Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-12-17
Presidents Message.

FsH08citizess or the Senate ana Ho'tSS q Lepfe-
Again the blessings of health and abundant
harvests claim our profoundest gratitude to
Almighty God.
FnREIGN AFFAIRS.
The condition Of our foreign affairs is rea-
sonably satisfactory.
Mexico continues 10 be the theatre of civil
var While our political relations with that
country have undergone no change, We nave
1t the same time strictly maintained neutraii-
" between the belligerents.
At the request of the States OF Costa hica
and Nicaragua, a competent engineer has
been authorized to make survey of the river
San Juan and the port of San Juan. Ii is
source of much satisfaction that the difficult
ties which for a moment excited some pOliti-
cal apprehensions, and caused losing of the
iuter-Oceanic transit route, have been AMIGA
DIV adjusted, and that there is a good pros
peet that the route will soon be re-opened,
With an increase of capacity and adaptation.
We could not exaggerate either the CONNER
cial or the political Importance of that great
Improvement.
il would be doing injustice to an import
ant South American State, not to acknowl-
edge the directness, frankness and cOrdiallty
with which the United States of Columbia
nave entered into intimate relations with this
Government A Claims Convention has been
constituted to complete the unfinished work
of the one which closed its session in 1861.
The new liberal Constitution of Venezuela
having gone into effect with the universal ac-
quiescenee of the people, the Government
under il has been recognized, and diplomatic
intercourse with it has been opened in cor
dial and friendly spirit. The long deferred
Avis Island claim has been satisfactorily paid
and discharged.
Mutual payments have been made in the
claims awarded by the late joint commission
for the settlement of claims between the
United States and Peru. An earnest and cor
Issl-Iriendship continues to exist between the
40 countries, and such efforts were in
M power have been used to remove misGn-
derstanding and avert a threatened war be-
.acen Peru and Spain.
our relations are of the most friendly ma
ture with Chill, the Argentine Republic, BO-
livia, Costa RieG, Paraguay, San Salvador and
Hsyti During the past year no differences
Of any kind have arisen with these Republics
AMI. on the other hand, their sympathies with
the United States are constantly expressed.
The claim arising from the seizure of the
cargo Of the brig Macedonian in 1921 has
been paid in full by the Government of Chill.
Civil war continues in the Spanish part of
san Domingo apparently without prospect
Il IN early close.
Official correspondence has been freely
opened with Liberia, aud it gives US a pleas
iag view of the social and political progress
IN that Republic 1t may be expected to de-
ne new vigOr from American influence, i'm
proved by the rapid disappearance of slavery
n lie United States I solicit your authOFi-
q t. furnish the Republic a gunboat at
npierate cost, TO be reimbursed to the Unit
Il States BIZ installmeuts. Such vessel is
needed for the safety of that State against
the native African race, and in Liberian hands
s.. would be more effective in arresting the
African slave trade than a squadron in our
,ais hands The possession OF the least Or
Eiuized naval force would stimulate a gene
rous ambition in the Republic, and the conf
ience which we should manifest by furnish
ing il, would win fOTbearance and favor to-
wt.ds the colony from all civilized nations.
TIE proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe, by the way of Behring
Straits and Arctic Russia, which was sane
toned by Congress at the last session, has
been undertaken under very favorable cir
cumstanees by an association of American
citizens, with the cordial good aill and sup
port as well of this Government as of those
of Great Britain and Russia. Assurances
have been received from most of the South
American States of their high appreciation
II the enterprise, and their readiness to CO
operate in constructing lines to that world |
-ncircling communication.
learn with much satisfaction that the no. |
lie design of telegraphic communication |
between the eastern coast of America and /
Great Britain has been renewed, with full ex- |
peetatiOn of its early accomplishment Thus |
It is hoped that, with the return of domestic |
peace, the country will be able to resume |
with energy and advantage her former hi 81 /
career of commerce and civilization.
Our very popular and estimable represent |
alive in Egypt died in April last An I'M |
pleasant alteration which arose between the |
temporary incumbent of the Office and the l
Government OF the Pacha, resulted in sus- |
pension of intercourse. This was promptly |
corrected on the arrival of the successor of
the Consulate. Our relations with Egypt, as
well as our relations with the Barbary Pow |
ers are entirely satisfactory.
The rebellion which has so long been in |
progress in China has at last been suppressed |
with the cooperating good offices of this |
Government and of the other foreign CON-
mercial States. The judicial consular estab- |
lishment has become very difficult and Oner |
Gus, and it will need legislative regulation TO |
adapt il to the extension of our commerce |
and 70 the more intimate intercourse which |
has been instituted with the Government and |
people of that vast Empire. China seems TO |
be accepting with hearty good will the con- |
ventional laws which regulate commerce and |
social Intercourse among the Western nations. |
Owing TO the peculiar situation of japan /
and the anomalous form of its Government, |
the action of that Empire in performing treaty |
stipuIatiOns is inconsistent and capriciOus-l
Nevertheless, good progress has been effected |
BY the Western powers, moving with enlight |
ened concert. Our own pecuniary claims |
have been allowed, or put in course of settle |
ment, and the inland sea has been reopened |
10 commerce. There is reason also to believe |
that these proceedings have increased rather |
than diminished the friendship of Japan to- |
ward the United States.
OFESlNG REBEL PORTS.
The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina and Pen /
sacola have been opened by proclamation. 1t /
Is hoped that foreign merchants will now con-
slider whether it is not more safe or profitable |
10 themselves, as well as just to the United |
States, to resort TO these and other open |
ports, than it is to pursue, through many haz-
ards and at a vast cost, a cOntraband trade /
with other ports which are closed.
LEGISLATION AGAINST SLAVE TRADERS.
For myself, l have no doubt of the power |
and duty of the Executive, under the laws of
nations, TO exclude enemies of the human |
race from an asylum in the United States III |
Congress should think that proceedings in |
such cases lack the authority of law,or ought |
to be further supplemented by it, recon- |
mend that provision be made for effectually |