The Montana post., 1868-12-11

1858, and will, ~ - expected, he concluded Mt
an early day.
GREAT BRITAIN.
No political regulation of controversy rel
ative to colonial trade ani sheries can be ac
complished by treaty between the United
States and Great britain until Congress shall
have expressed its Judgment concerning the
principles involved. Three other questions,
however, between the United states and Great
Britain remain open for adjustment. These
the mutual rights of naturalizad citizens.
tha boundary question. involving the title To
the island of san Juan, the Pacific coast.
aud the mutual claims arising aimee the year
1858 Of the citizens and subjects of the two
countries for in;urie. and depre1ations com
mitted under the authority of their respective
Governments. Negotiations upon these sub
jccts are pending. and am not without hope
of being able to lay before ths Senate for It's
consideration during the present session n
protocol calculated to bring tn an end these
jnstly exciting and long existing contro-
vorsies. We not advised OF
the action of the Chinese Government
upon the liberal and auspicious treaty
which recently celebrated with its pleni
potentiaries at this capital.
Japan remains theatre Of civil war.
marked by religious incidents and politi-
cal seventies peculiar tn that long isolated
Empire. The Executive Department has
hitherto maintained strict neutrality
with pleasure that it has beeh frankly and
fully sustained in that course by the en-
hghtened occurrence and cooperation
of the other treaty powers. namely.
Great Britain, France. the Netherlands,
North Germany and Italy.
Spain having recently undergone a
revolution marked by extraordinary
unanimity and preservation of order. the
Provisional Government established Mt
Madrid has been Recognized anu the
friendly Intercourse which has SO long
and happily existed between the two
countries r emains unchanged.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSTITUTIONS
AL AMENDMENTS.
renew the recommend dation cont aimed
in nv communication To Congress dated
the 18th of july last, copy OF which ac-
companies this message, that the judg-
ment of the people should be taken on the
prOpriety OF so amending the Federal
Constitution that II should provide for
an election of President and Vice Presi-
dent by direct vote of the people, in
stead of through the agency Of electors,
and making them ineligible for re- election
for q second term: for a distinct dcsiSna-
ton Of the person who shall discharge the
duties of the President In the event of a
vacancy i'm that Office by the death. re-
signation or removal OF both Presi-
dent and Vice President; for the election
of Senators of the United States directly by
the pc ople of the several States instead of by
the Legislatures and for the limitation to a
period of years of the terms of Federal
Judges. Profoundly impressed with the pro-
priesy of making these important modifica-
tions in the constitution, ! respectfully sub
init them for the early and mature considera-
tiou of Congress. We shall, as far rs posi-
BILE. remove all pretexts for violation OF the
organic law by remedying such impeifections
as time and experience may develop, ever re-
membering that the constitution, which at
any time exists until changed by an explicit
and authentic act of the whole people. Is sa-
credly obligatory upon all. In the perform
ance of duty imposed upon me by the consti
tuition, have thus communicated to Con sress
information of the state OF the Union, and
recommended for their consideration such
measures as have seemed to be necessary and
expedient, and il carried into effect they will
hasten the Accomplishment of the great and
bene6cent purposes for which the constitu-
tion was ordained and which it comprehen-
sively states were "to form a more perfect
Union, establish justice, insure domestic tran
guilty, provide for the common defense, pro-
mote the general welfare and secure the bless
ings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
In Congress are vested all legislative powers
and upon them devolves the responsibility rs
we'll for framing unwisa and excessive laws,
for neglecting to discuss and adopt meas
ures absolutely demanded by the wants of the
country. r's
Let Us earnestly hope that before the ex-
piration of our respective terms of services,
now rapidly drawing to a close, an all wise
and all seeing Providence will SO guide our
councils as to strengthen and preserve the
Federal Union. insure reverence for the con-
stitution; restore prosperity and happiness to
our whole people. and promote on earth
peace and good Will toward men.
teigned,) ANDREW JOHNSON.
WAsHINGroN. ID. C.. Dec 9. 1865,