The Portland daily press., 1863-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellow-c,tizens of the Senate

and House Of Representatives.,
Another year OF health and sufficiently
abundant haryests has passed. For these, and
especially the improved condition OF our ma
tional affairs, our renewed and profoundest
gratitude to God is due. We remain in peace
and friendship with foreign powers. The ef-
forts of dsloyal citizens of the United States
to Involve as in foreign war to aid an mex
cusable instruction, have been unavailinS
Her Britanic Majesty's government, as was
Justly expected have exercised their authori-
ty to prevent the departure OF new hostile ex-
petitions from British ports.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The supplemental treaty between the Unit
| ed States and Great Britain Tor the suppress
sion of the African slave trade, made on the
18th day of February last, has been duly rati-
fed and carried into execution. 1t is be-
lieved that so far as American ports and
American citizens are concerned that the i'll
human and odous traffic has been brought
to an end. shall submit for the consdera
ton of the Senate, convention for the adj
justment of possessary claims in Washington
territory, arising out of the treaty of June,
1916, 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 Ia the waters which surf ound the island
OF Cuba, has been debated without reaching
an agreement, and 1t is proposed to refer it to
the arbitration of friendly power A conven-
ton for that purpose will be submitted to the
Senate.
The Emperor of France has by like pro-
ceedng, 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 be ligerent operations between the gov
eminent and several of the maritime powers,
| but they have been discussed and as far as
| was possible accommodated in spirit of
| frankness, justice and mutual goodwill. 1t
is especially gratifying that our prize courts,
by the impartia!ity of their adjudications,
have commanded the respect and confidence
of maritime powers.
have thought it proper, subject to the ap-
proval of the senate, to concur with the inter-
ested commercial powers in an arrangement
for the liquidation of the dues, upon the princi-
Piles 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, touching the
seizure at Litania, Peru, by Gillian officers,
of large amount in treasure belonging to cit
liens 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 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 distrust the wisdom OF
His Majesty's decision. That decision was
promptly complied with by Chill when intel
ligence in regard to it reached that coun-
try. The Joint Commission 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, andis en-
gagged in the business entrusted to it. Dill
culties concerning inter-oceanic transit
through Nicaragua are in course of amicable
adjustment In conformity with the princi-
Piles set forth ia my last annual message,
have received a representative from the Unit
ed States Of Columbia, and have accredited
Minister to that Republic.
FOREIGN RESIDENTS.
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 aud of United States citizens abroad. In
regard to some States, their rights are at least
partially defined by treaties. In no instance,
however, is it expressly stipulated that in the
event of civil war foreigner residing in this
NOuutiyt illIS VI tic llsuT StuLS, ID
to be exempted from the rule which classes
him as belligerent, on whose behalf the gov
eminent of his country cannot expect any
privileges or immunties distinct from that
character l regret to say, however, that
such claims have been put forward, and, in
some instances, on behalf of foreigners who
have lived in the United States the greater
part of their lives.
There is reason to believe that many per-
l.A.t, I'D l..
clared their intention to become citizens, and
who have become fully naturalized, have eyad-
ed the military duties required of them by
denying the fact, thereby throwing upon the
government the burden of proof 1t has been
found difficult or impractcable TO obtain this
proof, from the want Of guides to the proper
sources Of information. These might be sup
piled by requiring Clerks of Courts, where
declaration of intention may be made or nat
publications effected, to send, periodically, lists
OF the names of the persons naturaized or
declaring their intention to become citizens,
TO the Secretary of the Interior, in whose de-
partment those names might be arranged and
printed for general Information.
There is also reason to believe that foreign
ers frequently become citizens of the United
States for the sole purpose Of evading the
duties imposed by the laws Of their native
countries, which, on becoming naturalized
ucIc, tucl Nv OHCc Ietufu, anu never re-
turning TO the U. S., still claim the intcrposi-
tion of this government as citizens Many alter
cations and great prejudices have heretofore
arisen out of this abuse. 1t is, therefore, sub
mitted TO your serious consideration. 1t might
be advisable to fix limit, beyond which no
citizen of the United States, residing abroad,
may claim the interposition of his government
The right OF suffrage has often been assumed
aud exercised by aliens, under pretence of
naturalization, which they have disavowed
when drafted into the military service.
TROUBLES IN JAPAN.
submit the expediency of such an amend
ment of the law, as will make the fact of
voting an estopel against any plea of exemp-
ton from military service, or other civil obi
cations on the ground of alienage.
In common with other western powers our re-
tons with Japan have been brought into serious
jeopardy through the previous opposition of
the hereditary aristocrats of the empire to the
enlightened and liberal policy of the Tycoon,
designed to bring the country into the society
OF nations. 1t is hoped, although not with
entire confidence, that these difficulties may be
peacefully overcome. ask your attention to
the claims Of the minister residing there for
the damages he sustained in the destruction
by fire OF the residence of the legation at
Jedo
MARINE TELEGRAPHs.
Satisfactory arrangements have been made
with the Emperor of Russia, which, ii is be-
lieved, will result in efiecting continuous line
Of telegraph through that empire from our Pa
citic coast. | recommend TO your favorable
consideration the subject of an international