River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-12-09

Dutch government of state 81 war between
the King ut the Netherlands aud the sultan
IF Achcen, the the otticers OF the United
states who were near the lt ~ war, were
instructed TO observe an impartial neutrality.
II u believed that they have done SO.
The JOINT commission with Mexico Of 1865
having again been legally prolonged, has
AGAIN resumed its business, which, ii n
hoped'naN be brought TO an early conclusions
The distinguished representative of Her
brltainlc Majesty at Washington has kindly
consented, with the approval OF his Govern.
ment, 70 assume the arduOus and responsible
duties Of umpire IN this commission, aud 10
lend the weight of his character and name TO
such decisions as may not receive the acuul.
cscenc3 of both the arbltratOrs appointed by
the respective governments.
oUTRAuEs ON THE TEXAS BORDER.
The commissioners appointed Pursuant to
the authority Of Congress 81 examine into the
nature aud extent of the fOrays by trespassers
from that country upon the herds OF Texas,
have made report which will be submitted
for your consideration.
CLAIMS AGAINST VENEZUELA.
The Venezuela Government having been
appIised Of the sense ul Congress IN regard to
the award ol the joint commission under the
convention of the 18th Of April. 1866, a. ex-
pressed ~ the act ufthe 25th OF February last,
IL j. approhended that that Govern
mrut does not realize the character
OF its obligations under that convention.
As there Is reason to believe, however, that
ITS he-itaney III recognizing them arises, IN
part at least, from the real difficulty in dis
charging them ~ connection Ylth It's obllga-
tlone to other governments, the expectancy OF
further tnbcardnce on our part Ia believed TO
be worthy Of your consideration.
TURKEY.
The Ottoman government and that OF
Egypt have latterly shown a disposition t. re-
hcye foreign Consuls of the judicial powers
which heretofore they have exercised in thu
Turkish dominIons, by organizing other
tribunals. As Congress, however, has bv law
provided for the discharge Of judicial tuuc~
tons 10y Consuls of the United states IN that
quarter, under the treaty ~ 1880 I have not
telt at Liberty to accept the present change
without the assent OF Congress, whose deci-
sion upou tue snhiect, al as early period ~
may be convenient, 10 earnestly requested.
SAN DOMINGO.
| transmit here for the consideration and
determination of Congress an application of
the republic OF Sanio Domingo TO this Gov
ernment to exercise protectoral power over
that republic.
TREATIES.
Since the adjournment OF Congress the fol-
loving treaties with foreign powers have heen
proclaimed: naturalization convention
with Denmark; convention with Mexico for
renewing the Cliims Convention; q conyen.
ton OF friendship, commerce and eXtradltlon
with the Orange Free state and a naturali-
cation convention with Eucador.
PosT OFFICE COMMISSIONS.
| renew a recommendation made in my
message OF December 1870, that Congress au-
thorlze the Post Master General 10 issue all
commissions TO officials appointed through
his department.
RIGHTS OF oTTlzrNs ABROAD.
invite the earnest attention Of Congress
10 the existing laws OF the United States re-
specting eXtradIton aud eligibility OF lndivld-
uals. Many citizens of the United States re-
side permanently abroad with their
families under the provisions OF an act APP
proved February 10th 1855, the children OF
such persons are to be deemed aud taken to
be citizens of the United States, but the
rights OF citizenship are not to descend to
persons whose fathers nvH" resided within
the United States have been unable to put
forward pretensions to the protection of the
United States against the clam of military
service Of the government under whose pro-
lection they have been born and reared.
In some cases uupaturalized citizens of the
United State1 have returned 10 the land of
their birth to remain there and their children,
the issue of a marriage contracted after their
return, aud who have never been in the United
States, have laid claim To our protection when
lapse OF many Years have imposed upon
them the duty OF military service to the only
government which had ever known them per-
sonaliy. Until the year 1868 AZ was left en-
barrassed by the conflicting opinion OF courts
aud jurists to examine how far tue doctrine
of perpetual allegiance derived from our for
mer colonial relations with Great Britain was
applicable to American citizens. Congress
then wisely swept the doubts away by elccting
that any declaration instruction, opinion,
order or decision OF any officer of this Govern
ment which denies, restricts, impairs or ques-
ti0ns the right OF cXpatriatIou is inconsistent
with the fundamental principle Of tins Govern
ment. But Congress did not indicate IN that
statute nor has II since done SO, what acts are to
be deemed TO work eXpatrlatlOn. For nv own
guidance in determining such questions re-
CURED under the provisions of the COnstitu.
ton, have required the opinion in writing Of
the principal officers in eaen Of the executive
departments 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, ana | transmit
herewith copies OF the several opinions Of the
principal officers of the executive depart
meuts, together with other correspondence
and prominent information on the same sub
iect. The United States, who led the way
m The overthrow Of the feudal
doctrine Of perpetual allegiance, are
among the last to indicate how
their own citizens tudY elect another NATIONAL
i,y. The papers submitted herewith indicate
What ~ necessary 10 place Us on a par with
other leading nations in hberalit, Of lcgisla-
iiUn on this international question We have
already ~ our treaties, assented TO the prln-
cipos winch would need 30 be embodied in
laws intended tu accomplish such results. We
have agreed that citizens Of the United states
may cease ie be citizens, and may voluntarily
render allegiance TO other powers. We have
agreed that residence IN foreign lands With
ont luteut to return, shall OF itself work
cXpatriaHJn. We have agreed ia some In
stances upon the length OF time necessary for
such intent. | invite Congress now 10 mark
aud define, when auG how eXpatratiOu can be
accomplished to regulate by law the condi-
ton Of American women marrying foreign
ets; 70 tiX the status OF children born in a
foreign courtry OF American parents residing
more or lcs- permanently abroad, aud TO make
rules flr determining such other kindred
points ma seem best 10 Congress
Tng s,ANisu REPUBLIC.
Ia mphlHre with The request o. Congress
transmitted to the American Minister at
Madrid, with Instructions 20 present Il to the
spanish government. the JOINT resolution APP
proved GA th, 3D. ut March last rendering To
the people Of spain, IN the name and on be-
hall OF the American people, the eougratula-
tinus Ot Cuugr,ss urun the efforts 10 congnI.