The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-12-14

Fell0tc Citizens of the Senate
l., and House of Representatives :
Again the blessings of health and
abundant harvests claim our profoundesi
gratitude to Almighty God.
le,a FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The condition of our Foreign affnirs is
reasonably satisfactory Mexico contin'
ues to be a theatre Of civil war. While
our political relations with. that country
have undergone no change, we have at
the same time strictly maintained neutral
ity between the belligerents: At the re.
quest of the States Of Costa Rica and
Nicarauga, a compe'ens, engineer has
been authorizedsto make survey of the
River tSans Juan and the Port of San
Juan. It is source of much satisfac-
ton tina. the difficulties which for a mo-
ment excited some political apprebensions
and caused closing of the Inter Oceanic
Transit Route, have been amicabiy ad-
jus, ed, and that there is a good prospect
that the route viii soon be re,opeBed,
with an increase of capacity and adapta-
ton We could not cxaggsrate either
the commercial or the politieali import
aBce of that great improvement. @0t
1t would b, doing an injustice to an
important South American State not to
knowledge the directness, frankhess
aud cordiality with which the United
States of Colhmbia have entered into in
innate relations with this Government
A Claim Convention has been coz stituted
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, univer-
sci acquiescencs of the people, the Gov
eminent under it has been recognized and
diplomatic intercourse with it has be een
opened in cordialsnd friendly spirit
The long deferred Avis Island claim has
been satisfactorily paid and discharged
Mutual payments have been made of the
claims awarded by the late joint commis
sion for5the settlements of claims between
the United States and Peru. An earnest
and cordial friendship continues to exist
between he two. cenEt<ies, and such ef.
forts as we're in my power have been used
to remove misunderstanding and avert q
threatened war between Peru and Spain.
Our relations are of tho most friendly
nature with Chill, the Argentine fsepnb-
lie, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San
Salvador and Hayfi ea'f@
During the past year no differences of
any kind have arisen with any of these
Republics, and on the other hand their
|symnathies with the United States are
constantly expressed. S-s
The claim arising from the siezure of
the cargo sf the brig Maesdeuian, in
1921, has been paid in full by the Gov
ernment of Chill: 4t
Civil war CONTINUES in the Spanish part
of San Domingo, apparently without
prospect of an early close.
Official correspondence has been freely
opened with Liberia, and it gives US q
pleasing view of the social and political
progress in that Republic. It may be
expected to derive new vigor from Amer
ican influence, improved by the rapid dis
appearance of slavery in the United
States. | solicit your authority to furn
ish the Republic gunboat, at a moder-
ate cost, to be reimbursed TO the United
States by installments. Such vessel ia
needed for the safety of that State against
the native African races, and in Liberian
hands it would be more effective in ar
resting the African slave trade than a
squadron in our hands
The possession of the. least organized d
naval force would stimulate a generous
ambition in the Republic, and the conf
dence which We should manifest by furn-
ishiDg il would via forbearance aud ia
vor toward the colony from all civilized
nations -
The proposed overland telegraph be
tween America and Europe Ly way Of
which was sanctioned by Congress at its
last session, has been undertaken under
very favorable circumstances, by an as O.
citation of American citizens, with the
cordial good will and support as well of
this government as those of Great Brit
ain and Russia.
Assurances have been received from
the west OF the South American States
OF their high appreciation OF The enter
prise and their readiness to cooperate in
constructing lines tributary to that world
encircling communication.
1 learn with much satisfaction that the
Doble design of telegaaphic commurica-
tiou between the Eastern coast of Amer
lCh anu oicdt DTltalD udb Deeu IencWeu
with full expectation Of its early accom-
plisbmen:. Thus it is hoped that with
the return of domestic peace the country
will be able to resume with energy and
advantage her former high career of COM
merce and civilization.
Our very popular and estimable repre-
sentative in Egypt died in April las-.-
An unpleasant alteration which arose be
tween the temporary incumbent of the
Office and the government of the Pacha
resulted in a suspension. of Intercourse.
The evil was promptly corrected on the
arrival of the successor in tte Consulate,
and our relations with Egypt as we'll as
our relations with the Barbary Powers are
entirely satisfactory.
The rebellion which. has SO long been
fagrant in China, has at last been sup
pressed with the cooperating good Offices
of this Government, and the other West
ern commercial States. The judicial
u n !