Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-12-12

peror Of Russia, and il now seems mpora.
tive that the more obvious necessities OF
the Atlantic coast should not be less care
fully provided for. A good aud convenient
port and harbor, capable Of easy defence,
will supply that want With tho posses
sion of fsuoh a station by the United States,
neither we nor any other American nation
need no longer apprehend injury or offence
| from any TRANSATLANTIC enemy. | agree
with our early statesmen that the West
Indian naturally gravitaie to, and may
be expected ultimately 10 be absorbed by
the Continental States, including our own.
agree with them also that il is wise TO
leave the question Of such absorption TO
this process OF natural political gravita-
tion. The Islands OF St. Thomas aud St
Johns, which constitute part Of the
group called the Virginia Islands, seemed
to offer us advantages Immediately de-
sirable, while their acquisition could be
secured in harmony with the principles
to which I have alluded. treaty has,
therefore, been concluded with the King
ef Denmark foil the cession Of those islands,
and will be submitted TO the Senate for
consideration.
1t will hardly be necessary to call the
attention Of Congress to the subject OF pro-
v.ding for the payment to Russia of the
sum stipulated in the treaty for the cession
o. Alaska Possession have been formally
delivered to our commissioner, the terri
tory remains for the present in care of
military force. awaiting such civil organi-
zation as shall be directed by Congress.
The annexation Of many small German
States to Prussia, and the reorganization
of that country under a new aud liberal
constitution, have induced me to renew
effort to obtain a just aud prompt settle
ment OF the long vexed question concern
ing the claims OF foreign States for military
service from their subjects, naturalized in
the United States.
In connection with this subject the at
tention OF Congress is respectfully called
to q singular and embarrassing conf CT of
laws. The Executive Department Of this
Government has hitherto uniformly held,
as it now holds, that naturalization, in CON
iormity with the Constitution and laws OF
the United States, absolyes the recipient
from his native allegiance. The courts cf
Great Britain hold that allegiance to the
British Crown is ind ofeesible, and not alb
solved by our laws Of naturalization.
British Judges cite courts and law author
tiles of the United States in support OF
that theory against the position held by
the Executive authority Of the Uuiled
States. This conflict perplexes the public
mind concerning the rights Of ralurnlized
citizens, and impairs the national aulhori-
ly abroad | called attention TO this sui
iect in my last annual message, and now
again respectfully appeal to Congress 10
declare the national will unmistakably
upon this important question.
The atuse OF our laws ty the clandesrine
prosecution OF the African slave.isade from
American ports by American citizens has
altogether ceased, and. under existing
circumstances, no apprehensions Of its re-
newal in this part Of the world are enter
tanned. Under these circumstances it be-
comes question whether we shall not
propose to Her Majesty's Government a
suspension or discontinuance Of the stipn-
atious for maintaining a naval force for
the suppression Of that trade.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WAsHISoroN, December g. 1867.