: gM,,w''MMW8M"'WAUUW llIIWW,tlLWI,'tWJLgj
. pJcuotcb to politico, itcratutc, gricnlturc, Science, iilovolitij, anil encrol 3ntclligeucc.
VOL. 34.
STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA., DECEMBER 14. 1876.
NO. 28.
Published by Theodore Schoch.
Terms Two dollars year In advance and if not
paid bof re the end of tile year, two dollars and fifty
cent will be cliawl.
paid except at the option of the Kditor.
1 4 y. AdvertNoinonU of on square of (eU'M llne.0
1 one or three insertions f 1 .W. Each additional i
jf 0 prr aMCWlllini'- I11HII tvii iivaiagTro ig
sartion, an crnw. i'njpr onra in rupvruou.
JOII 1RITLG
OF ALL KI.VPH,
Executed ia the histhest style of the Art, and on the
most reasonable terms.
)
U. NATHANIEL C. MILLER,
Physician and Surgeon.
Q2e4 and residence: Corner Main and Focono Street,
Stboudsbcrg, Pa.,
Office hours from 7 to 8 a. m., lto 2 and 7
to S p. ro.r", f i ,1 . .7 . I,
Oct. 25, 1376-tf.
J.
II. SIIUL.L,, 32. E.
Second door bolow Rurnstt lTouso. Residence
?ad do r west of Hieksite ' Quaker Cliurch. OOice
touri SliSt. in., 1 to 3 p. tn., 6 to 9 p. iu.
May 23, 1876-tf.
D
U. S. MILLER,
Physician and Surgeon,
STROUDSBURG, Pa.
OS", formerly (Kvupirnt by Ir. Soip. Residence with
J. It'. Miiir, one door bvl-w th JelTrrnian Ode.
ifice h-nr, 7 to 9, 12 to a and 6 to 9.
Mat 11, 137. tf.
U. S. L. I'ECK,
Surgeon Dentist.
(if5?i in Ja. n.lin5?r's new huilJinj, nearly opponite
ih-rtrou Isbur Rank, lias aJmubUreU for enacting
wh-n di-ird.
SiruvidsW, l"a. fJaii. VG-tf.
D
a. a tin. v. j ack&ox
Plir.SIfllX, SURGEON AND AL'COUCflEUR.
OS re In Samuel Hood's new buildinc. nearly op
posite ihi p ofUec. lirs:dcUv.'e on Sarah street,
ah r Kraukliti.
Anj'iu S,'72-tf
DIVIO S. LEE,
Attorney at Lair,
Ono door alve tiie "Stroudsburg House,'
StromNburg, Fa. .
Collections promptly made.
Ortober 22, 1S74.
W
ilso.y i'Einso.,
Notary Public,
R:a.l Estate and Insurance Aent and
CONVEYANCER.
Title ffirckcl and Convrynneiny in all its
brne!ie e-ireu.'y and pr-jmp'.ly attended to.
Ac'wjdcigrxcn.' taken for otifr Statu. -
OSce, Kistler'a Brick Building, near tbell.R.
Depot,
E VST STROUDSBURG, PA.
P. O. lUx 2
Sei)tembsr 2, 176. tf.
WILLIAM S. REES,
Surveyor, Conveyancer and
Real Estate Agent.
Farais, Timber Lands and Town .Lets
FOR SALE. , -
OfSi-e mMrljr cppoMt? American IIouc
and 2 1 door hclor tbe Corner tftore, , " . , T ',
March 20, 17.Mf.
DR. J. LANTZ, i .
SURGEON. & uIECHANICAL DENTIST.
?:lll ha hi office on Main street, in the e.-oiiU atory
f Dr. S. Walton bri- !t boiHios, nearly ofKiUJ tUe
iroudi'jurj llouss, and bt flaters hiuieif lliat by eigh
teen year constant pnwtloe 'and tbj most caruest ai;d
err'ul attention to all matters yertainin? V hi ro
femion. that he is fully abl! to perforin all oper:Uiou
la tbe deatai line in tLe most careful nd skillful maa
er. fperlal attention iriv,n to oarinj th "Natural Tet!i ;
alio, to the insertion vf Artificial Teeth on Kubbr,
Gold, ';!Ter, or Continuous (jurui, and perfect 11 ta in all
tn injured. . . .
