The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1864-12-15
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Felloo. Citizens Of the Senate and House
orRcpreSeatdtiUes:
Again the blessings Of health and
=. tz.,,o.t, ol,;r, nur Drnfnund .


The condition cf our foreign affairs
is reasonably satisfactory. Mexico con-
Times 10 he a theater of civil war. While
our political relations with that country
have undergone no change, We have at
the same time strictly maintained neu-
trality between the bclligereuts. AT
the request of the States of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua, competent engineer
has been authorized to make a survey OF
the river San Juan and the port of San
Juan. 1t isa source Of much satisfac-
ton that the difficulties which for a
moment excited some political appre-
tensions, and caused a closing Of the
Intcr-Occanic transit route, have been
amicably adjusted, and that there is a
good prospect that the route will soon
be reopcued with an increase of capaci-
ty and adaptation. We could not exrg-
cerate either the commercial or the pO-
litcal Importance Of that great i'm
provement. 1t would be doing an in.
justice to an important South American
State, not to acknowledge the drectncss,
frankncss, and cordiality with which the
United States Of Columbia have entered
into intimate relations with this Govern
ment. A Claim Convention has been
constituted to complete the unfinished
work of the ono which closed its session
in 1861. The new liberal Constitution
of Vcnczuch having gone into effect
with the universal Ocqricscencc of the
people and Government underi it, has
been rocogn'g'd, and diplomntic inter
course with it has hacn opened in cor
dial and friendly spirit. The long de
forrcd Avis Island claim has hecn sat
isractorily paid and discharged.
Mutual payments have been made Of
the cllim, awarded by the late joint
Commission for the settlement ofclaims
between the United States and Peru
An earnest and cordial friendship con-
tinues to exist between the two coun-
tries, and such cffJrts as were in my
power have been used to remove misun
derstanding and avert a threatened war
between Peru aud Spain.
Our relations are of the most friend
ly nature with Chilli, the Argentine R.
public, B ,livip, Costa Rica, Paraguay.
San Salvador and Hlyti. Daring the
past year no differences Of any kind
have arisen with any cf these republics,
and, on the other hand, their sympa.
thies with the United States are con-
stantly expressed.
The claim arising from the seizure OF
tho cargo of the brig Macedonian, in
1921, has been paid in full by the gov
eminent of Chilli.
Civil war continues in the Spanish
part of San Doming', apparently with.
out prospect Of an early close.
LIBERIA
Official &C RESP ondenco has been free
ly opened with Liberia, and it gives us
A pleasing view Of social and political
progress in that Republic. 1t may be
expected to derive new vigor from
American influence, improved by the
rapid disappearance of slavery in the
United Stairs. solicit your authority
to furnish the Republic a gunboat at t
moderate cost, to be reimbursed to thC
United States by installments. Slch t
vessel is needed for the safety of tha
State against the native African races
and in Liberiau hands, it. would be NOR
ff1ctive in arresting the African slav
trace than a squadron in our own hands
The possession Of The leOs: organized n
val force would stimulate generou
ambition in the Republic, and the con
hdence which we should manifest b
urnishing it would win forboarance an
favor towards the colony from all civil
zed nations.
ATLANTIC AND OVERLAND TELEGRAPH
The proposed overland telegraph be
tween America and Europe; by the wa
of Behring's Straits and Asiatic Russia
which was sanct oned by Congress,
the last session, has been undertake
under very favorable circumstances b
ali association of American citizen
with the cordial good will and supper
as we'll of this Government as of thos
of Great Britain and Russia. Assn
ances have been received from most
the South American States, of their hie
appreciation of the enterprise and the
Ireodinesa IN co-onerate in consfructiu