Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

FeIloc Citizens oftle Senate and Of The House Of
Representatives.: 80
Another yerr of health and of sufficiently
abundant prosperity has passed For these, and
especially for the improved condition Of our na-
tional affairs our renewed and profound gratitude
to God is due.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
We remain in peace and friendship with
foreign nations The efforts of disloyal
citizens of the United States u involve in for
eign wars. and to aid in inexcusable designs,
have been unAvailng Her Brittanic Majesty's
government, az was justly expected. has exer
cised its authority TO prevent the departure of
new hostile expeditions from British ports The
Emperor of France has. by like proceeding,
promptly indicated the neutrality which he pro-
cIsimed at the beginning of the contest. Ques
tions of great Importance have arisen ont OF the
blockade and other belligerent operations, be-
tween the Government and severll of the mari
time powers, but they have been discussed, and,
so far as possible, accommodated in spirit of
frankness. justice and mutual good will. 1t is
especially gratifying that prize courts. by the
impartiality of their adiudications, have CON-
manded the respect and confidence Of maritime
powers
THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE
The supplemental treaty between the United
States and Great Britain for the suppression of
the African slave trade, made on the l7th day
FebruIry last ha. been duly ratified and carried
into execution IL is believed that, so far Ms
American ports and American citizens are
cerned, that inhuman and barbarous traffic has
been brought TO an end.
PossEssoRY CLAIMS WASHINGTON TERRITORY
| sbAll submit tor the consideration of the Sen
ate u convention for the adjustment of possessory
claims in Washington Territory, arising out of
the treaty of the 18Th of June. 1916. between the
United States ana Great Britain, and which has
been the source % some disquies among the citi
zens OF that now rapidly improving part of the
country.
MARIrINE JURISDICTION cUzA-
A novel aui important question involving the
extent Of the maritime jurisdiction of Spain in the
waters which SURROUND the island of Cuba. has
been debated without reaching agreement,
and tits proposed in amicable spirit to refer 10
to the arbiirament of a friendly power con-
vention for that purpocc will be submitted to the
Senate.
The scHELDr DUES.
have thought il proper, with the approval of
the Senate, 20 concur with the interested com
mereial powers in an agreement lor the liquida
ton Of the Scheldt dues upon the principles
which have been heretofore upheld i'm regard TO
the impDsts upon navigation in the waters of
Denmark
CLAIMS AGAINST CHILL
The long pending controversy between this
Government and that of Chill, touching the
seizure AT Selana, in Peru by Chiiian officers of
. large amount in treasure belonging to citizens
ofthe United States. has been brought to close
by the award Of His Majesty. the King or the
Belgians TO whose arbitration the question was
referred by the parties. The subject was thor
oughly and patiently examined by that justly re-
spectei magistrate. and although the sum award
ed to the claimants may not have been as large
as they expected. there is no reason to distrust
the wisdom of His Maje-ty's decision That
decision was promptly complied with By Chill
when intelligence in regard to il reached that
country.
The Jsnt Commission. under the act of last
session for carrying into effect the convention
on the subject of cisims, has been organized
at Lima, Peru, and is engaged in the business
intrusted to it. Difficulties concerning the inter
oceanic transit through Nicaragua are in course
of amacable adjustment
THE UNITED STATES OF COLUMBIA.
In conformity with the principles set forth in
my last annual message. have received repre-
sentatives from the United States Of Columbia
AMI have credited Minister TO that republic.
rue RIeHTs or ALIENS. AND THE oBLrsATIoS.
or SATURALizED CITIZENS.
Incidents occurring in the progress of our
civil war pave iOrccl upon nv attention. tne
certain state OF intentional questions touching
the rights of freemeD in this country. and oi
United states citizens abroad. Ia regard 10
some governments these rights are at least
PARTIALLY defined by treaty. In no instance
however, is il expressly stipulated that in the
instance Of civil war a foreigner residing
in this country, within the lines of the nsurgent.
is to be exempted from the rule which classes
him as belligereDt in whose behalf the govern
ment of his coubtry cannot express any privilege
or Immunity from that character. regret "a
say, however. that such claims have been PM
forward and iL some instances, in behalf Of for
eizners who have lived in the United States the
graaser part Of their lives. There is rezs,n C
believe that many persons born in foreign coun
tries. who have declared their intention to be
come citizens or who have been fully naturalized
have evade,i the military dNy required Of then
by DENYING the fact aud throwing upon the Gov
ernusnt the burden of proof. Il has been fouu'
difficult or inpracticable TO obtain this proof
from the want Of guides to the proper sources o
information. These might be supplied by requis
. ing the clerks Of courts where declsration Of In
tention may be made, or naturalization effected
70 send periodically lists Of the names Of person
asturalized or declaring their intention to becom
citzens 10 the Secretary OF the Interior. in who's
d>pnrsment these names must be arranged an
printed for general information. There Is ale
reason 20 believe that foreigners frequently be
come citzens Of the Uniiei States 70
the sole purpose Of evading the dutis
imposed BY the Laws Of their native countries, :
which, on becoming naturalized here, they At ono
repair. and slough nsyer returning 70 me Unite
States. they still claim interposition OF the Gov
ernmsnt "a citizens Many alterations snd gres
prejudice have arisen out Of this abuse; il i
therefore, submitted TO your serious considsra