Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-06

the late civil war, shall be adiudic.ted and deter.
mined. have no donbt that the subject of all such
CLAIMS VIII engage your attention at convenient
and proper time.
It's matter Of regret that no considerable ad-
vance has been made toward an adjustment Of the
dinerences between the United States and Great
britain, arising out Of the depredations upon our
pationai commerce and other trespasse, committed
during cur civil war by British subjects. in viola
ton oil international law and treaty obligations.
Inc delay however, may be believed to bate result
ca IN no small degree from the domestic situation
OF Great Britain. An entire change of ministry
occurred IN that country during the last session of
fariiament The attention Of the new ministry was
called to the subject at early day, and there is
reason to expect that it will now be considered in
becoming and friendly spirit The Importance Of
an early disposition of the question cannot be ex
aggerated. Whatever might b. the wishes of the
two Governments il is manifest that good will and
friendship between the two countries cannot be es-
taoiished until reciprocity, in the practice of
sooaaltn and neutrality, shall be restored between
| the respective nations.
on the 6th day of June last, in violation of our
neutrality laws, military expedition and enter
prise against the British North American Colonies
was projected and attempted to be carried on with
in the territory and jurisdiction of the United State,
In obedience to the obligation imposed upon the
Executive by the Constitution 20 see that the laws
are faithfully executed, all citizens were warned.
by proclamation, against taking part in or aiding
| such unlawful proceedings, and the proper civil,
| military, and naval officers were directed to take
all necessary measures for the enforcement of the
laws. The expedition failed, but il has not been
without its painful consequences Some of our Cit
liens who, it was alleged, were engaged in the ex-
petition were captured, and have been brought To
trial, as for capital offence, in the Province Of
Canada. Judgment and sentence Of death have
been pronounced against some, while others have
been acquitted Fully believing in the maxim Of
government, that severity of civil punishment for
misguided persons who have engaged in revolution
airy attempts which have disastrously failed is I'M
sound and rnwise, such representations have been
made TO the British Government in behalf Of the
convicted persons, as, being sustained BY an en-
lightened and humane Judgment, will, il is hoped,
induce In their cases an exercise OF clemency and
judicious amnesty 10 all who were engaged in the
movement. Counsel has been employed by the
Government to defend citizens of the United States
on trial for capital offences in Canada aud dis
continuance of the prosecutions which were nstitu-
ted in the courts Of the United States against those
who took part in the expedition, has been directed.
have regarded the expedition as not only politi-
cal in its nature but also in great measure for
eign from the United States in its character,
and objects. The attempt was understood TO DO
made in sympathy with an insurgent party In lro-
land, and, BY striking at British Province on this
Continent, was designed 10 aid in obtaining redress
for political grievances which, il was assumed, the
people of Ireland had suffered at the hands of the
British Government during period of several CEN
turtles The persons engaged in it were chiefly ma
tiyes OF that country, some OF whom had, whilo
others had not become citizens Of the United States
under our general laws of naturalization. Com
plants of misg0vernment in ireland continually en-
gagged the attention of the British nation, and so
great an agitation is now prevailing in Ireland that
the British Government have deemed il necessary
to suspend the writ Of habeas corpus in that country
These circumstances must necessarily modify the
opinion which we might otherwise have entertain
edin regard To expedition expressly prohibited
our neutrality laws. Solong rs those laws remain
upon satute-books they should be faithfully ex
ecuted, and if they operate harshly, unusty, OPP
pressively, Congress alone can apply the remedy,
by their modification or repeal.
Political and commercial interests OF the United
States are not unlikely TO be affected in some de-
gree by events which are Transporting in the eastern
regions of Europe, and the time seems to have come
when our Government ought TO have proper d.
plomatic representation in Greece.
This Government has claimed for all persons not
convicted, accused, or suspected Of crime an abb
soute political right Of sclfexpatriation, aud
choice Of new national allegiance Most of the Eu-
ropean States have dissented from this principle,
and have claimed right To hold such of their sub
jects as have immigrated to and been nauralized IN
the United States and afterwards returned on tran
sent visits o their native countries, TO the perOr-
nance of military service in like manner rs rest
dent SUBJECTS. complaints arising HOm
in this respect made by foreign States, have here
tofore been matters OF controvels between the UNI
ted States aud some OF the Eui opcan Powers,
and the irritation consequent upon the failure u
settle this question increased during the war IN
which Prussia, Italy, and Austria were recently
engaged. While Great Britain has never acknowl-
edged the right of expatriation she has not praet-
cally insisted upon il. France has been equally
forbearing; and Prussia has proposed compromise,
which. although evincing increased hberality. has
not been accepted by the United States. Peace IS
now prevailing everywhere in Europe. and the pres
ent seems to be favorable time for an assertion Dy
Congress of the principle long maintained by the
Executive Department, that naturalization by ono
State fully exempts the nativcborn subject OF any
other State from the performance Of military ser
vice under any foreign Government, so long as be
does not voluntarily renounce its rights ana Deno-
fits.
In the performance OF duty imposed upon
me by the Constitution, have thus submitted 70
the Representatives of the States and OF the people
such information Of our domestic and foreign al
fairs as the public interests seem % require Our
Government is now undergoing its most trying or
deal, and nv earnest prayer is that the peril may
be successfully and finally passed, without impair
ing its original sfength and symmetry. The int
rests of the nation best 10 be promoted by the re-
viyal of fraterna relations the complete oblitera
ton Of our past differences and the re.inauguraion
Of all the pursuits Of peace. Directing our efforts
10 the early accomplishment Of these great ends,
let us endeavor to preserve harmony between the
coordinate Departments Of the Government, that
each in its proper sphere NAV cordially coop
crate with the other in securing the maintenance OF
the Constitution, the preservation OF the nion and
the perpetuity of our free institutions.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, December 3, 1866.
"----