Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1863-12-10
TNE PREspEMT's NeSsAee'


Fhllov- eitiooNs Of a. S
Hosse Of RPrsssnsas''s'
Another year Of health aod q ;em g.
emily abundant harvests be-. passed -,
thsie. and especially for the improves
cond;t;, 3 Of our nstiooal affairs, our re-
newsd and profound gratitude 70 goo -
due. We remain in peace and ir'eoo
ship with fosigs. powers. Inc eno. ~
disloyal citizens Of the United o'a'.' "
involve N in foreign war. to aid an mex
cusabls insurrection, have been unavaa-
ing. Her Britsnic Majesty: govern
ment, - was justly expected, have exe'
cised their authority to prevent the oe
parture of new hostile expeditions from
British ports. The Emperor OF France
has,hy . like proceeding, promptly 'col-
Gated the neutrality which be proclaim
Cd at the beginning Of the contest
Questions OF government intricscy ana
importance have arisen out Of the bleck'
ade, and other belligerent operations be-
tween the government aud several OF the
maritime power, but they have been
discuss d, and, ~ far Is possible, accom-
modated in spirit Of franknets, just'e'
and mutual good will. It 10 especially
CRAFTY irg that our prize courts, ~ the
impartial,ty Of their adjucation. have
commanded the re.pect and confidence
of maritime powers.
The supplemental treaty between
the United States and Great Brit
ain for the suppression of the African
slave trade, made on the 18th day OF
February last, has been duly ratified
and carried into execution. 1t il believed
that so Ear a. American ports and Amer
lean citizens ase concerned, that iebu-
man and barbarous traffic bas been bro't
to an end.
l shall submit for the consider
alton of the Senate q convention for
the adjustment Of the possessary claims
in Washington Territory, arising out Of
the treaty Of the 18th Of June, 1916. be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain, ard which has been the source oi
some disquiet among the citizens of that
now rapidly improving part Of the coun'
try.
A novel and important question,
involving the extent Of the maritime jur.
isdiction of Spain in the waters which
surround the Island of Cubs, has been
debated without reaching an agreement,
and it 10 proposed in an amicable spirit to
refer it to the arbitrament Of = ffiendI,
power; . convention for that purpose
will be submitted to the Senate. l have
thought it proper, subject to the approx.
al of the Senate, to concur with Other
commercial powers in an arrangement
for the liquidation of the Scheldt dues,
upon the principles which have been
heretofore adopted in regard to the i'm
posts upon navigation.
The long pending controversy be-
tween this government and that Of Chill
touching the seizure at Selona, BY Chill
an officers, Of large amount 10 treasure
belonging to citizens of the United
States, has been brought to close BY the
award of his Majesty the King o. the
Belgians, to whose arbitration the ques.
ton was referred by the parties. The
subject was thoroughly and patiently ex.
ami,ed by that justly respected magis-
trate. Although the sums awarded to
them may not have been as large as they
expected, there 10 no reason to distrust
the wisdom Of his Msjessy's decision
That decision was promptly complied
with BY Chill, when int .ligence in re =
gard to it reached that country. The
Joint commission under the act Of the
last session, for carrying into effect the
convention with power on the subject
Of claims, has been organized At Lima,
and is engaged in the business eptrust
ed to it. Difficulties concerning interi-
or Oceanic transit through Nicaragua are
in course Of am'cable adjustment in con-
formity with the principles set for them
in my last annual message. have re-
ceived representatives from the U. s. Of
Columbia, and have credited Minister
TO that Republic.
Incidents occurring in the progress of
our civil war have forced upon my atten
ton the uncertain state of the lnterDa.
ito u question, to wit: the rights Of for
eigners in this country and of United
States citizens abroad. In regard to
some governments their rights are at
least partially defined BY treaties. 10 no
instance is it expressly stipulated that in
the instance of civil war, foreigner re.
siding in this country, within the lines of
insurgents, is to be exempted from the
rule which classes him as beIligerent,
in whose behalf the government Of his
country cannot express any privileges or
immunities distinct from that character.
regret to say, however, that such claims
have been put forward, and in some in
stances, in behalf of foreigners who have
lived in the United States the greater
part of their lives. There is resson to
believe that maov persons, born in for
eign countries, who have declared their
intention to become citizens, or Who
have been fully naturalized, have evadeJ
the military duty imposed on them by
DENYING the fact, aud thereby throwing
upon the government the burden Of
nroof. It hes been difficult or imprscti-
cable to obtain this proof from the want
Of guides to the proper sources Of inf,r-
NATION. These might be supplied BY
requiring the clerks of courts, where
declar atoms of intention may be made
or naturalization effected, to sent period.
icallv. the lists Of names Of persons nat
ural;zed or declaring their intention to
become ci,izeos, to tue Secretary Of the
Interior, iu whose department these
names must be arranged and printed for
......, ;rrormati0u. There Is also rea