The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-06

| its own citizens. invite your attention
| to the legislation which will be
necessary TO provide for the payment.
In this connection / ana pleased to be able
to express the Acknowledgements due to Sir
| Edward Thornton, the umpire OF the COM
mission, who has given to the consid eration
| Of the large number Of claims submitted to
him much time, unwearied patience, and
that fairness and Intelligence which are
we'll known to belong to the accomplished
representative OF Great Britain, and which
are likewise recognized by the represents
| tive in this country Of the republic OF Mex
| leo.
| Monthly payments OF very small part
OF the amount due by the Government OF
Venezuela to citizens Of the United States
on account OF claims OF the latter against
that Government continue to be made with
reasonable punctualty. That Government
has proposed to change the system which
it has hitherto pursued in this respect by
issuing bonds for part OF the amount OF the
several claims. The proposition, however,
could not, it is supposed, properly be ac-
cepted, at least without the OF the
holders OF certificates Of the indebtedness:
OF Venezuela. These are so much dispersed
that it would be difficult, il not impossible,
to ascertain their disposition on the subject.
| n
the attention OF Congress to the necessity
OF legislation with regard to fraudulent
naturalization, and to the subject OF eXpa-
triation and the election OF nationality.
The numbers OF persons OF foreign birth
seeking home in tho United States, the
ease and facility with which the honest
emigrant may, after the lapse OF a rcasona-
BILE time, become possessed Of all the priv
leges of citizenship Of the United States,
and the frequent occasions which induce
such adopted citizens to return to the coun-
try OF their BIRTH, render the subject OF
naturalization and the safeguards which cN-
| pericncc has proved necessary for the pro-
lection Of the honest naturaliZed citizen OF
paramount importance. The very SIM
plicity in the requirements OF law on this
question afford opportunity for fraud, and
the want OF uniformity in the proceedings
and records OF the various courts, and IN
the forms Of the certificates OF naturalza-
ton issued, afford 4 constant source OF diff
Guilty. I suggest no additional require
mcnts to the acquisition OF citizenship
beyond those now existing, but I in
vite the earnest attention OF Congress
to the necessity and wisdom OF
some provisions regarding uniformity
in the records and certificates, and pro-
viding against the frauds which frequently
take place, and for the vacating OF record
of naturalization obtained in fraud. These
provisions are needed in aid and sfor the
protection of the honest citizen OF foreign
birth, and for the want OF which he is made
to suffer not unfreQuently. The United
States has insisted upon the right OF eXpa-
triation, and has obtained, after 4 long
struggle an admission OF the principle con-
tended for by acTuieSccnce therein on the
part Of many foreign powers, and by the
confusion of treaties OH that subject. 1t is,
however, but justice to the Government to
which such naturalizcd citizens have Tor
mtrly owed allegiance, as well IS to the
United States, that certain fixed and definite
rules should be adopted governing such
/ cases, and providing how eypatriatIon may
be accomplished. While emigrants in large
numbers become citizens OF the United
States, it's also true that persons, both M.
five born and naturaliZeG, once citizens OF
the United States, either by formal acts or
~ the effect g. 4 series OF facts
and circumstances, abandon their citiheh-
ship aid cease to be entitled to the rrotcc-
ton OF the United States, but continue on
convenient OCCASIONS TO assert, cilllh 10
protection in the absence OF provisions on
these questions. Ana IN TINS connection L
again invite your attention. 70 lhe necessity
of legislation concerning the marriages %
American citizens contracted ABROAD, a'iu
concerning the status OF American women
. who marry foreigners, and OF children porn
OF American parents In Il foreign country
The delicate and complicated questions con
tinuaIly occurring with reference to natu-
raiZation, eXpatriatlon, and the status OF
sucl, persons rs | have above referred to,
induce me to earnestly direct your atten-
ton to these subjects. In like manner l
repeat my rccommcn dation that some means
be provided for the hearing and determine
ton OF the Just and subsiSting claims OK
aliens upon the Government OF the United
States within il reasonable limitation, OF
such rs may hereafter arise. While by exist
ip~ provisions oil law the Court Of Claims
may in certain eases be rcscrtcd to
by al alien claimant, the absence
Of any general provisions governing
all such cases, and the want OF 4
tribunal skilled in the disposition OF SUCH
cases upon recognized, fixed, ana settled
principles, either provides no remedy III
many deserving eases Or compels consid
Grafton Oh such CLAIMS by Congress or the
executive departments Ct the Government,
II il believed that other Governments are
| in advance OF the UnitcG States upon this
| question, and that the practice now adopted
| is entirely unsatisfactory.
COLORADO -..
| Congress, BY an act approved the Sd day
OF March, 1875, authorized the inhabltants
| OF the Territory OF Colorado.5o form 4 State
| Government with the name. O. the State OF
| Colorado, and therein provided for the adj
| uEssion. OF said State when formed into the
| Emon upon IN equal fooLin9 with the orig
incl States. i Constitution having been
adopted and ratified by the people OF that
State, and the aatjng Governor having Ger,
tilted 70 me the facts rs providedby the sala
act. together with Il copy OF SUCH Constitll-
| ton,and ordinances us provided ror III tac
saia.sct, and the provisions OF the :'aa act OF
Congress having been duly complied wt''
issued proclamation upon the lst OF IL
gust. 1876; a cory OF which is hereto an
ncSc.s.
3:'. .ls wXR, DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Secretary OF Var SHOWS
| that che army has been actively employed
during the year in serbduing, at ths~fegueSt
| o? tl;s Indian BLresu certain wild bands OF
! the S:oux Indian nation and in preserving
the pence at the South during the election.
/ The commission constituted under the act
| OF July 81, 1876, to consider and re-
port en- the .'whoIe subject OF the reform
and Reorganization. OF the army met in
| August last, and h&s collecteda large mass
! OF statistics and opinions bearing Gu the
subject. before it. These are no'S under
consideration, and sircir report IS progress
/. ing. / am advised, though, by tne'pfesl-
| dent Of the commission that it VIII! be I'M
nrnct;eable. to comply with The clause