The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-10
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Fsio,o- Citizens Of the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatires:
Another wear of health and of sufficient.
" abundant harvests has passed for these
and especially for the improved condition
of our National affairs, our renewed ana
profound gratitude to God is due. We re-
main in peace and friendship with foreign
powers. The efforts of disloyal citizens OF
the United States to involve US in foreign
wars to aid in inexcusable insurrection, have
been unavailing. Her Britanic Majesty's
Government as was Justly expected, have
exercised their authority to prevent the de.
parture of new hostile sxped'
itions from 8 British ports. The
Emperor of France has by like
proceeding promptly, indicated the neutral.
ity which he proclaimed at the beginning OF
the contest. Questions of great intricacy
and importance have arisen out Of the block.
ade and other beligerent questions between
the Govssnmedt and several ofthe maratime
powers, but they have been discussed, and
90 far as was possible, accommodated In a
spirit of frankness and justice, and mutual
good will. 1t is especially gratifying that
our prize courts, by the impartialitY of their
adjudicature, have commanded the respect
aud confidence of national 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 April last, has been duly
ratified and carried into effect. 1t is be-
lieyed that SO far as American ports
and American citizens are concerned,
that inhuman and barbarous practice has
been brought to an end. 1 shall submit for
the consideration of the Senate conven-
ton for the adjustment of possessory claims
in Washington territory arising out OF the
treaty Of the 18th Of June, 1916, between
the United States and Great Britain, and
which have been the source of some disquiet
among the citizsns of that now rapidly i'm
proving part of the country. A novel and i'm
portant question involving the extent of
the maritime jurisdiction of Spain in
the waters which sarround the Island Of
Cuba has been debated without reaching
an agreement and it is proposed in an Amer
lean spirit to refer it to the arbitrament of
q friendly power. A convention for that
purpose will be submitted to the Senate. /
have thought it proper subject to the ap-
proval of the Senate to concur with the in
terssted commercial powers in an arrange
ment for the liquidation of the scheduled
dues upon the principles which have been
heretofore adopted in regard to the i'm
posts upon navigation in the waters
of Denmark. The long pending contro-
versy between this Government and that
of Chill, to urge tho seizure at Silana, in
Peru, by Chilian officers of large amount
in treasure, belonging to citizens Of the U. 8.
has been brought to close by the award of
His Majesty, the King of the Belgians, to
whose arbitrament the question was re-
fsrred by the parties. The subject was
thoroughly and patiently examined by that
j Justly respected Majesty and although the
sum awarded to the claimants may not have
been as large as they expected yet there is
no reason to distrust the wisdom of His Ma
jesty's decision. That decision was prompt
ly complied with by Chill, and when the
intelligence in regard to it reached that
country the joint commission under the act
of the last session for carrying into effect,
the convention with Peru on the
subject of claims had been organized at
Lima, and is engaged ia the business en-
trusted to it. Difficulties concerning inter
oceanic transit through Nicarauga are in
course of amicable adjustment in conformi
ty with the principles set forth in my last
annual message. have received represen-
tatives from the United States of Columbia,
and have credited minister to that repub-
lie.
Incidents occurring in the progress of
our civil war have forced upon my attention
the uncertain state ofthe international ques
ton touching the rights of foreigners in
this country and of United States citizeus
abroad. In regard to some governments
these rights are at. least partly defined by
treaties. In no instance, however, is it eX'
pressly stipulated that in the instance of
civil war, q foreigner residing in this c0un-
try, within the lines of the insurgents ia to
be exempted from the rule which classes
him as belligerent, in wfose behalf the
government of his country cannot express
any privileges or immunities distinct from
that character. regret to say, however,
that such claims have been put forward and
in some instances in behalf of foreigners
who have lived in the United States the
greater part of their lives.
There is reason to believe that many per-
sons born in foreign countries, who have
declared their intention to become citizens,
or who have been fully naturalized, have
evadsd the military duty required Of them
by denying the fact, thereby throwing up
on the Government the burden of proof
1t has been found difficult or impracticable
to obtain this proof from the want of guides
to the proper sources of information. These
might be supplied by requiring tho clerks
of courts. where declarations ..of intention
may be made, or naturalization effected, to
send periodical lists of the names of per-
sons naturalized, or declaring their inten
ton to become citizens, tc the Secretary of
the Interior, In whose department these
names must be arranged or printed for gen
eral information.
There is also reason to believe that for
eigners frequently become citizens of the
United States for the sole purpose of svad-