The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1873-12-06
ACHRHN WAR.

Acheen, the officer OF the United States who
lre near the seat Of war were instructed to
observe an impartial neutrality. It IL believed /
hat they have doneso.
tn. MEXICAN CLAIMS COMMISSION.
The Joint Cemmission under the convention L
With Mexico. Of 1858. having again been pro-
longed, has resumed its business, which, It 10
hoped, may be brought to an early conclusion. |
The distinguished representative OF her Bri- |
tannic Majesty ct Washington has kindly con- |
to assume the arduous and responsible duties |
Of umpire in this Commission, and to lend the |
weight Of his character and name to such de- |
cisions as may not receive the acquiescence Of |
both the arbitrators. supported BY the respect
ed, subject to the authority Of Congress, to ex |
anime into the nature and extent Of the forays
by trespassers from that country, upon the !
herds Of Texas, have made . report, which |
viii be submitted for your consideration. /
RRLATTONs WITH vHNEzUELA.
The Venezuelan government has been ap-
priced Of the sense Of Congress in regard 70
Of the 25th Of April. 1853, - ex-
pressed In the act of the 18th of February last.
It IL apprehended that that government does
not realize the character of teobligations under
the convention. As there is reason to believe,
them springs, In part ct least, from the real
difficulty in discharging them, In connection
with It's obligations to other governmental, the
expediency Of further forbearance on our part
is believed to be worthy OF your condlders-
ton.
TURKISH RELATIONS.
The Ottoman Government. and that Of
Egypt, have latterly shown . dispoeition to
relieve foreign Consuls Of the judicial powers
which heretofore they have exercised In the
malls. As Congress, however, has By law pro-
vided for the discharge Of judicial functions
by Consuls Of the United States In that quar-
ter, under the treaty Of 1880, hate not felt 1t
liberty formally to accept the present change
without the assent Of Congress, whose decision
upon the subject, at - early . period - may
be convenient. II requested.
PRorrcToRATE OVER sANro DOMINGO.
transmit herewith, for the consideration
Of the Republic Of Santo Domingo to this Gov
eminent, to exercise protectorate over that
Republic.
TREATIES PROCLAIMED.
Since the adjournment Of Congress the fol-
lowing treaties with foreign powers have been
Denmark, q convention with Mexico for renew
ing the claims commission, . convention
Of friendship, commerce and extraditton, With
the Orange Free States, and naturalization
convention with Ecuador.
sage of December, 1871, that Congress authorize
the Postmaster General to issue al commits.
sions too6icials appointed through his Depart
ment.
RxPATRIArloN AND RIGHTS OF CITIzRNsHIP.
Invite the earnest attention Of Congress to
bhe existing laws of the United States respect.
ing expatriation and the electing Of nation
| atty By individuals. Many citizens Of the
United States reside permanently abroad, with
their families. Under the provisions Of the
oct approved February 10. 1855. the children Of
such persons are to be termed and taken to
be citizens Of the United States, hut the righta
Of citizenship are NOT to descend to persons
whose fathers never resided In the United States
Il thus happens that persons who have never
resided within the United States have been en-
abled to put forward pretensi N to tho pro-
claims, 10 one Of exemption from military SER
vice with the Government under whose pro.
lection they were born and have been reared.
In some cases .unnaturAlized citizens of the
United States have returned to the land Of their
birth, 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 claim to our
protection, when the lapse OF many years has
imposed upon them the duty. Of military
ever known them personally. Until the year
1858 II was left, embarrassed by conflicting
opinions Of courts and jurists, to determine
how far the doctrine OF perpetual allegiance,
derived from our 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 0mcer Of this
government, which denies, restricts, impairs or
questions the right Of expatri:tion. i IN;
principal Of this government. But Con.
gress did not enact. in that statute,
NOR has It since done 90, what acts are
to be deemed to work expatriation. For my
own guidance In determining such question,
have required, under the provisions Of the
Constitution, the opinion In writing Of the prin.
| cipal Offices in each of the Executive Depart
ments, upon certain questions relating to this
subject. The result satisfies me that further
ilegislation has become necessary. I therefore
Congress, and transmit herewith copies Of
the several opinions Of the principal officers Of
the Executive Departments, together With othel
correspondence and information on the sama
the way in the overthrow Of the feuda
doctrine Of perpetual allegiance, are amonl
the last to indicate how their own citizens MAJ
elect another nationality. The papers sub
mitted herewith indicate what il necessary h
place ~ on par with other leading nations II
question. We have already, in our treaties
assented to the principles which would nee(
to be embodied in laws intended to accomplish
such results. We have agreed that citizen
On tu0 OuI60O Ct8to0 uoy Coe9o " % CltIzooo
and may voluntarily render allegiance to othe
; powers. We nave agreed that . residence In
foreign land, without intent to return, shall q
:: itself work expatriation. We have agreed, u
some instances. upon the length Of time necee
sary for such intent.
Invite Congress to mark out aAd define wher,
and how expatriati0n can be accomplished
to regulate by law the condition Of American
women marrying foreigners; to hx the statue
of children born in-a foreign country, o
American parents, residing moro or less per
manently abroad, and to fx rules for dctermin
ing such other kindred points - may seeu
best to Congress.
THE REPUBLIC OF SPAIN.
In compliance with the request Of Congress
transmitted to the American Minister q
: Madrid, with Instructions to present It TO tn
. 0panish Government, the joint reso
luton approved on the 81 o
. March last, rendering to tn
people Of Spain, In the name and on behalf o
the American people. the congratulations o
Congress upon the efforts 70 consolidate, u
Spain, the principles of universal liberty. in
Republican form Of government. The exist
} ence Of this new Republic was inaugurated b!
{ striking the letters from the slaves in Port
( Rico. This beneficial measure was fOlloWei