Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-12-14

WASHINGTON, Tuesday. December D.
Fszow Citizens of The Senate, and House
of Representatives. ?
Again the blessings If health and abun
daut harvests claim our profound graft
tude to Almighty God.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The condition Of our foreign affairs is
reasonably satisfactory. Mexico still con-
times to be theatre of civil war. While
our political relations with that country
have undergone no change, we have at
the same time strictly maintained neu-
trality between the beligerants. At the
request of the state of Costa Rlca and Nj
caragua, a competent engineer has been
authorized to make survey of the river
San Juan and the port of San Jsan. IL
ic source of much satisfaction that the
difficulties which for moment excited
some political apprehensious and caused a
closing of the inter-oceanic transit route,
have been amicably adjusted, and that
there is good prospect that the route
will soon be re,opened with an increase of
capacity and adaption. We could not
exagerate either the commercial or the po-
litical Importance of that great improve
ment. 1t would be doing injustise to an
important South American state. not to
acknowledge the directness frankness and
cordiality with which the United States
of Columbia have entered into intimate
relations with This government A claims
commission been has constituted to COM
plete the unfinished work of the one which
closed its session in 1861.
The new liberal constitution of Vene-
zeula having gone into eject, with the
universal acquiescence of the people the
government undar it has been recognized
and diplomatic intercourse with it has
opened in cordial and friendly spirits.
The long deferred Avis islands claim has
been satisfactorily paid and discharged.
Mutual payments have been made Of
the claims awarded by the late joint COM
mission for the settlement Of claims be-
tween the United States and Peru, an ear
nest and cordial friendship continues to
exist between the two countries, and such
efforts as were in my power nave been
used to remove misunderstanding and
avert tn, eatened war between Peru aud
/, Spain. Our relations are of the mos,
friendly nature with Chill, the Argentine
republic, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Paraguay,
San Salvador, and Hayti. During The
past year no difference af any kind has
arisen with any Of these republics. and
on the other hand, their sympathys with
the United States are constantly expressed
with cordi.lty and earnestness. The
i claim arising from the seizure Of Il e BRIG
Macedonian in 1921 has oeeu paid in full
by the government of Chill. Civil wal
continues In the Spanish part of San Do
mingo. apparently without a prospect Of
an early close.
Official correspondence has been freely
: opened with Liberia, and it gives us
! pleasing view of social and political pro
gress in that republic. 1t may be ex
pected to derive new vigor from American
influence, improved by the rapid disap
pearance of Slavery in the United States
solicit your authority to furnish to th'
, republic gunboat at moderate cost, to b,
reimbursed to the United States by in
stallments. Such vessel is needed fo
the safety of that state against the native
african races. and in Liberian hands i
/. would be more affective in arrestiDg th,
African slave trade than . squadron il
our own hands. The possession of tn
least organized naval force would stimu
: late generous ambition in the republic
= and the confidence which we should man
ifcst by furnishing it, would win forbear
aDce and foster friendship towards the col
ony from all civilized nations.
i The proposed overland telegraph be
= tween America aud Europe, by the wa,
Of Behring's Straits and Asiatic Russia
which was sanctioned by Congress at tn
= last session, has been undertaken unde
s very favorable circumstances by an assc
citation Of American citizens with the col
;, dial goodwill and support as well Of thi
: government as of those Of Great Britai