Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-12-20

zation OF the American continent. Most
Of the colonies planted here became, inde-
pendent nations in the close Of the last and
the beginning of the present century. Our
own country embraces communities which
at one period were colonies Of Great Britain
Francs, Spain, II olland Sweden and Russia.
The people in the West Indies, with the ex
cetpion ofthose Of the Island ofHayti have
neither attained nor aspired to Indepen.
dence, nor have they become prepared for
self deiepse. Although possessing con-
siderable commercial value, they have
been held by the several European States,
which colonized, or, at some time, con-
quercd them, chiefly for purposes of mill
tary and naval strategy. In carrying out
European policy and designs in regard TO
this continent, In our Revolutionary war,
the ports and harbors in the West India
islands were used by our enemy to the
great injury and embarrassment Of the
United States. We had the same expori-
ence in our second war with Great Britain.
The same European policy for long time
excluded Us even from trade with the
West Indies. While We were at peace
with all nations, ia our recent civil war
the rebels aud their piratical aud block ade-
breaking allies found facilities in the same
ports for the, work, which they too sue
cessfully accomplished, Of injuring aud
devastating the commerce which we are
now,engaged in rebuilding. We labored
especially under this disadvantage, that
European steam vessels mployed by our
enemies found friendly shelter, protection,
aud supplies in West Indian ports, while
our owa naval operations wero necessarily
carried 90 from our own distant shores.
There was then q universal feeling Of
want of an advanced naval out post, be.
tween the Atlantic coast of Europe. The
duty of obtaining such an out. post peace
fully aud lawfully, while neither doing no
mepaclpg injury to, other States. engaged
the, attention Of the Executive Department
at the close, OF the war, and it has not been
lost sight Of since that time. A not entirely
dlssimilar naval want revealed itself during
the same period, on the Pacific coast, The
required foot bold there was fortunately Sc
cured by our late treaty with the Emperor
OF Russia, aud it now seems imperative
that the more obvious necessities of the
Atlantic coast should not be less carefully
provided for.
A good and convenient port and harbor
capable of easy defense, will supply that
want. With tho possession Of such u sta
ton by tho United States, neither We nor
any other American nation need longer
spprehend injury or ofeuse from any trans.
Atlantic enemy.
agrea with our aariv afatasman that
the West lndics naturally grasitate to,
and may be expected ultimately to be abb
sorbed by the Continental States, incud-
ing our own. l agree with them, also,
that IL Is wise to leave the question of
such absorption to the process of natural
political grayitation. The Islands st.
Thomas aud ST. Johns, which constitute a
part Of the group called the Virgin Islands,
seemed to offer US advantages Immediately
desirable. while their acquisition could be
secured in harmony with the principles to
which have alluded.
A treaty has therefore been concluded
with the King Of Denmark for the ces-
sion of those islands. and will be submit
ted to the Senate Of consideration.
THE PURCHASE OF ALASKA.
1t will hardly be necessary to call the
attention of Congress to the subject of
providing for the payment to Russia of
the sum stipulated in the treaty for the
cession of Alaska. Possession having
been formally delivered to our Commits
soner, the Territory remains, for the pres
ept, in care Of military force, awaiting
such civil organization as shall be directed
by Congress. ir
CLAIMS FoR MILITARY SERVICE OF NATUR.
Allied AMERICANS.
The annexation Of many small Germ an
States to Prussia, and the reorganization
of that country under new and liberal
constitution, have induced me to renew
the effort to obtain just and prompt set.
element of a long vexed question con Germ
ing the claims Of foreign states Of military
service from their subjects naturalized in
the United States; aud, in connection with
this subject, the attention Of Congress is
respectfully called to this singular aud
embarrassing conflict of laws. The Execu-
tive Department Of this Government has
hitherto uniformly held, as it now holds,
that naturalization in conformity with the
Constitution and laws OF the United States
absolves the recipient from his native allie
glance. The Courts of Great Britain hold
that allegiance to the British Crown Is in :
defeasible, and is not absolyed by our laws
OF naturalization. British Judges cite
the courts and law authorities Of the
United States, in support Of that theory
against the position held by the Executive
as the authority of the United States.
This conflict perplexes the public mind
concerning the rights of naturalized citi-
gems, aud impairs the national authority
abroad
called attention to this subject in my
last annual message, aud now again re.
spectfully appeal to Congress to declare
the national will Enthusiastically upon this
important question.
tt THE SLAVE TRADE.
The abuse of our laws by claudestine
prosecution OF the African slave trade
from American ports, or by American
citizens, has altogether ceased, and under
existing circumstances no apprehe nsions
of its renewed in this part of the world are
Q Entertained. fef aoH .af
Under the circumstances, IL becomes q
question whether We shall not propose to
her Brtanic Majesty Government a sus-
pension or discontinuance OF the stipu-
lations for maintaining naval for the
suppression Of that trade.
1lsaa.9t.s ASpREw JOHNSON.