The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-12-14
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fello,o- Citizens of the Senate,
and House of Representatives:

Again the blessings of health and
abundant harvests claim our profoundost
gratitude to Almighty God. The condi-
tion of our foreign affairs is reasonably
satisfactory. Mexico continues to be the
theatre of civil war. While our political
relations with that country have under
strictly maintained neutrality between the
belligerents. At the request of the State
of Costa Rica and Nicaragua a competent
engineer has been authorized to make a
survey of the river San Juan, and the
port of San Juan. 1t is source of much
satisfaction that the difficulties which, for
moment, excited some political appre-
tensions, and caused closing of the inter
oceanic transit route have been amica bly,
adjusted, and that there is good pros
pect that the route will soen be re- -opeued
with an increase of capability and adap-
tation. We would not exaggerate either
the commentator the political Importance
of that great improvement.
1t would be deing injustice to an i'm
portant South America State net to ac-
knowledge the directness, frankness and
cordiality with which the United States
of Columbia have entered into intimate
relations with this government. A claim
convention has been constituted to com
plete the unfinished work of the one
which closed its sessions in 1861. The
new liberal constitution Of Venezuela
having gone into effect with the universal
acquiescence Of the people, the govern
ment under it has been re-erganized and
diplomatic intercourse with it has been
opened in a cordial and 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 Joint Commis
sion fer the settlement of claims between
the United States and Peru. An earnest
and cordial friendship continues to exist
between the two countries and such ef-
forts as were in my power have been used
to remove misunderstanding. and avert q
threatened war between Peru and Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly
nature. with Chill, the Argentine Repub-
| tic, Bolivar, Costa Rioa, Paragua, San
Salvador and Hayti. During the past
! year no differences of any kind have
arisen with any Of these republics and
en- the other hand their sympathles with
1.-The United States are constantly eX-
pressed. at
The claim arising from The seiznre OF
the curgo OF the brig Macedonian, in
1861, has been paid in nj by Tire Coz
ernment Of Chill. Civil war continues in
the Spanish coastoi oan Domingo. appa-
rently without prospect OF au early close.
Official correspondence has been epenes
with Liberia, aud it gives Jus pleasing
view of social and political progress in
that Republic. 1t is expected to derive
new vigor from American influence, i'm
proved by the rapid disappearance of sla-
very in the United States.
| solicit your authority 10 furnish the
Republic gunboat at a moderate cost to
be reimbursed to the United States by
linstailments Such vessel is needed for
the safety of that State against the Afri-
can rage, and In Liberian hands, it would
be more effective in arresting the African
Slave Trade than squadron in our own
hands. The possession of the least er-
ganized naval force should stimulate
generous ambition on the part Of the Re
public, and the confidence which we should
manifest by furnishing it would win fer
| bearance and favor towards the colonies
| from all the civilized nations.
The proposed overland telegraph be-
tween America and Europe by way of
Behring Straits and Asiatic Russia, which
was sanctioned by Congress at the last
session, has been undertaken under very
favorable circumstances, by an association
of A uerican citizens with the cordial
good will and support of this Govern
nlent, as we'll as those OF Great Britain
and Russia. Assurances have been re-
ceiyed from most Of the American States,
of their high appreciation of the enter
prise, and their readiness teoco-operate in
constructing lines tributary to that world
encirclIng communication, L learn with
much -atisfaction that the noble design of
telegr, -hic communication between the
Eastern CO It Of America and Great
Britain has b, N renewed with full ex
pectation cf its aarly accomplishment.
Thus it is hoped tha with the return ct
domestic peace. the cea TRY will be able
to resume, with energy nd advantage,
their former high career Of ,masrce and
civilization. Our very popult and estl-
mable representative ia Egypt died in
April lsst An unpleasant alteration
which arose between the temporary in
.cumbent of the Office and the Government
Of the Pasha. resulted ia suspension of
intercourse.
The error was promptly corrected on
the arrival Of the successor in the Con-
sulate, and our relations with EgyP. ms
well as the relations with the sarbary
powers are entirely satisfactory. The
rebellion which has SO lORg been fragrant
in China has at last been suppressed With
the Co operating geed Offices ct this Gov
ernmeDt and OF the other commercial
States.
The Judicial Consular establishment
has become very difficult and onerous, and
it will need Legislation to adapt 1t to the
extension of cur commerce and to the
more intimate intercourse which has been
instituted with the government and pe0-
pie of that vast empire. China seems to
be accepting. with hearty good will, the
conventional laws which regulate cem-
msrcial and social intercourse among the
Western nations. Owing to the peculiar |