Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-12-15
Presidents Message.

FeltoaO Citizens of tie Senate and House
Of Representatives..
Another year of health and sufficiently
abundant haryests, has passed, For these
and especially for the improved condition
of our National affairs. our renewed and
profund gratitude to God is due. We re-
main in peace and frien dship with foreign
powers The efforts of disloya citizens of
the United States to involve us 10 foreign
wars to aid them in unexcusable insurrec-
tons have been unavailing. Her Britanic
Majesty's Government az was justly expect
ed, have exercised their authority to pre-.
vent the departure of new hostile expedi-
tons from British Ports. The Emperor
of France Las, by like procedure, promp:-
ly indicated the neutrality which he pro-
claimed at the beginning of the contest.
Questions of intricacy and Importance
have arisen out of the Peterbotf's belliger-
ent operations, between the Government
and several of the Maratime powers, but
they have been discussed. So far as pos
siEle they have been accommodated in IA
spirit Of trankness, ustness and good will.
1t is especially gratifying that our prize
courts, by the impartiality of their adjudi-
cation, have commanded the respect and
confidence of the Maratime powers.
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 beed duly notified and carried into ex-
ecution. 1t is beivel that SO far as Amer
lean Ports and American citizens are con
cerned, that inhuman and barbarous traffic
has come to an end. shall submit for
the consideration of the Senate conven
ton forthe adjustment of possessory claims
in Washington Territory, arising out Of the
treaty of the 18th of January, 1916, be-
tween the United States and Great Britain,
and which have been the source of some
disquiet among the citizens of that now
rapidly improving part Of the country.
A novel and important question involv.
ing the extent of the maratlne Jurisdiction
of Spain in the waters which surround the
Island of Cuba, has been debated without
reaching an agreement, and it is prepared
in an amicable spirit, TO refer it to the ar
bitratiop of friendly power, A conven-
ton for that purpose viii be submitted to
the Senate.
l have though, it proper, subject to the
approval of the Senate, to concur With the
interested commercial powers in an arrang-
nent for the liquidation of the S;heldt
dues upon the principles which have been
heretofore adopted in regard to the imports
upon navigation in the waters Of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this Government and that of Chill, touch
ing the seizure at Siand, in Peru. by Chill
ian officers, Of large amount in treasure
belonging to citizens of the United States,
has been brought to close by the consent
Of His Majesty the King of Belgians, to
whose arbitration the question was referred
by the parties. The subject was thorough
ly and patiently examined by that justly
respected magistrate. Although tho sum
awarded to the claimants may not have
been as large as they expected there is no
reason to distrust the wisdom Of his maj
esty's decision That decision was prompt
y complied with by Chill, when the intel>
ligence in regard to it reached the country.
The joint commission, under the act Of
the last session, carrying into effect the
act of the last session, carrying into effect
the convention with Peru, on the sui ect
of CLAIMS, have been organized at Lima,
and is engaged III the business entrusted to
il.
Difficulties concerning the liner oceanic
transit through Nicaragua are in course Of
enunciable adjustment in conformity with
the principles set forth in my last annual
message. have received representation
from the United States of Colombia, and
have credited minister to that Republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress OF
our civil war have forced upon my attention
the uncertain ststs of international question
touching the rights of foreigners !"
country, and ef-A'='l'