Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-12-11

ing the perlOQ named IN the treaty. but lt rs
unders .ood there are other British claims of Il
similar nature arising after the 9Th of April
1865, and it is known that other claims of a
like nature are advanced by citizens or sub
iects of ether powers. 1t is desirable to have
these claims also examined and disposed of.
Official information being received from the
Ouch Government of a state of war between
the King of the Netherlands and the Sultan of
Acheen, the officers of the United States who
were near the seat of war were instructed to
preserve an impartial neutrality. 1t is be-
ieved they have done so.
The Joint Commission under the conven-
ton with Mexico, Of 1868, having again been
which, it is hoped, may be brought to an early
conclusion.
The distinguished representative of Her
Britannia Majesty at Washingtcn mas kindly
consented with the approval of his Govern
ment, to assume the arduous and responsible
duties of umpire in this commission, and to
lend the weight of his character and name to
such decisions as may not receive the acqui-
essence of both the arbitrators appointed by
the respective governments.
The Commissioners appointed, pursuant to
the authority of Congress. to examine into the
nature and extent of the forays, by trespassers
from Mexico. upon the herds of Texas, have
made q report which will be submitted for
your consideration.
The Venezuelan Government has been ap-
prised of the sense of Congress in regard TO
the award of the joint commission under the
convention of the 18th of April, 1866. as ex-
pressed in the act of the 25th of February
last. 1t is apprehended that that Government
does not realize the character Of its obliga-
tions under that convention. AS there is
reason to believe, however, that it's hesitancy
in recognizing them springs in part at least,
from real difficulty in discharging them in con-
nection with its obligations to other govern
Of f1rt
on our part is believed to be worthy of your
consideration.
The Ottoman Government and that of
Egypt have latterly shown a disposition to re-
heve 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
provided for the discharge of judic; al func-
tons by consuls of the United States in that
quarter. under the treaty of $780, 1 have not
felt at liberty formally to accept the present
change without the assent of Congress-
whose decision upon the subject at az
early period may be convenient is
earnestly requested.
1 transmit herewith, for the consideration
and determination of Congress, an applica-
ton of the Republic of Ssnto Domingo to
this Government to exercise a protectorate
over that Republic.
Since the adjournment of Congress the follow
ing treaties with foreign powers have been pro-
claimed: A naturalization convention with
Denmark convention with Mexico for re-
newing their claims Commission; conven-
ton of friendship. commerce and extradition
with the Orange Free State, and q naturaliza-
ton convention with Ecuador.
/ renew a recommendation made in my
message of December, 1870, that Congress
authorize the Postmaster-Generalto Issue all
commissions to officials appointed through his
department.
invite the earnest attention of Congress
to the existing laws of the United States re-
specting extradition, and tho eligibility 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 10, 1855, the children
Of such persons are to be deemed and
States, but the rights of citizenship
are not to descend to persons whose
fathers never resided in the United States. 1t
thus happens that persons who have never re-
sided within the United States have been en-
abled to put forward a pretension to the pro-
lection Of the United States against t. 9
claim of military service of the Government
under whose protection they were born and
have been reared. In some cases unnatural
lzed citizens of the United States have re-
turned to the land of their birth to remain
there, and their children, the issue of mar
rage 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 have imposed upon them
the duty of military service to the only Gov
eminent which had ever known them person.
ally. Until the year 1868 it was left embar-
raised by the conflicting opinions of courts
and of jurists to determine how far the doc
trine of perpetual allegiance derived from our
former colonial relations with Great Britain
was applicable to American citizens.
Congress then wisely swept the
doubts away by electing that any
declaration, instruction, opinion. order,
or decision OF any officer of this Government,
which denies, restricts, impalrs or questions
the right of expatriation, is inconsistent with
the fundamental principles of this Govern
ment but Congress did not Indicate in that
statute, nor has 1t since done so, what acts
are to be deemed to work expatriation. For
nv own guidance in determining such ques-
tons required, under the provisions of the
Constitution, the opinion in writing of the
principal officer in each of the Executive de-
partments upon certain questions relating to
this subject. The result satisfies me that
further legislation has become necessary.
1, therefore, commend the subject to the
careful consideration of Congress, and
transmit herewith copies Of the several osin-
ions of the principal officers of the Executive
Departments, together with other corre-
spondence and prominent information on
the same subject The United States. who
led the way in the over throw of the feudal
doctrine of perpetual allegiance, are among
the last to indicate how their citizens may
elect another nationality. The papers sub
mitted herewith indicate what is necessary to
place Us on par with other nations in lber-
atty of legislation on this International ques-
ton. We have already in our treaties asssnt-
ed to the principles which would need to be
embsdied in laws intended to accomplish such
results We have agreed that citizens of the
United States may cease to be citizens, and
may voluntarily render allegiance to other
powers. We have agreed that residence In a
foreign land, without intent to return, shall of
itself work expatristion. We have agreed, in
some instances, upon the length of time nee
essary for such intent. Invite Congress now
to mark out and define when and how expatria-
ton can be accomplished, to regulate by law
the condition of American women marrying
foreigners, to fix the status of children born
in foreign country of American parents re-
siding more or less permanently abroad and to
make rules for determining such other kim
drea points as may seem best 10 Congress.
In compliance with the request of Con-
gress transmitted to the American Minister
at Madred, with instructions TO present to the
Spanish Government, the joint resolution APP
proved on the Sd of March last, rendering to
the peOule of Spain in the name and on he |