Most persons know the great folly and danger of n
t rutting thir work.to tbe iue'xperienced. or to t hosa lir
i at a distance. April 13, IS" A. tf.
Opposition to Humbuggefy!
The un4rsisnd hereby annonneea that be ha re
busiues at the old stand, unt door to Knster'a
n.nhinj 8tore, Main street, Stroudsburg, Pa., and is
faily prepared to accommodate all in want of
BOOTS and SHOES, '
made in the latest style and of good material. Repalr-
Iok promptlr attentod to. iivi me a rail.
lc., 17.1-1 r. C. LEWIS WATLJtS.
PAPER IIAiSfilEK,
GLAZIER AND PAINTER,-
MONROE STREET,
Nearly opposite Kautz's Blacksmith Shop,
Stroudsbcro, Pa.
The undersigned would respectfully in
form the citizens of Stroudsburg and vicinity
that he is now fully prepared to do all kinle
of Paper Hanging, Glazing and Painting,
promptly and at ehort notice, and that he
will keep constantly on hand a fine tock ol
Paper Hangings of all description arid at
low pricos. The patronage of the publir
i earnestly solictcd. , May 16, 1872.
Dwelling House for Sale.
A Terr deairable two ptry Dwelling House, rontaln-
for a Store Koorn, situate on Main stn-vt.
In the Borough of Stoudburr. Tbe
I building is nearly new, and e ery part
ofitio good condition. For turrua Ac,
U1 at this office.
Pec. 9, 1875-tf.
"OB PRINTING, of all kindf neatly ex
ecuted at this office.
MS
nuvt Proclamation.
Whereas, the lion. Samcrt. S. Drkiter, President
Jude of the 22d Judicial District of rennsylrnnia,
eouiMwsrl of the.coiiTitk'H of Monroe and Carbon, and
Peter Mrcvkr and Charles W. Iikcker, hVquires,
Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the
County of Moiiron,and by virtue of tlndrotficea. Justices
of the Court of Oyer and Teiuilner and Geueral Ja'l
delivery and Court of (ioneral Quarter Sessions in aud
for the said County of Monroe, have issued th"ir precept
to me commanding that a Court of Quarter Sessions of
the Peace Bud Common Picas, and Court of Oyer and
Terminer and (leneral Jail TKdivery and Orphan'
Court, for the said County of Monroo, to be holden at
Stroudsburg, on ...
MONDAY, the 25tii day 'of December 187G.
to continue one week, if necessary.
NOTICE
Is hereby given to the Coroner, the Justices of the
Peace, and Constables of the said county of Monroe,
that they be then and there ready with their rolls
records, inquisitions, examinations and other remem
brance to do thoso things which their offices are ap
pertaining, aud also that those who are bound by
recognirancos to pne ute gi ve evidence against the
prisoners that are or shall be in the jail of the said
county of Monroe, or against persons who stand charged
with the commission of oiteuces to be then and there
to prosecute or testify ns shall be just.
; titd save tbe Commonwealth.)
JACOB K. SHAFER, ShoriU.
Sheriff's Office Stroudsburg,)
Nov. 30. JS7C
Great Bargains!
H. D. BUSH,
The down town Dry Good Merchant will sell
hU immense stock of
Gr O O D S
before the first day of Jannary, A.D. 1S77, to
make room for a different line of goods.
Goods sold at cost and less than cost !
Hi stock consists of all kinds of
Ladies' and Gents' Furnishing
Goods, Notions, &c.
The public is invite 1 to come and examine
hi stock as it will positively be sold
cheaper than it can be bought elsewhere.
H. D. BUSH.
Stroudsburg, Nov. 23, IS76. lm.
THE
STILL DOWN TO THE
OLD PRICES
in spite of the advance in prices at wholc
sale, AND OUU STOCK LARGER AND
MORE COMPLETE THAN EVER.
