Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-12-14

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DECEMBER Il,
mitted herewith, it will be seen that within the
time limited by the commission one thousand
and seventeen claims on the part of citizens
of the United States against Mexico were re-
ferred to the commission. Of the claims 831
we're dismissed or disallowed, and in 1856 cases
awards we're made in favor of claimants
against the Mexican Republic, amounting in
the aggregate to $4,125,622.20. Within the
same period 998 claims on the part of citizens
of the Mexican Republic against. the United
States were referred to the commission. Of
these claims 831 were dismissed or disallowed,
and in 167 cases awards were made in favor
of claimants against the United States, amount
ing in the aggregate to one hundred and fifty
thousand four hundred and ninety-eight dol.
lars and forty-one cents. By the terms of the
convention the amount of these awards is to
be deducted from the amount awarded in ia
Vol. of our citizens against Mexico, and the
balance only to be paid by Mexico to the
United States leaving the United States to
make provision for this proportion Of the
awards in favor of its own citizens. l invite
your attention to the legislation which will be
necessary to oprovide for the payment. In this
connection am pleased to be able to express
the acknowledgements due to Sir Edward
Thornton, the umpire of the commission, who
has given to the consideration of the large
number of claims submitted to him much time
and 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 representative in this country of the Re-
public of Mexico.
.,,I,.s, FoREIGN-BoRN CITIZENS.
In former messages have called the atten-
ton of Congress to the necessity of leglsla-
ton with regard to fraudulent naturalization
and to the subject of expatriation and the
election of nationality. The number of per-
sons of foreign birth seeking home in the
United States, the ease and facility with
which the honest emigrant may, after the
lapse Of reasonable time, become possessed
of all the privileges of citizenship of the Uni
ted States, and the frequent occasions which
induce such adopted citizens to return to the
country of their birth, render the subject Of
naturalization and the safeguards which ex.
perience has proved necessary for the protec.
ton of the honest naturalized citizen of par
amount Importance. The very simplicity in
the requirements Of law on this question at.
ford opportunity for fraud, and the want of
uniformity in the proceedings and records of
the various courts and in the forms Of the Ger.
.tifcates of naturalization issued afford con-
stant source of difficulty. Isuggest no addi-
tional requirements to the acquisition of citi-
zenship beyond those now existing, but / in
vite the earnest attention of Congress to the
necessity and wisdom of some provisions re-
garding uniformity in the records, and pro.
vidng against the frauds which frequently
take place, and for the vacating of a record
of naturalization obtained in fraud. These
provisions are needed in aid and for the pro-
lection of the honest citizen of foreign birth,
and for the want of which he is made to suf
fer not unfrequently The United States has
insisted upon the right Of expatriation, and
has obtained, after long struggle, an admis-
sion of the principle contended for by an ac-
quiescence therein on the part of many foreign
powers, and by the conclusion Of treaties on
that subject 1t is -hn4eYer. but Justice to the
government to which such naturalized citi-
zens have formerly owed allegiance, as to the
United States, that certain fixed and definite
rules should be adopted governing such cases
and providing how expatriation may be &C.
complished. While emigrants, in large num-
bers, become citizens of the United States, it
is also true that persons, both native born and
naturalized, once citizens of the United States
either by formal acts orss the effect of series
of facts and circumstances, abandon their cit
izenship and cease to be, entitled to the pro-
lection of the United States, but continue on
convenient occasions to assert a claim to pro-
lection. In the absence of provisions on these
questions, and in this connection, l again in.
vite your attention to the necessity of legisla.
tion concerning the marriages of American cit
izens contracted abroad, and concerning the
status of American women who may marry
foreigners and of children born of American
parents in foreign country. The delicate
and complicated questions continually occur
ring with reference to naturalization, expatri-
alton and the status ofsuch persons as l have
above referred to induce me to earnestly d.
rect your attention again to these subjects.
In like manner repeat my recommendation
that some means be provided for the hearing
and determination Of the just and subsisting
claims of aliens upon the government of the
United States, within reasonable limitation,
and of such as may hereafter arise. While,
by existing provisions Of law, the Court of
Claims may in certain cases be resorted to by
an alien claimant, the absence of any general
provisions governing all such cases, and the
want ofa tribunal skilled in the disposition of
such cases upon recognized, fixed and settled
principles, either provides no remedy in many
deserving cases, or compels consideration of
such claims by Congress or the Executive de-
partments of the government. 1t is believed
that other governments are in advance of the
United States upon this question, and that the
practice now adopted is entirely unsatisfac-
tory. '''5
The report of the Secretary of War shows
that the army has been actively employed du-
ring the year, in subduing, at the request of
the Indian bureau, certain wild bands of the
Sioux Indian nation, and in preserving the
peace at the South during the election. The
commission constituted under the act Of July
"a, 1878, to consider the report on the "whole
subject of reform and reorganization Of the
army" met in August last, and collected
large mass of statistics and opinions bearing
on the subject before it. These are now under
consideration, and their report is progressing
I am advised, though, by the president of the