Evening star., 1866-12-03

Continent shall be agreed upon BY the two
countries The suggestion is not deemed un-
reasonable, but il belongs to Congress TO direct
the manner in which claims for Indemnity by
foreigners, as well ne by citizens of the United
States, arising ont OF the late civil war. shall
be adJudicaied and determined. 1 have no
doubt that the subject Of all such claims will
engage your attention at convenient and
proper time.
It's a matter of regret that no considerable
advance has been made toward an adjustment
OF the differences between the United States
and Great Britain, arising out of the depreda-
tons upon our national commerce and other
trespasses committed during our civil war by
British subjects, in violation of International
law and treaty obligations. The delay, how
ever, may be believed TO have resulted in no
small degree from the domestic situation of
Great Britain. An entire change Of ministry
occurred in that country during the last ses-
sion OF Parliament. The attention of the new
ministry was called TO the subject at an early
day, and there is some reason 10 expect that II
will now be considered in a becoming and
friendly spirit. The importance Of an early
disposition OF the question cannot be exaege-
rated. Whatever might be the wishes Of the
two Governments, IL Is manifest that good
Will and friendship between the two countries
cannot be established until a reciprocity, in the
practice Of good-faith and neutrality. shall be
restored between the respective nations.
On the 9th of June last, in violation OF our
neutrality laws, military expedition and en-
terprise against the British North American
Colonies was projected and attempted TO be
carried risd,e,on on within bin the territory and jn-
obedience TO the obligation imposed
upon the Executive by the Constitution, to
see that the laws are faithfully executed. all
citizens Were warned, by proclaim alton against
taking part In or aiding such unIawful pro-
ceedlngs, and the proper civil. military, and
naval officers were directed to take all neces-
sary measures for the enforcement of the la ws
The expedition rallied, but it has moi been with
outl painful consequences. Some of our
citizens who, ii was alleged, were engaged in
hn Nnd
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 be-
lieving in the maxim of government, tina: Sc
verify OF civil punishment for misguided per-
sons who have engaged in revolutionary at
tempts which have disastrously failed. is un-
sound and unwise. such representations have
been made 10 the British Government, in be-
half of the convicted persons, as, being sus-
tanned by an enlightened ana humane ludg-
ment, Will, II is hoped, induce in their cases an
exercise of clemensy, and a jusicious amnesty
10 all who Were engaged in the movement.
Counsel has been employed by the Govern
ment TO defend citizens of the United States on
trial for capital offences in Cauada; and a dis
continuance of the prosecutions which were
instituted 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
pelitlcal in Its nature, but also in a great
measure foreign from the United States an It's
causes. character, and objects. The attempt
was understood 10 he made in sympathy with
an insnrgent party IN Ireland, and. by striking
at British Province on this Continent, was
designed 10 aid in blaming redress for poIiti-
cal grievances which, II was assumed. the
people OF Ireland had suffered ar the hands of
The British Government during a period of
several centuries. The persons engaged in II
were chiefly natives of that country, some OF
whom had, while others had not become citi-
zens of the United States under our general
laws of naturalization. Complaints OF mis-
government IN Ireland continually engage the
attention Of the British nation. and so great an
agitation is now prevailing in Ireland that the
British Government have deemed IL necessar,
TO suspend the wait of hdJeds corpus in that
country. These circumstances must neces-
sarily modify the opinion which we might
otherwise have entertained in regard TO an
expedition expressly prohibited by our neu-
trality laws. SO long as those laws remain
upon our statute books, they should be faith
fully executed, and II they operate harshly.
Lnjustly, or oppressiyely. 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 ia
some degree by events which are transpiring
IN The eastern regions OF Europe, and the time
seems to have come when our Government
ought TO have proper diplomatic representa-
sons net convicted, or accused. or suspected OF
crime, an absolute political right Of seIf-expa-
trlaiion. and a choice of new national allie
glance MCst of the European States have
dIssented from this principle. and have
claimed a right to hold such OF their subjects
as have immigrated TO and been nsturalized In
the United States, and afterwards returned on
transient visits to their native countries, the
performance Of military service in like man.
ner AS resident subjects. Complaints arising
from the claim in this respect made py foreign
States, have heretofore been matters of con-
troversy between the United States and some
OF the European Powers, and the irri.
tation consequent upon the failure to settle
this question increased during the war
in which Prussia, Italy, and Austria were re-
Gently engaged. While Great Britain has
never acknowledged the right Of expatriation,
she has not for some years past practically in
sisted upon the opposite doctrine. France
has been equally forbearlng; and Prussia has
proposed compromise, which, although
cepted by the United States. Peace is now
prevailing everywhere in Europe, and the
present seems to be favorable time for an as
maintained BY the Executive Department, that
naturalization by one State fully exempts the
native-born subject Of any other state from the
performance OF military service under any for
eign Government, SO long as he does not VOL
UNFAIRLY renounce its rights and benefits.
In the performance OF q duty imposed upon
me by the Constitution, i have thus submitted
TO the Representatives Of the States and Of the
People such information OF our domestic and
foreign affairs as the public interests seem TO
require. Our Government is now undergoing
Its most irving ordeal, and my earnest prayer
is, that the peril may be successfully and
finally passed, without impairing its original
strength and symmetry. The Interests OF the
nation are best TO be promoted by the
vIval Of fraternal relations. the COM
plete obliteration OF our past differences, and
the re-inauguration OF all the pursuits of peace.
Directing our efforts to the early accomplish
ment of these great ends, let endeayor TO
preserve harmony between the coordinate
Department nts of the Government, that each in
its proper sphere may cordially cooperate
with the other in securing the maintenance OF
the Constitution, the presery yation of the Union,
and the perpetuity of our Tree institutions.
.-4Ha. p ANDREW JOHNSON,
WAsHINGToE, December 3, ls66.