The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-08
s1ashrille Anioll.
VIZ. CAMER0N 1 CO.. Publishers.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1864
Presidents Message.

| ECtt010-c1ttzfHS cJ me DeHdce d7ld 40tsSe ~
Representatives:
Again the blessings Of health and
abundant harvests claim our profound
gratitude to Almighty God.
The condition Of the foreign affairs Is
reasonably satisfactory. Mexico continues
| TO be a theatre Of civil war; while our
| political relations with that country have
| undergone no change, We have at the same
| time maintained neutrality between be-
| ligerents. At the request Of the states Of
Costa. ..Rica and Nicaraugs, competent en-
gineer has been authorized 70 make sur
/ vey Of the River San Juan and part of San
Juan. 1t is a source Of much satisfaction
that the difficulties which for moment
caused some political apprehensions, and
caused closing of the inter and oceanic
transit route, have been amicabiy adjusted,
and that there is a good prospect that the
route will soon be re-opened, with sn in
crease Of capacity and adaptation.
We cannot exaggerate either the CONNER
eial or political Importance of that great
improvement. 1t would be doing injustice
to our important South American States
not to acknowledge the directness, frank
ness and cordiahty with which the United
States Of Columbia have entered into in
innate relations with this Court. claim
convention he been constituted to complete
closed its session in 1861. The new Liberal
constitution of Venezuela having gone into
effect with the universal acquieseenee of
the people, and the Government under it
has been recognized, and diplomatic inter
course with it has been opened with .
cordial spirit. The long deferred Avis
Island claim has been satisfactorily paid
and discharged. Mutual payments have
been made Of the claims awarded by the
late joint commission Tor the settlement Of
claims between the United States and Peru.
Earnest and cordial friendship continues to
exist between the two countries, and such
efforts as were in my pswer have been used
to remove Misunderstanding, and avoid Q
threatened war between Peru and Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly
nature with Chilli, the Argentine Republic,
BOLIVIA, Costa Riea, Paraguay, San Saliva
dor and Hayti- During the year past no
differences Of any kind havs arisen with
any Of the Republics, and on the other hand
their sympathies with the United States
are constantly expressed. The claim aris-
ing from thu seizure of the cargo of the
brig Macedonia in 1859 has been paid in
full by the Government of Chilli. Civil war
continues in the Spanish part of San Do
mingo, apparently without prospect Of an
early close. Official orrespondenee has
been fullysopened with Liberia, and it gives
us a pleasing view Of social and political
progress in that Republic. It may be ex-
pected toderiYe new idees from American,
influence improved by the rapid disappear
ence of slavery in the United States. |
solicit your authority to furnish the Repub-
lie a gunboat at q moderate cost 10 be reina-
bursed to the United States by instalments.
Such a vessel is needed for the safety Of
that State against the native African races,
and in Libsrian hands it would be more
effective in arresting the African slave
trade than squadron in our hands.
The possession of the least organized
naval force would stimulate generous am
bitiOn in the Republic; aud the confidence
which we should manifest by furnishing it
would be wise forbearsnce and favor to-
ward the colony from all civilized nations.
The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe, by way Of Behring's
Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was sane
toned by Congress at its last SESSION has
been undertaken under very favorable cir
cumstances, byian association Of American
citizens, with the cordial COED will and
support Of this Government, as well as
those of Great Britain and Russia, As
surances have been received from most of
the South American States, of their high
appreciation of the enterprise, and their
willingness to cooperate in constructing
lines tributary to- that woFld-enciTeling
communication. ! learn with much satis-
faction that the noble design of a tele-
graphic communication between the Eastern
coast of America and Great Britain has
been renewed with full expectation eff its
early accomplishment. Thus it is hoped
that with the retnrn of domestic peace, the
the country will be able 10 resume with
ntrgy and advantage, her former high
s,f nd iril !. 0nr
very popular and .estimable representative
in Egypt died in April last. An unpleasant
alteration which arose between the tenn
pOrary Incumbent and the Government Of
the Pasha resulted in suspension Of inter-
course. The evil was promptly corrected
on the arrival of the successor in the Con-
sulate, and, our relation with Egypt, as well
as our relations with the Barbary Powers,
are entirely satisfactory.
The rebellion which has so long been IA
grant in China, has ct last been suppressed,
with the cooperation of the good and loyal
officers OF its government, and of the
Western commercial States. The Judicial
Consulate Establishment has become very
difficult and onerous, and will need leRis-
lative regulations 10 adapt tito the extension
of our commerce and 10 the more internal
intercourse which has been instituted with
the government and people of that vast
Empire. china seems to be accepting with |
hearty good will, the conventional laws |
which regulate commercial intercourse |
among the Western nations. Owing to the |
peculiar situation Of Japan, to the anon
alous form Of governme ent, the action Of that |
government in performing treaty stipula- |
tions, is inconsistent and eapricious; never |
theless good progress has been effected by |
the Western Powers moving with enlight- |
ened concert. Our own pecuniaTy claims |
have been allowed or put in course of set |
tlement, and the inland sea hss been re-
opened to commerce. There is reasons also |
10 believe that those proceedings have in
creased rather than diminished the friend /
ship Of JapaE toward the United States.
The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina, and /
Pensacola have been opened by proclama-
tioa. Il is hoped that foreign merchants
will now sonsider whether il 10 safer and
more profitable 70 themselves as vel as just
to Us 70 resort TO these and other ports than
it is to pursue, through mahy hazards, and
at vast cost, contrsband trade with other
ports which are closed, IL not by actual /
military operations at lezst by a.lavfal and
effective blockade. For myself have no
doubt of the power and duty Of the Execu-
tive under the law Of nations TO exclude en-
erniss Of the human race from sH asylum
in tho United States. If Congress should
think Ehat tho proceedings N such cases
lack the authority Of law, or ought 70 be
farther regulated by it, I recommend that
provisions be made for effectually prevent
ing foreign slave traders from acquiring do
mestic facilities for their criminal organiza-
ton in our country. Il Is possible that il it
we're a new and open question, tbe mari
{ me powers, with the legislation they now
enjoy. R0uld not concede the privileges Of
q naval bslligersnt 10 the insurgents Of the
United States, destitute So they are aud al
yxys have been equality Of ships and forts
aad narbors- Disloyal enissaries have been
: either less assiduous nor more suecsssful
during the last year than they we're before
IN al time "a their efforts under favor Of that
privilege 10 embron our country in foreign
wars. g.s- - -
-iLe desire and deteTfainatcn Of all the
maritime states 70 defeat that design are be-
lisTed 70 Be sineeres and cznsot be more
earnest than European. Nevertheless, nm
lorseen Do itical 6illiculties have srisen, es-
pecially IN Brazilian and British ports and
on the northern Boundary Of tbs United
States, which have required and are likely
70 continue 10 require, the Practiee of con-
stant vigilance snds Just snd conciliatory
spirit On The part of she nitsd States, Is
well Of the nations ecncerneds and their
commifsionsrs have been