The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-12-03
A NEW onnnr RECOMMENDED.

ted against their persons or properly uuI
Ing the instruction. The recent refer
ence under the Treaty Of washington
was confined 10 the claims OF Britisn
subjects arising during the period named
In lie treaty, but Ii Is understood that
there are other British claims OF similar
natnre arisine after the 9th Of April, 1855,
and Il Ia known that other claims Of
IKE nature are advanced by citizens or
subjects OF other powers. 1t Is desirable
10 have these claims also examined and
disposed Of
Official information having been receiv.
ed from the Dutch government OF q state
OF war between the King Of the Neither
lands and the Sultan Of Acheen, the off,
GERS Of the United States who were near
the scat Of the war were instructed to
observe an impartial neutrality. II Is be.
lieved they have done 80.
The Joint Commission under the con-
vention with Mexico oil 1858, having been
legally prolonged, has resumed It's bust
ness, which II is hoped may be brought
to an early conclusion.
The distinguished representative Of her
Britanic Majesty at Washington has kind
~ consented, with the approval OF his
government. TO assume the arduous
duties OF umpire In this commission, and
10 lend tho weight OF his character and
name 10 such decisions as may not re-
ceive the acquiescence Of both arbitrators
appointed by the respective governments
The commissioners appointed pursuant 10
the authority Of Congress 10 examine into
the nature and extent OF tho forays by
trespassers from that country upon the
herds Of Texas, have made report, which
will be submitted for your consideration
The Venezuelan government has been
spprised oil the sense OF Congress In regard
10 the awards OF the joint commission
under the convention OF the 25th Of April,
1866, as expressed In tho act Of the 25th
Of February last. It is apprehended that
the government does not realize the char.
acter Of It's obligations under that conven-
ton. There Is reason to believe, however,
that It's hesitancy in recognizing them
springs, in part at least, from real diff
Guilty in discharging them In connection
with its obligations to other governments.
The expediency OF further forbearance on
our part Is believed to be worthy of your
consideration.
The Ottoman government and that Of
Egypt have lately shown a disposition
to relieve foreign Consuls Of the
judicial powers which heretofore they
have exercised in the Turkish
dominions by organizing other tribunals.
As Congress, however, has by law pro-
vided for the discharge Of judicial func-
tons by Consuls Of the United States In
that quarter, under the treaty of 1880, !
have not felt at liberty formally to accept
the proposed change without the assent
Of Congress, whose decision upon the cub.
ject at as early period as may be conve'
nient Is earnestly requested.
transmit herewith Tor the considera-
ton and determination Of Congress, an
application Of the Republic OF Santa Do
minSo to this Government TO exercise a
protectorate over that Republic.
Since the adjournment Of Congress the
following treaties with foreign powers
have been proclaimed A Naturalization
Convention with Denmark ; a Convention
with Mexico tor rendering the Claims
Commission; q Convention Of Friendship,
Commerce and Extradition with the
Orange Free State, and Naturalization
Convention with Ecuador.
I renew the recommendation made in
my message Of December 1870, that Con-
gress authorize the Postmaster General to
issue all commissions TO officials appointed
throuph his Dpnartnnnf
A POINT AS TO CITIZENSHIP.
/ invite the earnest attention OF Con-
gross to the existing laws Of the United
States respecting repatriation and the
election Of nationality by individuals.
Many citizens of the United States reside
permanently abroad with their families.
Under tho provisions Of the act approved
February 10th, 1856, the children Of such
persons are to be deemed and taken 10 be
citizens Of the United States; but the
rights OF citizenship are not 10 de-
scend to persons whose fathers never
resided In the United States. 1t
thus happens that persons who
have never resided within the United
States have been enabled TO put forward
pretenslon 10 the protection Of the Uni
ted States against the claims 10 mill.
tary service Of the Government under
whose protection they were born and have
been reared. In some cases even natural.
lied citizens Of the United States have re.
turned 10 the land OF their birth with the
intent to remain there, and their children,
the issue Of marriage contracted there
after their return, and who have never
been in the United States, have laid claims
To our protection when the lapse Of many
years had imposed upon them the duty OF
military service 10 the only Government
which had ever known them personally.
Until the year 1868 1t was left embar-
raised by conflicting opinions Of courts
and of jurists 10 determine how far the
doctrine Of perpetual allegiance derived
from our former colonial relations with
Great Britain was applicable TO American
citizens, and Congress then wisely swept
those doubts away by enactiDg that any
declaration or instruction Of opinion, or any
order or decision Of any officer OF this
Government, which restricts, impairs or
questions the rights Of expatriation, Is
Inconsistent with the fundamental princi.
pies OF this Government. But Congress did
not indicate In that statute, nor has 1t since
done so, what acts are TO be deemed TO
work repatriation. For my own guidance
in determining such question, Irequired
under the provisions Of the Constitution
the opinion in writing Of the princi-
pal officer In each Of the Executive
Departments upon certain questions re-
lating to the subject. The result salts
fed me that further legislation Is
necessary. Therefore commend tue sub.
ject TO the careful consideration OF Con-
gress, and l transmit herewith copies Of
the several opinions oil the principal off,
GERS OF the Executive Departments, TO.
gether with other correspondence and
pertinent Information on the same subject,
The United States. which 1ea tbe wsv IN