The Van Buren press., 1866-12-14


Congress. to whom the Constitution has
granted the power of exercising exclusive
legislation over the seat of government. Our
fellow citizens residing in the District. whose
interests arc thus confided 10 the special
guardianship of Congress, exceed In number
4 the population OF several of our Territories,
and no just reason Is perceived why a dele
cate of their choice should not be admitted 10
a seat in the House of Representatives No
mode seems a. appropriate and ciiectua' Of
enabling them to make known their peculiar
condition and wants, and of securing the local
Legislation adapted 10 them. i therefore rec
lommend the passage of law authorizing the
electors OF The District of Columbia 10 choose
a delegate to be allowed the same rights and
privileges a. Il delegate representing a Terri
! tory. The increasing enterprise and rapid
progress of improvement in this District are
| highly gratifying, and trust that the efforts
! of the municipal authorities to promote the
prosperity of the natioral metropolis will re-
ceive the efficient and generous cooperation
! az CnuVrpSs
| Ii is a subject of congratulati0n that 10
| foreign combinations against our peace and
safety, or our legitimate influence among the
nations. have been formed or attempted
| While sentiments of reconciliation, loyalty
and patriOtism have increased at home, a
more lust consideration of our national char
acter and rights has been manifested by for
cign nations.
The Executive, warned of an attempt by
Spanish American adventures to induce the
emigration of freedmen of the United States
to foreign country. protested against the
object as one which, if conSummated, would
reduce them to a bondage even more Opprcs-
sive than that from which they have just been
the government ofthe State i'm which the plan
was matured, that the proceeding will meet
neither its encouragement or approval. 1t il.
a question worthy of your consideration
whether our laws upon this subject are ade-
quatc to the prevention or punishment Of the
crime thus mcditated.
In the month of April last, as Congress is
aware friendly arrangement was made be-
tween the Emperor of France and the Presi-
dent of the United States for the withdrawal
from Mexico of the French eXpcditOnary
military forces. This withdrawal was to be
effected in three detachments; the first of
which. it was understood would leave Mexico
in November now past; the second in March
next. and the last in November, 1867. Imme-
dately upon the completion the evacuation,
the French Government was TO assume the
same attitude in regard to non-interventi0n
in regard to Mexico As is held by the Govern
ment of the United States. Repeated assur-
ances have been given by the Emperor since
that arrangement that he would complete the
promised evacuation within the period men
toned. or even sooner. 1t was reasonably eX-
pected that the proceedings thus contemplated
would produce crisis OF great political inter
ests in the Republic of Mexico. The newly
appointed Minister of the United States, Mr.
Campbell, was therefore, sent forward on the
9th day OF November last to assume his func-
tons as Minister PlenipOtentiary of the Uni
ted States to that Republic. 1t was also
thought eXpedient that he should be attended
in the vicinity of Mexico By the Lieut.. Gen.
OF the United States army, with the view of
obtaining such information as might be i'm
portant to determine the course to be pursued
by the United States in re-establishing and
maintaining necessary and proper intercourse
with the Republic of Mexico. Deeply inter-
eSted in the cause of liberty and humanity, it
seemed an obvious duty on our part to eNer-
else whatever influence we possessed for the
restoration and permanent establishment in
that country of domestic and republican
form of government. such was the cond-
ton of affairs in regard to Mexico, when. on
the 23d of Nov last official information was
received from Paris that the Emperor of
France had some time before decided not to
withdraw detachment of his forces in the
month ofNovember last, according to engage
fNacit, but tnaC tfIfs uCCf>fun was maze Tor
the purpose of Withdrawing the whole of
these forces in the ensuing spring. OF this
determinatlon, however, the United States
hau not received any notice or intimatiOn,
ana so soon as the information was received
by this Government, care was taken to make
known its dissent to the Emperor of France.
1t cannot fOrego the hope that France will re-
consider the subject, and adopt some resolu-
ton in regard to the evacuation of Mexico,
winch VIII conform as nearly as practicable
Win the existing engagement and meet the
just expectations of the United States. The
papers relating to the subject will be laid be-
fore Congress. Its believed that with the
evacuation of Mexico by the eXpeditionary
forces, no subject for serious differences be-
tween France and the United States would
remain. The expressions of the Emperor and
people OF France warrant hope that the ira
ultiOnarN friendship between the two cOun-
tries might, in that case, be renewed and
permanently restored.
III Is a matter of regret that no considerable
advance has been made toward an adjust
lnent OF the difference between the United
States and Great Britain arising out of the
depredations upon our national commerce
ana other tresspasses committed during our
civil war by British subjects in violation ofn-
ternational law and treaty obligations. The
delay, however, may be believed to have re-
suited 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. The attention
OF the new Ministry was called to the subject
at an early day, and there is some reason to
expect that it will be considered in a becom-
ing and friendly spirit. The Importance OF
an early disposition of the question cannot be
exaggerated. Whatever might be the wishes
or the two Governments, it is manifest that
good will and friendship between the two
countries cannot be established until recip-
rocity IN the practice of good faith and nerl-
trality shall be restored between the respcct-
I've nations
This Government claims for all per.
sons not convicted, accused or suspected
OF crime an absolute political right OF
self expatriation and choice Of new ma.
tional allegiance Most Of the European
States have dissented from this principle
and have claimed right to hold such OF
their subjects as have emigrated to and
been naturalized in the United States and
afterwards returned on transient visits to