Daily national Republican., 1863-12-09
Presidents Message.

TeecNSMtteS.
Another year Of health, and Of sufficiently
abundant hirvests, has passed. For thcse, e,and
especially for the improved condition OF our
national Affairs, our renewed and profoundest
gratitude to Col Ia due.
We remain In peace and friendship with for
slgn powss.
The efforts Of disloyal citizens of the United
States TO involve us In foreign wars, to aid an
inexcusable lnsurrection, have been unavailing.
Her Britannia MaIestv's government, as was
Justly expected, have exercised their authority
TO prevent the departure OF new hostile erpedl-
tions from British ports. The Emperor Of
France has, by a like proceeding, promptly
vindicsted the neutrality which he proclaimed
at the beginning of tho contest. Questions Of
great intricacy and importance have arisen
out Of the blockade, and other belligerent ops.
rations, between the government and several
Of the maritime powers, but they have been
discussed, and, as far as was possible, accom-
modated In a spirit of frankness, Justice, and
mutual good will. II Is especially gratifying
that our prize courts, by the impartiality OF
their adjudicatiens, have commanded the res
pect 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 been duly ratified, anG
carried into execution. 1t Is believed that, so
far ns American ports and American citizens
are concerned, that inhuman and odious traffic
has been brought to an end.
/ shall submit, for the consideration Of the
Senate, n convention for the adjustment Of
possessory claims in Washington Territory,
arising out OF the treaty of the 18th June, 1s46,
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 country.
A novel and important question, involving
the extent Of the maritime Jurisdiction Of Spain
in the waters which surround tho island Of
Cuba, has been debated without reaching an
agreement, and 1t Is proposed, in an amicable
spirit, to refer 1t IN the arbitrament Of friend
ly Power. A convention for that purpose will
he submitted to the Senate.
have thought II proper, subject to the ap-
proval OF the Senate, to concur with the in
terested commercial powers In an arrangement
for the liquidation Of the Scheldt dues upon
the principles which have been heretofore
adopted In regard to the imposts upon naviga-
lion In the waters OF Denmark.
The 'opg-pending controversy between this
government and that OF Chill, touching the
seizure at Sitana, In Peru, by Chilian officers,
of large amount OF treasure belonging to cit
izcns 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 examinee 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 rea-
son to distrust tine wisdom of his Majest s de-
cisiou. That decision was promptly complied
with by Chilli, when intelligence in regard 10 it
reached that county.
The joint commission, under the act of the
last session, for carrying into effect the con-
ventlon with Peru on the subject Of claims,
has been organized at Lima, and is engaged in
the business intrusted to It.
Difficulties concerning inter. oceanic transit
through Nicaragua are in course of amicable
adjustment.
In conformity with principles set forth in my
last annual m"sssge, have received a repre-
sentative from the United States Of Columbi A,
and have accredited minister to that republic.
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 al
least partially defined treaties. In no instance
however. Is it expressly stipulated that, In the
eveut of a civil war, foreigner residing In this
Conntry, within the lines of the insurgents. IL
to be exempted from the rule which classes
him as a heligcromt, In whose behalf the gov.
erpment of his country cannot expect any priv
ileges or immunities distinct from that charac
ter. | regret to say, however, that such claims
have heen put forward, and, in some instances
in behalf of foreigners who have lived In tn,
United States the greater part of their lives.
There Is reason TO believe that many person'
horn in foreign countries, who have declared
their intention to become citizens, or who hav,
been fully naturalizrd, have cvaded the militia
~ duty required of them by denying the fact
and thereby throwing upon the Government
the burden Of proof. 1t has been found dill
cult or inpracticahle to Obtain this proof iron
want of yIiides to the proper sources of inform
alton. These might be supplied by requirin!
clerks of courts. where declarationt OF inten
ton may be made or naturalizations effected
to send, periodically, lists of the names of tn
persons naturaliZed or declaring their intention
to become citizeLs, to the Secretary of the In
terror, In whose department those names nigh
he arranged and printed for general informa
ton.
frequently hecOme citizens of the United States 10
the sole purpose of evsding duties Imposed b. tb
coming naturalized here, they a. once repair, and
though never relurning 70 the United States, the.
still claim the Interpolation of thls Government Al
citi7sns. Many alterestions and great prejudice
have heretofore arisen out Of this abuse. II Is
therefore, submitted to your serious considera
tion. 1t might be advisable 70 FIX a limit, beyou'
which no citizen Of the united States residin
abroad msy claim the interposition OF his Govern
ment.
and exercised by aliens, under pretences OF Datu
Taliystion, which they have disavowed whei
drafted iItn the militafp service. submit th
expediency Of sued an amendment OF the law Al
will AXE the fact Of voting an estoppel agains
any plea OF exemption from military service, o
In common with other wrstern powers, our re
lations with Japan have been brought intu seriou
jeopardy, through the prrverse opposition OF th'
heredi:nry aristOcracy Of the empire to the en-
lghtened and liberal policy of the Tycoon, l!esRn
ed to bring the csuutry into the society OF nations
II 10 hoped, although not with entire confidence
that these difficulties may he peacefully overcome
ask your attention tn the claim OF the mlnlste
residing there for the damages he sustained in tn,
destruction Uy fire OF the resence Of the legation
at Yedo.
Satisfactory arrangements have heen made with
the Emperor Of Russia, which, II is Lelieved, vii
reiut IN eftecting con Dtinuous line OF telegraph
through that empire from our Pacific coast
Irecsmmend to your favorable consideration the
subject OF an international Telegraph acIOss the
Atlantic o,ean and also Of telegraph between
this capital and the national forts along the Allan
tic sea hoard and the Gulf of Mexico. Such com
municstions, established with any Reasonable out
lay, would be economical AS wOii as effective atls
TO the diplomatic, military, and naval service.
The consular system Of the United StAtes, under
the enActments OF the last Congress, beSins to b'
selfsustaining; and there Is reason to hope tha
1t may become entirely so, with the increase o
trade which Will ensue whenever peace 70 restored
Our ministers abroad have heen faithful In defend
Ing American rights. In projecting Commercial
Interests our consuls have necessarily had 10 en-
counter increased lnbors and grow
ing out OF the war. These they have, ior the mos
part, met and discharged with zeal and efficiency
This acknowledgment Justly includes those con
suls who, residing In Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, ia
pan, China, and other oriental cOu ntries, arr
charged with complex functions and extraordinary