Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-12-06

the United States has received no notice or ntima-
ton, and so informa ton was received rom
this Government, care was taken 10 make KNOW
it's dissent to the Emperor of France. l cannot
forego the hope that France VIII reconsider the SUD
ject and adopt some resolution in regard to the
evacuation OF Mexico, which VIII CONFORM 10 tle :
existing engagement. and meet the expectations Oh
this Government, The documents on the SUBJECT
viii be laid before Congress. With the evacuation
OF Mexico by the French, no subJect LOT serious
differences between France and the United States
would remain
The expressions of the Emperor and people of
France warrant hope that the traditlonafy friend
ship between the two countries might IN that case
be renewed and permanently restored. A claim OF
a citizen of the United Stated for indemnity Tor
spOliations committed the high seas by the
French authorities in the exercise OF beillgerent
power against Mexico has been met by the GoV-
ernment of France with proposition to defer set
tlement until mutual convention for TIL ADJUST
ment of all claims of citizens and subjects of both
countries, arising out of the recent wars on this
| continent, shall be agreed upon by the two coun-
tries. The suggestion is not deemed unreasonaoie,
but it belongs to Congress to direct the mann0r in
which claims for indemnity by foreigners, as well
as by citizens Of the United States, arising out OF
the late civil war shall be adjudicated and deter
mined. / have no doubt that the subject Of all such
Claims VIII engrOss your attention at convenient
and proper time. 9~
GREAT BRITAIN.
1t is a matter of regret that no considerable ad-
vance has been made towards an adjustment OF the
difference between the United States and Great
Britain arising out of the depredations on our com
merce, and other trespasses committed during the
civil war; by British subjects. in violation OF inter-
national law and treaty obligations. me delay,
however, 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 session OF Parliament
Inc attention Of the new ministry was called TO the
subject at an early day, and there is some reason
TO 0elleVe that 1t will be considered IN becoming
and friendly spirit. The Importance of an early
disposition of the question cannot be exaggerated.
hl var irht ha tho wis Of no
it is manifest that good feeling and friendship be-
tween the two countries cannot be established until
reciprocity in the practice of good faith and neu
trality shall be restored between the respective ma
tons.
THE FENIAN INVASION OF CANADA.
On the 9TH of June last, in Aiolation Of our neu-
tralty laws military enterprise against the British
North American colonies was projected and at
tempted to be carried on within the territory end
jurisdiction of the United States. In obedience of
the obligation imposed upon the Executive by the
Constitution, to that the laws faithfully ex-
ecuted, all citizens were warned by proclamation
against taking part in OF aiding such unlawful pro,
ceedings, and the proper civil military and naval
officers were directed to take all necessary meas
ures for the enforcement of the laws. The eXpedl-
ton failed, but it has not been without Its painful
consequences. Some of our citizens, whom 1t was
alleged were engaged in the expedition, were
brought to trial, as for capital offence, in the
province of Canada. Judgment and sentence OF
death have beer pronounced against some, while
others have beer acquitted. Fully believing in the
maxim OF government, that severity OF civil pun
in revolutionary attempts which have disastrousy
failed, is unsound and unwse, misrepresentation
have been made to the British Government, in be-
half OF the convicted persons, as, being sustained
by an enlightened and humane Judgment, Will, 1t
is to be hoped, induce i'll their act of Glenn
ency and a judcious amnesty to all who were en-
gagged in the movement. Counsel has Deen en-
poyed by the Government 20 defend citizens OF the
United States on trial for capital offences Ill
Canada, and discontinuance of the prosecutions
which were instituted i'll courts of the United
States against those who took part In the expedi-
ton has been directed. have regarded the cxpe-
dtion not only political in its nature, but also
in great measure foreign from the United States,
In causes, character and objects.
The attempt was understood to be made In SYM
pathy with an insurgent party in Ireland, and, by
striking at a British province on this continent,
was designed to aid IN obta1ng redress
for political grievances which it was
UNI lathe the people of Ireland had suffered
ing period of several centuries. The persons
engaged in it were chiefly natives of that country
some of whom had, while others had not become
citizens of the United States, under our general
laws of naturalization. Complaints of misgovern-
ment in Ireland continually engage the attention
Of the British nation and SO great an agitation is
ment have! deemed it necessary to suspend the
writ of hdbeQS corpus in that country. These Cir
cnmstances must necessarily modify the opinion
which we might otherwise have entertained in re-
gard to an expedition expressly prohibited by our
neutrality laws. SO long as these laws remain
upon our statute books they should be faithfully
executed, ana If they operate harshly, unjusty or
progressively, Congress alone can apply the remedy
by their modification or repeal.
THE EASTERN QUESTION.
The political and commercial interests of the
United States are not unlikely to be affected in
some degree by events which are transporting III
the eastern regions of Europe and the time seems
to have come when our Government ought to have
| proper diplomatic representation in Greece.
NATURALIZATION.
/ The Government has claimed for all persons not
convicted, or accused, or suspected OF crime, an
absolute political. right of selfexpatiation and
choice of new national allegiance. Most of the
European States have dlssented from this prlnc1-
pie, and have claimed right to hold such OF their
subjects as have ilnmigrated to and been natural
lied in the United States, and afterwards returned
transient visits to their native countries, to the
performance of military service in like manner as
resident subjects. Complaints arising from the
claims in this respect madesby foreign States have
heretofore been matter of controversy between
the United States and some of the European Pow
ers, and the invitation consequent upon the failure
to 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 prae-
tically insisted upon it. France has been equally
for bearing, and Prussia has proposed compro-
mise which, although evincing increased liberal
ity, has not been accepted by the United States.
Peace is now prevailing everywhere in Europe,
and the present seems to be favorable time for an
assertion by Congress OF the principle so long
maintained by the Executive Department. that natu-
radiation by State fully eXempts the native born
subject of any other State from the performance of
military service under any foreign government, SO
long as he does voluntarily renounce its rights and
benefits.
CONCLUSION.
| In the performance of duty imposed by the Con-
stituton, have thus submitted to the representa-
tves of the States and the people such information
of our domestic and foreign affairs as the public in
terests may require. Our Government is now I'M
| dergoing its most trying 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 ma
ton are best to be promoted by the revival of fra
terna relations the complete oDliteration of our
pursuits OF peace Directing our efforts to the &C
complishment of these great ends, let us endeavor
| to preserve harmony between the coordinate de-
proper sphere, may cordially cooperate with the
other in securing the maintenance Of the Constitu-
tion the preservation of the Union and the perpe-
| tuity of free institutions.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
| WAsHINGToN, December g. 1866