We have scoured the market for things
Interesting and Profitable
FOR OUR CUSTOMERS,
AND CAN NOW OFFER GREATER
inducements' to
CASH BUYERS
THANEVER !
Dress Goods,' Cloths, and
Cassiniercs, Flannels and
Blankets, bleached and
brown MUSLIN, Prints,
Shawls, Undcnvcar for
For Ladies', Gents' and
Children.
Gents' Famishing Goods,
ROISERY,
KID GLOVES,
Ribbons, &c. &c.
i
We propose to MAINTAIN our REP
UTATION for being the
Cheapest Store
IN
BY BEING JUST WHAT tub TERM
IMPLIES,
AND IF ANY THINK THEY HAVE
REASON to DOURT IT WE WOULD
' VERY KINDLY INVITE THEM
TO CALL AND INVESTIGATE, AT
r The New,. York Store.
! Strouburg, Oct. 12, 1876. Sj.
iew York Store,
TOWN,
The President's Message.
EVENTS OF TWO TERMS REVIEWED.
CONDITION OF THE COUNTRY AT TIIE OPEN
i INQ OF TIIE FIKST TERM TIIE PART OF
THE EXECUTIVE IN RECONSTRUCTION
1'UKLIC AFFAIRS DURING THE PAST
YEAR NATURALIZATION FRAUDS AS
AFFECTING FOREIGN RELATIONS COLO
RADO SYSTEM OF CHOOSING TIIE VOTE.
To the Serude and Home of Heprescnlativea :
'In submitting my eighth and last an
nual Message to Congress,' it seems proper
that I should refer to, and in sonic degree
recapitulate, the events and4 official acta of
the past eight jcars. It was my fortune,
or misfortune, to be called to the office of
Chief Executive without any previous poli
tical training. From the age of seventeen
I had never even witnessed the excitement
attending a Presidontial campaign but twice
antecedent to my own candidacy, aud at
but one of them was I eligible as a voter.
Under such circumstances it is but reason
able to suppose that errors of judgment
must have occurred. Even had they uot,
difference of opinion between the Execu
tive bound by an oath to the strictest per
formance of his duties aud writers and
debaters must have arisen. It is not ne
cessarily evidence of blunder on the part of
the Executive because there are these dif
ferences of views. Mistakes have been
made, as all can sec and I admit, but it
seems to me oftcner in the selections made
of the assistants appointed to aid in carry
ing out the various duties of administering
the Government, in nearly every case selec
ted without a pcrsoual acquaintance with
the appointee, but upon recommendations
of the Representative chosen directly by
the people. It is impossible, where so
many tru&ts are be alloteu, that the right
parties should be chosen in every instance.
History shows that no Administration,
from the time of Washington to the pro
sent, has been free from these mistakes, but
I leave comparisons to history, claiming
only that I have acted in every instance from
a conscientious desire to do what was right,
constitutional, within the law, and for the
very best interests of the whole people.
Failures have beeu errors of judgment, uot
of intent.
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED AT TIIE
OUTSET.
My civil career commenced, too, at a
most critical and difficult time. Less than
lour years before the country had emerged
from a conflict such as no other nation had
ever survived. Nearly one-half of the States
had revolted against the Government, aud
of those remaining faithful to the Union a
large percentage of the population sympa
thized with the rebellion, and made an
"enemy in the rear" almost as dangerous
as the more honorable enemy iu frout. The
latter committed errors of judgment, but
thej maintained them openly and courage
ously ; the former received the protection
of the Government they would see destroy
ed, and reaped all the pecuniary advantage
to be gained out of the then existing state
of affairs, many of them by obtaining con
tracts and by swindling the Government in
the delivery of their goods. Immediately
on the ccasation of hostillities, the then no
ble President, who had carried the country
so far through its' perils, fell a martyr to
his patriotism at the hands of an assassin.
