The weekly union record., 1864-12-17
PRESIDENTS NE SAGE.
Delivered to both Houses Of Congress on
Tuesday, December 9Th.
Fslloir Citizens Of the Senate
md Ho.sSs Of Representative.

Ftlloir Citizens Of the Senate
and House Of Representatives.
Again the blessings Of health and abundant
hsrvests claim our p.ofOundest gratitude to
Almighty God.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The condition of our foreign affairs is reason
ably satisfactory. Mexico continues to be a
theater of civil war. While our political rela-
tions with that country have undergone 10
change, we have at the same time strictly
maintained neutrality between the belligerents.
At the request of the States Of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua, competent engineer has made
a survey Of the river San Juan and the port Of
San Juan. 1t is source of much satisfaction
that the difficulties which, for moment, ex-
cited some political apprehension, and caused
losing ef the inter oceanic trsust route, have
been amicably adjusted, and that there is
good prospect that the route will soon be re-
opened with an increase of capacity and adapt
alton. We could not exaggerate either the
commercial or the political importance of this
great improvement.
1t would be doing injustice to an important
South American State not to acknowledge the
directness, frsnkness and cordiality with which
the United States of Columbia 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 sessions in 1861.
The new liberal Constitution of Venezuela
having gone into etftct. with the universal ac
quiescence of the people, the Government under
it has been recognized, and diplomatic inter
course with it has been opened in cordial and
friendly spirit. The long deferred Avis Island
claim has been satisfactorily paid and dis
charged.
Mutual payments have been made of the
claims awarded by the late 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 threatened war between Peru and
Spain.
Our relations are of the most friendly nature
with Chile, the Argentine Republic, Bolivia,
Costa Rica, Paraguay, San Salvador and
Hayti. During the past year no differences of
any kind have arisen with any of these Repub
lies. On the other hand, their sympathes with
the United States are constantly expressed.
The claim arising from the seizure Of the cargo
of the brig Macedonia, in 1921, has been paid
in full by the Government of Chile.
Civil war continues in the Spanish part of
San Domingo, apparently without prospect
OF an early close.
Official correspondence has been freely opered
with Liberia, and it gives q new and pleasing
view of social aud political progress in that
republic 1t may be expected to derive new
vigor from American influence, improved by
the rapid disappearance of slavery i'll the
United States. | solicit your authority to fur
nish the republic gunboat at moderate cost,
to be reimbursed to the United States by in
stallments Such vessel is needed for the
safety of that State against the native African
race, and in Lberian hands it would be more
effective in arrestiDg the African slave trade
than squadron in our own hands. The pos
session of the least organized naval force would
stimulate generous ambition in the republic.
and the confidence which we should manifest By
furnishing it would win forbearance ond favor
toward the colonies from oil civilized natious.
The proposed overland telegraph between
America and Europe, by the way of Behring
Straits and arctic Russia. which was sanctioned
by Congress at the last session, has been un-
dertaken, under very favorable circumstances,
by an association Of American citizens, with
the cordial good will and support as well of
this Government as of those OF Great Britain
and Russia. Assurances have been received
from most of the South American States of
their high appreciation of the enterprise. ard
their readiness 10 co operate in constructing
lines TO connect with that world encrcling
communication.
| 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 its
early accomplishment. Thus it is hoped that
with the return of domestic peace, the country
will be able to resume with energy and advnD-
tage her former high career of commerce and
civilization.
Our very popular and estimable representa-
tive in Egypt died in April last An unpleas-
ant alteration which arose between the tenn
porary incumbent of the office and the Govern
ment of the Pasba resulted in suspension Of
intercourse. This was promptly corrected on
the arrival OF the successor to the Consulate.
Our relations with Egypt, as well as our rela-
tions with the Barbary Powers, are entirely
satisfactory.
The rebellion which has so long been in
progress in China hbs at last been suppressed
with the CO operating good offices Of this Gov
erument and the other foreign commercial
States ne JUDICIAL consular establishment
has become very difficult and onerous, and it
will need legislative regulation to adapt it to
the extension OF our commerce and to the init
mate 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
commerce apd social intercourse among the
Western nations.
Owing to the peculiar situation OF Japan,
and the anomalous form Of its Government, the
action Of that empire, in performing treaty
stipulatons, is Inconsistent and capricious
Nevertheless, good progress has been effected
by the Western Powers moving iu enlightened
concert. Our own pecuuiary claims have been
allowed or put in course of settlement and the
Island Sea has been reopeued TO commerce.
There is reason also TO believe that these pro
ceediugs have increased, rather than diminished.
the friendship Of Japan towards the United
States.
The ports of Norfolk. Fernandina and Pen
saco.a have been opened by proclamation 1t