Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-03

ana constant patience to the satisfaction, be-
lieye, OF both governments.
a SPECIAL CoURT RECOMMENDED.
recommend legislation to create a special
court, to consist of three judges, who shall be
empowered to hear and determine all claims
i OF aliens upon the United States, arising from
acts committed against their persons or prop
erty during the insurrection. The recent ref
erence under the treaty of Washington was
confined to claims of British subjects arising
during the period named in the treaty, but it
Is also understood that there are other British
claims OF a similar nature, arising after the
9th of April 1865, and it is known that other
claims of a like nature are advanced by cit-
zens and subjects Of other powers. l. is de-
sirable to have these claims also examined
and disposed of.
THE DUTCH WAR.
Official information is being received from
the Dutch Government Of a state of war be-
tween the King of the Netherlands and the
Sultan of Ocheen. The officers of the United
States who were near the seat of the war,
were instructed to observe an impartial neu-
trality. 1t is believed that they have done
so.
MEXICO.
The Joint Commission under the conven-
legally prolonged, and has resumed its bust
ness, which 1t is hoped may be brought to an
early conclusion.
The distinguished representative of Her
Britanic Majesty at Washington has kindly
consented with the approval of his Govern
ment to assume the srduous 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 commits
sioners appointed pursuant to the authority of
Congress to examine into the nature and ex-
tent of the forays oftrespassers upon the herds
of Texas, have made a report which will be
submitted for your consideration.
VENEZUELA.
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 25th of April, 1866, as
expressed in the act of the 25th of Feb. last.
1t 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-
nizlng them springs in part at least from real
difficulty in dlscharging them in connection
with its obligations to other governments, the
expediency of further forbearance on our
part is believed to be worthy of your eonsid-
Grafton.
TURKEY-EGYPT.
The Ottoman Government and that of Egypt
have latterly shown disposition to relieve
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 judicial functions by consuls
of the United States in that quarter under the
treaty OF 1880, have not felt ready formally
to accept the proposed change without the
assent of Congress, whose decision upon the
subject at as early period as may be con-
venlent is earnestly requested.
SAN DoMlSco PRoTEcroRArE
I transmit herewith for the consideration
and determination OF Congress an application
of the republic OF Santo Domingo, for this gov
ernment to exercise pr0tectorate over that
republic.
TREATIES WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
Since the adjournment of Congress the fol-
lowing treaties with foreign powers have been
proclaimed: A naturalization convention
with Denmark, convention with Mexico for
renewing the claims commission, conven-
ton of friendship, commerce and tradition
with the Orange Free States, and natufaliza-
tOn convention WIFI ECua0OF. a recOMmcn-
dation was made in my message of December,
1870, that Congress authorize the Postmaster
General to issue all commissions to officials
appointed through his department.
CITIzESsuIP AD.-ExrArR1ArIoy.
| invite the earnest attention of Congress
to the existing laws of the United States re-
specting expatriation, and the election of
nationality by individuals. Many citizens of
the United States are residing permanently
abroad with their families, under the provi-
sions of the act approved Feouary 10Th, 1855.
The children OF such persons are to be deemed
and taken to be citizens of the United States
but the rights of citlzenship are not to descend
to persons whose fathers never r. sided in the
United States. 1t thus happens that persons
who have never resided within the United
States, have been enabled TO put forward
pretension to the protection OF tho United
States against the claim OF military service OF
the government 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 children, the
issue of marriage contracted there after
their return, and who have never been in the
United States, have laid claim to our protec-
tion, when the lapse of many years have I'M
To the only government which had ever known
them personally. Cntil the year 1865 it was
lett embarrassed 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 Brit
ain was applicable to American citizens.
Congress wisely swept these doubts away by
enacting that any declaration, instruction,
opinion, order, or decision of any officer OF tins
government which denies, restricts impars
or questions the right of expatrlation is in
consistent with the fundamental principles of
the government, but Congress did not indi-
cate in their statute, nor has il since done so,
what acts are deemed to work expatriation.
For my own guidance in determining such
questions required under the provisions Of
the constitution, the opinion having been
obtained IN writing Of the principal officers in
each Of the executive departments upon GER
tain questions relating 10 this subject, the re-
suit satisfied me that further legislation has
become necessary.
l therefore commend the subject to the
careful consideration of Congress, and trans
nit herewith copies of the several opinions
OF the principal officers of the executive de-
partment, together with other correspondence
and prominent information on the same