Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
F.Nor Citizens of the Senate
.J,j sta,,, .t Peorcs


ehd Ho"se Of Reprcsc"tmires;
Again the blessings of health and abundant
harvests claim our profoundest gratitude to
Almighty God.
The condition of our foreign affairs is rea-
onably satisfactory. Mexico continues to be
h theatre of civil war. While our political
relations with that country have undergone
no change we have at the same time strictly
maintained neutrality between the bclligcr-
ents. .rf.
At the request Of the States Of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua, competent engineer has
been authorized to make a survey of the river
San Juan. and the port of San Juan. 1t is a
source of much satisfaction that the difficulties
which for a moment excited some political ap-
prehensions, aad caased closing of the inter-
oceanic transit route, have been amicaby ad-
,iustcd and that there is good prospect that
the route will soon be reopened, with an in
crease of capacity and adaptation. Wecould
not exngeeratc either the commercial Of the
political Importance of that great improve
ment.
1t would be doing injustice to ah important
South American State not to acknowledge the
directncss, frankncss and cordiality with which
the United States of Columbia have entered
into he intimate relations with this Govern
mont. A claims convention has been consti-
tu.ed TO compl te 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 Az
uuescencc of the people, the Government
under it has been recognized and diplomatic
intercourse with it has opened in a cordial and
frienlly spirit. The long deferred AYES Island
claim has been sat f,ctorily paid and adjusted.
Mutual payments have been made of tie
claims awarded by the lat joint commission
for the settlement of claims between the
United States and Peru. An earnest and
cordial friendship continues to exist between
the two countries, and such efforts as were in
my power have been used TO remove misun
derstanling and avert threatened war be-
tween Peru and Spain.
Our relations are ofthe most friendly nature
with Chill. the Argentine Republic, BOLIVIA,
Costa Rica Paraguay, San 81; vadcre and
IIayti During the rakt year no differences
of any kin have arisen with any of those
Republics, and on the other hand their SYM
pathies with the United States are constantly
expressed with coriiality and earnestncss.
The claim arising from the seizure of the
cargo of the brig Macedonian, in 1921. ha'
been paid in full BY the Government of Chill.
Civil war contiu,!os in the Spanish part Of
San Domingo, apparently wit. Dat prospect Of
I'll rally close,
Official correspondents has been freely
opened with Liberia, aud it gives us pleasing
ricw Of sc.ial and and political progress in
that Republic. 1t may be expected to derive
new vigor from Amcrltac Influences, improved
by tic rapid disappearance of t!hysry in the
Unitel States. [ solicit your authority to
furnish to the Republic gun boit at moder-
ate cost, to DC reimbursed to the United States
by instullmcfts. Such cs;cl is needed for
the safety of that State against the native
African races, and in I.ibeiian hartls it
would be more effective in arrcsting th
African slave trad, than Il squadron in our
own hands. The possession If the least or
ranizcd naval force would stimulate gener-
BUS ambition in the Republic, and the conf
dencc which we should manifest by furnishing
il would win forbcarance and fitor towards
The colon; from all civilized nations.
The proposed overland telegraph between
Amtrica ard Europe; by tile way tn behring's
Straits and Asatic Russia, which was sanc.
toned BY Congress at the last session, has
been undertaken, under very favorable cir
cum stances. By an association of American
citizens, with the cordial good will and sup
mort as well of this Government as of those of
Great Britain and Russia Assurances have
been received from most of the South Ameri-
can States of their high appreciation of the
enterprise, and their readiness to cooperate
in constructing lines tributary to that world
encircng communication learn with much
satisfaction that the noble design of tele-
graphic communication between the eastern
coast OF hUcTiCu anu oIcut o'Sh
renewed with full expectation of its carly ac-
accomplishment.
Thus it is hoped that with the return ofdo-
mestc peace the country will be able to re-
= sumo with energy and advantage its former
high career of commerce and civilization.
Our very popular and cstimablo representa-
tive in Egypt, died in April last An un-
pleasant alteration which arose between the
temporary incumbent of the Office and the
Government of the Pacha resulted in sus-
pension of intercourse. The evil was prompt
ly corrected on the arrival Of the successor in
the Consulate, and our relations with Egypt
as well as our relations with the Barbary
Powers, are entirely satisfactory.
The rebellion which his 50 long been flag
rant in China has at last been suppressed with
the cooperating good Offices of this Govern
ment and of the other Western commercial
States. The Judicial Consular esta blishment
-thero has become very difficult and onerous,
AMI it will need legislative revision to adapt