The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-12-07

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
ExRcurlfs MAnsIos.
Washington, Dec. 6, 1864.

ExEcurlys MAnsIoH,
Washington, Dec. s, 1854. !
FeltoU- Citizeas Of the Sesass
and Horse OF Representatives
Again the blessings OF health aud abut
dant harvests claim our profoundest er.tj
tude TO Almighty God.
The condition Of our foreign affairs
reasonably satisfactory. Mexico continue
to be astheatre of civil war. While on
political relations with that country hav
undergone DO change. we have at th,
same time strictly maiutaiued ueutralit,
betwesu the bell,gsrents. At the Irequss'
of the States Of Costa Rics and Nicarau
qua, competent engineer has been au.
thorised to make survey of the rive,
San Juan and the port OF San Juan. /,
is source Of much satisfaction that the
difficulties which for q moment excited
some political apprehensous, and caused
q 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
capacity and adaptation We could not
exaggerate either the commercial or the
political Importance Of that great i'm.
provement. 1t would bs doing iuj jury 70
an important South American State not to
acknowledge the disectness, frank nsss and
cordially with which the United States
of Columbia have entered into ultimate
relation with this Government. IA claim
convention has been constituted TO com.
plete the unfinished work of the one
which closed its session in 1861. The
new Liberal Constitution Of Venezuela
having gone into effect, With the univer
sal acquIescence of the people, the Gov
ernWeat under i. has been recognized and
diplomatic Intercourse with il has been
opened in liberal and friendly spirit.
Tae long deferred Avis Islaad land
claim has been satisfactorily paid and dis
charged. Mutual payments haye . been
made Of the claims awarded By the late
joint commission for the settlement of
clams' between the United States aud Pc.
ru. An earnest and cbrdial friendship
continues to exist between the two coun.
tries, and such efforts as we're in our pou.
er have been used to remove misunder-
standing and avoid threatened war be.
tween Peru and Spain.
Our relations are Of the most friendly
nature with Chill, the Argentine Repub-
ic, Bolivia, Cos.a Rics, San Salvador and
Hayti. Daring the last year no d.ffea-
ences of any kind have arisen with any OF
these Republics, and on the other hand
their sympathies with the United States
are constantly exercised.
The claim arising from the seizure o.
the cargo of the orig Macedonian. 10
1921, has bsen paid in full by the Gov
ernment Of Chill. Civil war continues
in the Spanish part of San Domingo, ap-
parently without . prospect Of a early
close. Official correspon deDce has been
freely opened with Liberia and it gives US
. pleasing view Of social and Of political
progress in that republic. 1t may be ex-
pected to derive new vigor from Ameri-
can influence, improved by the rapid dis.
appearance of slavery in the United
States. Isolicis your authority to furnish
the republic . gunbost ct . moderate
cost, to be reimbursed to the United
States by installments. Such vessel 10
needed for the safety of that state against
the native African race, and in Liberian
hands it would be more effective in arrest
ing the African slave trade than squad
ron in our own hands. The possession of
the least organized naval force would
stimulate generous ambition in the re-
public, and the confidence which We
should manifest By furnishing it would
win forbearance and avor toward the col
ony from all civilized nations.
The proposed Overla Ind Telegraph be
tween America and Europe, By the way
of Bshring Straits and Russia, which was
sanctioned by Congress- at the last ses-
sioo, has been undertaken undsr very fa.
vorable circumstances BIZ an association
of American citizens, with the cordial
good will and support, of this Govern.
meat as of those Of Great Britain
and Russia. Assurances have been rc-
ceived from most of the South American
States of their high approbation Of the
enterprise and their readiness to CO .oper-
ate in constructing lines 10 that world,
ViCtuS Ooih ihMuntSaAVu. 1eetu Win
much satisfaction that the noble design
of telegraphic comm nnicstion between
the easterD coast of America and Great
Britain has been received with full ex-
pectaticn of its early accomplishment.
Thus it is hoped that With the return .of
domestic peace the country will be able
to resume with energy and advantage her
former high career Of Clmmerce and civ
ilizst,on.
Oar very popular and estimabIs repre-
sentative in Egypt died in April lsst. An
unpleasant altercatiea which, arose be.
tween the temporary incumbent OF the
Office and the government of tine Paeha
resulted 10 suspensid do of intercourse. -
The matter was promptly corressed on
the arrival OF the suc ccsssor OF the Con.
sulate. Il
Our relations with Egypt. n vall A
our seistlons with ths Bafbsry powers,
are entirely. satisfactory. The rebellion
which has SO long been Asgrsnt 10 Chiua
has at last been Suppressed with The -
operating good Offices of this govern neut
and Of the other foreign c0mmercial
States. The judicial consular esta hl;.h.