The interventing time to my first inaugura
tion was filled up with wranglings between
Congress and the new Executive as to the
best mode of "reconstruction," or, to speak
plainly, as to whether the control of the
Government should be thrown immediately
into the hands of those who had so recently
and persistently tried to destroy k, or whe
ther the victors should continue to have an
equal voice with them in this control.- Re
construction, as finally agreed upon, means
this, and only this, except that the late slave
was enfranchised, giving an increase, as was
supposed, to the Uuion-loving and Union
supporting votes. If free in the full sense
of tho word; they would not disappoint this
expectation. Hence,- at the beginning of
my first "Administration, the work of re
construction, much embarrassed by the long
delay, virtually commenced. It was the
work of the legislative , branch of the Gov
ernment. ' My province was wholly in ap
proving their acts, which I did most hearti
ly, urging the Legislatures of States which
had not yet done so to ratify the fifteenth
amendment to the Constitution. The coun
try was laboring under an enormous debt,
contracted in the suppression of rebellion,
aud taxation was so oppressive as to dis
courage production. Another danger also
threatened us a foreign war. The last
difficulty had to be adjusted, and was ad
justed without a war, and in a manner high
ly honorable to all parties concerned.
FINANCIAL RESULTS.
Taxes have been reduced within the last
seven years nearly three hundred millions
of dollars, and the national debt has been
reduced in the same time over four hundred
and thirty-five millions of dollars, by refund
ingthe six percent bonded debt for bonds
bearing five and four and a half per cent,
interest, respectively. The annual interest
has been reduced from over one hundred and
thirty millions of dollars in 18G9, to but little
over one hundred miliums of dollars in 187G.
The balance of trade has been changed from
over one hundred and thirty millious
against the United States in lau'D, to more
than one hundred and twenty millions of
dollars in 187G. It is condently believed
that the balance of trade m favor of the
Uuited States will increase, not diminish,
and that the pledge of Congress to resume
specie payments in lS79will' be easily ac-
' 1! L J. ' A. tJ
CODCpHsuea, evcu a mo aufctucw ox wuiu
desired further legislation on the subject.
THE INDIAN POLICY.
A policy has been adopted toward the
Indian tribes inhabiting a large portion of
me territory ot the United States, which
has been humane, has substantially ended
Indian hostilities in the whole land, except
in a portion of Nebraska, and Dakota.
Wyoming, and Montana Territories, the
Rlack Jjdls region, and approaches thereto.
Hostilities there have grown out of the
avarice of the white man, who has violated
our treaty stipulations in his search for
gold. The question might be asked, why
the Government has not enforced obedience
to the terras of the treaty prohibiting the
occupation of the Black Hills region by
whites. The answer is simple. The first
immigrants to the Black Hills were re
moved by troops, but rumors of rich dis
coveries of gold took into that region in
creased numbers. Gold has actually been
found in paying quantity, and an effort to
remove the miners would only result in the
desertion of the bulk of the troops that
might be sent there to remove them. All
difficulty in this matter has, however, been
removed, subject to the approval of Con
gress, by a treaty ceding the Black Hills
and approaches to settlement by citizens.
The subject of the Indian policy and treat
ment is so fully set forth by the Secretary
of the Interior and the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs, and my views so fully ex
pressed therein, that I refer to their re
ports and recommendations as my own.
FOREIGN RELATIONS HARMONIOUS
The relations of the United States with
foreigu powers coutinuc on a friendiy foot
ing. Questions have arisen, from time to
tiui3, in the foreign relations of the Govern
ment, but the United States have been
happily free, during the past year, from
the complications and embarrassments which
have surrounded some of the foreign pow
ers. The diplomatic corespondence sub
mitted herewith contains information as to
certain of the matters which have occupied
the Goverment. The cordiality which at
tends our relations with the powers of the
earth has been plainly shown by the general
participation of foreign nations in the Ex
hibition which has just closed, and by the
exertions made by distant powers to show
their interest in and-frit nlly feeling toward
the United States in tie commemoration
of the Centennial of the nation. The Gov
ernment and people of the United States
have not only fully appreciated this exhibi
tion of kindly feeling, but it may be justly
and fairly expected that no small benefits
will result both to ourselves aud other na
tions from a better acquaintance and a bet
ter appreciation of our mutual advantages
aud mutual want3.
