The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-03

stamped envelopes was sTS3 404 The increase
year was owing chiefly 10 the extension OF land and
ocean mail service. During The past year new
changed with tho United Kingdom Of Great
Britain and Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands,
The colonial government a. Hong Kong, reducing very
largely the OF and land postages and from
and within those countries
sue coneiseiy presents the condition. wants and pro-
stess 81 an interest eminenty worthy the fostering
care 81 congress, and exhibits In large measure the
refers.
The re-esablishmsnt OF peace at home ana tho re-
sumption OF extended trade travel and commerce
abroad nave served TO number and variety
Of questions IN the Department for Foreign Affairs.
None " .nsse qas' uous however, have seriously
disturbed our relations with other States Tho re-
public OF Mexico, having been relieved from foreign
intervention, earnestly engaged efforts establish
her constitutional system Of government A good un.
derstandinG continues g exist between government
and the republics Of Hayt and ST. Domingo, and
our cordial relations witn the Central and
South American States remain unchanged The
Congress Of the good Offices OF the government with
view to amicaoIe adjustment OF peace between
Brazil and her allies on ono side and Paraguay the
other and between Chile and her allies on the side
and Spain the other though kindly received, has IN
neither case been fully accepted by the belgerents
War in tho valley OF the Parana IS still
vigorously maintained On the other hand, actual hos
Titles between The Pacific states and Spain been
more than year suspended snail on any proper oc-
casion that may occur, renew the concatory recon-
mendations which tave al. ady been made Brazil,
With enlightened sagacty and comprehensive states
mansh!. has opened tie erea channels OF the Amazon
and its tFibutaries 10 universal commerce. One thing
moro seems need al TO assume = rapid and cheering
progress in South America | refer 10 those peaceful
habits without which states and nations cannot m this
age we'll expect material prosperity social advance
meut.
The Universal Exposition OF Industry at Paris has
passed. and seems TO hat fully realized the high
pecations Of the French government If due allowance
DO made for the recent oruea arrangement Of tho in
dustry here the part when tho United states has borno
in the exhibition Of invention and may DO regarded
with very high satisfaction.
delegates from several nations the United States being
one, in which the inconv commerce and
mecia intercourse result from divers standards Of
money value were discussed and plans were developed
for establishing. by universal consent .
mon principle for coinage Of gold These con-
ferences expected be renewed attendance
Of many foreign States not hilherto represented.
report OF these interesting proceedings will be submitted
to Congress, which viii no doubt justly appreciate the
great object and be ready adopt any measure which
may tend to facilitate lis Ultimate Accomplishment
On the 25th OF February 1862, ongrsss declared by
law treasury without interest az thereafter
ISSUED, should be legal tauder for ali debts, public
private within the United states An annual remittance
OF $780, 600, less tao stipulated expenses accrucs to
claimants under The convention made with Spain In
1884 These renttances since tho passage OF that act
have been paid In such notes The claimants insist that
the government oux nj 20 require 10 coin The
subject may be deemed worthy your attention.
Element OF claims British deprsdaiions upon the
OF the United states. have felt my duty
TO decline the propos ti.u OF arbitration made by
Majesys Government, because II has hitherto been
compaued with reservations aud limitations incompatible
to be ebeuded that llca Britain viii persist her
fusa to satisfy those just and reasonable claims, which in
volve the Sacred principle of Neutrality-suspicious.
principle henccior.h important TO the
Unit ed States than to ali ether commercial nations
The West India Islands were settled and colonzed by
European Stocs simultaneously with the settlement
and colonization of tina American continent Most Of
the BONES planted here became independent nations
in the Of tho last aud The BEGINNING OF the
century. our own country embraces communities which
one period were colonies q Great Britain France,
Holland, Spain, Sweden and Tne people the
Wcft Indies with the exception or those OF the island
Of Hayl, have neither attsined aspred to indspeu
dencc have they become prepared for self defence
Although possessing considerable commercial value,
they ha. been held by several European States which
cooDzed or al some time conquered them, chiefly for
purposes Of military and strategy in carrying
tina European policy ana designs IN regard 70 this
Continent In Revolutionary War the ports and
harbors in the West inaa Islands were used BY
enemy, 10 tho great injury aud embarrassment
OF the United states lad the same experience in
second lth Great nntaiu; the same European
policy for long time excluded US from tho trade
with ali nations. IL our recent civil war p's The
rebels and their piiatical blockade break
s sss o"ns aee IN soma ports for
juring ard devastating the commerce. winch we are now
ensased IN rsoui'dias We lAbored especially under
this dlsadvantage-shas European steam vessels en-
/ poyed by our enem ~ found friendly shelter pro-
tecion and supplies ia West India ports while
| cur own naval operations necessarily carried
| from our own ds.ans shores There then uni.
versal feeling Of tho Of advanced outpost
duty Of obtaining such outpost peacefully
and lawfully while neither doing menacing injury
Executive Department before the OF the war and
IL has not been los sight o. since that time
not entirely dsainlilar naval want relieved itself
during the period the Pacific coast required
foohold there vas fortunately secured BY late
treaty with the Emperor Of Russia, and
Is now seems imperative that the obvious necss-
ny Of The Atlantic should be less carefully
provided for. good ard convenient port and harpor
capable Of defence, viii supply that want. With the
possession OF sacn station by the United States
neither We nor aay other american nation need longer
apprsnend injury or offence from transatlantic
agree with our carly statesmen that the West Indies
naturally sravila.e 20 aud may be expected ultimately
TO be absorbed by the continental States including our
own. agree Win lGem also that IL In wise
TO leave tho question Of absorption to this
process OF natural political gravitaiion. the island
81 Thomas ana ST. johns which constitute part OF the
group called the Virgin Islands, seemed to orr sd
vantage Immediately desirable, while their acquisition
could 10 secured IA harmony with tho principles 10
which have alluded. treaty has. therefore, been
concluded with the KING OF Deunark Tor tho cessation
OF those i-auds and wi be submitted 10 tho senate
for consideration IL will hardly 10 necessary 10 call
tho attention on Congress- 20 tho subject or 10,
payment TO Russia Of tho stipulated in the treaty
for tho cessation Of tue Alaska possession. Having
been formerly delivered to commission, The territory
remains for me present in the care OF the military
force awaiting suca evil organization as shall be de-
carcd BY Congress-.
STA and the reorganization or country under new
ana liberal constitution, have Induced 10 the
Of foreign Statrs for military service from
their subjects laiurazed 10 the United States
In connection win lois subject the attention of Con.
gress Is respectfully called 70 singular and embanass
ing ronGitt Of laws Tue Executive Department Of
TINS govern has hitherto uniformly held, ~ 10
holds, that naturalization in conformity With
the constitution and laws or the United States,
s1sovss The recipient from his native allegiance The
VI Great Britain hold that allegiance TO the Brit.
ish croen iads,easioe. and not absoivcd BY
naiu fazson. British judges cite courts snd Law su.
tnonies q the United states IN support OF that theory
against the position held By the Executive "a.
ibony OF the United states. This conflict perpsxss
the public mind concerning the rights Of naluralised
citizens and ,mpslrs the rational authority abroad ]
called attention TO this subject In my last annual mes
sage, and COW again respectfully appeal 70 Congress
declare the national vii Immediately upon this I'm
portant question.
the abuse u laws BY the cIasdsstius prosecution
Of the African slave trade from Americas ports or By
American citizens has altogether ssassd and under
existing circumstances no approximations or IL re-
nswal IN this part Of tie world are entertained.
Under these circumstances u becomes . question whether
we shall not propose her Majestys government