Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-15
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Fellos0 Citizens cf the Senate
 and House of Representatives
 Again the blessings of health and abundant hargests claim our profoundest gratitude to AL mighty God.
 MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
 The condition of our foreign affairs is req sonaby satisfactory. Mexico continues to be a theatre of civil war. and while our political relations with that country have undergone no change, we have at 9he same time strictly maintained neutrality between the beIligerents
 At the requests of the States of Costa Rca and Nicaragua, competent engineer has been authorized to make survey of the river San Juan, and the port of San Juan. It is source of much satisfaction that the difficulties which for e. moment excited some political apprehen- sions, and caused aclosing of the inter-oceanic transit route, have been amicably adjusted, and that there is a good prospect that the route will be re-opened, with an increase of capacity and adoption. We, could not exaggerate ei- ther the commercial or tue political importance of that great importance. SOUTH AMERICAN STATES It would be doing injustice to an important South American States not to acknowledge | the directness, frankness and cordiality with 1 which the United States of Columbia have en- tered into intimate relations with this govern- 1 ment A claims convention has been consti- l tuted to complete the unfinished work Of the one which closed its session in 1861: The new liberal constitution of Venezuela having gone into effect, with the universal ac- quiescence of the people, the government un- der it has been recognized, and diplomatic in- tercourse with it has been opened in it's cordial and friendly spirit. The long deferred Ayes Island claim has been satisfactorily paid and discharged.
 Mutual payments have been made of the claims awarded by the late joint commission for the settlement of claims betw cen the Uni ted States and Peru. An earnest aud cordial friendship continues to exist between the two countries. and such efforts as We're in my pow CT, have been used to reno. misui derstanding. and avert threatened war between Peru and Spain.
 Our relations are of the most friendly nature with Chili, the Argentine republic, Bolivar Costa Rica, Paraguay. San Salvador and Hay ii. During the past year. DO difference of any kind has risen with any of these republics anG on the other hand their sympathies with the United States are constantly expressed with cordiality and earnestness.
 The claim arising f.om the seizure of the cargo of the brig Macedonian. in 1921, has been paid in full by the government of Chilli Civil war continues in the Spanish port of San Domingo, apparently without the prospect of an early close.
 Official correspondence has been freely open ed with Liberia, and it gives us pleasing view of social and political progress in that re- public It may be expected to derive new viz or from American influence improved by the rapid disappearance of slavery iu the United States.
 1 solicit your authority to furnish to the re public gunboat at moderate cost to be rei,n- bursed to the United States by DstaIments- Such a vessel is needed for the safety of that State agaipst the native African races, and n Liberian hands it would be more effective in arresting the African slave trade than squad ron in our own hands. The possession of the least organized naval force would stimulate a generous ambition in the republic. and the con- fdence which We should manifest by furnishing it would win forbearance and favor toward the colony from al civilized nations | TEhgaEAPH TO AslATIc RUSSIA. The proposed overland telegraph between America and Europe,by way of Behring's Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was sanctioned by Congress at the last session. has been underta ken under very favorable circumstances by au association of American citizens, with the cor dial goodwill and support us we'll of this gov ernment as of those of Great Britain aud Rus sia.
 ASSURANCES OF REGARD FROM SOUTH AMERICA. Assurances have been received from most of the South American States of their high ap. preciation of the enterprise. and their readiness to cooperate in constructing lines tributary to that world. .eacirclng colnmunicst.on. THE ATLANTIC TELEGRAPH, learn with much satisfaction that the noble design of telegraphic communication between the eastern coast of America and Great Britain has been renewed, with full expectation of it's early accomplishment. Thus, it is hoped, that l with the return of domestic pea ce, the country will be able to resume with energy and adyan. tage, Der former high career of commerce and l civilization.
 EGYPT AND THE BARBARY POWERS Our very popular and estimable representa- tive in Egypt, died in April last. An unpeas- ant altercatoa which arose between the tenn porary incumbent of the office and the goverl,- ment Of the Pacha. resulted m a suspension of intercourse. The evil was promptly corrected on the arrival of ,he successor in the consulate, and our relations with Egypt. as we'll as our re. lations with the Barbary powers, are entirely satisfactory.
 CHINA AND JAPAN. l The rebellion which has 80 long been flag. rant in China, has at last been su ppressed, with the co-opetating good offices of this govern rleIt, and of the other western commercial States. The judicial consular establ,shrnent there has become very difficult aud ouerous, and it will need legislative regulation to adapt 1t to the extension of our commerce and to the more intimate inter course which has been con stituted with the Government aud people O. that vast empire. China seems to be accept ing with heArty good will the conventional l.. ws which regulate commerce an social intercourse among the western nations. Owing to the De- eullar situation of Japan and the anomalous form of it's government the action of that Elm pirs in forming treaty stipulations is inoou stant and caprcious. Nevertheless good pro- gress has been effected by the Western powers, moving with enlightened concert. Our own pecuniary claims have been allowed or put in I SNr sL,