FALSE ECONOMY.
Congress at its last session saw fit to re
duce the amount annually appropriated for
foregin intercourse, by withholding appro
priations for representatives of the United
States in certain foreign countries, and for
certain consular officers, and by reduciug
the amounts usually appropriated for cer
tain other diplomatic posts, and thus ne
cessitating a change in the grade of the re
presentative. For these reasons, immedia
tely upon the passage of the bill mukiug ap
propriations for the diplomatic and consular
service for the present fiscal year, instruc
structions were issued to the representa
fives of the United States at Bolivia,
Excuador, and Columbia, and to the con
sular officers for whom no appropriation
had been made, to close their respective
legations and consulates and cease from the
performance of their duties, and iu like
manner steps were immediately taken to sub
stitute Charges d Affaires for Ministers resi
dent in Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Swit
zerland, and Paraguay. While thorough
ly impressed with the wisdom of sonnd
economy in the foreign service, as in other
branches of the Government, I cannot es
cape the conclusion that in some instances,
the withholding of appropriations will prove
an expensive economy, and that the small re
trenchment secured by a change of grade
in certaiu diplomatic posts is uot an ad
equate consideration for the loss of influ
ence and importance which will attend our
foreign representatives under this reduc
tion. I am of the opinion that a re-examination
of the subject will cause a change
in some instances in the conclusions reached
on these subjects at the last season of Con
gress. THE ALABAMA CLAIMS COURT.
The Court of Commissioners of Alabama
Claims, whose functions were continued by
an act of the last session of Congress untd
the 1st day of January, 1877, has carried
on its labors with diligence and general
satisfaction. By a report from the Clerk
of the Court, transmitted herewith, bear
ing date Nov. 14, 187G;it appears that
within the time now allowed by law the
court will have disposed of all the claims
presented for adjudication. This report
also contains a statement ot tne general re
suits of the labors of the court to date
thereof. It is a case of satisfaction that
the method adopted for the satisfaction of
the classes of claims submitted to the court,
which are of long standing, and justily cn
titled to early consideration, should prove
successful and acceptable.
THE NORTH-WEST BOUNDARY.
It is with satisfaction that I am enabled
to state that the work of the Joint Com
mission for determining the bouudary line
between the United States and the British
Possessions from the north-west angle of
the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Moun
tains, commenced in 1872, has been com
pleted. The final agreements of the Com
missicmers, with the tuai s, hare been duly
J pirjfri, and fciJe -work of ths eomffiicsiaa
is complete. The fixing of the boundary
upon the Pacific Coast by the protocal of
March 10, 1873, pursuant to the award
of the Emperor of Germany, by article 34,
of the Treaty of Washington, with the ter
mination of the work of this commission,
adjusts and fixes the entire boundary be
tween the Uuited States and the British
Possessions, except the portion of territory
ceded by Russia to the United States un
der the treaty of 18G7. Tho work intrus
ted to the Commissioner and the officers of
the Army attached to the commission, has
been well and satisfactorily performed. The
original of the final agreement of the Com
missioners, signet! upon the 29th of May,
187G, with theoriginnl "list of astronomical
stations observed," the original official "list
of monuments marking the international
boundary line," and the maps, records, and
general reports, relating to the commission
have been deposited in the Department of
State. The official report of the Commis
sioner on tho part of the United States,
with the report of the Chief Astronomer
of the United States, will be submitted to
Congress within a short time.
EXTRADITION AND COMMEUICAL TREA
TIES. I reserve for a separate communication
to Congress a statement of the condi
tion of the questions which lately arose with
Great Britain respecting the surrender of
fugitive criminals under the treaty of 1S42.
