The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-12-18
Presidents Message.

Fello,o-citizens Of tie Senate and House Of
Representatives,
Another year of health and sufficiently
abundant haryests has passed. For these,
and especially for the improved condition Of
our national affairs, our renewed and pro-
found gratitude to God is own. 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 inexcusable instruction, having been UNI
availing, Her Britannia Majesty5s Govern
ment, 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 pro-
ceeding, promptly indicated 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 belligerent operations between the Coy
eminent and several of the maritime Powers.
but they have been discussed and, SO far as
was possible, accommodated in spirit of
frankness, justice, and mutual good will. 1t
is especially gratifying that our prize courts,
by the impartiality Of their authorizations,
have commanded the respect and confidence
of maritime Powers.
The supplemental treaty between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain, for the suppress
sion of the African slave trade, made on the
18th day of February last, has been duly rat
fled and carried into execution. 1t is be-
lieyed that, so far as American ports and
American citizens are concerned, that inhu-
man and odious traffic has been brought to
an end.
shall submit for the consideration of the
Senate convention for the adjustment of
possessory claims in Washington Territory,
arising out of the treaty of the 18th of June,
1864, between the United States and Great
Britain, and which have been the source of
some disquiet among the citizens of that now
rapidly improving part of the country.
A novel and 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
an agreement, and it is proposed, in an ami
cable spirit, to refer it to the arbitrament Of
a friendly Power A convention for that
purpose will be submitted to the Senate.
have thought it proper, subject to the an
proval of the Senate, to concur with the in
terested 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 imports upon
navigation in the waters of Denmark. The
long-pending controversy between this Gov
eminent and that of Chill, touching the seizure
of Silana in Peru, by GILLIAN officers. of a
large amount in treasure belonging to citi-
zens Of the United States, has been brought
to a 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
examined by that justly respected magistrate
and, although the sum awarded to the claim.
ants may not have been so large as they ex
pected, there is no reason to distrust the wis
dom of his Majesty's decision. That decision
was promptly complied with by Chilli when
intelligence in regard to it reached that coun
try
The joint commission under the act of tn,
last session for carrying into effect tho con
vention with Peru, on the subject of claims
has been organized at Lima, and is engaged
in the business entrusted to it.
| difficulties concerning inter-oceanic transit
through Nicarauga are in course of amicabls
adjustment. In conformity with principles
set forth in my last annual message, hav,
received a representative from the United
States of Columbia, and have credited min
lister to that republic. ~