Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-11
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

FsHoU Cstssens Of the Senate.
and House Of Representatives.
Another year of health aud sufficiently abundant har-
vest has passed For these and especially the improved
condition OF our National affairs. our renewed and pro-
foundest gratitude TO God Is due
Foreign Relations
We remain In peace and friendship with foreign paw
ers The efforts OF disoyal citizens Of the United
States 10 involve US in foreign aid inexcussb
instruction have been unavaing Her Brtauic Males
TVS Government ~ was justly expected have exercised
their authority to prevent the departure OF hos
expeditions from British ports. The Emperor OF France
has by like proceeding, promptly viudicated the neu
raly which he proclaimed the beginning u the con
test Questions " great inueaey and Importance have
arisen out OF the blockade and other begeent opera
tons, between the government and several Of the
thine powers hut they have been discussed and as far
possible, accommodated in spirit Of fankn.s.
justice and mutual good will Il Is especially gratifying
that Prize Courts, by the impariialy Of their ad
Indications, hsve commanded the respect oonfdence
the United States and Great Britain for the suppression
OF the African slave trade made the 7th day Of Feb.
ruary last; has been duly ratified and carried into exeou-
ton II Is believed that so far American ports and
American citizens concerned that the DhnmAn and
odlous traffic has been brought end.
shall submit for the consideration Of the Senate a
convention for the adjustment OF possessoy claims in
Washington territory, arising Of the treaty Of the
10Th Of June 1896 between the United States and Great
Britain, and which have been the Of some dis
quiet the osens Of that rapidly importing
part OF the country. novel and important question
involving the extent Of the maritime jurisdiction Spain
in the waters which surround the island Of Cuba has
been debated without reaching agreement, and il s
proposed, in amicAbe spirit. refer the arbitrA
ton Of friendly powers convention for that purpose
will be Submitted TO the Senate have thought pro.
per- subject 10 the approval Of the Senate with
me interested commercial powers in an arrangement
for the liquidation OF the dues upon the principles which
have been heretot adopted In regard the imports
upon navigation IN the waters Of Denmark The long
pending between this Government and that
Of Chill touching the seizure at sitanan Peru, by Chilli
an officers VI large amount in treasure belonging -
citizens Of the United States has been Brought to
close BY the award Of His Majesty the King Of the Bel
gians, 10 whose ArbaOn the question referred by
the PARTIES The subject thoroughly and patiently
examined oJ that justly respected magistrate, aud al
though the sum awarded 20 the claimants may have
been 80 large a. they expected there dis
trust the wisdom Of His Maesty's decision. That de-
oision was promptly complied with by Chilli when intel
hgence in regard 10 Il reached that country The Joint
commission under the Of the session for
into effect the convention with them the subject u
claims, has been enized Lima aud 10 engaged in
the business intrused 10 IT, Dhculues concerning in
ter-oeeanic transit through NicMsgua are in course Of
tmicable adjustmeht
la conformity with the principles set forth in my last
annual message have received representative from
ne United States Of Columbia, and have accredited a
Minister 10 that Republic. Incidents occurring in the
progress OF our civil have forced upon my attention
the unesAin state OF International questions, touching
o. ssns'' ~ ms Country snc o. United
rights are, at least, partially defined by treaties In no
instance, however. Is expressly stipulated that
IN the event Of civil foreigner residing in this
country within the lines Of the insurgents 10 be
empted from the rule which classes bin begefAnt.
on ~hose behalf the government Of his country cannot
expect any privileges or mmuniiics distinct from that
character regret 70 say, however, that such claims
have been put forward and Ia instances beh all
Of foreigners who have lived In the United states the
greater part Of their lives There Is reason 10 believe
that many persons born IN foreign countries who have
DECLARED Their Intention 10 become citzens aud who
duly naturazed, have esAded the military duties Iequh
ed offhem BY denying the fact and thereby thfO~ing
upo1 die Government the burden Fl roof IL hrs been
funa dsalt inpfaotoAble obtain this proof from
the " guilds 70 he pro Of Information
1hese night be supplied BY requiring clerks Of courts,
whef fsciaaou ~ Intention may De made natural