Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-12-11
Presidents Message.

Presidents Message.
Fslloso- Citizens Of the Senate and House
Of Representatives
Another year of health and of sufficiently
abundant harvests has passed. For these,
and especially for the improved condition of
our National affairs, our renewed and pro-
found 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 US in foreign wars, to aid in
incxcusable insurl ection, have been unavail-
able. Her Britannia 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 a like proceeding,
promptly indicated the neutrality which he
proclaimed at the beginning Of the contest
Questions of great intricacy and Importance
have arisen out of the blockade and other bel
ligerent operations between the government
and several of the maratime powers, but they
have been discussed, and, so far as was posi-
BILE, accommodated in spirit of frankness and
justice and mutual good will. 1t is especially
gratifying that our prize courts, by the i'm
partially of their adjudications, have com.
manded the respect and confidence OF mara
time powers.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
The supplemental treaty between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain, for the sup
preston of the African Slave trade, IN ade on
the 18th day of February last, has been du.
" ratified and carried into execution. 1t is
believed that SO far as American ports and
American citizens are concerned, that the In
human and barbarous traffic has been brought
to an end.
CLAIMS IN WASHINGTON TERRITORY.
I shall submit, for the consideration Of the
Senate, q convention for the adjustment Of
certain claims in Washington Territory
arising out of the treaty of the 18th fJune
1916, between the United States and Great
Britain, and which has been the source o.
some disquiet among the citizens OF the now
rapidly improving part Of the country.
A QUESTION WITH SPAIN.
A novel and important question, involving
the extent Of the maratlme jurisdiction Of
Spain in the waters which surround the Is
land of Cuba, has been debated without
reaching an agreement, and it is proposed, in
an amicable spirit, to refer it to the arbitra
ment of friendly power. A convention fol-
that purpose will be submitted to the Senate
I have thought it proper subject for the
approval of the Senate, to confer with the
interested commercial powers, in an arrange
ment for the liquidation Of the Scheldt dues,
upon the principles which have been hereto.
fore adopted in regard to the imposts upon
navigation in the waters of Denmark.
SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
The long pending controversy between this
Government and that of Chill touching the
seizure at Silano, in Peru, by Chilian officers
of large amount in treasure belonging to citi
citizens of the United States, has been brought
to close by the award Of his majesty, the
King Of the Belgians, to whose arbitration the
question was referred by the parties. The
subject was thoroughly and patiently exam.
ined by that justly respected magistrate
Although the sum awarded to the claimants
may have not been so large as they expected
there is no reason to distrust the wisdom Of
His Majesty's decision. That decision was
promptly complied with by Chill when intel
ligence in regard to it reached that country
The Joint commission under the act of the
last session of Congress for carrying into ef
feet 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 concerning inter oceanic tran
sit through Nicaragua are IN course of AMIGA
BILE adjustment in conformity with the prin
ciples set forth in my last Annual Message
have received Representatives from thu
United States of Columbia, and have credited
a minister to that Republic.
THE RIGHTS OF FOREIGNERS IN THIS COUNTRY
Incidents occurring in the progress of oul
civil war have forced upon my attention the
uncertain state Of the international question
touching the rights Of foreigners ia this coun
try, and of United States citizens abroad
In regard to some governments these rights
are at least partially defined by treaties. Ir
no instance, however, is it expressly stipula
ted that on the instance of civil war, a for
eigner, residing in this country within the
lines of the insurgents, is to be exempted
from the rule which classes him as bellig
Grant, in whose behalf the Government o.
his country cannot expect any privileges Of
immunities distinct from that character.
regret to say, however, that such claim:
have been put forward and in some
instances in behalf of foreigners who
have lived in the United States the greater
part of their lives. There is reason to believe
that many persons born in foreign countries
who have declared their intention to become
citizens, or who have become fully natural
lied, have evaded the military duty required
of them by denying the fact and ther
throwing upon the government the burden o
proof It has been difficult or impractcabl
to obtain this proof, from the want of guides
to the proper sources of information. Thes
might be supplied by requiring clerks o
courts, when declarations of intention may
be made or naturalization effected, to send
periodically, lists of the names of persons
naturalized, or declaring their intention to be
come citizens, to the Secretary of the Interior
IN whose Department their names must b.
arranged and printed for general information
There is also reason to believe that foreigner.
frequently become citizens ofthe United State
for the sole purpose Of evading the duties I'm
posed by the laws of their native country, t.
which, on becoming naturalized here, they a
once repair, and though never returning t
the United States, they still claim the inter
vention of the government as citizens. Many
alterations and great prejudice have hereto
fore arisen out of this abuse. tits, therefore
submitted to your serious consideration. I
might be advisable to fix limit heyont
which no citizen of the United States residing
abroad may claim the interposition of hi
government.
The right of suffrage has often been as
sumed and exercised bv aliens. under pre-
tense of naturalization, which they have dis
avowed when drafted into the military service
I submit the expediency of such On amend
ment to the laws as will make the fact of vot
ing an estoppal against plea of exemption
from military service or other obligation, OF
grounds of alienage.
OUR RELATIONS WITH JAPAN.
Il, cornmon NTH other Western powarc