The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-12-21
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

| Again the blessings Of health, and an
abundant harvest claim our profoundest
gratitude TO Almighty God.
OUR RELATIONS WITH CENTRAL AND
SOUTH AMERICA. .
The condition Of our foreign affairs is
reasonably satisfactory.
Mexico continues. TO be theatre OF
civil war. Whilst our political relations
9th that country have undergone no
change, we have at the same time strictly
maintained neutrality between the bel
hgerants.
1t the request of the state of Costa
Rioa aud Nlcara9ur, competant Engl-
neer ha, been authorized to make a sur
vev of the river San uan, and the port
San Juan. .#a n.# .aa-a.t
It is the source of much satisfaction
that the difficulties which for moment
excited some political apprehepsions,
aud caused closing of the inter oceanic
transit route, have been amicab!y adjusted
and then there is good prospect that
the route will soon be reopened with san
increase Of capacity aud adaptation. We
could not exaggerate ether the CONNER
cial or political in portancc Of that great
/ improvement.
1t would be doing injustice to an i'm.
portant South American State not TO ac.
knowledge the directuess, frankncSs, and
cordiaity with which the United States
of Columbia have entered into intimate
relation with this Government. a Claims
Convention has been constituted to com.
pete the unfinished work Of cne which
closed It's session 10 1861.
The new liberal constitution of Ven
ezuela having gone into effect, with the
universal acqniescence of the people, the
| Governor under it he's been recognized,
and the diplomatic Intercourse has been
opened with it in a cordial and friendly
spirit.
The long. deferred Arrests land claim
has been satisfactorily paid and dischar
ged. Mutual payments have been made
of the late JOINT commission for the set
element of claims between she United
/ States and Peru. sa.
An earnest and cordial friendship con.
tinucs to exist between the two countries
and such efforts as were in my power
have been used to remove misunderstood
! ings and avert threatened war between
Peru aud Spain. Our relations are Of
tbe most friendly nature with Chilla,
the Argentine Republic, Bolivia, Costa
kica, Paraguay, San Salvador and Hayti
/ during the past year no 1iferances Of
those Republics, and on the other hand
their Sympathies with the United States
are constantly expressed with cordiality
aGd earn nestness.
The claims arising from the seizure of
the cargo Of the brig Macedonia, 10 1861,
have been paid il ful. by the Government
of Chill. ..a..
Civil war continues in the Spanish part
of San Domingo, apparently without pros
pect of an early close.
LIBERIA. '
Official correspondence has been freely
opened with Liberia, and it gives us
pleasing view Of sDeiai and political prog
ress in that Republic.
Itmay be expected to derive new vigor
FROM American Influence, improved by
the rapid disappearance of slavery IN the
United States | solicit Jour authority
ITO furnish to the Republic gunboat OF
moderate cost, TO be reimbursed to the
United Safes by instalments. Such al
vessel is needed for the safety Of that
State against the native African races,
and in Liberian hands it would be more eff.
tcctiye iE arresting the African slave trade
than a squadron in our own hands. The
possession of the least organized naval
force would stimulate generous ambition
in the Republic, and the confidence which
we should manifest by furnishing it,
would win foIbearance aud favor toward
the Colony from all civilized nations.
INTERNATIONAL TELTGRAPHS. !
The proposed Overland Telegraph be
tween America and Europe by, the way
of Behring's Slraights and Asiatio Russia,
which was sanctioned by Congress at the
last session has been undertaken under |
very favorable circumstances by the asso,
citation of American citizens, With the /
cordial good will and support as we'll of
this Government as these of Great Britain
and Russia.
Assurances have been received from
most af the South American States of
their appreciation of the enterprise and
theta readiness to cooperate IN construc-
ton lines tributary to that world encer
cling communicated. | learn with much
satisfaction that the noble design of a.
telegraph communication between the
eastern coast of America and Great Britain