New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-03

done so.
THE MEXICAN COMMISSION.
The Joint commission under the CONVEX
ton with Mexico of 1868, having agai
been legally prolonged, has resumed it
business, which it is hoped may be brough
to an early conclusion. The distinguishe
REPRESENTATIVE OF HER BRITANNIA MAJEsT
at Washington has kindly consented, wit
the approval of his government, to assum
the arduOus and responsible duties of um
pire in this commission, and to lend tn
weight of his character and name to sucl
decisions as may not receive .the acqui
escense of both the arbitrator appointed b,
the respective governments.
THE COMMISSIONERS.
| Appointed pursuant to the authority O
! Congress, to examine into the nature anC
extent of the forays by trespassers from
that country upon the herds of Texas, have
made report which will be submitted tt
your consideration.
| THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT
Has been apprized of the sense of Congress
| in regard to the awards of the Joint commits
| sion under the convention of April 25, 1866,
| as expressed in the act of the twenty-iifth
of February last. 1t is apprehended TIA,
that government does not realize the char
| acter of its obligations under that conven-
| ton. AS there is reason to believe, how
| ever, that it's hesitancy in recognizing them
| springs in part, at least, from real difficulty
| in discharging them, in connection with its
! obligations to other governments, the expe-
diency OF further fOrbearance on our part is
believed to be worthy of your consideration.
The Ottoman government, and that OF
Egypt, have lately shown disposition to
RELIEVE FOREIGN CoNsULs
Of the judicial powers which heretofore
| they have exercised in the Turkish dOmi.-
ions by organizing other tribunals. As
Congress. however, has by law provided for
the discharge of judicial func ions by con.
suls of the United States in that quarter,
under the treaty of 1880, l have not felt at
liberty formally to accept the proposed
change without the assent of Congress,
whose decision upon the subject at as early
period as may be convenient earnestly
request
transmit herewith for the consideration
and determination Of Congress an applica-
ton of the
REPUBLIC OF SAN DOMINGO
To $his government to exercise protec-
torate over that republic.
TREATIES PROCLAIMED.
Since the adjournment of Congress the
following treaties with foreign powers has
been proclaimed A naturalization conven-
ton with Denmark; convention with
Mexico for renewing the claims commis-
sion; convention of friendship, commerce
and extraditOn with the Orange Free State
and a naturalization convention with
Ecuador.
refer to the recommendation made in
my message of December, 1870, that Con-
gress authorize the
POSTMASTER GENERAL TO ISSUE ALL COM
MISSIONS
To officials appointed through his Depart
ment. l invite the earnest attention of
Congress to the existing laws of the United
States, respecting
REPATRIATION AND THE ELECTION OF MA
TIONALITY BY INDIVIDUALS.
MANY citizens of the United States reside
permanently abroad with their families.
Under the provisions OF the act approved
February 1857, the children of such persons
are to be deemed and taken to be citizens of
the United States, but the rights of citizen
ship are not to descend to persons whose
fathers never resided in the United States.
1t thus happens that persons who have
never resided in the United States have
been enabled to put forward a pretension to
the protection of the United States against
the claim to military service OF the govern
ment under whose protection they were
born and have been reared. In some cases,
even, naturalized citizens of the United
States have returned to the land of their
birth with intent to remain there, and
their children. the issue of a marriage
contracted there after their return, and
who have never been N the United States,
have laid claim to our protection, when the
lapse of many years had imposed upon
them the duty of military service to the
only government which had ever known
them personally.
Until the year 1868 it was left embar-
raised by conflicting opinions of courts
and of jurists to determine how far the
doctrine of perpetual allegiance, derived
from our former colonial relations with
Great Britain, was applicable to American
citizens. Congress then wisely swept
these doubts away by enacting that any
declaration, instruction, opinion, order
or decision OF any officer of this
government which denies, restricts, impairs
or questions the right OF repatriation, are
inconsistent with the fundamental princi-
pies of this government but Congress did
not indicate in that statute, nor has it since
done so, what acts are to be deemed to
work expatriation. For nv own guidance
in determining such questions l required,
under the provisions of the constitution,
the opinion IN writing of the principal Off |
GERS of each of the executive departments
upon certain questions relating to This sub |
ject. The result satisfies me that further |
legislation has become necessary. | there |
fore commend this subject to the careful |
consideration of Congress, and transmit |
herewith copies of the several opinions |
of the principal officers of the executive de- |
partments, together with other correspond !
eDce pertinent to information on the same |
subject.
The United States, who FED the way in |
ehe overthrow of Che feudal doctrine of |
allegiance, are among the last 20 !
indicate when theig own citizens may elect |
another nationality The papers submitted
herewith indicate wherein !t is necessary to
place us on a par with other nations in lib
sralitY of legislation on this International |
question We have algeady in our treaties
assented to the principles which would need
% be asserted to accomplish such results |
We have already agreed that citizens J
If Che United States may cease to be !
citizens, and voluntarily render allegiance
% other powers. We have agreed that
in a foreign land without intent
% return shall Of itself work expatriation.
We have agreed in some instances, upon
he length of time necessary for such con-
inued residence to work d presumption of
uch INTENT invite Congress now to mark
,ut and define when and how ction can DE
to regulate by law the condi-
ion OF american women marrying for |
igners; 20 tix the status of children born in
, foreign country of American parents re-
iding there more or less permanently, and
o make yules for determining such other
Joints as may seem best to Congress.
To gHE SPANISH REPUB
Lie.
IN compliance with the request Of Con
ress, transmitted to the American minis
er at Madrid, with instructions to present
to the Spanish government, the joint res
buttons approved on the third of March
asst rendering to the people of Spain, in the
anne and on behalf of the American people,
be congratulations of Congress upon the