The OUoman Government gave notice,
under date of Jan. 15, 1374, of its desire
to terminte the treaty of 1SG2, concerning
commerce and navigation, pursuant to the
provisions of the twenty-second article there
of. Under this notice the treaty termina
ted upon the 5th day of June, 1S7G. That
government has invited negotiations toward
the conculsion of a new treaty. By the
act of Congress of March 23, 1874,
the President was authorized, when he
should receive satisfactory' information that
the Ottoman Government , or that of Egypt,
had organized new tribunals likely to se
cure to citizens of the United States the
same impartial justice enjoyed under the
exercise of judicial functions by diplomatic
and consular officers of the United States,
to suspeud tne operation of the act of June
22, ISGO, and to accept for citizens of the
United States the jurisdiction of the new
tribunals. Satisfactory information having
been received of the organization of such
new tribunals in Egypt, I caused a procla
mation to be issued on the 27th of March
last, suspending the operation of the act of
June 22, 18G0, in Egypt, according to the
provisions of the act. A copy of the pro
clamation accompanies this Message. The
United States has united with the other
powers in the organization of these courts.
It is hoped that the jurisdictional questions
which have arisen may be readily adjusted,
and that this advance in judicial reform
may be hindered by no obstacles. The ne
cessary legislation to carry into effect the
convention respecting cwnmerieal recipocity
concluded with the Hawaiian Islands in
1875 having been had, the proclamation to
carry into effect the convention, as provided
by the act approved Aug. 15, 1876. was
duly issued upon the Uth day cf September
last. A copy thereof aeconipauies this Mes
sage.
TnE MERICAN FRONTIER.
The commotions which have been pre
valent iu Mexico for some time past, sud
which unhappyily seem to be not yet whol
ly quieted, have led to complaints of citi
zens of the Uuited States of injuries by per
sons in authority. It is hoped, however,
that these will ultimately be adjusted to the
satisfaction of both Governments. The
frontier of the United States in that quar
ter has not been exempt from acts of viol
ence by citizens to one Republic cr those
of the other. The frenucnev of these is
supposed to be increased, and their adjust
ment made more difficult, by the consider
able changes in the course of the lower part
of the Rio Grande River, which river is a
part of the boundary between the two
countries, lhese changes have placed on
either side of the river portions of land
which by existing conventions belong to
the jurisdiction of the Government on the
opposite side of the river. The subject ot
the adjustment of this cause of difficulty is
under consideration between the two Re
publics. THE CLAIMS ON COLOMBIA, MEXICO, AND
VENZUELA.
The Government of the United States
of Colombia has paid the award in the
case of the steamer Montijo, seized by the
authorities of that Government some years
since, and the amount has been transferred
to the claimants. It is with satisfaction
that I am able to announce that the Joint
Commission for the adjustment of claims
between the United States and Mexico un
der the convention of 13G3, the duration
of which has been several times extended,
has brought its labors to a close. From
the report of the agent of the United States,
which accompanies the papers transmitted
herewith, it will be seen that within tho
time limited by the commission one thous
and seventeen claims on the part of citizens
of the Uuited States against Mexico were
referred to the Commission. Of these
claims eight hundred aud thirty one were
dismissed or disallowed, and in one hundred
and eighty Bix cases awards were made in
favor of tin; claimants against the Mexican
Republic, amounting in the aggregate to
four million one hundred and twenty-five
thousand six hundred and twenty-two dol
lars ami twenty cents. Within the same
period nine hundred and ninety-eight claims
on tho part of cithens of the Mexican Re
public against the United States were re
ferred to the commission ; -of these-claims
djht hundred and thirty-on were dfcmfe&d
or disallowed, and in one hundred and six-ty-st;ven
cases awards were made in favor
of the claimants against the United States,
amounting to $150,-193, 41. By the terms
of the Convention the amount of these
awards is to be deducted from the amount
awarded in favor of our citizens against
Mexico, and the balance only to be paid by
Mexico to the United States, leaving th
United States to make provision for this
proportion of the awards in favor of its own
citizens. I invite your attention to the le
gislation which will be necessary to provido
for the payment. In this connection I ata
pleased to be able to express the acknow
ledgements due to Sir Edward Thornton,
tho umpire of the commission, who has
given to the consideration of the large num
ber of claims submitted to him much time,
unwearied patience, and that fairness aud
intelligence which are well known to belong
to the accomplished represent trr& of Great
Britain, and which are likewise recognized
by the representative in this conntry of the
Republic of Mexico. Monthly payments
ofa very small part of the amount due by
the Government of Venezuela to citizens of
the United States of claims cf the latter
against that Government continue to be
made with reasonable punctuality. That
Government has proposed to change the
system which it has hitherto j urtUid iu
this respect, by issuing bonds of the amount '
of the several claims. The proposition,
however, could uot, it i3 supposed, properly
bo accepted, at least without the consent of
the holders of certicates of the indebted
ness of Venezuela. These arc so much dis
persed that it would be difficult, if not im
possible, to ascertain their disposition on
tho subject.
