the writings-6-第31章
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The treaty with Great Britain for the suppression of the slave trade
has been put into operation with a good prospect of complete success。
It is an occasion of special pleasure to acknowledge that the
execution of it on the part of her Majesty's government has been
marked with a jealous respect for the authority of the United States
and the rights of their moral and loyal citizens。
The convention with Hanover for the abolition of the state dues has
been carried into full effect under the act of Congress for that
purpose。
A blockade of 3000 miles of seacoast could not be established and
vigorously enforced in a season of great commercial activity like the
present without committing occasional mistakes and inflicting
unintentional injuries upon foreign nations and their subjects。
A civil war occurring in a country where foreigners reside and carry
on trade under treaty stipulations is necessarily fruitful of
complaints of the violation of neutral rights。 All such collisions
tend to excite misapprehensions; and possibly to produce mutual
reclamations between nations which have a common interest in
preserving peace and friendship。 In clear cases of these kinds I
have so far as possible heard and redressed complaints which have
been presented by friendly powers。 There is still; however; a large
and an augmenting number of doubtful cases upon which the government
is unable to agree with the governments whose protection is demanded
by the claimants。 There are; moreover; many cases in which the
United States or their citizens suffer wrongs from the naval or
military authorities of foreign nations which the governments of
those states are not at once prepared to redress。 I have proposed to
some of the foreign states thus interested mutual conventions to
examine and adjust such complaints。 This proposition has been made
especially to Great Britain; to France; to Spain; and to Prussia。 In
each case it has been kindly received; but has not yet been formally
adopted。
I deem it my duty to recommend an appropriation in behalf of the
owners of the Norwegian bark Admiral P。 Tordenskiold; which vessel
was in May; 1861; prevented by the commander of the blockading force
off Charleston from leaving that port with cargo; notwithstanding a
similar privilege had shortly before been granted to an English
vessel。 I have directed the Secretary of State to cause the papers
in the case to be communicated to the proper committees。
Applications have been made to me by many free Americans of African
descent to favor their emigration; with a view to such colonization
as was contemplated in recent acts of Congress; Other parties; at
home and abroadsome from interested motives; others upon patriotic
considerations; and still others influenced by philanthropic
sentimentshave suggested similar measures; while; on the other
hand; several of the Spanish American republics have protested
against the sending of such colonies to their respective territories。
Under these circumstances I have declined to move any such colony to
any state without first obtaining the consent of its government; with
an agreement on its part to receive and protect such emigrants in all
the rights of freemen; and I have at the same time offered to the
several states situated within the Tropics; or having colonies there;
to negotiate with them; subject to the advice and consent of the
Senate; to favor the voluntary emigration of persons of that class to
their respective territories; upon conditions which shall be equal;
just; and humane。 Liberia and Haiti are as yet the only countries to
which colonists of African descent from here could go with certainty
of being received and adopted as citizens; and I regret to say such
persons contemplating colonization do not seem so willing to migrate
to those countries as to some others; nor so willing as I think their
interest demands。 I believe; however; opinion among them in this
respect is improving; and that ere long there will be an augmented
and considerable migration to both these countries from the United
States。
The new commercial treaty between the United States and the Sultan of
Turkey has been carried into execution。
A commercial and consular treaty has been negotiated; subject to the
Senate's consent; with Liberia; and a similar negotiation is now
pending with the Republic of Haiti。 A considerable improvement of
the national commerce is expected to result from these measures。
Our relations with Great Britain; France; Spain; Portugal; Russia;
Prussia; Denmark; Sweden; Austria; the Netherlands; Italy; Rome; and
the other European states remain undisturbed。 Very favorable
relations also continue to be maintained with Turkey; Morocco; China;
and Japan。
During the last year there has not only been no change of our
previous relations with the independent states of our own continent;
but more friendly sentiments than have heretofore existed are
believed to be entertained by these neighbors; whose safety and
progress are so intimately connected with our own。 This statement
especially applies to Mexico; Nicaragua; Costa Rica; Honduras; Peru;
and Chile。
The commission under the convention with the Republic of New Granada
closed its session without having audited and passed upon all the
claims which were submitted to it。 A proposition is pending to
revive the convention; that it may be able to do more complete
justice。 The joint commission between the United States and the
Republic of Costa Rica has completed its labors and submitted its
report。
I have favored the project for connecting the United States with
Europe by an Atlantic telegraph; and a similar project to extend the
telegraph from San Francisco to connect by a Pacific telegraph with
the line which is being extended across the Russian Empire。
The Territories of the United States; with unimportant exceptions;
have remained undisturbed by the civil war; and they are exhibiting
such evidence of prosperity as justifies an expectation that some of
them will soon be in a condition to be organized as States and be
constitutionally admitted into the Federal Union。
The immense mineral resources of some of those Territories ought to
be developed as rapidly as possible。 Every step in that direction
would have a tendency to improve the revenues of the government and
diminish the burdens of the people。 It is worthy of your serious
consideration whether some extraordinary measures to promote that end
cannot be adopted。 The means which suggests itself as most likely to
be effective is a scientific exploration of the mineral regions in
those Territories with a view to the publication of its results at
home and in foreign countriesresults which cannot fail to be
auspicious。
The condition of the finances win claim your most diligent
consideration。 The vast expenditures incident to the military and
naval operations required for the suppression of the rebellion have
hitherto been met with a promptitude and certainty unusual in similar
circumstances; and the public credit has been fully maintained。 The
continuance of the war; however; and the increased disbursements made
necessary by the augmented forces now in the field demand your best
reflections as to the best modes of providing the necessary revenue
without injury to business and with the least possible burdens upon
labor。
The suspension of specie payments by the banks soon after the
commencement of your last session made large issues of United States
notes unavoidable。 In no other way could the payment of troops and
the satisfaction of other just demands be so economically or so well
provided for。 The judicious legislation of Congress; securing the
receivability of these notes for loans and internal duties and making
them a legal tender for other debts; has made them an universal
currency; and has satisfied;