Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-12-05

late treaty with the Emperor OF Russia,
and Il now seems imperative bhas the
more obvious necessities OF tne n
coast should not be less Carsiu
provided for. A good and convenient port ana
harbor, capable Of easy defense, viii supply
that want With the possession OF sueh sta'
tion by the United States neither We nor any
other American nation need longer apptehut,u
injury Of Offense from any trans Atlahuo she nv,
mics, agree with our early statesmen, that
the West indies naturally graVitate 10, ana may
he expected ultimately 10 be absorbed by the
Continental States, includln8oOt own astvV
with them also thar II Is wise 70 leaNe lhs W.
ton of such absorption TO TINS process Sl natu-
raj political grayitatOn, Inc lslahus ol y.
Thomas and ST. Johns, which constliu part
of the rrOup called the Virgin ISLANDS, eeeheu
TO offer us advantages Immediately uesIapIC'
while their acquisition could DC secured III mar
mony with the principles to when nay ,b S
A treaty has, therefore been concluded Wlth the
King Of Denmark for the cession OF these
islands, and il twin be submitted 10 the senate
for consideration,
ALASKA,
II will hardly be necessary to call the atten'
ton of Congress 10 the subject OF proNlulhg LOT
the payment to Russia of the sum stipulated IN
the treaty for the cession Of Alaska. Posses
siop having been formally delivered to cur
Commissioner there the Territory remains Tor
the present in care Of military force, awaiting
such civil organization as shall be directed by
Congress.
NATURALIZED CITIZENS.
The annexation Of many small German States
10 Prussia and the reorganization Of that country
under a new and liberal constitution, have m
duced me 10 renew the effort to obtain a Just ana
prompt settlement of the long yexed question con-
corning the claims Of foreign States for military
service from their subjects naturalzed IN the
United States. In connection with this subject
the attention of Congress is reSpecttuly called TO
singular and embarrassing conflict OF laws Inc
Executive Department of this Government has
hitherto uniformly held as 1t now holds thht nat
uraization in conformity with the Constitution
and laws Of the United States abSolves the recipl
ent from his native allegiance. The Courts OF
Great Britain hold that allegiance 20 the BRITISH
Crown is indefeasihle and is not ahsolved by our
laws Standardization. British Judges cite Courts
and law authorities Of the United States IN support
of that theory against the position held by the tx
ocutivc authority of the United States This con
hict perplexes the public mind concerning The
rights of naturalized citizens, and impairs the ma
tional authority abroad. ! called attention tC
this subject in my last annual Message, and now
again respectfully appeal 10 Congress 10 declare
the national will Enthusiastically upon this lmpor
tant question.
THE SLAVE TRADE.
The abuse of our laws by the clandestne
| prosecution of the African slaYe-trade from
| American ports, or by American citizens, has
! altogether ceased, and, under existing cirCum
| stances, no apprehensiOns OF its renewal, II
! this part Of the world, are entertained. Unde
! these circumstances, 1t becomes a question
| whether we shall not propose to Her Majesty
| Government a suspension or discOntinuance o
| the stipulation for maintaining naval fore
| for the suppression of that trade,
(Signed) ANDREW JOHNSON.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1867.