Govern
ment and several of the maratime powers,
but have been discussed SO far as was pos
sible, in spirit of frankness, justice and
mutual good will. 1t is especially gratify-
ing that our prize courts, by the imparti-
atty Of their adjudication, have command
ed the respect and confidence Of Maratime
Powers. afsfga# .T
The supplementary treaty between the T..
States and Great Britain for the sup
preston of the African Slave trade, made
on the 18th day of February last, has been
duly ratified and carried into execution
It is believed that so far as American ports
and American citizens are concerned, that
inhunan and barbarous traffic has been
brought to an end. shall submit for the
consideration OF the Senate convention
for the adjustment of pOssessary 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 dis
quiet among the citizens Of that now rapid
ly improving part of the country.
A novel and important question involv-
ing 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 arbi-
trament Of a friendly power. A conven-
ton for that purpose will be submitted to
the Senate. r. t
have thought it proper subject to the
approval of the Senate, to concur with the
interested commercial powers, in an ar
rangement for the liquidation of the
Scheldt dues, upon the principles which
have heretofore been adopted, in regard to
the imposts upon navigation in the waters
of Denmark. The King, pending the con-
troversy between this Government and
that of Chilli, touching the seizures at Sill
Ian, in Peru, by CHILEAN officers, of large
amount of treasure belonging to citizens of
the United States, has been brought to a
close by order of his Majesty, the King of
Belgium, to whose arbitration the question
was referred. The question was thorough
ly and patiently examined by that just
and respected magistrate. Although the
sum awarded to the claimants may not
have been as large as they expected, there
is no reason to distrust the wisdom of his
Maiesty's decision, which was promptly
complied with by Chill, when Intelligence
in regard to it reached this country.
The joint Commission, under the act of
the last session, for carrying into effect the
Convention of Peru, on the subject of
Claims has been organized at Lima, and is
engaged in the business entrusted to it,
Difficulties concerning inter-oceanic tran
sitthrough Nicaragua are in course of ami
cable adjustment.
In conformity with the principles set
forth in my last message l have received
representatives from theUnited States of
Columbia, and have credited Minister to
that Republic. s-s.ar..
Incidents occurring in our civil war have
forced upon my attention the uncertain
state OF the international question, touching
the rights of foreigners in this country and
also OF citizens abroad. In regard to some
Governments their rights are at least par
tally defined by treaties. In no instance,
however, is it especially stipulated that in
siding in the country, within the lines of
the insurgents, is to be exempted from the
rule which classes him as belligerent. in
whose behalf the Government of his coun-
try cannot express any principles or claim
lmmunities disticnt from that character
regret to say, however, that such claims
have been put forward, land in some instan-
ces, IN behalf OF foreigners who have lived
IN the United Safes the greater part of
their lives. There is reason to believe that
many persons born in foreign countries.
who have declared their intention to be,
attytx
rallied have evaded the military duty re- |
CURED OF them by denying the fact and |
thereby throwing upon the Government
the burthen OF proof. 1t has been found
difficult or impracticable to obtain this
proof, from the want of guides to the prop
er sources OF information. These might
be supplied by requiring the clerks of
courts, where declarations of intention NAV
be made, or naturalization effected, to ne
send lists of the names of persons
naturalized or declaring their intention to
become citizens, to the Secretary of the In
terror, in whose Department these names
must be arranged and printed for general
There is also reason to believe that for
eigners frequently become citizens of the
United States for the sole purpose of eva
DING the duties imposed by the laws of
their native country, to which, in becam-
ing ntturalized here, they at once repair
dlo, thouen never returning to the United
States, they still claim the interpoSition of
the Government as citizens. Many alter
cations and great prejudices have hereto I
lore arisen out of this abuse. 1t is, there /
fore, submitted to your serious considera- ,
ion. 1t might he advisable to fix limit !
beyond winch no citizen of the United c
States, residing abroad, may claim the in t
exposition OF his Government. The right t
If suffrage has often been assumed and ex- +
'rcised by aliens under pretense of natural =
zation which they have disavowed when c
irafted into the military service. submit d
he expediency of such an amendment of +
he laws as will make the fact of voting a
'ar against any plea of exemption from d
Military service, Or other special oblira- +
ions, on grounds Of alienage. i,
In common with other Western Powers. r
'ur relations with Japan have been bro't i,
nto serious jeopardy through the perverse q
opposition Of the hereditary aristocracy of o
he Empire to the enlightened and liberal q
policy Of the Tycoon, designed to bring the a
ountry into the society Of nations. 1t is e
o be hoped, although not with entire {
confidence, that these difficulties may be z
peacefully overcome. Task your attention &