Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-12-10
MOrtester 9ailg SPY,



and especially for the improved condition OF
our national affairs, our renewed and pro-
found gratitude to God is due. We remain in
peace and friendship with
FOREIGN POWERS.
The efforts of disoyal citizens of the United
States to involve us in foreign war to aid an
inexcusable instruction have been unavai-
ing. Her Britannia majesty's government as
was justly expected have exercised their au-
thouty to prevent the departure of hostile
expedition from British ports. The emperor
of France has, by like procee ling, promptly
indicated the neutrality which he proclaimed
at the beginning of the contest. Questions of
great intricacy and importance have arisen
out of the blockade and other belligerent OPP
eratons between the government and several
of the maritime powers, but they have been
discussed, and as far as was possible accOmo-
dated in spirit of frankness, justice, and mu-
tual good will. 1t is especially gratifying that
our prize courts, by the impartiality Of their
adjudications, have commanded the respect
and confidence of maritime powers.
The supplementary treaty between the
United States and Great Britain for the sup
preston of the African slave trade, made on
the 18th day of February last, has been duly
ratified and carried into execution. 1t is be-
lieved that so far as American ports and
human and odious traffic has been brought to
an end. shall submit for the consideration
of the senate convention for the adjustment
of claims in Washington territory arising out
of the treaty of the 10Th of June, 1916, be-
tween 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 country.
A novel and important question, involving
the extent of the maritime jurisdiction in the
waters which surround the island of Cuba,
has been debated without reaching an agree
ment, and it is proposed in an an,icable spirit
to refer it to the arbitrament of a friendly
power. convention for that purpose will be
submitted to the senate.
have thought it a proper subject for the
approval 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 imposts upon
navigation in the waters of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between this
government and that of Chill, touching the
seizure at Setan. in Peru, by CHILEAN officers,
of large amount of treasure belonging to
citizens of the United States, has been brought
to 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 exam
ined by that justly respected magistrate, and
although the sum awarded to the claimants
may not have been as large as they expected,
there is no reason to miStrust the wisdom of
his majesty. The decision was promptly COM
piled with by Chill when intelligence in re-
gard to it reached that country. The joint
commission under the act of the last session,
for carry ing into effect the convention with
Peru on the subject of claims, has been or
ganized at Lima, and is engaged in the bust
ness entrusted to it. Difficulties concerning
inter oceanic transit through Nicaragua are
in course OF amicable adjustment. In con-
formity with the principle set forth IN my last
annual message, L have received reprcsen-
tative from tile United States OF Columbia,
and have accredited minister to that repub-
lie.
Incidents occurring in the progress of our
civil war have forced upon my attention the
uncertain state of international questions,
touching the rights of foreigners in this coun-
try, and of United States citizens abroad. In
regard to some governments, these rights are
at least partially defined by treaties. In no
instance, however, is it expressly stipulated
that in the event of civil war foreigner re
siding in this country, within the lines of the
insurgents, is to be exempted from the rule
which classes him as belligerent, in whose
behalf the government of his country cannot
expect any privileges or immunities distinct
from that character. | regret to say, howey-
er, that such claims have been put forward,
and in some instances on behalf of foreigners
who have lived in the United States the great
er part of their lives. There is reason to be-
Geve that many persons born in foreign coun-
tries, who have declared their intention to be-
come citizens, or who have been fully natur-
allied, have evaded the military service re-
CURED of them, by denying the fact, and
thereby throwing upon the government the
burden of proof. 1t has been found difficult
or impra cticable to obtain this proof, from the
want of guides to the proper sources of inform
alton. These might be supplied, by requiring
clerks of courts where declarations of inten-
ton may be made, or naturalizations effected,
to send periodically lists Of the names OF the
persons naturalized or declaring their inten-
tons to become citizens, to the secretary
of the interior, in whose department
those names might 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 evading duties
imposed by their native countries, to which,
on becoming naturalized here, they at once
repair, and though never returning to the
United States, they still claim the interposi-
ton Of this government as citizens. Many
alterations and great prejudices have hereto
fore arisen out of this abuse.
1t is therefore submitted to your serious
consideration that it might be advisable to fix
limit beyond which no citizen of the United
States residing abroad may claim the interpo-
sitiOn of bis government. The right of suf-
frage has often been claimed and exercised
by aliens under pretensionS OF naturalization,
which they have disavowed when drafted into
the military service | submit the expedency
OF such an amendment of the law which will
make the TACT OF voting an gstoppel against
any plea OF exemption from military service
or civil service en- the ground of alienage.
In common with other western powers. our
relations with Japan have been brought into
serious jeopardy. Through the perverse on
position of the hereditary aristocracy of the
empire to the enlightened and liberal policy
Of the. Tycoon, designed to bring the country
into the society of nations, it is hoped though
not with entire confidence that these difficult
ties may be peacefully overcome. l ask your
attention to the claim of the minister residing
there, for the damages he sustained in the de-
struction by fire of the residence OF the lega-
ton at Yeddo.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made
with the emperor of Russia, which, it is be-
lieved, will result in efiecting continuous
line of telegraph through that empire, from
our Pacific coast.
GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPH LINES.
| recommend to your favorable cOnSidera-