Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-12-14
PRBSIDBNT'S MRSSAGE.
Delivered December Q, 1864.

Feo,U Citizens of the Senate and House of Representa-
Again the blessings of health and abundant harvests
claim profoundest gratitude to Almighty God.
The condition of foreign affairs Is reasonably
satisfactory. Mexico continues be theatre of civ
il war; while political relations with that country
have undergone no change, we have the same time
strictly maintained neutrality betwee the begerents
At the request of the States of Costa Rca and Mica
raugua competent engineer has been authorized to
make survey of the river San Juan and the port of
San Juan.
ties which at one moment excited some political ap-
prehensons and caused closing of the inner Ocean
ic transit route, have been amicably adjusted and
that there is good prospect that the route will soon
be reoPened with an increase of capacity and adapt
ton. We could not exaggerate either the CONNER
ca or the political Importance of that great improve
ment
The new liberal constitution of Venezuela having
gone into effect with the universal acquiescence Of
the people, the government under has been recog-
nized and diplomatic intercourse with it has opened
IN cordial and friendly spirit. The long deferred
Aux Island claim has been satisfactorily paid and dis
charged Mutual payments have been made of the
claims awarded by the late joint committee for the
settlement of claims between the United States and
Peru.
An earnest and cordial friendship continues to ex-
ist between the two countries. and SUCH efforts as
were in my power have been used to remove mIsun-
derstandng and avert threatened war between Peru
and Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly nature with
Chill, the Argentine Republic. Bolivia Costa Rica, Par
aguay, San Salvador and Hayt. During the past year
no differences of any kind have with any of
those Republics, and the other hand, their sympa-
with cordality and earnestness.
II would be doing injustice to important South
American State not to acknowledge the dlrectness,
frankness and cordiaty with which the United States
of Columbia have entered into intimate relations with
TINS Government CLAIMS convention has been con-
sttuted to complete the unfinished work of the one
which closed its session in 1861.
The claim arising from the seizure of the cargo Of
the brig Macaoman in 1921 has been paid in full by
the government of Chill.
Civil war continues in the Spanish part of San Do
mingo apparently without pect of early close.
Official correspondence has been freely opened with
Liberia and gives pleasing view of social and
political progress that Republic. II may be expect
ed to derive new yigor from American influence, i'm
proved by the rapid disappearance OF slavery in the
l solicit your authority to furnish to the republic
gunboat at moderate cost to be reimbursed TO the
United States by instaiments Such a vessel is need
ed for the safety that State against the native African
races, and in Liberan hands 1t would be effect
i've in arresting the African slave trade than squad
lied naval force would stimulate generous ambition
in the republic and the confidence which would
manifest by furnishing it, would win forbearance and
favor towards the colony from all civilized nations.
The proposed overland telegraph between America
and Europe, by the way of Behring's Straits and ASH
attic Russia which was sanctioned by Congress the
last session, has been undertaken under very favora
bic circumstances by association of American cti-
zens with the cordial good will and support well of
the Government as those of Great Britain and Russia
Assurances have been received from most of tine
South American States of their appreciation of the
enterprise, and their readiness to coorerate in
structlng lines tributary to that wordencrcing CON-
noble design of telegraphic communication be-
tween the eastern of America and Great Britain
has been renewed with full expectation of its early
accomplishment Thus it is hoped that with the
turn OF domestic peace, the country will be able to
resume with energy and advantage its former high
career oil commerce and civilization.
! our very popular and estmable representative in
Egypt died IN April last. An unpleasant alteration
office and the Government of the Pacha resulted in
suspension of intercourse. The evil was promptly
corrected on the arrival of the succersor IN the Con-
suate and relations with Egypt as well as our re
ations with the Barbary Powers are entirely sssfc
tory. The rebellion which hae so long been Aagrant
IN China has at last been suppressed under the coop
Grating good offices of this Government and the other
| Western Commercial States.
! The Judicial Consular establishment has become
very difficult and onerous and it will need Legislative
revision to adapt it 10 the extension of our
and to the more intimate intercourse which has been
| instituted with the Government and people of that
| vast Empire China seems to be accepting with hear
ty good will the conventional laws which regulate
mercal and social intercourse among the Western
nations.
Owing TO the peculiar situation of Japan, and the
anomalous form of its government, the action of thai
Empire in performing treaty stipuations is ncoustan
and caprcious Nevertheless good progress has heer
effected by the Western Powers moving with enlight
| ened~concert- Our own pecunary claims have been
allowed and put course of settlement, and the in
| land sea has been reopened to commerce. There j:
reason also to believe that these proceedings have in
creased rather than diminished the friendship of ia
| prd towards the United States.
| The ports of Norfolk, Fernandlna and Pensacols
have been opened by proclamation. 1t is hoped tina
foreign merchants will now consider whether is
safer and more profitable to themselves, well g.
just TO the United Stes to resort to these and othe
open ports than 1t is to pursue through many hazard:
and at vast cost contraband trade with other port.
which are closed if not by actual military occupation
| at least by lawful and effective blockade
I, For myself have no doubt of the power and duty
of the Executive under the law of nations exclude
enemies of the human race from an asylum in the
United States. II Congress shall think that pro ceed
lngs IN such cases lack the authority of law ough
to be further rogu!1Jed by it. / recommend that pro
visions be made for effectually preventing foreigr
slave traders from acquiring domlc and facilities 70
| their criminal occupation in country
1t is possible that if il were a new and open cues
ton, the maritime powers with the rights they nov
enjoy, would not concede the privileges of naval bel
gerent to the insurgents OF the United States dest
| tute rs they are, and always have been, equally o
ships Of war and Of ports and harbors.