Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-12-11
MEXICAN JOINT ooxMrssros.

4
ton with Mexico, of 1865, having again beer
legally prolonged, has resumed its business
which, II Is hoped, may be brought to an ear
IL conclusion.
The distinguished representative OF He
Britannia Majesty at Washington has kindly
consented. with the approval Of his Govern
meLt to assume the arduous and responsible,
duties as umpire In this Commission, and Il
lend the weight OF his character and name 4
! such decisions as may not receive the acquies
1 cence of both the arbitrators appointed b.
| the respective Governments.
TEXAS YoRAYs
| The Commissioners appointed, persuant Il
| the authority of Congress, 10 examine ints
| the nature aud extent OF the forays, by tres
passers from Mexico, upon the herds OF Texas
| have made report, which will be submitted
| for your consideration.
VENEZUELA.
| The Venezuelan Government has been ap
prised OF the sense Of Congress In regard tc
| the award Of the joint commission under the
convention OF the 25th Of April, 1896, as ex.
pressed In the act OF the 25th OF February last.
| II Is apprehended that that Government does
| not realize the character OF Its obligations
under that convention. As there Is reason to
believe, however, that its hesitancy In recog-
nzing them springs. In part at least, from real
difficulty In discharging them in connection
with It's obligations to other governments, the
expediency Of further forbearance on our part
Is believed to be worthy Of your consideration.
TURKEY AND E0rPT.
The Ottoman Government and that OF
| Egypt have latterly shown disposition TO re-
| lieye foreign consuls Of the judicial powers
which heretofore they have exercised In the
Turkish dominions by organizing other tribu-
nails. As Congress, however, has by law pro-
yided for the discharge of Judicial functions, by
consuls OF the United States In that quarter,
under the treaty Of 1890, i have not felt at
liberty formally to accept the present change
without the assent OF Congress, whose decis-
ion upon the subject at rs early q period ~
may be convenient Is earnestly requested.
sANTo DOMINGO PRoTEcroRArE.
/ transmit herewith, for the consideration
and determination Of Congress, an application
OF the Republic Of Santo Domingo To this Gov
eminent to exercise protectorate over that
Republic.
FOREIGN TREATIES.
Since the adjournment Of Congress the fol-
lowing treaties with foreign powers have been
proclaimed: naturalization convention with
Denmark; convention with Mexico for re-
newlng their Claims Commission; aconvention
of friendship, commerce and extradition with
the Orange Free State, and q naturalization
convention with Ecuador.
POST. OFFICE COMMISSIONS
renew recommendation made In Dy mes
sage OF December, 1870, that Congress author
lie the Postmaster-Ge General TO issue all COM
missions to officials appointed through his de-
partment
ExTRADITIoN AND REPATRIATION.
invite the earnest attention Of Congress to
the existing laws OF the United States respect
ing extradition, and the eligibility OF nation
ality 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 taken to
be citizens of the United States, but the rights
of citizenship are not TO descend TO per-
sons whose fathers never resided In the United
States. II thus happens that persons who
have never resided within the United States
have been enabled TO put forward a pretension
10 the 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 unnat-
uraized citizens Of the United States have re-
turned TO the land Of their binh TO remain
there and their children, the isstie OF q 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
personally. Until the year 1868
Il was left embarrassed by the con-
fiicting opinions of courts and of jurists TO de-
termine how far the doctrine OF perpetual al
legiance derived from our former colonial re-
lations with Great Britain was applicable To
American citizens. Congress then wisely
swept the doubts away by cnactiDg that any
declaration, instruction, opinion, order, or de-
cision Of any officer of this Government,
which denies, restricts, inipairs or questions
the right Of repatriation Is inconsistent with
the fundamental principles Of this Govern
ment; but Congress did not indicate la that
statute, nor has 1t since done SO, what acts are
To be deemed TO work expatriation. For my
own guidance In determining such questions,
l required, under the provisions of the Con-
stitutioD, the opinion In writing Of the princi-
pal officer ia each OF the Executive departments
upon certain questions relating 10 this sub
jcct. The result satisfies me that further
legislation has become necessary. /, there
fore, commend the subject To the careful con-
sideration Of Congress, and transmit here
with copies Of the several opinions of the
principal officers OF the Executive Depart
mentr, together with other correspondence
and pertinent information on the same sub
je L The United States, who led the way 10
the overthrow of the feudal doctrine OF per-
petual allegiance, are among the last TO indl-
cate how their own citizens may elect another
nationality. The papers submitted herewith
indicate what Is necessary TO place us on par
with other leading nations in liberality Of
legislation on this international ques-
tion. We have already in our treaties as
scented TO the principles which would need TO
DO embodied In laws intended to accom-
plish such results. We have agreed that citi-
zens Of the United States may cease to be citi-
zens, and may voluntarily render allegiance TO
other powers. We have agreed that residence
In foreign land, without intent W return,
shall Of itself work expatriation. We have
agreed, In some instances, upon the length of
lime necessary for such intent. | invite Con-
gress now to mark out and define when and
how expatration can be accomplished, To reg
ulate by law the condition of American women
marrying foreigners, TO Tx the status of chill
dren born In foreign country Of American
parents residing more or less permanently
abroad, and to make rules for determining
such other kindred points rs may seem best to
Congress-
REPUBLIC OF SPAIN.
In compliance with the request Of Congress,
transmitted to the American Minister at
Madrid, with instructions TO present II TO the
Spanish Government, the joint resolution APP
proved on the Sd Of March last, rendering to
the people Of Spain, In the name and ON be-
half OF the American people, the congratula-
tions Of Congress upon the efforts to consol-
idate In Spain the principles Of universal lib
erty in republican form Of government. The
existence OF this new Republic was inaugu-
rated by striking the letters from the slaves In