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near the close of the last session of Congress。
If the condition of our relations with other nations is less
gratifying than it has usually been at former periods； it is
certainly more satisfactory than a nation so unhappily distracted as
we are might reasonably have apprehended。 In the month of June last
there were some grounds to expect that the maritime powers which； at
the beginning of our domestic difficulties； so unwisely and
unnecessarily； as we think； recognized the insurgents as a
belligerent； would soon recede from that position； which has proved
only less injurious to themselves than to our own country。 But the
temporary reverses which afterward befell the national arms； and
which were exaggerated by our own disloyal citizens abroad； have
hitherto delayed that act of simple justice。
The civil war； which has so radically changed； for the moment； the
occupations and habits of the American people； has necessarily
disturbed the social condition； and affected very deeply the
prosperity； of the nations with which we have carried on a commerce
that has been steadily increasing throughout a period of half a
century。 It has； at the same time； excited political ambitions and
apprehensions which have produced a profound agitation throughout the
civilized world。 In this unusual agitation we have forborne from
taking part in any controversy between foreign states； and between
parties or factions in such states。 We have attempted no
propagandism and acknowledged no revolution； but we have left to
every nation the exclusive conduct and management of its own affairs。
Our struggle has been； of course； contemplated by foreign nations
with reference less to its own merits than to its supposed and often
exaggerated effects and consequences resulting to those nations
themselves； nevertheless； complaint on the part of this government；
even if it were just； would certainly be unwise。
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