Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-12-09


FelLoe0 Citizens Of the Senate and Hom
Of Representatives:
Again the blessings of health and abundar
barvests claim profoundest gratitude
Almighty God.
The condition of our foreign affairs is res
sonably satisfactory. Mexico continues to b
theatre of civil war. While our political re
lations with that country have undergone n
change, we have, at the same time, strictl
maintained neutrality between the belligerents
At the request of the States of Costa Ric
and Nicaraugua, a competent engineer ha
been authorized TO make survey of the rive
San Juan and the port Of San Juan 1t is {
source Of much satisfaction that the difficultie:
| which for a moment excited some political ap
| prehenslons, and caused by the closing of the
inter-oceanic transit route, have been amicably
adjusted, and that there is a good prospect
that the route will soon be re-opened with an
increase Of capacity and adaptation We
| could not exaggerate either the commercial or
the political importance OF that great improve
ment. 1t would be doing injustice to an i'm
pOrtent North Americaa State not to ac-
knowledge the directuess, frankness and cordi-
ality with which the United States of Column
bia have entered into intimate relations with
this Government.
A claims convention has been constituted 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 acquiescence of the
people, the government under it has been re-
cognized, and diplomatic intercourse with it
has been opened in q cordial and friendly spir-
it. The long deferred Aris Island claim has
been satisfactorily paid snd discharged Mu-
tual payments have been made of the claims
awarded by the late j Joint Commission for the
settlement OF claims between the United States
and Peru. An earnest and cordial friendship
continues to exist between the two countries.
and such efforts as were in my power, have
been used to remove misunderstanding and
avoid a threatened war between Peru and
Spain.
Our relations are ofthe most friendly nature
with Chill, the Argentine Republics of Boli-
via, Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salvador, and
Hayti. During the past year no differences
of any kind have arisen with any of these Re
publies; and on the other hand, their sympa-
thies with the United States are constantly ex-
pressed.
The claim arising from the seizure of the
cargo of the brig Macedonian, in 1861, has
been paid in full by the Government of Chill.
Civil war continues in the Spanish port of
San Domingo, apparently without prospect OF
an early close. Official correspondence has
been freely opened with Liberia, and it gives
US pleasing view ofsocial and political prog
ress in that Republic. 1t might be expected
to derive new vigor from American influence,
improved by the rapid disappearance of slavery
in the United States. 1 solicit your authority
TO furnish the Republic gunboat, at mod
crate cost, to be reimbursed to the United
States by installments. Such vessel is need |
full for the safety of that State against the ma
tive African races, and in Liberian hands it
would be more effective in arrestiDg the Afri-
can slave trade than a squadron in our own
hands The possession of the least organized
naval force would stimulate a generous am
bition in the Republic and the confidence |
which We should manifest by furnishing it, |
would win forbearance and favor towards the |
Colony from all civilized nations.
The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe, by the way of Behring's /
Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was sanction |
ed by Congress at the last session, has been /
under very favorable cireumstan- J
ces, by an association of American citizens,
with the cordial good will and support, as we'll /
of this Government as those of Great Britain |
and Russia. Assurances have been received |
from most Of the South American States of
their high appreciation of the enterprise, and
their readiness to cooperate in constructing
ines tributary to that world-encircling com
nunication.
learn with much satisfaction that the no.
Die design of Il telegraphic communication be-
ween the Eastern coast Of America and
Great Britain, has been renewed, with full ex-
,ectation of its early accomplishment. Thus
t is hoped that with the return of domestic
'eace, the country will be able to resume, with
nergy and advantage, her former high career
f commerce and civilization. {
Oar very popular and estimabe Represen- I
ative in Egypt, died in April last. An un- J
'easant alteration which arose between the i
emporary incumbent of the office and the S
government Of the Pacha resulted in sus- /
ension of intercourse. The evil was prompt d
? corrected on the arrival of the successor in r
be Consulate, and our relation with Egypt, as s
'ell as our relation with the Barbary powers, n
re entirely satisfactory. Il
The rebellion which has so long been fla Ii
rant in China, has at last been suppressed, il
18th the cooperating good Offices of this Gov Ii
-nment and OF the other western commercial b
tates. The Judicial Consular establishment b
as become very difficult and ouerOus; and it Ii
i'll need legislative restriction to adapt it to HI