The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-12-12

we were at peace with all nations
In our recent civil war the rebels
and their piratical and blockade
breaking allies, found facilities in
the same ports for work which they
too succ essfully accomplished, o.
injuring aud devastating the com
merce which we are now engaged
In rebuilding. We labored especi
ally under this disadvantage, thai
European steam vessels, employed
by our enemies, found friendly
shelter, protection and supplies il
West India ports, while our owI
naval operations were necessarily
carried on from our own distant
shore.
There was t hen a universal feel
ing Of the want OF an advanced
naval post between the Atlantic
coast and Europe. The duty oI
obtaining such an outpost peace
fully and lawfully, while neither
doing nor menaeirg injury to other
States, engaged the attention of the
Executive Department. at the close
of the war, aud ithas not been lost
sight of since that time. A moi
entirely disslmilar naval want re.
yealcd itself during the same peri.
cd on the Pacific coast. The re.
quired foothold there was fortunate
ly secured by our late treaty with
the Emperor of Russia, and it now
seems imperative that the more
obvious necessities Of the Atlantic
coast should not be less carefully
provided for. A goodand conven,
lent port and harbor, capable o.
easy defense, will supply that want
With the possession Of such 4
station by the United States, neither
we nor any other American nation
need any longer apprehend injury
or offensc from any Transatlantic en-
emy.
l agree with our carly statesmen
that the West Indies are naturally
gravitating to, and may beexpectcG
ultimately 10 bo absorbed by Contin
entail States, including our own.
agree with them also that it il
wise TO leave the question Of sucf
absorption to this process ofnaIura
political gravitation; The Islands
of st. Thomas and 81. Johns, whicl
constitute a part Of the group call
ed Virgin Islands, seemed to offe
US advantages Immediately dcsira
bio, while their acquisition coulC
be secured in harmony with tn,
principles to which | have alluded
A treaty has therefore been conclud
cd with the King of Denmark TO
the cession of those Islands, and /
will be submitted to the Senate 10
consideration.
Alaska.
1t will hardly be necessary t
call the attention of Congress t
the subject of providing for tn
payment to Russia Of the sum stip
nhted for the cession of Alaska
possession having been formally
delivered TO our Commissioner
The territory remains for the pres
ent ia the care of military force
awaiting such civil organization q
shall be directed by Congress.
Rights OF NaturaliLed Am ,rican CIT
zens.
The annexation of many Germa
States to Prussia, and the reorgar
ization Of that country under a ne,
and liberal Constitution have IN
duced me to renew the effort to oil
tain a just and prompt settlemer
Of a long vcxed question, concerr
ing tho claims OF the foreign state
for tho military service from tn
subjects naturalized in the Unite
States, aud in connection with thi
subject the attention of Congres
is respectfully called to q singula
and on embarrassing conflict Of III
laws.
The Executive Departm ent {
this Government has hitherto uni
formly held, as IL now holds, tn,
naturalization in conformity wit
the Constitution and laws of I'll
United States absolves the reciE
lent from bis native allegiance
The courts of Great Britain hol
that allegiance TO thu British Grow
is indeieasible, and is not absolve
by our laws of naturalization; tn
British judges cite tho courts ar
law authorities of the Unite
States in support of that theory
against the position held by th
executive authority Of the Unite
States.
This conflict perploxes tho pub
lie mind concerning the rights {
naturalized citizens and impair
the national authority abroad.
called attention to this subject i
my last annual Message an
now again | respectfully appeal
Congress to declare the nations
will Enthusiastically upon this impol
tant question,
The slave Trade.
The abuse Of our laws by tn
clandestino prosecution of the A
rican slave trade from America
ports or by American citizens ha
altogether ceased, and under exis
ing circumstances no approhensior
of its renewal in this part of th
world is entertained. Under tn
circumstances, it becomes quci
lion whether We shall not propos
to Her Mahsty's govern nent
suspension or discontinuance Of tn
stipulations for maintaining a nav
al force for the suppression of tbs
trade,
TSignod1 ANDREW JOHNSON.