Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1864-12-08
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

TeVoD Citizens Of The Senate and House of
Representatives
Again the blessings of health and
abundant harvests claim our profound
est gratitude to Almighty God.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS,
TuC CUuuiUfOn or Uur rorSfen anaIIS Is
reasonably satisfactory. Mexico con-
tinues to be a theater of civil war.
While our political relations with that
country have undergone no change, we
at the same time, strictly main
o. ed neutrality between the belliger-
ents. 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. It is source Of
much satisfaction that the difficulties
which for moment excited some politi-
cal apprehension, and caused closing
of the inter oceanic transit route, have
been amicably adjusted, and that there
is good prospect that the route will be
reopened, with an increase of capacity
and adaptation. We could not exag-
gerate either the commercial or the no
litical Importance o. that great i'm
provement. 1t would be doing injustice
to any Important South American State
not to acknowledge the directness, frank
ness and cordially with which the
new States Of Columbia have entered
into intimate relations with this Gov
eminent.
A claims convention has been consti-
tuted to complete the unfinished work
of$he one which closed its session in
1861. A new liberal Constitution of
Venezuela having gone into effect with
the universal Bcquiescence of the people.
the Government under 1t has been re-
cognized, and diplomatic intercourse
with 1t has been opened in cordial and
friendly spirit. The long deferred AYES
Island claim has been satisfactorily paid
and discharged. Mutual payments have
been made on the claims awarded by
the late joint commission for the settle
ment OF claims between the United States
and Peru. An earnest and cordial friend
ship continues to exist between the two
countries, and such efforts as were in
my power, have been used to remove
misunderstanding and avert threat
ened war between Peru and Spain.
= Our relations are of the most friendly
nature with Chilli, the Argentine Repub-
lie, Bolivia, Costa RIGA, Paraguay, San
Salvador 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 constantly |
expressed with cordially and earnest |
ness. The claim arising from the seizure
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 with
7ut prospect of an early close. Official
70 Jurisprudence has been freely opened
Wit b Liberia, and it gives us a pleasing
new of social and political progress in
hat R, public. 1t may be expected to
ieriye ew vigor from American influ-
.nce, imp. Vyea by the disappearance of
slavery in the United States. solicit
vour author. - to furnish the Republic
. gunboat at q moderate cost, to be re-
mbursed to the United States by in
stallments. Such vessel Is needed for
he safety Of that State against the ma
i've African races, and in Liberian hands
It would be more ehSetive in arresting
the African slave trade than squadron
in our own hands. The possession OF
the least organized naval force would
stimulate generous ambition in the
and the confidence which we