Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Fellos0 citiaens Of tae Senate

Ihe condition OF our foreign affairs is REASONABLY
/ satisfactory. Mexico continues to be theatre o
country have undergone no change We have at the
same time strictly maintained neutrality between
! the belgerents. M
At the request Of the States of Costa Rca and Nj
earagua, a competent engineer has been authorized
to make survey of the river San Juan, and thepor
of San Juan. It a source of much satisfaction
that the difficulties which for a moment excited
some political apprehensons, and caused closing
of the inter oceanic transit route, have been AMIGA
bly, adjusted and that there is good prospect that
the route viii be reopened, with an nincrease Of
capacity and adaptation. We could not exaggerate
either the commercial the political Importance OF
that great Improvement
1t would be doing injustice to an important South
American State not to acknowledge the directness,
frankness and cordially with which the United
States of Columbia have entered into intimate rela-
tions with this Government. claims convention
has been constitntedto 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 acquiescenee OF
the people, the Government under 1t has been rec
oguized, and diplomatic intercourse With II has o.
pened in a cordial and friendly spirit. The long
deferred Ayes Island claim has been satisfactory
paid and adjusted. Mutual payments have been
made of the claims awarded by the late joint com
mission for the settlement of claims between the q
nited States and Peru. An earnest and cordial
friendship continues to exist between the two couR-
used to remove misunderstanding and avert q
threatened war between Peru and Spain. m
Our relations of the most friendly nature with
Chill, the Argentine Republic, Bolivia. Costa Riea,
past year no differences Of any kind hayearisen with
any of those Republics, and on the otherhand their
sympathies with the United States are constantly
expressed with cordiality and earnestness.
The claim arising from the seizure Of the cargo of
the brig Macedonian, 1921, has been paid in full by
the Government of Chill.
Civil war continues in the Spanish part of San
Domingo, apparently without prospect OF an early
close. e
Official correspondence has been freely opened
with Liberia, and it gives us pleasing view of So
cial and political progress in that Republic. It may
be expected to derive new y1gor from American IN
fuences, improved by the rapid disappearance of
Slavery in the United States. solicit your author
ty to furnish to the Republic gunboat at moderate
cost, to be reimbursed TO the United States by in
StalInents Such vessel is needed for the safety
of that State against the native African races, and
in liberian hands 1t would be more effective in ar
resting the African slave trade than squadron IN
our own hands, The possession of the least orgaIl-
lied naval force would stimulate a generous anb
ton In the Republic, and the confidence which we
should manifest by furnishing 1t would win forbear-
ance and favor towards the colony from all civilized
nations
The proposed overland telegraph between Ameri-
ca and Europe, by the way Of Behring's Straits and
Asiatie Russia, which was sanctioned by Congress
at the last session, has been undertaken; uer very
favorable circumstances, by an association of Amen-
citizens, with the cordial goodwill and support,
as well Of this Government of those of Great
Britian and Russia. Assurances have been received
from most Of South American States OF their high
appreciation Of the enterprise, and their readiness
to cooperate IN constructing lines tributary to that
world-encirciDg communication. / learn with
much satisfaction that the noble design of tele-
graphic communication between the eastern coast of
America and Great Britain has been renewed, with
full expectation of its early accomplishment.
Thus it is hoped that with the return of domestic
peace the country viii be able TO resume with ener-
gy and advantage its former high career of com
merce and civilization.
Our very popular and estimable representiye in
Egypt died in April last An unpleasant alteration
whish arose between the temporary incumbent Of
the Office of the Government Of the Pacha resulted
in a suspension of intercourse The evil was
promptly corrected on the arrival of the successor
in the Consulate and our relations with Egypt, as
well as our relations with the Barbary Powers, are
entirely satisfactory.
The rebellion 4 ,44lcl aas so long been fragrant in
China has at last been suppressed with the e0opera,
ting good officers of this Government and of The
other Western Commercial States. The Judicial
Consular establishment there has become very diff
cult and onerous and It will nesd legislative revs-
ion to adapt it TO the extension Of our commerce,
and to the more intimate intercourse which has beeQ
instituted with the Government and people Of that
vast Empire. China seems to be accepting with
hearty good will the conventional laws which regH-
! late commercial and social intercourse among the
| Western nations. ss
Owing to the peculiar situation of Japan, and the
anomalous form of its Government the action Of
that Empire IN performing treaty stipulatons is in
constant and caprlclous. Nevertheless, good pro-
gress has been effected by the Western Powers NOV
ing with enlightened concert. Our own pecuniary
claims have been allowed or put in of settle
ment, and the inland sea has been Feppened to COM
meree. There is reason also to believe that these
proceedings have increased rather than diminished
the friendship OF Japan towards.the United States.
| The ports of Norfolk, Fernandina and Pensacola
have been opened by proclamation II is hoped
that foreign merchants will now consider whether
it is notsafer and more profitable to themselves,
well just TO the United States, TO resort to these
and other open ports than il is to pursue, through
many hazards and at a vast cost eontraband trade
with other ports which closed if not by actual
military occupation, at least by lawful and efec-
tive blockade. 7s
For myself, have no doubt Of the power and du-
ty of the Executive, under the law of nations, to
exclude enemies of the human race from an asylum
in the United States IfCongress should think that
proceedings such cases lack the authority of law
or ought to be further regulated by it. Recommend
that provision be made for effectually preventing
foreign slave traders from acquiring domici and "a
cities for their criminal occupation in our country
/ 1t is possible if il were new and open question.
the maritime Powers with the lights they now enjoy
would not coneede the privileges Of a naval belhger
ent TO the insurgents OF the nlted Stes destitute
as they are and always have been, equally of ships
OF war and of ports and harbors. Disloyal emissa-
ries have been neither less assiduous nor more sue
cessfu during the last year than they were before
that time in their efforts, under favor of that priy
| lege, to efnbrol our country in foreign wars
The desire and determination of the Governments
of maritime States to defeat that design are believed
to be sincere as, and cannot be more earnest thar
Tour own! Nevertheless, unforeseen political Difficult
ties have arisen, ESPECIALLY In Brazilian and British
ports and on the northern boundaries ofthe United
States, which have required and are likely TO con
tinue to require the practice of constant vigilance
and just and concatory spirit on the part of tht
United States, as well as the nations concerned anC
their Governments. Commissioners. have, been ap
pointed under the treaty of Great Britain on the ad
Jqstment OF the claims Of the Hudson Bay and Puge
Sound Agricultural Companies, In Oregon. and are
now proceeding the execution of the trust assign
ed to them. in view Of the insecurity of life an,
propertyin the region adjacent 70 the Canadian Dor