NATURALIZATION AND ELECTION CI
NATIONALITY.
In former Messages I have called the
attention of Congress to the necessity of
legislation with regard to fraudulent
naturalization, and to ths subject of
expatriation and the election of nationality.
The numbers cf persons of foreign birth
seeking a home in the United Suites the
case and facility with which the honest
emigrant may, after the lapse of a reason
able time, become possessed of all the privi
leges of citizenship of the United States,
aud the frequent oetasiona which induce
snA adopted citizens to return to the coun
try of their birth render the sxjjet of
naturalization and the safeguards which
experience has proved necessary for tho
protection of the honest naforuliaod ckiier
of paramount importance The very
simplicity iu the requirements of the 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 eerifieates
of naturalization issued, afford a constant
source cf difficulty. I suggest no addi
tional requirements to the acquisition of
citizenship beyoud those now existing, but
I invite the earnest attention of Congress
to the necessity and wisdom rf some pro
visions regarding uniformity iu the record
and certificates, and providing against the
frauds which frequently take place, and for
the vacating of a record of naturalization,
obtained by fraud. These provi?it,ns arc-''
needed in aid and for the protection -f the
honest citizen of foreign birth, and for the
waut of which he is made to suffbr not
infrequently.! The United States has in
sisted upon the right of expatriation, and
has obtained, after a loug struggle, an
admission of the principle contended fur,
by aequiesencc therein on the p;:rt of
many foreign powers, and by the conclusion
of treaties on that subject.- It is, however,
but justice to the Government to which
such naturalized citizens have formerly
owed allegiance, as well as to the United
States that certain fixed and definite rules
should be adopted governing such cases and
providing how expatriation may be accom
plished. "While emigrants in large num
bers become citizens of United States, it is
also true that persons, both native-born and
naturalized, once citizens ot the United
States either by formal acts or as the effect
of a series of facts and circumstances,
abandon their citiz nship and cease to be
entitled to the protection of tire United
States, but continue, on convenient oc
casions, to assort a claim to protection in
the absence of provisions on these questions.
And in this connection 1 again invite your
attention to the necessity of legislation
concerning the marriages of American citi
zens contracted abroad, and concerning the
status of American women who may marry
foreigners, and of children born of Ameri
can parents in a foreign country. Tho
delicate and coroplietted questions con
tinually occurring with reference to natur
alization, expatriation, and the status of
such persons as I have above referred to,
induce mc to earnestly direct your atten
tion again to these subjects. In like man
ner I repeat my recommendation that some
means be provided for the Waring und
determination of the just and subsisting
claims of aliens upon the Government of
the United States within a reasonable
limitation-, and of such as may hereafter
arise. While, by existing provisions of law,
the Court of Claims may, in certaiu cases,
be resorted to by an alien claimant, tho
absence of any general provisions govern
ing all such caes, aud the want of a
tribunal skilled in the dispoiciou of fUch
cases upon recognized, fixed, and settled
principles, cither provides no remedy in
many deservings cases, or compels a c .n
sideratvun of euch claims by Congieoa or
the Executive Departments of the Govern
ment. It is believed that other Govern
ments are in advance of the Uuited States
upon this question, and that the practice
now adapted is entirely unsatlsfai t rv.