Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-12-16
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Another yearol healIn.anO OF suIucleht-
ly abundant harvests has passed For
these and especially for the improved con-
dition of cur national affairs, ourrenewed
and profound gratitude to God Is due
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Weremain in peace and friendship with
foreign powers. The efforts OF disioyal
citizens of the United States 10 involve us
in foreign wars 10 aid in inexcusable in
surreetion. have been unayalllne. Her
Britanic Maiesty's Government, as was
Justly expected, have exercised their au-
thority 10 prevent the departure OF new
hostile expeditions from British ports
The Emperor of France has by a like pro
ceeding promptly indicated the neutrality
which he proclaimed at the beginning of
the contest. Questions of great intricacy
and Importance have arisen out OF the
blockade and other belligersnt operations
between the Government and several OF
the maritime powers. but they have been
discussed. and so far as was possible ac-
commodated in a spirit Of frankness, Jus
tice and mutual good will. II is especial
ly gratifying that our prize courts, by the
impartiaIity of their adjudication, have
commanded the respect and confidence
of maritime powers.
The supplemental treaty between the
United States and Great Britain for the
suppresslon of the African slave trade
made on the 18th day OF February last has
been duly ratified and carried into ezecu-
ton. Il is believed that so far as Amer
lean ports and American citizens are con-
cerned that inhuman and barbarious trat-
fic has been brought 20 an end.
shall submit for the consideration OF
the Senate convention for the ADJUST
ment of possessory claims in Washington
Territory, arising out of the treaty of the
18th of June, 1876, 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, lnVolV-
ing the extent of the maritime jurisdic-
ton of Spain in the waters which sur
round the Island of Cuba, has been de-
bated without reaching an agreement, and
it is proposed in an amicable spirit to re-
fer il to the arbitratement of a friendly
power. A convention for that purpose
will be submitted 10 the Senate.
have thought it proper TO subject to
the approval of the Senate, to concur with
the interested commercial powers In an
arrangement for the liquidation OF the
Scheldt dues upon the principles which
have been heretofore adopted IN regard
to the imports upon navigation in the
waters of Denmark.
The long pending controversy between
this Government and that of Chill touch
ing the seizure at Silana, in Peru, by
Chilian officers of large amount in treas
ure belonging to citizens of the United
States has been brought to q close, by the
award of his Majesty the King of the Bel
gians, to whose arbitration the question
was referred by the parties The subject
was thoroughly and patiently examined
by that justly respected magistrate, and
although the sum awarded 10 the claim
ants may not have been IS large as they
expected, there is no reason to distrust
/ the wisdom of his Msjesty's decision
! That decision was promptly complied with
| bv Chill, when intelligence in regard to II
reached that 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 diff
fculties concerning inter-oceanIc transit
\ through Nicaragua are IN course OF annie
able adjustment, in conformity with prin'
ciples set forth in my last Annual Mes
sage. | have received Representative
| from the United States of Columbia, and
have credited Minister to that Republic
Incidents occurring in the progress OF ouI
civil war have forced upon my attention
the uncertain state of the international
question touching the rights of foreigners
4 in this country and of the United States
citizens abroad. In regard to some gov
ernments these rights are at least partlal
" defined by treaties. In no instance
| however, it is expressly stipulated that II
the instance of civil war foreigner resi-
ding in this country, within the lines o
! the insurgents, is TO exempted from the
rule which classes him as a bellgerent, II
! whose behalf the Government OF his coun
try cannot express any privileges or I'M
munities distinct from that character
/ I regret to say, however, that such claims
have been put forward, and in some IN
stances in behalf of foreigners who have
] lived in the United States the greatel
part of their lives. There is reason to be
iieve that many persons born in foreigr
countries, who have declared their inten
tions to become citizens, or who have beer
fully naturalized, have eyaded the militia
ry duty required of them by denying The
fact, and thereby throwing upon the Gov
ernment the burden of proof. It has beer
found difficult or impracticable to Obtain
this proof from the want of guides 10 tn
proper sources of information. Thes'
might be supplied by requiring the Clerk
of Courts, where declarations of intention
NAV be made or naturalization effected
to send periodically, lists of the names O
persons naturalized, Or declaring their in
ton to become citizens, to the Secretar,
of the Interior, in whose department
these names must be arranged and print
ed for general information. There ar
: reasons TO believe that foreigners frequent
ly become citizens of the United State
for the sole purpose of evading the dutie
imposed by the laws of their native cour
= try, TO which in becoming naturalize
here, they at once repair, and never rt
!" I turning to the United States, they sti
claim the interposition of the Government
as citizens. Many aitercations and gres
prejudice have heretofore arisen out {
! this abuse. It is therefore submitted t
: your serious consideration. 1t might /
GlNlshUlc W Tic ONlO444 NAA~
no citizen of the United States, residin
abroad, may claim the interposition of b
Government. The right of suffrage hs
:, often been assumed and exercised by a
4 lens under pretense Of naturalization
which they have disavoHed when drafte
into the military service. | submit th
expediency of such an amendment of til
: Laws as viii make the fact of voting a
/. estopple against any plea of exemptio
! from military service or other civil oblig'
ton, on the grounds of alienage.
In common Of other Western Power
our relations with Japan have been bro
: into serious jeopardy through the pc
: verse opposition Of the hereditary aristo'
racy of the Empire to the enlightene
and liberal policy of the Tycoon, designe
to bring the country into the society {
/ nations. II is to be hoped, although nc
!. with entire confidence, that these dificu
: ties may be peacefully overcome. | as
l.-o,,, =, ~ a,{;ov. "a ffa Minister razidiu