Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-12-19
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE AND
House OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Another year Of health and OF suficicn-
tIy abundant harvosts has passed, For
these, and especially for, the improved
condition of our national affairs, our re-
nowed aud proloundcst gratitude to God
is due. We remain in peace and friend.
ship with foreign powers.
The efforts of disloyal citizens oil the
United States to involve us in foreign wars
10 aid an inexcusablc insurrcction, have
been unavailing. Her Brittanic Majesty'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 like proceeding, promptly yndicatod
the neutrality which he proclaimed at the
beginning Of the contest.
Questions of great intricacy and i'm
portance have arisen out Of the blockade,
and other boligerent operations between
che Government aud several Of the mari
time powers; but they have been discus
sed, and, as far as was possible, accom-
modated in spirit oil frankness, justice
aud mutual good will.
1t is especially gratifying that our prize
> courts, by the imparlialty of their adjud-
ications, have commanded the respect and
confidence of maritime powers.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Britain, for the
suppression of the African Slave Trade.
made on the l7th day of February last,
has boen duly ratified ard carried into ex.
pcu,on 1t is believed that SO far as A
Iuerlcan 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, convention for the ad Just
ment of possessory claims in Washington
Territory, arising out Of the treaty of the
18th Of June, lS4G, between the United
States and Great Britain, and which have
boen the source Of some disquict among
the citizens Of that now rapidly improving
part of the country,
A novel and important question, inyolv-
ing the extent of the maritime jurisd ction
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 ar
bitramont of friendly power. A conven-
ton for that purpose will be submitted to
the Senate.
have thought it proper, subject to the
approval of the Senate, to concur with the
Interested commercial powers in an ar.
rangcmeDt for the liquidation Of the Sch
cldt dues up N the principles which have
been heretofore adopted in regard to the
impost' upon navigation in the waters OF
Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this Government and that of Chill, touch
ing the seizure at Sitana, in Peru, by
Chilan officers, of a large amount in
treasure belonging to citizens of the United
States, has been brought to a close by the
award Of his Majesty, the King OF the
B4lgiaus, to whose arbitration the question
was referred by the parties. The subject
was thoroughly and patiently examined
hy that justly respected magistrate, and
although the sum awarded to the claim
ants may not have been as large as they
expected, there is no reason 10 distrust The
wisdom Of his Mojesty's decision. Tha
decision was promptly compiled with by
Chill, when intelligence in regard to i
reached that country.
The joint commission, under the act o.
the last session, for carrying into effect th
convention with Peru on the subject o
claims, has been organized at Lima, anC
is engaged in the business intrusted to it.
Difficulties concerning inter-oceanic tran
sit through Nicarauga, are in course o
smicabla adjustment.
lu conformity with principles set fortl
in my last annual message, | have reoeiv
ed representative from the United State
OF Columbia, and have accredited min
lister to that Republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress o
our civil war have forced upon my atten
tion the uncertain state of internationa
questions touching the rights Of foreigner
in this country aud of United States citi
aens abroad In regard to some govern
ments these rights are at least PARTIAL
defined by treaties. In no instance, how
ever, is it expressly stipulated that in til
event of civil war foreigner, residing i
shis country within the lines Of the insul
gents, is to be exempted from the rul
which classes him as a belligerent, i
whose behalf the government OF his cour
try cannot expect any privileges or immur
lies distinct from that character. l RI
gret to say, however, that such claim
have been put forward, and in some il
stances in behalf of foreigners who hay
lived in the United States o greater pa
ol their lives. There is reason to beliey
thstmeny persons born in foreign count