Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1863-12-16
Presidents neSSaGe.

Fs2o.e citizens Of he .Se7sate and Ho,ae Of
Representatives.
Another year Of health and OF sufficiently
abundant harvests has passed. For these,
andsespecialIy for the improved condition Of
our national affairs, our renewed and pro-
found gratitude to God is due.
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
We remain in peace and friendship with
foreign powers. The efforts of disloyal citi
zens of the United States to involve US ia
foreign war to aid on an inexcusable insur-
rection have been unavailing. Her
Brittanic Majesty's Government, as was justly
expected have exercised their authority to
preyent the departure CT new hostile expe-
ditions from British ports The Emperor of
France has, by like proceeding, promptly
indicated the neutrality which he proclaimed
at the beginning of the contest.
Questions of great intrcacy and importance
have arisen out OF the blockade and other
belligerent operations, between this Govern
ment and several of the maritime powers,
but they have been discussed, and, far
was possible, accommodated il the spirit Of
frankness, Justice, and mutual good viii. 1t
is especially gratifying that our prize courts,
by the impartiality Of their adjudieations,
have commanded the respect and confidence
of other maritime powers.
ed States aud Great Britain for the suppress
sion of the African slave trade, made on the
9TH day of February last, has been duly
ratified ard carried into execution. Ii is be-
Iieved, so far as American ports and Amerl-
can citizens are concerned, that this inhuman
and barbarous traffic has been brought TO
an end.
/ shall submit for the consideration OF the
Senate, the adjustment of the possessory
r.. -
the treaty of the 9Th of June, 1876, between
the United States and Great Britain, which
have been the sources Of some disquieI among
the citizens of that now rapidly improving
part of our country.
a novel and important question, involving
the extent OF the maritime jurisdiction OF
Spain in the waters which surround the Is
land OF Cuba, has been debated without
reaching agreement, and it is proposed,
in an amicable spirit, to refer 1t TO the arbi-
tration Of friendly power. A convention
for that purpose will be submitted to the
Senate.
| have thought Il proper TO submit 10 the
approval of the Senate, 10 concur with the
interested commercial powers III an arrange
ment for the liquidation of the Scheldt dues,
upon the principles which have been hereto
fore adopted in regard 10 the imposts upon
navigation in the waters of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between this
Government and that OF Chill, touching the
seizure at Salina, Peru, by Gillian officers, OF
a large amount in treasure belonging to citi-
zcns 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
examined by that justly respected monarch
and, although the sum awarded to the claim
ants may not have been as large rs they eX-
pected, there IS no reason TO distrust the Wis
dom OF His Majesty's decision. That decis-
ion was promptly complied with by Chill,
when intelligence IN regard To 1t reached that
The Joint Commission, under the act Of
the last session, Tor carrying INTO effect the
with Peru on the subject OF
claims has been organized at Lima and is
engaged in the business entrusted to it.
Difficulties concerning the oceanic transit
through Nicaragua are IN course of ami
cable adjustment, Ia conformity with the prin-
ciples set forth in my last annual message.
| have received a representative from the
United States of Columbia, and have accred-
tied minister to that Republic
CONCERNING ALIENS
Incidents occurring III the progress of our
civil 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 1t expressly stipulated
hat on the instance OF civil war foreigner
residing in this country, within the lines of
the insurgents Is TO be exempted from tie
rule which classes him as beiligereut, i'm
whose behalf the government of his country
cannot expect any privileges or immuuitics
distinct from that character
/ regret to say, however, that uch claims
have been put forward, and in some instances
IN behal; of foreigners who have lived IN the
United States the greater part of their lives.
There Is reason - believe that many persons,
born IN foreign countries, who have declared
their intention To become citizens, or who
have been fully naturalized, have evaded the
military duty required OF them, by denying
the fact, and thereby throwing upon the Gov
ernmcnt the burden a proof. 1t has been
found difficult or ImpracJicable 10 obtain this
proof from the want OF guides TO the proper
sources OF information. These might 3, sup
Piled by requiring the Clerks OF Courts, wher,
declaration OF intention may be made, or nat
urahzation effected. TO send periodically list
OF the names OF persons naturahzed or dcclur
ing their intention TO become citizens to tn,
NtNAtAAAA tl NltC lAiAtAlOG, III " tltSt ut lsti 1
Inent these names must be arranged and priu
ted tor general information
There = also reason 10 believe that for
,igners frequently become citizers OF tn
United States for the sole purpose OF evadin,
the duties imposed by the laws of their sey
eral countries, to which, On becoming natu
rallied, they II once repair, and thong
never returning to the United States the
still claim the Interposition of the govern
mcnt a. citizens Many alterations am
great prejudices have heretofore arisen on
OF this abuse. Ii is therefore submitted I
your serious consideration. Ii might be az
visable To fix limit beyond which no citize
ct the United States, residing abroad ma
claim the interposition of the government
The right of suffrage has often been As
summed and exercised 10y aliens under the pr,
tence Of naturalization which they have iii.
syowed when drafted into the military SCI
vice. | submit the expediencv of such q
amendment of the laws a. will make the f.,
OF voting an eStoppI against any plea of e.
emption from military service, or ether civ
obligations, on the ground OF aljenagc
JAPAN.
In common with other Western power,
our relations with Japan have been brouel
into serious jeopardy through the pervrrs
opposition of the hereditary aristocracy q
that empire to the enlightened and Hbers
policy Of the Tycoon, designed to bring tn
country into the society OF nations Ii is I