The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-11
1,Issr.r ii,s srpr,.s,y fer The Louls'Irs Journal
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Kr7os. cassas ofas Senate

neWfd and yfOiOuno graItuoe 70 Uou ID
das. We remain in peace and friendship
With foreign powers. The efforts Of dis
lovsl citizens OF the United States to in.
v5iso as in foreign wars, to aid in their
iaexcussbie Instruction, have been una
gAiling. Her Britannia Msjesty's Gov
srnnrnt, a. was Justly expected, have
exercised their authority to prevent the
departure Of new hostile expeditions
from British ports. The Emperor OF
France has by alike proceeding promptly
indicated ihe neutrality which be pro-
claimed at the beginning Of the contest
Questions Of great intrieacy and impor-
lance haze arisen out of the blockade and
other bsIgiserent operations between the
government AID several of the maritime
powers, but they have been discussed,
and. 80 far as was possible, hccOmmoda-
ts }, in a spirit Of iTankBess, justice, and
mutual good will.
II Is especially gratifying that our
prize courts by the imparliality of their
adjudication, have commando the re-
sDect and confidence OF maritime powers.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Britain for the
Suppression Of the African slave trade,
made on the 18th day Of February last,
has bssn duly ratified and carried into
execution. It's believed, that, 50 far IS
American ports and American citizens
are concerned, the inhumsa and barba-
rous fEafic has been brought 70 an end.
shall submit for the consideration of
the Senate . convention for the adjust
ment Of pofsessory claims in Washing
ton Territory, arising out Of the treaty
of the 15lh Of June, 1916, between the
United States and Great Britain, and
which have been the source Of some dis
quiet among the citizens of that now
rapidly improving part Of the couRtry.
A novel and important question, in
volVing the extent of the maritime juris-
diclion Of Spain in the waters which
surround The leland Of Cuba, has been
debated without reaching an agreement,
and il is proposed in an smicable spirit
TO refer it to the arbiirament Of friend
+ " power. a convention for that pur-
pose will be submitted TO the Senate. l
have thou. ht il proper, subject TO the APP
proval Of the Senate, to concur with the
interested Commercial powers in an ar
raDgement for the liquidation of the
Schtldt dues upon the principles which
have been heretofore adopted ia regard
70 the imposes upon navigation in the
waters of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this Government snd that OF Chill, touch
ing the seizure at Silans, in Peru, by
CHILEAN oflicers, Of large amount in
treasure belonging TO citizens of the
United States, has been brought to q
close by the award of his majesty the
King Of the Btlgians, 10 whose arbitra
ton the question was referred by the
parties. The subject was thoroughly and
patiently examined by that justly re-
sptctrd magistrate, and although the
sum awarded 10 the claimants may not
hsve been as large as they expected,
thtre is no reason 10 distrust the wisdom
Of his Majesty's decision. The decision
was promptly complied with by Chill
when the intelligence reached that coun-
try. The Joint commission, under the
act OF she last session, for carrying into
effect the convention with Peru on the
subject Of clzimF, has been organic ID al
Lima, and is engaged iSeyhe business en-
trusted foit. Difficulties concerning in
erpationai-trAnsit through Nicaragua
sre in course of amicable adjustmentin
conformity wi th the principles set forth
In my last annual message.
have received . representative from
the United States of Colombis, 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 international
questions touching the rights Of foreign
ers in this country and Of United States
citizens abroad.
10 regard TO some governments these
rights are at least partially defined by
treaties In no instance, however, is it
expressly stipulated that in the enc in
glance Of civil war foreigner residing
in this country within the lines of the in
surgents is 70 be exempted from the rule
which classes him as q belligeTeht, in
whose behalf the Government of his
country cannot expect any privileges or
fmmunities from that character.
regret 20 say, however, that such
claims have been put forward, and, in
some instances in behslf Of foreigners
who have lived in the United States the
greater par. Of their lives. There is
reason to believe that many persons born
IN foreign countries who have declared
their intention 10 become citizens, or who
have been fully naturalized, have evaded
the military duty required of them By
denying the fact, thereby throwing upon
the Government the burden Of proof
Ithas been found difficult or imprscti-
cable to obtain this proof from the want
Of guides 10 the proper sources Of iDfor-
nation. These might be supplied by
requiring the clerks Of courts where de-
clarStiobs Of intention may be made to
send periodically lists Of the names of
persons nttursized or declaring their
intention 10 become citizens 10 the Sec
retary OF the Interior, in whose depart
nent these names must be arranged and
printed for general information.
There is also reason to believe that
FOREIGNERS frequently become citizens Of
the United States for the sole purpose Of
eevaoing the duties imposed by. the laws
oi tneir native country, 20 which, in be-
coming naturalized here, they at once
TsPan, and, though never returning to the
United States, they still claim the in
deposition Of the Government as citizens.
many alterations and great prejudice
Isve therefore arisen out of this abuse.
= - therefore submitted 10 your serious
sonsiGera ration. Il might be advisable TO
TX limit beyond which no citizen Of
me United States, residing abroad, may
cain ,I. 'he intsrposition Of his Government
Inc right Of suffrage has often been
assumed and exercised BY aliens under
pretense Of naturalization, which they
have disavowed when drafted into tie
military service. Isubmil the expedi-
eney Of such an amendment Of the laws
aswill make The fact Of voting an eslop-
pei against any plea Of exs mption from
military service, or other clvil obligation,
On grounds OF aliensge.
In eommOa with other Western powers,
our relations with japan have been
brought in FERROUS jeopardy, through the
psrverss opposition Of the hereditary
sristOcracy Of dc Empire to the eniight-
sned and lbessI policy Of the Tycoon,
drsiEnar a. frfa., ebn .-r..s.-y fofn she