Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-12-15
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Fcl'oW Citizens of The Senate and House Of
Representatives.:
Again the blessings of health and abun-
dant harvests claim our profound gratitude
to Almighty God
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The condition of our Foreign affairs is
reasonably satisfactory. Mexico. continues
to be theatre of civil war. While our
political relations with that country have
undergone no change, we have at the same
time strictly maintained neutrality between
the beligerents.
SOUTH AMERICAN RELATIONS.
At the request of the States of Costa Rica
and Nicaragua a competent engineer has
been authorized to make survey of the
river San Juan and the Port of San Juan.
1t is source of much satisfaction, that the
difficulties which for amoment excited some
political apprehcnsionsan and caused a closing
Of the inter-Occanc transit route, have been
amicably diusted, and that there is good
prospect that the route will soon be reopen
ed with an increased capacity and adapta-
ton. We could not exaggerate either the
commercial or political importance of that
great Improvement 1t would be doing in
justice to an important South American
State, not to acknowledge the directness,
frankness 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 session in 1861. The new
liberal Constitution of Venezuela having
gone into effect with the universal acques-
cence of the people, the Government under
it has been re-organizcd, and diplomatic
MT with IL hoe laap ,,rl;,l nd
friendly spirit. The long deferred Avis
Island claim has been satisfactorily paid and
discharged. Mutual payments have been
made of the claims awarded by the late joint
commission for the settlement of claims be-
tween 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 avert a
threatened war between Peru and Spain -
| Our relations are of the most friendly nature
with Chill, the Argentine Republic, Bolivia,
Costa Rica, San Salvador and Hayti. Dur
ing the past year no differences of any kind
have arisen with any of these Republics.
and on the other hand their sympathies with
the United States are constantly expressed
The claim arising from the seizure of the
cargo of the brig Macedonian, in 1921, has
been paid in full by the government of Chilli
Civil war continues i'll the Spanish port
San Domingo, apparently without prospect
of an early close.
Official correspondence has been freely
opened with Liberia, and it gives us pleas
ing view of the social and political progress
in that republic. 1t may be expected to
derive new vigor from American influences,
improved by the rapid disappearance of
slavery in the United States. | solicit your
authority TO furnish to that republic gun
boat, at a moderate cost, to be reimbursed
to the United States by installments. Such
vessel is needed for the safety of that State
against the native African races, and in III
berian hands it would be more effective in
arresting the African slave-trade than a
squadron in our own hands. The possession
of the last organized naval force would slim
ulate generous ambition 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.
INTERNATIONAL TELEGRAPH.
The proposed Overland Telegraph be-
tween America and Europe, by the way of
Behring' Straits and Asiatic Russia which
was sanctioned by Congress at the last ses-
| l. L.. -, ...,., r.,
orabla c;rcumstances hv an assoc;at;on Of
Amnr;can cit;ycns with fbe cord;ol @ood will
and sunport, as well of this Government as
those Of Great Britain and Russia. Assur-
ances have been received from. most of the
South American States Of their high appre-
ciation Of the enterprise, and tbeirroadines,
to co-onerote in constructinc lines tributary
TO that world encirclinp communication. :
learn with much satisfaction that the
noble design of a telerraphic communication
between the eastern coast of America anC
Great Britain has been renewed with full
exncctotion of it's early accomplishment -
Thus il is hoped that with the return of do
mestic peace, the country will be able to re
sumo with energy and advantage her forme
high career OF commerce and CIVILIZATION
EGYPT.
Our very popular and estimable represen
tatiye in Egypt died in April last. An un
pleasant alteration which arose between
the temporary incumbent of the office anC
the Government of the Pacha resulted in {
suspension of intercourse. The evil was
promptly corrected on the arrival of the sue
cessor to the consulate, and our relations
with Egypt, as well as our Relationship the
Barbary Powers, are entirely satisfactory
CHINA.
The rebellion which has so long beer
fagrant in China, has at last been sup
pressed, with the cooperating good offices
of this Government, and of the other WeS-