Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-12-03

Britannia majesty dt w douluSlou ii'lo ntooiJ
consented, with the approval of his govern
ment. to assume the arduous and responsible
duties Of umpire in this commission, and to
lel.d the weight OF his character and name TO
such decisions as may not receive the acqules
ceuce Of both the arbitrator appointed by the
respectiye governments. The commissioners
appointed pursuant to the authority of Congress
TO examine into the nature and extent OF the TO-
rays by tresspassers from that country upon
the borders of Texas have made report which
will be submitted for your consideration.
The Venezuelan Government has been APP
prised of the sense Of Congress IN regard to the
awards of the joint Commission under the Con
yention Of 25th April, 1866, as expressed 10
the act of the 25th February last.
1t is unprecedented that that Government does
| not realize the character Gifts Obligations under
that Convention. AZ there is reason to believe
however, that its hesitancy 10 recognizing
Them springs, in part at least, from real dlth-
Guilty lie dischargug them 10 connection with
its Obligations to other governments, the expe-
depcy Of further forbearancc on our part is
believed to he worthy Of your consideration.
The Ottoman Government and that OF Egypt
have lattcrly shown disposition 10 relieve for
eigu consuls OF the Judicial powers which here
totore they have exercised IN the Turkish do
miuious, by organizing other tribunals as
Congress, however, has by law provided tor
the discharge OF judicial functlons by consuls
of the United States in that quarter under
the treaty of 1880, have not felt at liberty
formally to accept the proposed change with
out the assent OF Congress, whose decision upon
the subject at as early period as may be con-
venent, is earnestly requested.
transmit herewith, for the consideration
| l,,,,,,;,o,;op e (opuraSS anDcutIOn
of the Republic of Santo Domingo to this gov
crnment to exercise protccturale over tha'
Republic
Since the adjournment Of Congress the fol,
lowing treaties with foreign powers have been
proclaimed 4 naturalization convention With
Denmark; convention with Mexico for renew
ing the claims commission; convention OF
friendship, commerce and extradition with the
Orange Ere. State, aud a naturalZ ltion con-
ventinn with Ecuador.
I renew the recommendation made IN my
message of December, 1870, that Congress au
thorizc tie Postmaster General TO issue all com
missions to officials appointed through his De
partmcnt.
[ invite the earnest attention of Congress to
the existiog laws of the United States respect
Jug expatriation, and the election of national
ity by individuals.
Many citizens of the United States reside
permanently abroad with their families. Un.
der the provisions of the act approved Fcbru,
ary 10, 1855, the children Of such persons arc
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 never
resided in the United States.
1t thus happens that persons who have never
resided within the United States have been Gu
abled to put forward a pretenslon to the pro-
lection OF the United States against the claim
to military service OF the government under
whose protection they were born and have
been reared. In some cases even naturaIlz2o
citizens of the United States have returned tc
the land Of their birth, with intent to remain
there, and their children, the issue of mar
riage contracted there after their return, and
who have never been in the United States, have
laid claim to our protection, when the lapse o.
many years had imposed upon them the duty
of military service to the only government which
had ever known them personally.
Until the year 1868 it was left embarrassed
by conflicting opinions Of courts and jurlsts tt
determine how far the ductrine of perpe
tua allegiance, derived from our former colo
NAL 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 officer of this Government, whichdenies,
restricts, impairs or questions the rights of e1
patriation, is Inconsistent with the fundamen
tai principles OF this Government. But Con
gress did not Indicate in that statute, nor ha
il since done so, what acts are to be deemed t
work expatriatioD. For my own guidance ii
determining such questions | required (undel
the provisions Of the Constitution the opinion
in writing of the principal officer in each Of the
Executive Departments upon certain question:
relating to this subject. The result Statistic!
me that further legislation has become neces
sary. I therefore commend the subject to the
careful consideration of Congress- and l trans
nit herewith copies OF the several opinions o.
the principal officers Of the Executive Depart
ments, together with other correspondence anc
pertinent Information on the same subject.
The United States who led the way in the
overthrow Of the tcudal doctrine of perpetua
allegiance, arc among the last to indicate how
their own citizens may elect aoother national
| lty.
The papers submitted herewith indicate
what is necessary to place US Oh par with
other leading nations in liberaity ct Legislation
on this international question. We have al
ready in our treaties assented to the principles
which would need to be embodied in laws in
tended to accomplish such results. We have
agreed that citizens of the United States may
cease to be citizens and may voluntarily reu
der allegiance to other powers. We have
agreed that residence in foreign land, with
out intent to return, shall of itself work expa
triation. We have agreed, in some instances
upon the length Of time necessary for such con
tinued residence to work a presumption OF such
intent I invite Congress now to mark out
and define when and how expatriation can be
accomplished; to regulate by law the condition
of American women marrying foreigners; to
fix the status of children born 10 foreign
country Of American parents residing more OF
less permanently abroad and to make rules for
determining such other kindred points as may
seem best to Congress.
10 compliance with the request of Congress
| transmitted 10 the American minister at
Madrid, with instructions to present it to the
| Spanish government the joint resolution ap-
proved on the third (3dl Of March last; ten.
deriug to the people of Spain, in the name and
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