Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-12-04

they have been held by several European
states, which colonized andat the same time
tG2nquered them, chiefly for the purpose oil
military and naval strategy. In carrying
eat the European policy and designs in re-
gard to this continent in our Revolutionary
war, ports and harbors in the West india
Islands were used BY our enemy, TO the
great injury and embarrassment Of theUn;ted
States. hehad the same experience in our
second war with Great Britaia. The same
european policy for a long time excluded
US even from trade with the West lniies,
while we were at peace with all nations. In
our recent civil war the rebels and their pi-
ratical and MISUNDERSTANDING allies found
facilities in the same pOrJs for work which
they too successfully accomplished, of in
1urlng and devastating the commerce which
we are now engaged in rebuilding. We Ia
bored especially IN her this dis advantage,
that European steam vessels, employed by
our enemies, found friendly shelter, protee-
tion and supplies in West Indian ports, while
our own naval operations were necessarily
carried on from our Own distant shore. There
was then a universal feeling OF the want Of
an advanced naval post between the Allan
tic coast and Europe. The duty of obtain
ing such an outpost peacefully and lawfully,
while neither doing nor mena ing injury to
other states, engaged the attention of the
Executive Department at the close of the
war, mt it has not been lost sight Of since
that time. Anot entirely dissimiiar naval
want revealed itself dnring the same period
on the Pacific coast. The required foothold
there was fortunately secured by our late
treaty with'the EmperoHofRussia, and it now
seems imperative that the more obvious ne
e~essities of the Atlantic Coast should not be
less carefully provided for. A good and con-
venient port and barbor, capable OF easy de-
fence, will supply tina want With the posses
sion OF such q station by the United States,
neither we Bor any other American nation
need any longer apprehend injury or often
ses from any Transatlantic enemy.s
| agree with our early statesmen that the
west Indies are naturally gravitating to, and
may De expected ultimately to be absorbed
oyContlnental States, includingour own. 1
agree with them also that il is wise to leave
the question otsueh absorption Z the process
OF natural political gravitation. The Islands
ofSt. Thomas and st. Johns, which consti-
tute a part Of the group called Virgin Is
lands, seemed to offer US advantages imme-
diately desirable, while their acquisition
could be secured In harmony with the princi-
pies to which IheYe ALLUDED. A treaty has
therefore been concluded vita the King of
Denmark for the cession of those TSlsnds,
and 1t will be submitted TO the Senate for !
consideration.
IL VIII hardly be necessary to call the at
tenlon OF Congress to the subject of pro-
Vldmg for the payment to Russia Of the sum
Supnlated Tor the cession OF Alaska, posses
son having been formally delivered to our
The territory remains for
tie present in the care ola military force.
waiting such civil organization as shall be
BY Congress.
The annexation of many German States to
and the reorganization ofthat coun-
ny under a new and liberal constitution
ave induced me TO renew the effort to OBJ
ain a inst npa -r1-,r4 -,44r,-.- -
TeXed question, concerning the claims OF the
oreigD States for the military service from
he subjects naturalized in the United States
nd in Connection with this subject the at
ention of Congress is respectfully called to
singular and embarrassing conflict of the
The Executive Department of this
overnment has hitherto uniformly held, as
now holds, that naturalization in confor-
lity with the Constitution and laws of the
'nlted States absOlYes the recipient from
is native allegiance. The Courts of Great
hold that allegiance to the British
is indefeasible, and is not absOlved BY
ur laws of naturalization; the British
cite the courts and law authorities of
United States in support of that theory,
gainst the position held by the executive
uthority of the United States. This con-
let perplexes the public mind concerning
he rights of naturalized citizens, and i'm
airs the national authority abroad. I called
ttenAon 10 THIS IN my last annual Message,
nd now again l respectfully appeal to Con-
ress to declare the national will unmistak-
bly, upon this important question.
The abuses Of our laws by the clandestIne
Tosecution of the African slave trade from
american ports or by American citizens has
together ceased, and under existing cir
umstances no apprehension of its renewal
d this part ofthe world is entertained. IN
er the circumstances, it becomes a question
ma zhnn MT nrnn0Ea N Hnr No
government a suspension or discon-
of the stipulations for maintaining
naval force for the suppression of that
rsde.
TSignedl ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, December 8, 1867.