Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,


abundant harvests has passed. For these
aud especially for the improved condition
Of our national affairs, our renewed and
profound gratitude to God is due. We
remain in peace and friendship with foreign
powers. The efforts Of disloysl citizens Of
the United States to involve rs In foreign
wars, to aid iu inexcussble insurreotion
have been unavailing. Her Britsnio Ma
jesty's Government, as was justly expected,
have exercised their authority to prevent
the departure of new hostile expeditions
from British ports. The Emperor Of France
has by q like proceeding promptly iudica-
ted the neutrality which he proclaimed at
the beginning Of the contest.
Questions Of great intricacy and impor-
tanoe have arisen out Of the blockade and
other belligerent questions between the
Government and several Of the maritime
powers, but they have been discussed, and
so far as was possible, accommodated In q
spirit of fraukuess, justice and mutual
good will. 1t is especially gratifying that
our prize courts, by the impartiality Of
their adjudication. have commanded the
respect and confidence Of maritime pow
ers. The supplemental 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 ratified and carried into effect.
Il Is believed that so far as American
ports and American citizens are concerned,
that iuhumsn and barbarous traffic has
been brought to an end. shall submit,
for the consideration of the Senate con-
vention for the adjustment of possessory
claims 10 Washington Territory, arising
out Of the treaty of the 18th of June, l846
between the United States and Great Brit
ian, and which have been the source oil
some disquiet among the citizens OF that
now rapidly and improving part Of the
country. A novel and important question
involving the extent Of the Maritime juris.
diotion of Spain 10 the waters which sur.
round the Island of Cuba, has been de.
bated without reaching an agreement, and
1t is proposed 10 an amioable spirit, to re.
fer 1t to the srbitrament OF q friendly power
A convention for that purpose will be
Submitted to the Senate. have thought
1t proper to subject It to the approval OF
the Senate, TO concur with the interested
commercial powers 10 an arrangement fol
the liquidation of the Scheldt dues, upon
the principles which have been heretofore
adopted 10 regard to the imposts upon
navigation In the waters OF Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this Government and that Of Chill, to urge
the seizure at Silsns in Peru, by Chiliar
officers, of large amount in treasure be
longing to citizens of the United States
has been brought to o close by the aware
of His Majesty, the King of the Belgisns
to whose arbitrameut the question wa
referred by the parties.
The subject was thoroughly and patient
ly examined by that justly respected Ma.
jesty, aud although the sum awarded Il
the claimants may not have been as larg
as they expected, there is no reason to dis
trust the wisdom Of His Majesty's decision
That decision was promptly complied will
reached that country. The joint commits
carrying into effect the convention will
Peru on the subject Of claims, has been or
ganized at Lima, and 10 engaged 10 th
business entrusted to 1t.
Difficulties concerning inter.oceaui
transit through Nicarauga, are In oours
of amicable adjustment In conformity will
principles set forth 10 my last annual mes
sage. lhsve received representatives. fror
JQ0 OulIou othtob VI OOtO mOinS anu uov
credited minister to that republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress O
our civil war have forced upon my atten
tion the uncertain state of internstions
questions, touching the rights Of foreigner
10 this country and of United States citi
Gems abroad.
In regard to some governments thes
rights are at least partly defined by treaties
In no instance, however, is 1t expressl
stipulated that on the instance Of civil wa
Q foreigner residing In this country, With
the lines of the insurgents, 10 to be ex
empted from the rule which classes him q
q belligerent, in whose behalf the govern
ment of bis country cannot express an
privileges or immunities distinct from tina
character.
regret to say, however, that sucl
claims have been put forward, aud, in som
instances, in behalf of foreigners who hsv
lived in the United States the greater par
of their lives. There is re,sou to believ,
that many persons born In foreign coun
tries, who have declared their intention t
become citizens, or who have been full,
naturalized, have evaded the military dut
required Of them by denying the fact
thereby throwing upon the Government th
burden of proof It has been found diff
cult or impracticable to obtain,
This proof, from the want Of guides Il
the proper sources of information, nigh
be supplied by requiring the clerks o
courts where declarations Of intention maj
be made, or naturalization effected, to SEM
periodical lists of the names Of persoui
naturalized, or declaring their intention I,
become citizens, to the Secretary OF tn
Interior, in whose department these name
must be arranged and printed for genera
information.
1Axes 10 slso. reason to believe that for
eieners frequsntly become eitinsns of th,
United States, for the sole parposs efssa
ding the duties imposed By the laws o
their native country, to which, In becom.
ing naturalixsd here, they at onceirepair
and though never returning to the Unite,
States, they still claim the interposition o
the governmsnt 40 citizens. Many alter
cations and great prejudice have hereto
fore arisen out Of this abuse. 1t 10 there
fore submitted to your serious considsra
tion. 1t might be advisable to ax limi
beyond which NO citisen Of the Unite
States, residing abroad, may claim the in
ssrpSsition Of bis government.
The right of suffrage has sften been %
sumed and exercised by aliens under pre-
tence of naturalization which they hsv
dissvowed when drafted into the militsr,
service. submit the sxpediency Of sucl
an amendment of the laws % will max
the fact of voting an sstoppsl sgainst an,
piea of exemption from military service o
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