Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1864-12-08
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


representatives.
Again the blessings of health and abun-
dant harvests claim our profoundest graft
tude to Almighty God
The condition of our foreign affairs is
reasonably satisfactory.
Mexico continues 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
neutrality between the belligerents
At the request of the states of Costa
Rica and Nicaragua competent engineer
has been authorized to make survey of the
river San Juan and the port of San Juan.
1t is source of much satisfaction that
the difficulties which for a moment excited
some political apprehension, 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 reopened with an increase Of ca
pacity and adoption We could not cxag-
gerate either the commercial or the political
Importance Of that great Improvement.
1t would be doing injustice to an impor-
tant South American state not to ackHowl-
edge the directness, frankncss and cordial
ity with which the United States of Colom-
this government.
\ Claims Convention has been consttu-
ted, to complete the unfinished work of the
one which closed its session in 1861
The new liberal constitution Of Vcnezu-
ella having gone into effect with the univer-
sal acquiescence of the people, the govern
ment under it has been recognized, and di-
plomatic intercourse with it has been open
ed in a cordial and friendly spirit
The long deferred AYES Island claim has
been satisfactorily paid and discharged
Mutual payments have been made Of the
claims awarded by the late joint commits
sion for the settlement Of classes between
the United States and Peru.
An earnest and cordial friendship contin-
ucs between the two countries and such
efforts as were in my power have been used
to remove misunderstanding, and avert a
threatened war between Peru and Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly
nature with Chill, the Argentine Republic,
Bolivar, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Saliva
dor and Hayti.
During the past year no differences of
any kind have arisen with any of these
Republics. And, on the other hand, their
sympathies with the United States are con-
stantly expressed with cordiality and ear
nestness.
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 pros
pect of an early close.
Official correspondence has been freely
opened with Liberia, and it gives us pleas
ing view of social and political progress in
that Republic. 1t may be expected to de-
rive new vigor from American influence,
improved by the rapid disappearance of
slavery in the United States
! solicit your authority to furnish to the
Republic gunboat at a moderate cost, to
be reimbursed to the United States by in
stalIments. Such a vessel is needed for the
safety Of that State against the native At
rican races, and in Libcrian hands it would
be more effective in arresting the African
slave-trade, than squadron III our own
hands. The possession of the least organ
lied naval force would stimulate generous
ambition in the Republic, and the conf
dence which we should manifest by furnish
ing it would win forbearancc and favor
toward tho colony from all civilized nations
The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe by the way of Behr-
ing's Straits and Asatic Russia, which was
sanctioned by Congress at the last session
has been undertaken under very favorable
circumstances by an association of Amcri
can citizens, with the cordial goodwill and
support as well of this Government as of
those of Great Britain and Russia Assur
ances have been received from most Of the
South American States of their high apprc
citation of the enterprise and their readi
ness to cooperate i'll constructing lines tri
butary to that world-encircling communica
ton
learn with much satisfaction that tht
noble design of a tclegraphic cOmmunica
ton between the Eastern Coast of Americ;
and Great Britain has been renewed, will
full expectation of its early accomplishment
Thus it is hoped that with the return of do
mestic peace, the country will be able to re
sumo with energy and advantage her for
mer high career of commerce and civiliza
ton. Our very popular and estimable rep
resentative in Egypt died in April last.
An unpleasant alteration which aros
between the temporary incumbent of the
Office and the Government Of the Pacha, re
suit I'd in a suspension of intercourse. Th
evil was promptly corrected on the arriva
of the successor in the consulate and on
relations with Egypt, as well as our rela
tions with the Barbary Powers, are entirel.
satisfactory.
The rebellion, which has so long been fla
grant in China, has at last been suppresse
with the cooperating good Offices of thi
Government, and of the other Western
commercial States. The judicial consula
establishment has become very difficult AM
onersus, and it will need Legislative requi
sition to adapt it to the extension of ou
commerce, and to the more intimate inter
course which has been instituted with til
Government and people of that vast empire
China seems to be accepting, with heart,
good will, the conventional laws whic
regulate commerce and social intercours
among Western nations.
Owing to the peculiar situation of Japa
and the anomalous form of its Government
the action of that empire in performing
treaty stipulations is constant and capric
Gus. Nevertheless. good progress has bee
effected by the Western Powers, movin!