Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-12-11

Corti as the third Commissioner on this
Commission. With dignity, learning
and impartiality, he discharged duties
requiring great labor, and constant pa
tience. TO the satisfaction. | believe, of
both Governments.
CLAIMS OF ALIENS
recommend legislation to create a sre-
cial court to consist OF three Judges who
shall be empowered to hear and determine
all claims of aliens upon the United States
arising from acts committed against their
persons or property daring the nsurrec-
ton.
The recent reference under the Treaty of
Washington was confined to claims of Brit
ish subjects, arising during the period
named in the Treaty; but it is also under
stood that there are other British claims Of
similar nature. arising after the 9th Of
April, 1865. and it is known that other
claims of like nature advanced by ci,i-
zens or subjects of other powers. II is de-
sirable TO have these claims also examined
and disposed Of
THE ACIIENEsE WAR.
Official information is being received
here from the Dutch Government of a state
of war between the King of the Neither
lands and the Sultan of Acheen. The Of
fcers of the United States who We're near
the seat OF the war were instructed To OBJ
serve AN impartial neutrality; ii is believed
that they have done 20.
TIE MEXICAN COMMISSION.
The joint commission under the conven-
tion with Mexico OF lS6S have again been
legally prolonged, and has resumed its
business. which it is hoped may be brought
TO an early conclusion
The distinguished representative Of Her
Britannia Majesty at Washington has kind
ly consented. with the approval of his ~
ernment. to assume the arduous and re-
sponsible duties of umpire in this Commi>-
sion. and to lend the weight of his charac-
ter and name TO such decisions as may not
receive the acquiesence Of both the arhi-
traitors appointed by the respective Gov
ernments.
lhe commissioners appointed pursuant
TO the authority of Congress to examine
into the nature and extent of the forage of
trespassers from that country upon the
herds OF Texas. have made 4 report. which
Will be submitted for your consideration.
orR CLAIMS AGAINST yENEZuELA.
The Venezuelan Government ha. been
apprised OF the sense OF Congress in re-
gard To the award of the Joint Commission
under the convention of the 2Jth of April.
1866, As expressed in the act of the 18th of
February last. Ii is apprehended that that
Government does not realize the character
OF its obligations under the convention.
As there is reason To believe. however,
that Its he,itancy In recognizing them
springs in part al least from real difficulty
IN dlscharclng them In connection with it.
Obligations Ia other Governments the ex-
pediency OF further forbearance on our
part - believed TO be worthy of your con-
sideration.
CONSULAR POWERS IN TURKEY.
The Ottoman Government and that of
Egypt have latterly shown a disposition TO
relieve foreign consuls of the Judicial pow
ers which heretofore they have exercised
In the Turkish dominions by oryaniZins,
other tribunals. As Congress. however.
has by law provided for the discharge of
Judicial functions by consuls Of the United
States in that quarter. under the treaty of
1851. have not felt ready formally to ac-
cept the proposed change without the as
sent of Congress, whose decision upon the
subject at as early period as may be con-
venlent. is earnestly requested.
PRoTEcToRATE FOR SAINT DOMINGO.
transmit herewith for the consideration
and determination of Congress. an appli-
cation OF the Republic of Santo Domingo
TO this Government to exercise pro;ecto-
rate over that Republic.
NEW TREATIES
Since the adjournment of Congress the
following treaties with foreign powers have
been proclaimed: 4 Naturalization Com
ventlon with Denmark a Convention with
Mexico for renewing the Claims Comm,-
sion; Convention OF Friendship. Com
merce and Extradition with the Orange
Free State. and a Naturalization Conyen-
ton with Ecuador.
n recommendation was made in INV mes
sage OF December, 1870. that Congress
authorize the Postmaster General to issue
all commissions TO officials appointed
through his Department.
AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.
invite the earnest attention of Congress
to the existing laws of the United States
respecting expatriation and the election of
nationality By individuals. Many citizens
OF the United States reside permanently
abroad with their families. By the pro-
visions OF the act approved Feb. 10. lsjj.
the Children of such persons are to be
deemed and taken 10 be citizens of the Uni
ted States. but the rights Of citizen ship are
not to descend 10 persons whose fathers
never resided in the United States. 1t
thus happens that persons who have never
resided within the United States have been
ShApiSd " Pub 4Di Il 10 he
protection of the United States against the
claim of military service of the Govern
ment under whose protection they were
born and have been reared in some cases
naturaliZed citizens of the United States
have returned to the land of their birth
with intent to remain there, and their chill
| dren, the issue of a marriage contracted
there after their return and who have never
been in the United States, have laid claim
to our protection when the lapse of many
years has imposed upon them the duty Of
military service to the only Government
which had ever known them personally.
Intil the year ls6S it was lett embarrassed
by conflicting opinions of courts and of iu-
rists to determine how far the doctrine of
perpetual allegiance. derived from our
FORMER colonial relations with Great Brit
am. was applicable TO American citizens
| Congress then wisely swept these doubts
away by enactEg that any declaration. in
struction, opinion, order or decision OF anv
officer of this Government which denies.
restricts, impairs or questions the right of
expatrlation Is Inconsistent with the funda-
| mental principles 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 guidarce in determining such ques-
tons, required under the provisions OF the
Constitution.
The opinion. in writing, of the principal
Ofhcers IN each of the executive DEPART
meDts upon certain questions relating to
this subject. the result satisfies me that
further legislation has become necessary.
therefore commend the subject to the
careful consideration of Congress. and /
transmit herewith copies of the several
opinions OF the principal officers of the
executive departments, together with 9TH
er correspondence and prominent informa-
ton on the same subject.
The United States, who led the way in
the overthrow of the feudal doctrine of
perpetual allegiance, are among the last to
Indicate how their own citizens may elect
another nationality. The papers submit
ted herewith indicate what is necessary to
place us on par with other nations in lib
erality of legislation ON this international
question.
We have already in our treaties assented
to the principles which would need to be
embodied in the laws intended to accom-
| r1iSh eich rasnIfc Wa H..