Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-12-16
The Presidents Message.
FeHow Citizens of tie Senate and House
Of Representatives.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.

7 abundant harvest claim our profounde
:, gratitude to Almighty God.
The condition Of our foreign affairs
reasonably satisfactory. Mexico contir
, ues 10 be theatre Of civil war, while ou
! political relations with that country hav
undergone no change. We have at th
same time maintained neutrality betwee
the belligerents.
AT the requests Of the States of Cost
r Rica and Nicaragua, competent engi-
neer has beer authorized to make a sur
vey of the river San Juan and the por
of San Juan. 1t is a source of much sat
isfaction that the difficulties, which, for ;
moment excited some political apprehen
sions, and caused closing of the inter-
oceanic transit route, have been invaria
bly, adjusted, and that there is gooc
prospect that the route will soon be re-
opened, with an increase Of energy and
adaptation. We could not exaggeraie
either the political or the commercial i'm
portance of that great improvement. il
would be doing injustice TO an important
S ate not to acknowledge the directness,
irankness and cordiaity which the United
States of Columbia have entered into in
innate relations with this government.-
A claims convention has been constitut-
I'd TO complete the unfinished work of the
one which closed its session in 1861.
The new liberal constitution of Gren-
ada having gone into effect with the uni
versnl acquiescrnce Of the people, the
government under it has been recognized
and diplomatic intercourse with it has
arisen in a cordial and friendly spirit.
The long deferred Ares Island claim
has been satisfactorily paid and discharg
3D. Mutual payments have been made
Of payments awarded by the late joint
commission for the settlement of claims
between the United States and Peru
An earnest and cordial friendship con-
,inues 10 exist between the two coun-
tries, and such Efforts as were in my pow
er, have been used to prevent misunder-
standing and avert threatened war be-
tween Peru and Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly
nature with Chill, the Argentine Repub-
lie, Bolivar, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San
Salvador. and Hayti. Daring the past
year no difference Of any kind has arisen
with any of these Republics, and on the
other hand they sympathize with the
United States, and are constantly expires
sing cordiality and earnestness.
The claim arising from the seizure o.
the cargo of the brig Macedonian, in
1921, has been paid in full by the Gov
ernment of Chill, Civil war continues
in the Spanish part of San Domingo, ap-
parenily without prospect Of an early
close.
Official correspondence has been free
y opened with Liberia, and it gives US
4 pleasing view of social and political
progress in that Republic. 1t may be
expected to derive new vigor from Amer
can influence, improved by the rapid dis
appearance of Slavery in the United
States. solicit your authority to fur
,ish to the Republic gunboat at mod
rate cost, to be reimbursed to the Uni
ed States by instalments. Such yes
el is needed for the safety Of that State
gainst the native African races and in
hands it would be more effect.
We in arresting the African slave trade
han a squadron in our own hands. The
ossession of the least organized naval
,rce would stimulate generous ambi.
on in the Republic and the confidence
'hich we should manifest by furnishing
would win forbearance and favor to. q
ards the Colony from all civilized ma e
ons.
The proposed overland telegraph be- :. !.
gpen America and Europe by way Of
Straits and Asiatic Russia.
hich was seconded by Congress at the
st session, has been begun under very
vorabe circumstances by an association
American citizens, with the cordial
pod will and support of this government :.
Of those of Great Britain and Russia.
.ssurances have been received from
lost of the South American Govern
tents of their high appreciation of the
nterprise, and their readiness to co-op> p
rate in constructing lines tributary TO I
,at world encircling communication. | s.
arm with much satisfaction that the no. il
Ie design of te!pgrapbic communica> h
on between the Eastern coast OF Amer e
a and Great Britain has been renewed ii
iih full expectation of its early accom- a
isbmept. Thus it is hoped, that, With the n