The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Ftllov Citizens Of the Senate, and Rou,.
of Representatives:

L
| Another year Of health and Of suff
cisntly abundant harvest has passed. Fc
these and especially for the improve
condition Of our national affairs. our re
newed and profound gratitude to God
due. We remain in peace and friend
ship with foreign powers. The efforI
OF disloyal citizens of the United State
to involve US in foreign wars, to aid j
execrable insurrectioa, has been unavail
ing. Her Brittanic Majesty's Govern
ment as was justly expected, have exer
cised their authority to prevent the de
parture Of hostile expeditions from Brit
ish ports. The Emperor of France ha
by like proceeding promptly vindica
ted the neutrality which he proclaimed
at the beginning Of the contest. Ques
tons of great intricacy and importance
have arisen out of the blockade and 9th
er beligerent operations, between th'
Government and several Of the Maritime
Powers /; but they have been discussed
and so far as was possible acknowledged
in spirit Of frankness. justice. and mu
tual good will. 1t is especially crafty
ing that our prize courts by the impair
tiality of their adjudication. have com
maDded the respect and confidence Of
the Maritime Powers.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Britain, for the
suppression Of the African slave trade
made on the 17th day of February last
has been daily ratified and carried into
operation 1t is believed that so far as
American ports and American citizens
are concerned. that inhuman and barbar
Gus traffic has been brought to an end
shall submit for the consideration oI
the Senate convention for the adjust
ment Of possessors claims in Washing
ton territory arising out Of the treaty Of
the 18th Of June. 1916. between the
United States and Great Britain, which
have been the source Of some disquiei
among the citizens Of that now rapidly
improving part Of the country. A nov
ell and important question, involving the
extent Of The maritime juris fiction OF
Spain in the waters which surround the
Island Of Cuba has been debated without
reaching an agreement. and it is propo
posed. in an amicable spirit to refer il to
the arbitration Of friendly powers. A
convention for that purpose will be cub
mitted.
I have thought, it proper subject to
the approval Of the Senate, to concur
with the interested commercial powers in
an arrangement for the liquidation OF the
Scheldt question upon the principles
which have been heretofore adopted in
regard to the imposts upon navigation in
the waters OF Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this government and that Of Chill. touch
ing the seizure at Silano. in Peru by
the Chilian officers. Of large amount in
treasure, belonging TO citizens of the
Uried States, has been brought to a
close by the award of his Majesty. the
King OF the Belgians. TO whose arbitra
ton the question was referred by the par
ties. The subject was thoroughly and
patiently examined by tha, justly res
pecled magistrate at Chough. The sum
awarded to the claimants may not have
been as large as they expected. There
is no reason TO distrust the wisdom OF
his majesiy's decision. That decision
was promptly complied with by Chill
when the intelligence in regard to il
reached tha, country. The joint Com,
mission under the act of the last session
for carrying into effect the Convention
with Peru on the subject of claims. has
been organized at Lima and is engaged
in the business entrusted to it.
The difficulties concerning inter oce
anic transit through Nicaragua are in
course of amicable adjustment. In con
formity with the principles set forth in
nv last annual message. | have received
a Representative from the United States
OF Columbia, and have accredited Min
lister to that Republic. Incidents occur
ring in the progress OF our civil war.
have forced upon my attention the un-
certain state Of international questions
touching the rights OF foreigners in this
country, and Of United States citizens
abroad. In regard to some governments,
their rights are at least partially defined
by treaties. In no instance. however, ia
it expressly stipulated that on the in.
stance Of civil war, foreigner residing
in this country within the lines OF the
insurgents is to be exempted from the
rule which classes him as a beligerent in
whose behalf tie government of his
country cannot express any privileges oil
immuniiies direct from that character. |
regret 20 say, however. that such claim.
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 reason to believe that many
persons born in foreign countries, whc
have declared their intention TO becom,
citizens. or who have been fully natural
ICED. have evaded the military duty re
qured Of them by declaring The fact ane
thereby throwing upon the Governmen
The burden OF proof. II has been iounc
difficult or imprac ,icsble to obtain lhi
proof from the want of guides to Il
proper sources OF information. Thes,
might be supplied by requiring th'
clerks OF courts. where declarations Of in
tsn.ion may be made or naturalization
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